Evil baby - best ways to tame...

[Bruce Whitehead]

I have always been a proponent of taming out any snake by not handling it...

I had one female this year, same deal, possible het holdback. If I was near the rack I could hear *thump* *thump* *thump*... her striking the side of the enclosure.

She tagged me a few hours out of the egg, I kid you not.

When I would crack her shoebox to change water, she would launch herself at me, a few times ending half out of the enclosure.

When I had her in hand it was the same thing... not one or two strikes, but 8 fast consecutive strikes.

I cut a piece of choloroplast that was the same width of her tub, when I would crack the tub I would slide it in.... pull the tub forward... and change the water while blocking her.

Same with removing her to change the tub. I would force her into a smaller space, then drop a hide over her, slide the chloroplast under her to scoop her up, change out the tub and then just slide her back in.

Same with picking her up when I had to. I would just hold a margarine lid (it was the right size) very close to her face so that she did not have a clean strike. I had heard from another member that if they bump something from close up, they are less likely to strike repeatedly. She would hit it... and that would be it. Then I would scoop her from the bottom and behind.

I do not even remember at what point she stopped, but I can take her in hand now, I can peek into the tub without getting bitten in the face, and I can move her without her launching herself out of my hands.

I know a few people that have great luck with taming out by handling, I personally do not, and I find that for me, not handling them has been 100% effective with my collection.

Hope that helps,
Bruce