Burmese python handlig tips

[Macke84]

How often should i handle my big burmese python ?
When i take him out of his Cage he jumps and hisses alot but dont bite.
I live in sweden almost everyone here says i should handle him few times a year not more. I do not want him become impossible to handled.

[dave himself]

It's really up to you mate, there are really no rules. We handle are burms on a regular basis :)

[CrotalusR#1]

I Handel my large African rock on a weekly basis. I did notice a difference when I didn't have a chance to pull him out for a little over a month, but after I had him out for a while he was write back to his normal tame self.

[Minkness]

Honestly, I believe in handling as much as possible as long as it doesn't interfere with feeding/digestion or stress the snake out too much.

This is only my opinion though.

[SSSSnakes]

I handle only when I have to. I have found if a snake is tame, it's tame and if it's aggressive, it's aggressive. It's the way you handle a snake that makes it aggressive or tame, not how often. I can handle what others call an aggressive snake with out it trying to bite me. It's your handling technique that makes the difference.

[Jrich]

I handle only when I have to. I have found if a snake is tame, it's tame and if it's aggressive, it's aggressive. It's the way you handle a snake that makes it aggressive or tame, not how often. I can handle what others call an aggressive snake with out it trying to bite me. It's your handling technique that makes the difference.

What are your handling techniques?

[CrotalusR#1]

It's your handling technique that makes the difference.

Iv said this on this forum to before.

To me it's all about confidence. If your nervous you may be making subconscious movements that is not the body language you want when handling a snake weather it's possible something that registers as prey or what ever.

My African rock was supposedly deemed unfit to sale but I have never had a problem with him.

Basically be in the mine set that you could care less if you get tagged. I don't mean be stupid while handling it but maybe more or less nonchalant.

[SSSSnakes]

What are your handling techniques?

Use of snake sticks and other tools, and what CrotalusR has said. Confidence, no fear but respect the animal and what it can do to you.

Iv said this on this forum to before.

To me it's all about confidence. If your nervous you may be making subconscious movements that is not the body language you want when handling a snake weather it's possible something that registers as prey or what ever.

My African rock was supposedly deemed unfit to sale but I have never had a problem with him.

Basically be in the mine set that you could care less if you get tagged. I don't mean be stupid while handling it but maybe more or less nonchalant.

Agreed.

[Tsubaki]

I don't handle my snakes often at all, and i never have.. Remaining calm helps a lot, and support the body as much as possible.. If they lose their balance it revokes a panic reaction, it's harder to keep your cool after that.

[Macke84]

Thanks for those great tips guys.

[David VB]

I have learned not to pull them out, but rather (try) to guide them out. If you feel they really don't want, then leave them, unless you really need them to be out of the cage for cleaning or something ;)

[Jrich]

Thanks for the tips as well

[IW17]

What's said above is true. I don't handle unless I have to. Some have calmed down, some haven't. Your not going to tame a snake. It's either going to accept being handled or it won't. That being said, most do over time. Just be confident and use proper handling techniques. If your nervous your gonna be jumpy and make sudden movements. Which in turn will cause the snake to get nervous. Nervous snake=biting, peeing, pooping, musking. Just go slow and most likely all will be fine.

[reptiles=)]

I would say, not an expert, but i have owned my share of big snakes, it sounds like he is cage defensive. Once he is out is he ok? Well, if you want him tame around people and normal every day activities, at least handel him once a week... Don't stress him out too much though, what I say is, "Once you go in to get him, go in to get him." Good Luck Guy

[Niten]

Honestly, I believe in handling as much as possible as long as it doesn't interfere with feeding/digestion or stress the snake out too much.

This is only my opinion though.

I agree, I could clearly see the benefits on my snake, you can do her whatever you want now.

[reptiledude987]

I agree with alot of the points made in this thread certainly when it comes to handling with confidence. However when I first got my bredli carpet he was a big suck and was handled regularly even by my 4 year old (who has been around snakes since he could walk). Then I broke my hand once that was healed I went in for emergency abdominal surgery as soon as I recovered from that my daughter was born. So there was 7-8 months where he wasnt handled at all except for cleanings. Now hes not the same snake he was. Hes far more cage defensive than he ever was. Sometimes he will even strike at the water bottle while im filling his dish. He got me once ( of course while telling my gf how harmless he was as she was put off by his size). He didnt just strike but actually latched and wrapped up my hand. Hes starting to get better avain as im back to more regular handling with him now. But I still won't take him out of his tank without a hook because its now not a question of if he will try to bite but how bad. All that said once hes out of his tank hes fine but I dont let my little guy hold him anymore just because his bite was no joke and quite painful.

[Sirio]

I really hope this doesn't happen with any friend of mine, or even worse a housemate... no problem about me, I considered the risk when I took her. Well, not that much immediately to be sincere XD at first it was just complete fascination. Then I spent a day thinking how fool I was, having passed from hamsters, dogs and cats to a 3,5mt cold blooded predator I knew Nothing of. And now... now we're best friends. ^^