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Headlow   Peter54  
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 #1999550


Headlow
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 General Advice on Handling my snake

Hello there folks. I picked up my Mexican Milk snake on Saturday past. I was told to let hm settle into his new home for a few days before I tried to handle him. He’s the first and only snake I’ve ever held, and that was in the presence of the dealer I bought him from.
Yesterday I tried to handle him on my own for the first time. He was OK when I was just stroking him, but when I tried to pick him up he got nervous and panicked, which then led me to panicking. He then burrowed into his bedding and didn’t reappear for a couple of hours. The exact same think happened today.
Could someone please give me some tips and advice on picking him up and handling.....I’m not afraid of him, just afraid of hurting or distressing him.

Also, sine he;s mostly nocturnal, is it wise to handle him during the day? And is it wise to lift his hide to handle him?

Many thanks,

Justin
05/06/09  12:28pm

 #1999612


Peter54
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   Message To: Headlow   In reference to Message Id: 1999550


 General Advice on Handling my snake

How big or old is your snake? Small, young milksnakes will always react that way since they insinctively tries to avoid getting eaten. Your hand is way larger than the snake and small snakes will try to escape anything larger that is moving around.

Usually, snakes tend to calm down as they grow older. You should not disturb the snake in his hiding place. The best way to calm a small milksnake down is to open up the cage and let the snake come into your hands by itself. Stroking is not the way to treat a snake. Just let it slide thru your hands by moving one hand in front of the other continously.
05/06/09  02:47pm


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