Reptile & Amphibian Forums

this hasnt happened (yet), but if i attempt to take my bp out of her cage to do routine handling and she strikes at me-- should i call it quits for the day? or should i just try again..

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=863359,863359

Ryan

The striking is a defense tactic. If you stop handling because of a strike, the animal knows that its defense tactic works. It will keep striking as long as the defense tactic is working. Do not stop handling because of a strike. When the animal sees that its defense tactic is no longer working, it will stop the defense tactic. No more striking.

And snake bites build character...

Chris
-----
mean people suck

Your snake is still small enough that if it does bite you it won't hurt - so keep that in mind because if you go toward your snake with fear then they will sence that fear and react to it. Most often I find hatchlings and even fussy adults (yep I got some) don't really bite and will instead give you a warning lunge. But to answer your question - no don't stop it teaches them that thier tactic works!
-----
Tosha

"One of these days i am going to wake up..look around...and realize my place looks more like "Ace Venturas"s than my own." Coldthumb

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul "JP"
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.1 lizard rescued from vicious feline

Try to make sure before you pick it up that: a) It is aware that you are there, I was told to stroke it midway down the body to make sure that it knows you are there, and b) As much as possible make sure that the bp's eyes are not cloudy or dented in (think stereo speaker punched in) to make sure it is not going into shed... they can't see well at that point and are much more likely to strike.

***Disclaimer - The above advice was given to me by my wife (who has done education programs with snakes for several years) and must be followed (by me) without question. If anyone tells you something different their opinion is completely wrong... Why? Because my wife told me so!

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
-----
Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

I agree with the previous posts,you do need to handle your Ball regularly,or it will only get worse.
I've never actually had a problem with mine but the few things I've tried..I kinda touch or bump her to let her know I'm there to see how she reacts,or the few times I was feeling a little nervous I made a snake hook out of a coat hanger(mine was only in the 18"-20" range at the time,depending on size you might need something bigger)just make sure you don't have a sharp end and definatly be gentle,but I used that first and I figured she didn't try biting that so she wouldn't bite me..helps with the self assurance.
Hope this helps