New snake to me.

Elliemay61 · 03-13-17, 06:35 PM

I've recently adopted an albino burmese python who measures in at 10 ft. I'm looking for some tips on how to get an older burmese to get accustomed to me and my presence. He came from a home where there was very little handling and I d like to change that.

bigsnakegirl785 · 03-13-17, 09:19 PM

As long as the snake isn't being bitey, pretty much just handle it a couple times a week. The snake will either come around with time or it won't, you'll just have to settle for it however it turns out.

Hook training it might also help, just rub it or gently tap its head any time you need to work with it, unless it's feeding time. You want the snake to associate the hook with anything except feeding time, so that it sees the hook and knows no food is coming.

Make sure you also have another person with you at any time you open the snake's enclosure, even if it's just to feed it.

Scubadiver59 · 03-14-17, 02:32 AM

Yes, use the 1:5 or 1:3 rule with big snakes! One person for every five, or every three feet of snake in case things go wrong. You don't need an SFE with a large and powerful snake like that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

As long as the snake isn't being bitey, pretty much just handle it a couple times a week. The snake will either come around with time or it won't, you'll just have to settle for it however it turns out.

Hook training it might also help, just rub it or gently tap its head any time you need to work with it, unless it's feeding time. You want the snake to associate the hook with anything except feeding time, so that it sees the hook and knows no food is coming.

Make sure you also have another person with you at any time you open the snake's enclosure, even if it's just to feed it.

Elliemay61 · 03-14-17, 08:06 PM

Thank you for the advice, I got her out of her tank today with 2 other. And let her take a warm bath, while I cleaned up her tank.

uhhlise_nacole · 03-14-17, 08:29 PM

Did he come from less than ideal conditions or simply lack of handling due to size?
you're a brave soul to take on that much snake, hats off to you! wish you the best and hopefully the more interaction he has with you the more he'll come around. I'd say that's a great sign if you were able to get him out for a soak with no incident. I'll be excited to hear how he's coming along in his new home (:

**Tsubaki** · 03-15-17, 04:22 AM

Be careful giving snakes a warm bath, being cold blooded, a bath that is lukewarm/cool for us is already warm for them. Your skin temperature is on avarage warmer than normal ambient temperature, so anything actually warm to the touch goes above that. Even if the water is just " terrarium hot side temperature" water heats them up quicker than air, they could overheat since it takes away any option to thermoregulate. It takes a while for them to notice something is too hot. (Hence why they get easily burned from unprotected bulbs) Baths are only truly nessecary for medical reasons, if you insist on giving baths to healthy animals I'd advise to keep it lukewarm.

You could be already doing that, but then I ask you to describe it differently. Anyone unknowingly reading "warm bath" might actually put their snakes in a warm/hot bath.

Elliemay61 · 03-15-17, 09:37 AM

Thankyou Tsubaki, I understand the temperature was more tepid, room temperature if you will. I was under the impression burm liked "soaking"am I mistaken? But again he was in a filthy tank, I rescued him. I removed at least 2 sheds from the packed filth.

Elliemay61 · 03-15-17, 09:45 AM

Here he is in the tub.

dave himself · 03-15-17, 09:59 AM

He's a beautiful boy

afsgr88 · 03-15-17, 03:16 PM

He looks beautiful! Can't wait for my noodle to reach that size

**Tsubaki** · 03-16-17, 06:15 AM

Pretty boy! Good luck with him

Elliemay61 · 03-16-17, 04:30 PM

Thanks everyone, he's calming down each day I try to interact with him several times a day .

REM955 · 03-16-17, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliemay61

I try to interact with him several times a day .

I could be wrong, but I have always limited the amount of handling, giving plenty of space around feeding. I did not think there was any exception to it, but I am certain someone can chime in on that.

Elliemay61 · 03-17-17, 09:59 AM

Rem955 yes that rule is true, I give him his space after feeding due to his staying in hunt mode, as far as my interactions I speak to him daily, I know that sounds silly but hey it can't hurt. I rescued Buttercup from a negligent situation.

GyGbeetle · 03-17-17, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliemay61

Rem955 yes that rule is true, I give him his space after feeding due to his staying in hunt mode, as far as my interactions I speak to him daily, I know that sounds silly but hey it can't hurt. I rescued Buttercup from a negligent situation.

All of my snakes, rescues or purchases, get daily touches and talks. Sometimes, for some that are more stressed out (my recent purchase is very skiddish), they will only get a hello, and a confirmation touch that all is well. for others that are more demanding of their out time, they will get handled quite frequently, even after being fed (depending on how healthy they are). My albino burm, who came from a negligent situation, craves being out of her enclosure. After she feeds, she's on lock down, but there have been times where even lock down doesn't stop her from trying to get out. In those situations, yes, I will have her come out briefly, and lay on a towel. she'll just sit there for a few minutes, I'll put her back in her enclosure, and she'll go into her hide and digest. she just needs to "feel" like she's got options.