Handling / Taming

[Crying_Bird]

I have been working with Tiamat everyday at least once a day with getting used to being touched and handled. I rub her all over with a snake hook and after a few min. my hand. She doesn't strike, or even attempt to strike. From what I was told she wasn't handled much at all for who knows how long. What is bothering me is whenever I give her attention she... well.. for no better way to put it she runs! She acts as if she is really scared of being touched and handled. Tonight I was able to pick her for a min. but she was extremely flighty and I felt it best to take baby steps and return her immediately to her home. Am I on the right track with just touching her everyday? Will she chill out a bit eventually? I would really love to be able to take her out to interact with her.

[Concept9]

First off make sure her cage is setup 100%. I don't know what setup you have but make sure 3 sides are covered and she has at least two hides, one on the hot spot and one on the cool side.

You need approx.,. 92deg on her hot spot approx.,. 80 deg on the cool side and approx.,. 85 ambient with approx.,. 60% humidity.

A happy snake is a happy snake just like a happy wife mean happy life.

After she is all settled in and happy I would start handling her ever second or third day for about 15 mins. I time she will come around.

One point of note, if she poops on you, hisses at you or bite you do NOT put her down or back in her cage if you do she will learn that doing this will gain her freedom.

Hope this helps, best of luck

[Snakesitter]

Bird, I'd tone it down a bit to every other day to give her a break. Keep those sessions short, as you already have, and build slowly over time. Avoid any handling at all on feeding day, and for two days after. Some snakes take longer to "tame" than others...and a few never tame at all, sadly. Best of luck.

[jpsteele80]

^agreed

[SSSSnakes]

Agreed as well. Keep in mind snakes tend to tolerate us touching and handling them, they do not really like it. To keep trying to handler her could stress her out and cause health issues.