Any tips for getting over fear....

[cheryls]

Woops! Didn't read the whole thread! The one with all the tips was me! Seems like a long time ago.

[scotty99]

I am currently looking after an 8 month BP for a friend. I had no experience with snakes before, so know how you feel about being nervous!! First time i handled him , i got a bit of a sweat on and the old heart rate increased.I know he's not a full grown scub python or anything but still got the nerves going

I was advised to always use a snake hook to take him out and lower him onto my open palm. As snakes get attacked in the wild from above by birds etc, they can get nervous if you come over the top of them apparantly. I gently stroke him with the hook along his body for a minute or two before i lift him out, he seems to chill quite well when i do this.I only take him out when he is awake and out of his hide

leaning everyday thanks to this site!!


Regards Scott

[thedigi1]

Well I'm kinda new at this too! but if the snake is born in captivity isn't it use to being handled and stuff like that? I was just wondering after I read that post. A snake that is born that way would not know or be afraid of a bird attacking it. (just my opinion) am i right?

But as far as I learned I handle mine like 20 to 30 mins a day except for 2 days after I feed him and he's seems not to ever mind being handled by me or anyone in my family.

[Lowen]

Are you afraid of being bitten, or are you afraid of handling your snake?
These are two very different things.

If you are afraid of being bitten, make sure your snake sees you so you don't surprise him. He will curl his neck. They all do that. That's why we call them balls - They curl their necks when they are preparing to curl up, or when they are just a little unsure of their surroundings. It actually rarely means they will strike at you unless you are short and furry with big ears. Generally they will hiss rather quietly before they bite. The hiss really sounds more like a "puff" or a quiet sneeze in little balls. This doesn't even mean that they are going to bite. It just lets you know that they are nervous or afraid. Generally the defensive "bite" is just a bop from the chin. They strike out like they're going to bite, and they just bop you with their closed mouth.

Fear of handling snakes is surprisingly easy.

Get in a tshirt or tanktop with shorts on, or wear as little clothing as possible. Have your husband let a snake crawl on you while you lay on the floor (stomach or back). Tell him to keep putting it on you when it crawls off. Stay perfectly still, but don't freak out. Breathe normally. Repeat this every couple of days, then use two snakes instead of one. Make sure the snakes are different snakes if you can, it will help you adjust. If you have enough snakes of similar size, soon you will have several crawling on you. You are still lying still. Now try to pick up the first snake you used from its tank. If you are still afraid, keep going with the snake therapy.

This has been proven to work with people all over the world who have snake phobias. Some people even use it as a massage. It sounds wierd, but it's not a bad idea.

[soy.lor.n]

Some people even use it as a massage. It sounds wierd, but it's not a bad idea.

HAHA yeah Uli has been keeping me company while my husband is out of town
She's every bit as good at a neckrub as he is!
Also, I saw a snake massage on the Tyra Banks show the other day, although those guys didn't seem to be quite as skilled as my little girl hehe

[scotty99]

Well I'm kinda new at this too! but if the snake is born in captivity isn't it use to being handled and stuff like that? I was just wondering after I read that post. A snake that is born that way would not know or be afraid of a bird attacking it. (just my opinion) am i right?

Even if captive bred or domesticated, animals will still retain wild characteristics. eg- House cats that are well fed and cared for will still bring you back a present, ..a freshly caught mouse,vole, bird, or a nice expensive koi carp from next doors garden!! BP's curl into a ball as a defense, even though they have all been raised in different environments, countries etc, yet they still exhibit the same defense behavour.

regards Scott

[soy.lor.n]

... nice expensive koi carp from next doors garden!!

[STORMS]

Well the fear is not gone - but I did get the snakes out of their tanks all by myself. (with gloves of coarse!) I have been doing it every night for the last few nights and taking each one out for about 15-20 minutes. Hopefully thats not too much for them as I do not want to stress them out. I also did not move them out of their tanks last night for feeding. It went smoothly. Yeah! although both did end up with a bit of aspen in their mouths. I was able to get it out of the babys mouth, but the larger one wouldn't let me get it out. It won't harm him will it? Maybe I should try a new substrate? So many questions!

[Lowen]

Aspen is highly digestible. It shouldn't cause him any problems as long as it isn't lodged into his skin like a splinter. Happens every day!

[Texas Dan]

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....

You could get REALLY drunk and then try to hold them.

I'm just kidding, don't do this. My fiance was scared when we first got the snakes. I would just suggest sitting on the couch with one, have your hubby or your kid sit right next to you and just let them slither around. Took a awhile, but my girl got used to it, and will take them out when I'm not even home.

Just practice. You have to remember, most BPs are very gentle creatures. I had a mite infestation and had to mess with Vincent for a long time, wiping him down, bathing him, moving him from tank to tank, not bites.. nothing. I got hissed at once