I do not believe that you have to get bitten when training your baby. I totally endorse the use of a hook. A couple of ground rules. Make sure you have no animal smell on you. Don't play with the dog or cat or handle any prey items before attempting to handle the snake. Don't handle the snake within 48 hours after it has eaten, longer, if you can still see a lump. Don't try to handle a snake that is in blue or shedding.

Put on a long sleeve heavy shirt or jacket and gloves. Using the appropriate sized hook, open the cage and gently place the hook on the snake's had until it lowers its head. Once the snake has tuned its head away from you reach in a pull the snake out of the cage.

Once the snake is out of the cage it will probably calm down. Don't try to restrain the snake, but let it climb from hand to hand. However, even if it's snapping like a berserk alligator, keep it out of the cage for at least five minutes. Just don't let it bit you on the face. After five minutes, put the snake back in it's enclosure. Repeat every day for a couple of weeks, gradually increasing the amount of time you have the snake out. Dump the jacket and gloves whenever ou feel comfortable that the snake has stopped trying to bite you.

Try to remember, the baby is absolutely certain that you intend to eat it. We think of burms as large animals, but until they reach eight foot or more they think of themselves as prey. They are not naturally comfortable being handled. They have to learn to tolerate it. I don't think they ever really like it. They just get to the point where they don't mind that much. Most captive born snakes become easy to handle. However, even when they do, always handle a big one with at least one partner.

[ Show Entire Thread ]