Yes, cleaning is a must- when I remove dirty paper, food and poop- at least every other day I have to move a disgruntled PTS. I know which ones I have to worry about getting bitten by and which ones I don't. Gertie (my adult female can get VERY aggressive in the month before and after giving birth). If she needs to be moved during these times, I throw a small towel over her- and move the whole angry bundle. If she scoots out from under the towel and ends up on a hide or in a cork tube, I remove her with the object- sometimes with MY hand draped with a towel for protection. Chip my adult male will lunge sometimes, but I know from experience that his lunges are short (unlike Gertie's) and I can safely pick him up by lifting his tail and sliding my hand under him.
**do NOT get bitten**- they bite hard and have many small sharp teeth. If you are worried about getting bitten from an unusually aggressive PTS, handle her with a towel or leather gardening gloves (or even better- welding gloves that cover your forearms). Or like you are doing, move her with another object. Yes it will be a little stressful for her, but it is also very important to clean her enclosure.
Some PTS do not ever 'tame' and will always be like this, and some are very aggressive at breeding times or when they are close to giving birth ect.
Do you have any questions about diet, temps, humidity, general space needs?
Jess B
