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I think I need a mentor or coach... handling

He has such a sweet face I can't imagine he'd ever bite :), but it is good to have a plan just in case. I have also read that some people believe alcohol is a deterrent as well - never had to test the theory myself so I can't speak for it's validity, but I have seen it mentioned several times.
 
Thanks for the photos.. those are impressive. I am glad you are doing this.
Are you doing this every day? Just do it a few minutes a day when your snake isn't digesting food.
 
plausibledenial said:
He has such a sweet face I can't imagine he'd ever bite :), but it is good to have a plan just in case. I have also read that some people believe alcohol is a deterrent as well - never had to test the theory myself so I can't speak for it's validity, but I have seen it mentioned several times.
Click to expand...
IMO... Alcohol is only needed for big Boids, you know life threatening situations....
I recommend you take a bite from your snake, it's no big deal really.
The shock of the speed is the big thing, it makes me jump when it happens. But the aftermath is not a big problem......
 
tricksterpup said:
Thanks for the photos.. those are impressive. I am glad you are doing this.
Are you doing this every day? Just do it a few minutes a day when your snake isn't digesting food.
Click to expand...

His last mouse was smaller than the previous one (last feed) so I fed him last night. That may have been why he ventured out of his viv and onto my arm on Monday night... hungry... and why he was so active once he was out.

So... let me see - time for my next "commitment".... fed on Tuesday night, so our next handle should be Friday night. Sounds like a "date".

Doesn't he just have the most gorgeous face. I swear he is gorgeous. I bought him from a breeder I contacted here on the forum. The breeder promised he'd picked out one with a nice temperement and Samson is a doll.

Printing my confidence building pic today to post up near the viv. :D
 
When we first brought 3 of our corns home, I was absolutely terrified of them! I mean I refused to even walk near their viv. Just wouldn't do it. My husband had them out all the time and I would have to leave the room. You know how I finally held one? I went to visit with Kyle(ForkedTung)to pick out some hatchlings and he plunked his Lavender boy right into my arms. I couldn't even say no. I fell in love with it and couldn't wait to get home to hold all my babies! Now I'm the one that does most of the handling and get really anxious when it's digesting and shedding time. Makes me sad not to hold one of 'em.
 
MinLynn, that is a beautiful story.
I'm not totally sure what my apprehension has been about or why it started. I didn't stay involved in the forum maybe because I wasnt having any problems. I realize now the benefit is learning from experience of others.

I'm the kind of person who will put others first; sure its nice but it can be a real detriment in your own life when you keep leaving yourself to last so to speak. I think part of that demeanor caused me not to want to frighten or stress Samson. I never would have dreamed of digging him out of his substrate. And, I havent done that yet still the idea is a bit overwhelming. Tricksterpup said just to look away and reach for him. If he bites, he bites. He's never even looked angry once. I'm looking forward to a month or two down the road when I have been consistent and am comfortable with ease. thanks for your story.
 
Aww! You're quite welcome! And really, if I didn't dig for some of my guys, I'd never see 'em at all! My 3 adults were severly neglected which is why we took them in. Even after the way they were treated previously, they are all very affectionate(well as affectionate as a snake can get!) The most I've gotten is a couple of nose bumps from our one hatchling who is a fiesty little boy. I haven't been bitten yet,but, I know it is a possibility. You know what I've told myself? It can't be any worse than when one of my cats scratch me. Those cat scratchs hurt like hell,but, I'm not scared at all of my cats and I don't hesitate to pick one of them up afterwards. Kind of try to think of it that way.
 
I'm keen to dig him out now, seems a few people have to. I just thought "oh no he's underground I can't hold him" and thats how the delays began.

I thought I'd add a pic or two from when he first arrived (Aug 07).
picture.php



and see... I started out pretty brave. I'll do you all proud.

picture.php
 
ive been lurking around your post and you remind me of me lol i never had anything aginst reptiles it just one bad expirence scared me and it was my fault i was like 14 and my freind had a mexican king that was in shed and instead of just putting my had and let her crawl i picked her up no fear and well got bit i was unknolewegdeable and paid for it. it didnt really hurt but i was 14. 2yrs later my uncle bought me a bp rigth after my grams died. and i finally after about 6 months decieded i was going to give him a real try. and i did. im 22 know and own 5 snakes and 2 beardeies and i have baby butters on the way i am activie in my local reptile community and help with resuces.. so once you get knowledge and confidence your good and you become high risk of becoming an reptile adicct i have to admit im guilty. so god luck thought i would share my story in hope to help with more confidence giving
later
 
Thanks Lizardgal,

I really enjoyed your story. It is so encouraging.
I checked out your album.... how cute are your beardies!! Did you breed for your butters? It's cool because after reading your post and checking out your album it occurred to me that Samson is not just my pet snake but he's my hobby too. I hadn't felt that I was a hobbyist as such. Nice!

I have to say it's so cool for me to see so many bearded dragons here in the U.S. - I'm an Aussie so they're my backyard friends. Every time I go into a pet store I check out the beardies although they are captive born US citizens it's so much fun seeing an animal from home (so to speak).

Thanks for lurking. I feel surrounded by good people. It's a really good feeling.
 
Friday...and I handled him again.

Hi Everyone.

A quick update. It's friday - four days after his last feed and I've just had another 15-minute cuddle. He's really, really active when he's out. He started to act like he was going to poop so I put him back. He is so precious.

Now I need to make sure I handle him every day till his next feed and digestion period.
 
Understanding

First, congratulations on handling your snake and he is a great looking animal.

I think the key to handling your snakes is understanding them a little. No matter how big they may be, they are always smaller than we are. SO, they have to feel comfortable that they are not about to be eaten. I just reach in and pick them up quickly BUT let them be able to move and not feel "grabbed." Does that make sense?

Finally, it comes with experience also. After a while doing this, you shouldn't even think about it. I grab my animals and wc's when hunting and just don't worry. It is funny, alot of the wc animals don't strike either because I pick them up fast with no hesitation so they really don't have time to figure out what's going on. Once they do, I think they realize they are ok and relax.

Sounds like you are on your way and didn't need this post, but maybe someone else will benifit from it.

dc
 
I reckon that is the key. I was a bit timid tonite. I waited him out though and eventually he came up the side of his viv and out onto my arm again. I'd touched him a few times while waiting. I can totally imagine being as comfortable as you describe.

Isn't the saying it takes a month to break a habit? Maybe come March 1st I will think of myself as an "old hand". It's been really good for me to make the committment to handling "in front of people" here on the forum. I would always remove his screen (lid) and reach in but never dreamed of digging him out so when I cross that hurdle that will be a real milestone.
 
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