I want to start handling my pet Reptile (Spotted python) but I dont know where to start. Can someone help me?

Question

I am the proud owner of a "Blond Spotted Python," It is my first reptile and the person who was teaching me the ropes has unfortunately moved homes so I am searching for help elsewhere.

He is a GREAT FEEDER! always eats his food and I dont even have to use the twezers, all I have to do is leave it in his enclosure and come back in 30min and it is gone.

He is feeding on Fuzzies and he is around 40-50cm long.

I want to start handling him but I dont know where or how to start. I havent been bitten yet (I havent given him a chance to bite me). But I do realise if i want to start handling him im going to have a small chance of being bitten... lol :P (Chicks love scars right? oh well it still sounds cool when you can say "I was bitter by a snake! Look at the scar!)

But yeah being serious now, If there are any people that are able to help me and provide me with steps to gradually start handling my snake it would be helpful.

Cheers!

Answer 1

Hello; I have worked with Spotted pythons in the past; so I should be able to help on this one. Many are a tad on the nippy side as babies, but when regularly handled they usually tame down quite quickly.

First off, check to make sure that when you start trying to work with your snake; that he is neither hungry nor in shed, and that it is at least 2-3 days after feeding to avoid the risk of regurgitation. After you have checked that; you can start the handling process. Start by gently, calmly, and confidently removing your Spotted from its cage. The best thing to do is instead of worrying about it at all, just reach in and do it. From my experience; we as humans always seem to build up the fear in our minds so the situation seems a lot harder than it actually is. When I was first starting out with handling reptiles I had this exact same problem with a rather nippy adult rescue Ball python, and the way I got over the apprehension of possibly being bit was just thinking ‘She’s just a Ball python. Worst case scenario: she bites me. So what? What harm can that do?’ It seems a lot easier after that. :)

While you should be fine just using your hands; if your snake seems to be frightened or if it makes you feel more secure, it may be prudent to use a pair of tongs (like smooth-sided barbeque tongs), a snake hook, or cover him up with a towel before removing him. After you pick him up, scooping gently from the bottom, sit down somewhere. If you use a towel, slowly remove it. Since your Spotted isn't used to being handled your snake may be nervous and trying to get away, and he may bite you. Try to work through any apprehension that you may have and just keep on handling. Avoid squeezing or putting pressure on your Spotted python when holding, as that tends to make snakes rather uneasy. Allow your snake to settle down for a few minutes, just letting him move through your hands, and then put him back in his terrarium. Start out only handling your snake for a few minutes at a time a couple of times per week, building up in duration as you and he get more comfortable around each other. I have used that technique on anything from baby King snakes to eleven foot Coastal Carpet pythons, and I have yet to have it fail. :)

I hope this helps, and if you have any further questions at all on the subject; please feel free to message me and I will be more than happy to assist you.

Good luck with your Spotted python!

Answer 2

Reach in slowly and pick him up gently, with one open palmed hand 10 cms or so down from his head.  Pythons don't like their heads being touched much. And your other hand open palmed further down to balance his weight out over your hand. Sit down and let him get used to you for a bit.  He will like your warmth so good luck :)

Answer 3

sounds like youve had him a bit..at least for a few feedings, so hopefully he's adjusted to his new environment. when i got my first ball python he was 4 ish feet long and my first snake, so i vas VERY intimidated and petrified of getting bit. my ex suggested i acclimate him to my scent so i wore a clean shirt to bed and after sleeping in it put it over his hide in the cage for a day or two so he associated my scent with a feeling of security. then i attempted to handle him for the first time. remember to move slowly when entering the cage as sudden movements frighten them. you're probably more frightened than the snake is. then take it slow. get him out every few days for a few minutes, gradually increasing his time out. if he balls up really tight or seems to be moving allot (like it's trying to get away) then it may be getting stressed and put it away till the next attempt. i hold my python severus every few days, or when i need a pick me up..lol..p.s. not to scare you, but he's 5 ft now and just bit me last week...completly my own fault..always wash up before handeling snakes, and i use liquid hand sanitizer before and after for his and my safety.. it didn't hurt at all..they have recessed teeth so it was just a few tiny puncture marks that puffed up like a cat scratch, 2 drops of blood, and in 30 minutes you couldn't see where i'd been bit...i was kinda glad he did because now i'm not scared to be bit..lol..but cool scars for chicks..well they'll have to settle for the "coolness" of having said snake..

Answer 4

if you have no experience then you should think about joining a herpetology society in your area.  why did you get a snake if you dont know how to handle them?  sorry but i would want to know how to do that if i was new to reptiles.  we joined an animal rescue society years ago and slowly got experience and then joined a herpetolgy group and then got our reptiles.  do you know what to look for if he gets sick.

Hi this is Jane's daughter.  i don't have a yahoo or i would    have replied myself. If you actually look at the response, my mother gave you some very valuable information. When we both started keeping reptiles well over 15 years ago now this is where we both got the best information as well as hands on experience for keeping reptiles. You will also meet  people with the same interest who will be more than willing to impart their knowledge to you.  this you more valuable then anything i could tell you further. I have worked at the A.R.P (Australian Reptile Park).

And just to set the record straight i also have a degree in computing but am having difficulties with the MP3 that you replied about. You where the person who stated you where shown the ropes, if this was the case you would be having no problems handling your baby by now and would also know that it won't do you any damage. my best suggestion though is to try handling him when he is cold,but i am assuming you aren't licensed, as when you obtain your reptile license for snakes you need to demonstate your ability to handle said reptiles.  Again a herptology group will be able to assist you with this! My mother was just trying to help you!  I hope I have been of some assistance. Rachel.  

PS. Mum has been into computers for nearly 20 years, when they were still called word processors. this thing has us both baffled as we have loaded many other MP3 players and this one is resisting every effort.

Answer 5

Hahaha Your Funny I Like You "Not Like That"

OK you should just pick him up and see how he reacts to that and if its a good one take him out and handle him for awhile.

No Pain No Gain....

But it wont hurt that bad if he bites theirs only two rows of 100 teeth

Am i scaring you sorry...

Just Hold Him:)

Good Luck

Answer 6

Maccies (spotted pythons) are renowned for being a bit snappy as youngsters but be reassured that a 50cm hatchie won't even break the surface of your skin if you do get bitten! Sorry to say you won't get a scar for a while! And its probably better to get a few nips now than when it is 1.2m long!

Try not watching when you think he might bite - it is the shock more than anything else, and if you are watching you are more likely to pull away and damage his teeth.

Try feeding him in a separate enclosure if he is a bit snappy - atm you only open the cage and put your hand in when he gets fed, so he will start to make the association between the two! Also make sure he has loads of tiny hides in his enclosure - the more secure he feels, the less defensive he will be.

Just start small, handle him for a couple of minutes at a time once or twice a week and build it up slowly. We get our Stimmie (about the same age as your Maccie) out about 3 times a week and she will happily sit inside my shirt for hours while I watch telly (but we were REALLY lucky with her temperament, she has never bitten, so maybe yours will be like that!)

But our Bredli hatchie is much snappier. She will bite my husband four or five times in a 10 minute period when we handle her. We are just persevering in the knowledge that she will get better as she grows up!

Congratulations on your blonde maccie, I would love one. Make the effort to handle him regularly and you will have a great, placid family pet that will be with you for 20 years!

EDIT: Rachel I realise you may be trying to help, but your tone is pretty nasty and not very constructive!

And if you do actually have a NSW reptile licence (as I would assume if you have spent time at ARP), then you would know that here is absolutely no requirement to prove your capability handling reptiles - you just send a form and a cheque to NPWS and they send back a licence! You seem to be oddly overqualified in every field you are interested in - all sounds a bit convenient if you ask me...

Answer 7

Start by reaching in and picking him up. Let him crawl around in your hand and across your arms for 5 or 10 minutes then put him back until the next day. Keep doing that (except when digesting, or in shed) and in no time at all you'll find yourself handling him too much!

It really is that simple.

Answer 8

Just tellin you that you should start to feed it hoppers. they can eat twice the size of the fattest part of the snake.

And

start by letting it slither on you.