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I have a 140g baby that strikes like it's going out of style. I pin her head down and grab her behind the head and "then" take her out of the cage. She would continue to strike if I let her head go. I'm trying to tame her now and wanted to here your suggestions of what works for you in taming strikers.

Thanks

nt

The best trick in the book, and I'd forgtotten it until someone reminded me a couple of weeks ago, is to take a T-shirt and wear it under a sweatshirt for a couple of days. When it's full of your smell stick it in the cage for your little one to use as a hide, it will get to know your scent as a a safe place and will not stress out so much when you hold it. Don't do too much handling maybe 5 minutes while you are changing their cage and water then gradually increase length of time. Try only handling it at night, try not to disturb it's sleep, but pick a time when you see it out cruising. And don't worry too much about them biting (it's not like it hurts), they can sense it and it will stress them to further bite. You should be able to mellow him out in a couple of weeks no problem.
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Tosha

8.10.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
7.9.5 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

Grabbing a snake behind the head is a great way to make it feel as though it's being attacked/predated. You lose all rapport with the animal at that point. Quit pinning. You will never tame the snake if it feel threatened every time you pick it up. The snake is likely striking because it feels threatened in the first place, and forcefully handling her is just reconfirming that threat.

Some snakes may never settle down - learn to work w/the animal. Pick it up at mid-body and keep the head pointed away from you. Just takes a little practice.

If nothing else...this is a baby ball python we're talking about...not a 20' retic or a black mamba. It's not the worst bite in the world.

Good luck!

K~

>>I have a 140g baby that strikes like it's going out of style. I pin her head down and grab her behind the head and "then" take her out of the cage. She would continue to strike if I let her head go. I'm trying to tame her now and wanted to here your suggestions of what works for you in taming strikers.
>>
>>
>>Thanks

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Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean

It rarely happens with me. But when it does, I simply hold my hand flat, palm facing the snake and move it towards the snake fairly quickly. 99% of the time the BP defense mechanism kicks in - they hide their head. Once picked up, they calm down. I will also just put my flattened hand on their head - especially for large adults who don't like being touched. Your little one should calm down after a while.
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Jay A. Martin

What are you talking about? I just love the feeling you get when you've got a live one. It's almost like the feeling you get when you just about fall backwards in your chair and then you catch yourself. The great thing is that your snake can be 1 1/2' long or 5' long and you get the same feeling.

Quinton

In addition to all the good handling advice you've received, you may want to double check your husbandry.

A lot of problems can occur when a snake feels stressed. Make sure it has a couple hides so it can feel secure and that the temps are good. Temps that are out of whack can irritate a snake. Parasites can irritate them too so you may want to imspect the little fella for ticks or mites and treat if necessary. Covering it's cage for a few days, especially if it's in a high traffic area, may help eliminate some stress too.

Best of luck!