| Getting a new snake is always a fun venture. But | | | | mentioned before you can grab the snake as long as |
| just like people they each have their own personality | | | | it's done gently. But if the snake does panic take |
| and some aren't as friendly as others. At first. | | | | care not to drop them. A long fall can easily injure a |
| It's only natural, they don't know you and they are | | | | snake. |
| afraid. But with frequent handling and patience they | | | | If a snake gets too feisty then put it back for awhile |
| will calm down and become much more placid. | | | | and let it rest. Then try again the next day. |
| Here are some tips on handling non poisonous snakes | | | | Short Bursts |
| (that is an all together different article): | | | | If your snake is very young or has a bad |
| Stay Calm | | | | temperament, only hold them for short periods of |
| Snakes (among many other animals) are pretty | | | | time at first. Getting a snake used to being handled |
| sensitive to your emotions. If you pick up a snake | | | | can be very stressful for it. Give it plenty of breaks |
| while you are nervous they may sense that and it will | | | | and only handle them for a short amount of time. |
| make them nervous. Never pick up a snake if you | | | | Slowly increase the length of time you hold them and |
| are angry or very fearful unless it's a snake that has | | | | eventually they will become comfortable with being |
| been handled and is used to people. | | | | held. Afterwards you can hold them as long as you |
| Be the Branch | | | | want. |
| A lot snakes are adept at climbing trees and use their | | | | Wear Gloves (only if you really have to) |
| body to hang on. That's what you need to do with | | | | If you have a particularly snippy snake, you may |
| your arms and hands, be a branch. Let them hang on | | | | want to consider wearing gloves. While they may not |
| to you. | | | | protect your arms and may make handling them a bit |
| Someone that isn't used to holding a snake may be | | | | clumsy (depends on the gloves) it will save some of |
| frightened by the fact that the snake is hanging on | | | | your skin. |
| tightly but it is a natural reaction. They don't want to | | | | Just make sure it's not a material that the snake can |
| fall any more than you want them to. | | | | get their teeth caught in as sometimes their teeth |
| Let them hang on to you and climb how they need | | | | may get ripped out. In which case you need to |
| to and they will stay calm. | | | | watch for mouth rot. |
| Don't Grab | | | | It's not really recommended to use gloves for the |
| It seems natural to want to grab the snake to keep | | | | above reasons but if you must use gloves only use |
| them under control. But grabbing too tightly will only | | | | them until the snake calms down a bit. |
| frighten the snake even more and you may risk | | | | Handling a new snake takes some patience and |
| them panicking or you getting bit. | | | | calmness on your part. But take your time and |
| Children especially need to be taught this when | | | | eventually they will become more comfortable with |
| handling a new snake as they don't always know | | | | being held. And at some point will probably become |
| their own strength. | | | | attached to you and look forward to being held. |
| Over time when the snake gets used to being | | | | Keep in mind though, not all species are the same. |
| handled grabbing them firmly won't be as big of a | | | | Some have different personalities then others. Every |
| deal, but you still don't want to grab hard. | | | | once in a while a snake never calms down. Keep that |
| Don't Drop | | | | in mind before you buy a new snake. |
| Obviously you don't want to drop the snake. As | | | | |