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interacting with my new baby?

chiemi_chan

chiemi_chan

New member
help!

this past saturday, i bought my first snake. he's a baby, although i don't know his exact age. when i handled him briefly in the store, he seemed fine- docile, yet energetic and curious. he had a pinkie before we left. i took him home and got him all set up, then let him be for about twenty four hours. the next morning, i tried to pick him up. he seemed frightened. he scurried away from me, and when i picked him up, he hissed and rattled- the whole nine yards. he bit my finger (drew a bit of blood) but i held him gently and firmly and he calmed down a little bit. after about ten minutes, i put him back. the next evening i attempted to pick him up again, but he hissed, rattled, coiled, and struck at me. i left him alone, and haven't tried to handle him since then.

am i doing the right thing?

i called the reptile store where i purchased him and was advised to handle him gently for a few minutes every day. however, i did some research online and discovered some advice to the contrary: many snake owners said that the best strategy was to let him alone for a week or so, to become adjusted to his new environment, and then slowly break him into being handled. some of the suggestions were to put my hand into his tank near him every day for a few days, and only after doing that for a while, attempt to pick him up.

so, i need to know what to do. do i try to handle him every day, or do i wait?

thanks in advance!
 
read the link in my signature.............and remember, 99% of what you read on this forum from respected members (it's not hard to see who they are) will be better than any pet store can give you. use the search feature also for any questions you might have. the first two things are: yes, your snake needs to settle in to his/her new home before handling.........and no, you need to wait at least 72 hours after feeding before trying to handle your snake. good luck and welcome to corns101.
 
Sounds to me like you are doing everything right except giving him the first week to settle in. Leave him alone for about a week, then begin handling him daily, except for feeding. Usually 48 hours is all that is necessary to leave them after feeding.

He will run from you, hiss and rattle at you, the whole 9 yards. However, this is normal. He's just scared. With patient and persistent handling, these behaviors will lessen. Just give him time.
 
When handling, don't try to restrain the snakes movements too much; just have it slither through you hands (putting 1 hand next to the other hand over and over again), thinking it gets away until it gives up on escaping and decides to hang around where it is.
 
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