Newbie needs help

[DameJacquie]

Hi all, well I finally got my baby stimsons!!! YAY. Now I just need to handle it ...

He was freighted down yesterday and I've put him in his enclosure and left him pretty well alone. When I first put him in and he was exploring, he was quite defensive at me through the glass, sitting up ready to strike. Anyways, today he is in one of his hides and (I guess) is quite happy.

My first question is, when should I first handle him? My kids are busting to hold him, but I don't want to stress him out, or have them bitten and made scared of him.

Second question is...how should I get him out, just reach in there and grab him before he knows whats going on, or approach him slowly and have him strike at me?

Third question...how do I NOT react to him striking me? I know it ain't gonna hurt, but my instinct is to pull back from him. I don't want to hurt him by pulling back if he does connect with me (they can lose teeth this way??). Is there an easy way around my autonomic nervous system?

Thanking you all in advance for the wonderful advice I'm sure you'll be able to give me

PS. I'll post a pic of him soon...

[slim6y]

Wow.. congrats first up!!! There's loads of comments similar to yours... I had the same issues too! I am also a newbie (not so much now).

I actually got my snakes' sister to bite me cause she was bitey and then I knew it wouldn't hurt!

You just have to be brave.

Most people here suggest you leave the snake at least a week or two. I say when you're ready go for it. But you're right about the stress thing. You don't wanna stress poor nakey out!

There's two easy ways to stop you getting bitten when you put your hand in the tank. Present the snake the palm of your hand, there's nothing there they can strike at so the move away and while they're moving away you can gently lift them out.

I used the 'coat hanger' method. I unravelled a metal coat hanger and lifted my spotted out with that. She seemed happy with that.

I was told to expect and accept bites, but my spotted only lashed out once and that was her first night. But we were both as nervous as each other. Now she's more placid than a puppy dog. I think that takes time and also luck of the draw.

Was your snake handled before you got it?

Apparently mine was but not often.

Anyways... i don't know if I have been a help or not. But I wish you all the best of luck... Make sure your kids are gentle with the snake

Take care!

Some pics would be nice

[mertle]

Firstly, congrats on your snakey! Stimmies are great!

I would leave it for at least a few days, just let the little thing settle in and know where it's at.

Then feed it, and a few days after that you can handle it. But! That's just my opinion, it could be wrong, just what I do with mine.

In saying that :-) My new Stimi girl was fed the day i got her home and hasn't had a settling in problem at all. I think t depends on the snake too. She was due a feed so I gave her one, she would eat your arm if you fed it to her but is placid when being held.

On the bite thing? Expect it but most times it just doesnt happen, go slow and don't spook her with jerky fast movement.

I like the coat hanger idea, just move her so she faces the other way, then go in and get her.

Don't let the kids handle her too much on her first outing, let em look but not touch. :-)

[cyclamen]

Hi
i brought my daughter a childreni about 6 weeks ago. fiesty little girl she was.
every time i went anywere near her enclsosure she would strike at me.
and i got her out once to see how she was doing after a few days of having her. and i was showing my daughter and she swung around and bit me, however to my suprise i didnt move. i just let her bite, it didnt hurt. just was freaky.
anyway.... i decided not to touch her again until she was fed. it took 4 weeks to finally get her to feed. now, i only get her out when she is feeding adn she is slowly calming down. u have to be patient with them, otherwise they will never calm down. only go into his enclosure to top up water.. wait till u have gotton him to feed once or twice. . then, if he is calmer get him out... i use a small snake hook i brougth from the pet shop to get her out. its great. then, once she is out she is ok. good luck with it. just rememeber to be patient with them. they are stressed little critters..

[Logan & Allana]

Hi cograts on the new snake, always very exciting and you never no what to expect, I not long ago got my snake either, I recon the secret is using a snake hook whenever getting them out, and they get used to this ruteen really quickly, some snakes still bite once out but are more prone to bite you in there cage then out, from what I've been told baby snakes are more snappy than adults and they do calm down as long as you handle them regulary, I get my guy out twice a day but that's only because he loves it, he litterally comes over to the door for me to get him out and dosn't stop until I do, once I've had him out for a little while and put him back in he's happy again lol, anyway good luck with the snake, I dunno how you will stop yourself reacting when they strike proberbly won't happen until you've been bitten then you'll know what to expect

[Hetty]

My little bub strikes at me all the time, he's a childrens He's starting to calm down, just try your hardest not to flinch when your little guy strikes.

What freaked me out was when he hung on for a couple of seconds. You just have to get used to it :/

And don't handle until he's eaten a couple of times, unless you have to pick him up for a few seconds to change his paper towels/newspaper

[DameJacquie]

Hey thanks guys.

I think I'm gonna leave him be for today, give him a feed tomorrow, then leave him be again for a day or two, then see if he's settled enough for me to handle him. He's been out and about in his enclosure this morning, exploring some more, he's a beautiful little guy!

Here's a pic I took last night with my phone, it's not the best pic, but it's something. I'll take more as he comes out more.

If you have any more advice, or tips, keep them coming.

[Hetty]

Don't handle him so soon, he may go off his food.

[Gordon]

hehe dont be scared hehe i memeber wen i got yassy my palms sweat hahaha to pick her up.. but she was beautiful an only got angry a few times i think i startled her hehe but then i realised theres nothing to be scared of coz she was so adorable hehe

[TrashVamp]

all things picked up in time. you will get better at it my first was a 2.8 metre bredli but now have six others including breeding childreni . also chasing a female bredli and verigata .but mate just take your time and it,ll come to you

[DameJacquie]

I just fed him!!! YAY, it was sooo cool. I was worried he wouldn't eat for me, but he did!

First I dropped the pinky in the water...duh!...but when I fished it out and put it near him, his tongue went crazy and next thing he had it, YAY, I'm so happy now!