Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello im new

I have a cb female Green conda for some time now ,she is about 3ft I have only handled her bare handed once when I first got her and she bit me ,since then I have been handling her with leather suede gloves the ones used for welding, and she is very calm I can easily take her out of the 20 gallon long that I have set up for her, and she is ok .The minute I touch her with bare hands she becomes very nervous and skittish and about to strike ( has never hissed though) what I want to do is break her out of the glove situation and try to handle her bare handed but I dont want to get her stressed out she's been eating everything I give her and is very calm with the gloves ..should I just keep it that way? another question when should I be looking to upgrade her enclosure she still fits well in her hide box I dont want her getting too big too fast either I regulate her feedings as well will a 30 long or 50 long be good for upgrade. appreciate any replies

I am no pro but I do have some ideas.

1) You could use one glove and one bare hand for awhile. I used gloves once and after holding my burm for a minute I switched.

2. Put the gloves on before you grab her so the smell of the glove is on your hand when you change.

3. Take your lumps bare handed. I still hate to get bit. Some people dont mind it from small snakes but I dont really care for it.

Cage, you have a female that will get big, some people will say no tanks because they can push out of it. I had my burm in there until she was about 6 ft then I had to move her out. So If you could to be on the safe side stay away from tanks, but that is just my thoughts.
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
0.1 Green Burm
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

I think that alternating with one glove will work. That way she can get used to skin contact. Make sure she is well supported when picking her up. My anacondas hate not being supported well and do not like to be gripped. I slide my hands under them and lift slowly with as much support as possible.
Cages: I think the some of the best are Visions cages. They are light and easy to move and clean. They have a special one for constrictors that I keep mine in. It is 48x28x18 and will house them for awhile. My yellow and green are both about 4 feet and can live in this cage for a long time. Tanks also lose heat very easily and the glass is see through and that may also stress the snake. Opaque walls give greater security.
Cheers
Tom

Just an additional thought on handling...You may be expecting trouble when handling bare-handed and acting tenatively or in some subtle way differently, and the animal is reacting to those cues. Keep after it, maybe even keep a log, and it will come. Oh, I too think glass tanks poor for snake enclosures generally and specifically for large boids. You would do well to consider appropriately-sized cages from Vision, Boaphile, etc.

Thank you for the advice,, I just ordered an enclousure from Boaphile 36L x 24W x 17.5 H My female I think should be ok in there for at least 1 yrs she is a liitle over 3ft it I ordered the xx2 heating pad along with the built in incandescent light fixture and expandlable enclousure connection( you can add on another 3ft enclousre when needed)not expensive either all for about $264.00 visions was going for more they did have that model you mentioned but the add on excessories would of cost me more this I think is perfect for now its about 6 inches longer than the 20 long and about a solid foot more of width!plenty of space there I think I have room for another Hide box on the cool side. thoughts on this and thank you again. Best Steve