So I'm finding this pretty hilarious.
My yellow anaconda was a nippy thing when he was little, and it didn't really improve much as he got bigger. Eventually I had a 3ish foot long snake that was still trying to bite me all the time. I knew their reputation as very aggressive snakes, that you can't condition them to handling, they will always try to bite you, etc. I knew there were exceptions, but I didn't think this was one of them. So I gave up on having a snake that wouldn't bite me and learned how to use a snake hook. I used the hook to support the front end of his body and keep his head away from me while I supported the back end with my hands. I always wore a puffy jacket and leather gloves. Yes, I hate getting bit, I know it's a bit excessive. But that puffy jacket works like a charm to prevent teeth actually contacting my skin. They just get a mouthful of puff.
And I spent literally years doing this. He's 6 feet and fully grown now.
For the past week, I've been doing some basic hook training with him, and would touch him with my (usually gloved, but not always) hands when his head was in a safe place. This has just been one week.
Today I wanted to weigh him. I fully intended to use my normal strategy. I got my puffy jacket and leather gloves and snake hook. This is the first time I've needed to remove him from his new enclosure. I'm used to a top opening enclosure, so the front opening thing was new to me. Plus, now he has a larger water pool to retreat into. The front opening means it would be much harder to get him out of the water once he goes in.
So I did my thing, manipulating his body with the hook until I could pick up a reasonable portion of his hind body. I went to secure his head with the hook, but he decided to make a dash for his pool. I knew I wouldn't be able to get him out if he went in, so I just went for it. Stuck my hand right under his body maybe 8 inches from his head and pulled him right out. And then I was standing there holding this snake that I was convinced would bite the crap out of me. I jumped on that scale holding the snake and got his weight and then I actually just stood there holding this snake. Guess what? He didn't bite me. He didn't even try. Not even a hiss. I even had a moment that was less than graceful. His head started coming up my arm and it was just too close to my face for comfort. This snake that I was convinced would bite me given the chance was like 10 inches from my face. So yes, I had a slight moment of panic and probably moved in ways that are not conducive to avoiding a bite. Got the snake off me, onto the ground, and guided him back into his enclosure. This is the largest snake I have handled myself, so I was probably not even doing a great job.
He was a little fast, squirmy, a little tense, but he didn't give me any kind of indication he was going to do anything. There were even moments when I was holding him in both hands that he was just calm. My rosy boa is more likely to bite me, honestly.
So I spent all this time convinced by this snake's reputation that I was always going to have a demon on my hands. I was so accepting of that reputation, that I didn't even try. And then I finally tried and it was completely not even a problem. I just find that really funny.
So we have some work to do. I'm no giving up my puffy jacket or leather gloves yet, but maybe eventually. Honestly, how cool would that be? A yellow anaconda that is both small enough for me to safely handle on my own, and is also safe to handle. I think I'll make a real effort on getting him conditioned, because after today, I actually think it can be done.
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