Any tips for getting over fear....

[STORMS]

Anyone out there have any tips/tricks for getting over my fear of taking my BPs out of there enclosures?

It's kinda silly... I'm OK if my husband takes the baby out and hands her to me, but then I end up getting nervous after a few minutes and have to put her up. I can't even bring myself to hold the male (07' hatchling - he's much bigger than the female). The sad part is my kids are fine with them - NO FEAR. Mom is a big'ol wuss I guess. It sucks cuz I really enjoy watching them and feeding them even cleaning up after them - I just don't want to have to rely on my husband to always have to take them out for me (Plus to make it worse he doesn't really like BP's he likes some kind of Brazilian Boa's and gets annoyed when I ask for help).

I actually took the baby out all by myself yesterday because my son wanted to hold her (and I didn't want to look like a wimp). I ended up putting her right back - she did the S thing and uncoiled as soon as I lifted her up. I thought I was making progress but now Im more scared.

Baby steps....

[West Coast Jungle]

try a few margaritas.
Seriously the snake is more afraid of you. Even if it bit you it wouldn't even hurt.
sometimes people say they fel better after they have been bit because they realize there was nothing to fear in the first place.

it takes time and experience, I was never afraid of snakes but I will say i am much more comfortable with them now then when I first started.

Pratice makes perfect

[Freakie_frog]

Yea 99.995% of them are all bluff. Just move slow. Remeber your baby snake thinks your going to eat it so its scared.

[babygerl3094]

the way i did it was to put a wash cloth or towel over them and then pick them out and let them out out on their own... it worked to me

good luck

[starmom]

Absolutely- baby steps!! And what a great way to become comfortable with snakes; royal pythons are great teachers!!! Because you are hyper-attentive, you'll learn how to read their body signals and will more than likely turn out to be the best snake keeper in your family!!
Just keep challenging yourself to pick up each snake every day. While anything with teeth can bite, royal pythons are so mellow and gentle that they seldom do. Remember that just because they are bending their neck does not mean that they want to eat you for their lunch!!! They are probably and more than likely just bending their neck!! You will know when they are asking to be left alone!
Everyone on this forum is very proud of you, and all people who have, or are in the process of, overcoming irrational fears of snakes. Bravo and kudos to you!!
Please post a picture of you holding one of your beautiful snakes when you get there!!! You rock!!!

[STORMS]

the way i did it was to put a wash cloth or towel over them and then pick them out and let them out out on their own... it worked to me

good luck

Good idea - I will try that!!!

Thanks

[Spaniard]

Like Raul said the snake is more afraid of you than anything. The S position is something that many do until they've settle down a bit after being pulled out of their tanks. Just be calm, if you end up bitten you will heal, all will be good

Worst comes to worst get yourself a good pair of leather gloves

Edit: Man I have slow fingers

[JenH]

Baby steps - exactly....

Somthing that may help. When picking them up always come at them oppisite their head. Sometimes they can be a bit jumpy when you come at them head on.

Also remember that balls, for the most part, do not bite out of defense. They usually only bite when they think you are food. (wash your hands after feeding :-).

Good luck!

[cassandra]

I was afraid when we first got our bp as a baby. I wore rubber dishwashing gloves (you know the yellow ones you can get at the grocery store)...they were my "Dumbo's feather" I needed to get over my fear. =)

I still use the towel thing sometimes with our burmese, hehe...

[BMorrison]

I always rub Furio's sides before I pick him up and coo to him hahaha j/k but after I rub his sides for a few seconds he calms right down and wants to come out and play. Seldomly wants to be put back, unless it's right after he's done eating.