Dealing with a biter

[starmom]

Sorry for the above post- that was mean of me
Really, you don't need a hook for a ball python. Just use the hand thing (like what Drew so eloquently described ) and condition your snake. It will all be fine....

[hoo-t]

Another thing that can work, although its a little higher risk of a bite, is to reach in BEHIND the snakes head, and gently stroke its back. That will usually provide the same result as the gentle tap on the head.

Even if they are not in a strike position, I don't go in directly in front of their faces. Thats kinda like looking an aggressive dog directly in the eyes. They're more likely to see your approach as a threat.

Steve

[jglass38]

Another thing that can work, although its a little higher risk of a bite, is to reach in BEHIND the snakes head, and gently stroke its back. That will usually provide the same result as the gentle tap on the head.

Even if they are not in a strike position, I don't go in directly in front of their faces. Thats kinda like looking an aggressive dog directly in the eyes. They're more likely to see your approach as a threat.

Steve

Yeah...I got a wicked bite from a big Boa doing this,. Even if they can see you in front of them, that hand on the neck can feel like a prey item.

[frankykeno]

I with you on that, Jamie. If my hands on a snake's neck it's because I'm controlling them and I'm gripping good and firm so they can't nail me. Our snakes are conditioned over time to know that a gentle stroke well down their back third means they are coming out for handling. We don't do that however until we quickly assess if the snake is an attitude that will allow that. If the snake is obviously hyped up and looking to strike, I'm not stroking nuthin'. LOL

[Drew87]

I agree with what everyone is saying but with my STOP hand style, my little agressive bitter is now a big puppy dog, he doesnt get in the S or anything, doesnt strike at me doesnt hiss, he knows when daddy opens the tub its time to come out and explore, like starmom said just get them in a routine, try to feed on the same days as well becusae trust me they know what day is feeding day, plus if you present the room they will then be ready to eat, and on the other days that there isnt rat smell in the air they will know when that tub opens its time to come out and play. good luck

[jglass38]

I with you on that, Jamie. If my hands on a snake's neck it's because I'm controlling them and I'm gripping good and firm so they can't nail me. Our snakes are conditioned over time to know that a gentle stroke well down their back third means they are coming out for handling. We don't do that however until we quickly assess if the snake is an attitude that will allow that. If the snake is obviously hyped up and looking to strike, I'm not stroking nuthin'. LOL

Exactly! Remember that rule with any big boas you might have lying around!

[edie]

Startmom - I always get in the boa mind frame! Sometimes I forget that BPs and boas are not the same! - the boas are the only snakes I have that will bite me if I stick my hand in their cage going straight towards them. My BPs have never been aggressive - but 2 of the boas I have do bite (my other 2 are very sweet and I don't have to worry about them), but I can kind of read them and understand when they have had enough and thats why I use the hook with them - as soon as I open their cage door they coil their necks back but once I hook them they come out of it.

I can reach my hand in the cages of my BPs to grab them, maybe if one seems a little iffy then I'll get the hook - but I've only had to do that with my 1 adult BP - the babies just ball up every time I take the hides off them, so easy to grab that way!

[GTKeeper]

My little 600 gram royal can be jumpy, but I just get in there and get her out.. Once she's out, I have won. She backs down and becomes a puppy

[TMoore]

With the little bitter i have i would stick my hand in the cage but like a stop hand flat so he really couldnt get his teeth in, but kinda like a bonk with his nose, kinda hard to explaine like a stop hand flat and up and down, get what im saying if not i understand im bad at explaineing stuff haha

So you put your hand in like your telling him to stop, allowing him to bite your palm. But he can't get a hold and just bounces off. Then he backs down and your able to pick him up out of his enclosure. Is that how it works or am I just reading it wrong?

[frankykeno]

Exactly! Remember that rule with any big boas you might have lying around!

LOL she's a big ole puppy dog snake!

Seriously though, we never forget just how big and powerful Mz. Tequila the boa is and the potential she's got in her for some real damage if she ever chose to bother herself with it. We love having her but part of that responsibility of housing a snake like her is being smart about how you approach her and allowing her the time to recognize you are friend not foe (or dinner).

I cannot imagine how it is to handle a true giant. Tequila's more than enough snake for me.