AS A BROAD GENERALIZATION, I would say most ammies are very defensive and strike repeatedly if you try and hold them. Some very important factors to keep in mind also, they are very heat-sensitive and will strike at the source of the heat so you can "handle" them on something other than your body with less chance of getting tagged. I usually use a 24" piece of 1x2 to move most of my ammies for cage cleaning and feedings. They are also nocturnal and so will be more in hunting/defense mode as the day/evening progresses. I also think that a fair number of ammies can be familiarized with handling, especially if you start out with a calm juvenile to begin with (make sure it's calm AND eating regularly!). Out of my six ammies, I have two that I can handle with little fear of being bit. But even with these two, it doesn't take much to set them off and put them into defense mode where anything warm will be the object of their attention, including the hand they are perched on! Of the other four, three are 50/50 with their attitudes and can be handled but with a high likelihood of being bit at some point, and one is just plain evil and will launch attacks at the slightest provocation. With all that said, these are still snakes that will never just "hang out" with you while you watch tv or play video games like a boa or bp. Juveniles are also stressed very easily and this can often lead to going off feed and other complications. So, bottom line is, if you can deal with a snake that you can handle once or twice a week for 10 minutes or so ammies are great. They are also very active at night and I love to hang out in the snake room after lights out and watch them cruise around their cages at night. They also make great choices if you want a naturalistic vivarium-type display setup. As for pics, here's my big male "perched" on my fist. He's one of those rare exceptions that has looks, an easy-going personality and an appetite that won't quit!! Good luck with your decision.
>>BUT...
>>
>>
>>I really like hands on kind of snakes. I have been reading and researching and rereading about ammies, and I am well aware of their attitudes. It is actually one of the things that attracts me to them.
>>
>>However, I also want a snake I can hold from time to time. I have seen posts on this forum where people describe their ammies as very tame or tame. Is this tame in the same sense you think of tame in other snakes like a Ball python or Columbian Boa(both of which I have experience with) or tame in the, "You can hold it, but it's going to tag you every once in a while", tame??
>>
>>I am going to get one, I just want to be prepared for what "tame" means when it comes to an ATB.
>>
>>
>>Secondly, can you tell when a baby ATB is going to more willing to calm down and let you hold it with time and patience, or is it just 'luck of the draw' when choosing from Captive Bred Babies?
>>
>>
>>
>>Lastly, I want to see ANY or ALL of the pics you have of you, or others, holding ATBs. I have only ever seen one or two in the last few months of research.
>>
>>
>>BTW, just for the record, I love the Red ATBs and Orange ATBs. When I am ready to buy I will certainly be seeking one of these beauties out.
