Yep, you're being a bit too gentle if they won't strike for anything. I have had good luck with extremely difficult strikers by actually using the forceps/pinkie ham to pin the snake behind the head like you're going to pin it to pick it up. But you don't pick it up, just pin it for a second and then let it go. This should really piss them off after a couple of times and that's what you want. If simply pinning them doesn't do it, follow that up with some body taps and tail taps. You really have to get the feeling like you're trying to piss this thing off, not be it's buddy.



Get them to strike in anger and you can use that against them. The trick is to shove the pinkie ham in their mouth when they strike out. It takes some practice and you may have to shove it in their mouths more than once before it stays. But you will have a baby that's all pissed off striking and then it suddenly gets a mouthful of pink ham and it's too small to spit out. So they sit there for a second not knowing what to do, and then they decide to swallow it. Be patient, but be persistent.



Derek

[ Show Entire Thread ]