Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a young JCP and I need some tips in taming him.

He is currently very aggressive, prefering to strike at me rather than retreat to a hide.

I have experience with snakes and don't mind being bitten, I just want to figure out the safest and fastest way to taming him a bit.

1) Is it best to wait until he's out and about before attempting to pick him up? Or should I lift up a hide and take him out while he's coiled beneath it?

2) I want him to get used to being handled bare-handed ... is using latex gloves a good idea?

3) How often and for how long should I handle him?

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Joel
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1.1 Ball Python
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Blair's Phase Gray Banded Kingsnake
2.1.1 Leopard Geckos
2.0 Crested Geckos

>>1) Is it best to wait until he's out and about before attempting to pick him up? Or should I lift up a hide and take him out while he's coiled beneath it?
>>
>>2) I want him to get used to being handled bare-handed ... is using latex gloves a good idea?
>>
>>3) How often and for how long should I handle him?

Being willing to take a bite sure can help. They can get daunting with their little 'tude' if you let them. So biggest piece of advice is don't get discouraged! Carpets have strong flight/fight instincs. They do mellow out with size.

1)It doesn't matter. What seems to help is to grab them quickly and without struggle or fumbling. This helps not to get them as riled up.
2)I've honestly never used them. I'm finding that if you handle them with gloves till they get over the agressive tactics and try to run. Then remove the gloves as you hand over hand them. That seems to keep them used to bare hands and saves you from too many bites. As they get use to being handled they will bite less and run more.
3)Plan to give him a solid month of handling every day for a few minutes (it may not take that long). Aft which you will want to gauge what seems to work best. Some tame and stay tame, some revert of left alone for 3 days. Again, size helps mellow them out quite a bit. Most carpets over 4ft are easy handlers.

Hope this helps,
Darci
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Takes all kinds to make a World...