Handling Question?

[Mighty Monty]

I have a question ( obviously )

I've had my RTB for about over a year now. I got him when he was just a little baby and he is now close to 3 and a half, 4 ft.

When he was young i held him alot, almost every other day, very gentle snake, other than one occasion where he struck and nicked me ( he was shedding, wasn't aware of it when i stuck my hand in ) he has been very well tempermented ( i'm hoping that's a word? )

However as the months went by, and he grew, i wasn't always able to handle him as much as i felt needed, or wanted to, other than maybe once a month. I take great care of him, he's healthy, eats great and i've never had a problem the few times i had handled him. However i feel that as time goes by, it may not be as simple as it use to be.

I was wondering, what is the best way to approach my buddy into being able to handle him to the extent where i can feel comfortable taking him out of the tank without worrying that he may strike.

Now i realize you must always been on guard, and he's only struck at me one time.

I apologize if this isn't making sense or i'm not getting to the point, i'm kind of just going with the flow.

What would you recommend i do in order to start holding him and getting him use to me once again without having to worry.

I feel like this is an amature question, but after BPs and now my first RTB i still feel like i need to start from scratch on building a relationship with him.

I see so many people who are holding their snakes, around their neck, near their face, etc...and they don't seem to be worried. That's the relationship i'm trying to build with my boy.

Do red tails get more aggresive as time goes by without being held alot, or since they seem to have a pretty mellow tempermant, am i able to just continue with what i've been doing?( i've been using gloves to hold him the last couple months, which was rarely )

Also, other than while in shed, and a couple of days after eating, are their any warning signs that they give off when they just don't want to be messed with, other than the hissing and maybe kind of just strike, but not grab on...more of a just " don't mess with me kind of strike "

I realize this was a long rant, and probably not very understandable, but i'm hoping i got my point across and it makes sense?

Any help would be great, as i almost feel like i'm losing touch with him.

Thank you!

[frankykeno]

Make sure he's well fed, make sure he's not in shed or otherwise stressed and then just pick a quiet evening and get him out. No muss, no fuss, no letting a bunch of people mess with him - just you and the boa sitting quietly. Put on some tv and just relax with him for a bit. Just let him get used to you again without a lot of anything going on. A couple of nice handling sessions a week and you'll be back on track with him in no time.

[starmom]

Yeah, I agree with what Jo said and have an example to share. I have one hissy girl who is a year old and actually for some irrational reason, scares the heck out of me. Being a mother to a son who is working on being accepted to the Univ of Montana's Wildlife Biology program (double major with Zoology), I gladly gave her to him

He works with her just as Frankykeno suggests. Approach the cage already knowing that it is not near feeding day and no shed cycle. Open the cage and take the snake out regardless of whether the snake begins to hiss. Be in a quiet place and have the time to just hang together. When you are finished with your handling session, make sure the snake is calm prior to putting him back into the cage.

My son does this several times a week and Zelda is finally beginning to respond to his efforts with no hissing when he takes her out and she is MUCH more calm when out- still curious but not with the frantic vibe His efforts with consistency and calmness are paying off

Good luck and I know that you and your snake will succeed! I can't wait to read of your positive results