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 #1808267


Hudson7
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 She’s a biter

I got a new baby blood today and she has tried to bite me at every opportunity. I realize that she was shipped today and is most likely terrified. I was thinking that starting in a couple days I would begin handling her and start getting her used to human contact. I am anticipating being bitten many times before she is "trained", and I guess I will just have to suck it up. Any suggestions on "training" a newborn blood? I don’t mind being bitten if that’s what it takes, but I want to know that I am going about this the right way. Responses would be much appreciated!



07/25/08  12:21pm

 #1808350


Rebelyell83
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   Message To: Hudson7   In reference to Message Id: 1808267


 She’s a biter

start the handling in slow increments,start with gettin her used to be picked up,,handle for 3-4 minutes and set her back in,,a few hours later do it again,,once she is comfortable being picked up,then you can slowly increase the times you handle her,but let her sit atleast 5 days to calm down before you start
07/25/08  01:44pm

 #1808983


Hudson7
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   Message To: Rebelyell83   In reference to Message Id: 1808350


 She’s a biter

Thanks Rebel! I will wait 5 days like you suggested. If you don’t mind, could you please give me a thorough play-by-play of your first contact with your blood? I mean, once I reach in to get her she will strike me. Do I scoop her up anyways, or let her get used to having my hand in the cage? Anything you can remember from your first contact, even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant details will help. Also, about how long was it before yours stopped attacking you? Thanks again for taking the time to respond!
07/25/08  11:38pm

 #1809063


Crisco
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   Message To: Hudson7   In reference to Message Id: 1808983


 She’s a biter

I have hatching bloods, just grab them n e way, it’ll bite, but f*** it, just keep doing that a few mins at a time it calm down. Don’t pull back when they bit, you will only set the teeth in.
07/26/08  01:02am

 #1809156


Rebelyell83
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   Message To: Hudson7   In reference to Message Id: 1808983


 She’s a biter

mine has never bit,my first hands on was with a 4 footer with a nasty attitude,,the guy hooked it from the tank,i picked it up from behind lasted 10 minutes til we had to pin it down in mid strike,lol,but i have had and have now a ball with a nasty attitude,,just pick it up and get it over with,,if ya need,use th side of a pair of feeding tongs to control the head while lifting it
07/26/08  04:05am

 #1809366


Catfish_82
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   Message To: Rebelyell83   In reference to Message Id: 1809156


 She’s a biter

If you just got the blood, give it at least a week and a half to two weeks of not handling it. Just leave it alone.

Assuming your husbandry is correct then the new blood will both need and appreciate about two weeks of being left alone to acclimate to the new environment.

You should NEVER be trying to grab the snakes head. IMHO that serves no purpose other than to stress it out.
07/26/08  11:59am

 #1809411


Rebelyell83
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   Message To: Catfish_82   In reference to Message Id: 1809366


 She’s a biter

i agree on grabbing the head,if i have a problem child,i ususally use a thin piar of plastic tongs,and ut one side by the head,just incase he tries to strike,gives me a bit more control,but dont actually grab the head,besides stressing the animal,,you will get bit when you release it
07/26/08  12:49pm

 #1809686


Catfish_82
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   Message To: Rebelyell83   In reference to Message Id: 1809411


 She’s a biter

Hmm, I suppose that could work. Fortunately for me, my blood has actually been fairly mellow. Providing she hasn’t been recently fed, she will allow me to pick her up mid-body without incident.

However, for problem biters I think picking the snake up mid-body with a hook is the best option. But to each his own I guess.
07/26/08  06:28pm

 #1809949


Hudson7
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   Message To: Catfish_82   In reference to Message Id: 1809686


 She’s a biter

Thanks for the replies. I was not intending to grab her head, that is just common sense and courtesy. But if I put a hand anywhere near her body she strikes. I will give her the 1.5-2 weeks, and from the charts I have read her husbandry is just about perfect. She likes to burrow but I think that is more of a security thing than a moister issue. About picking her up with a hook, my goal is to be able to hold her eventually without her biting me. If I start using a hook, how will she get used to me and learn that my hands are not trying to harm her? I will take the tong advice though. Thanks again for the replies! I am new to the blood world and I want her to be as happy as possible.

Another question, if I wait 2 weeks to touch her, should I wait that long to feed her? If not, do I feed her in her cage or is it ok to get her out and into a separate feeding box? Thanks!
07/26/08  10:23pm

 #1810290


Catfish_82
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   Message To: Hudson7   In reference to Message Id: 1809949


 She’s a biter

Quote:

If I start using a hook, how will she get used to me and learn that my hands are not trying to harm her?


The goal is to get her acclimated to her new environment first and foremost. It’s been my experience that once he/she’s out of the cage then you can handle it with little problem. What I’m saying is that you should use the hook to get it out, then try to handle. Also, because bloods tend to be heavier bodied and poor climbers, you are going to want to fully support the midbody. Just be patient, mine took a month and a half before she stopped huffing and puffing everytime I went near her cage.



Quote:

Another question, if I wait 2 weeks to touch her, should I wait that long to feed her? If not, do I feed her in her cage or is it ok to get her out and into a separate feeding box? Thanks!


That depends. You can try feeding, but I think she’d be just fine with not being fed for those two weeks. Mine did not eat until the third week I had her. As far as in/out of the cage that is another thing that depends. Mine doesn’t like to eat out of her enclosure because she will drag prey items into her hide before consuming them. Others may be somewhat less picky.



07/27/08  09:59am

 #1810339


Hudson7
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   Message To: Catfish_82   In reference to Message Id: 1810290


 She’s a biter

Thanks Catfish! I really appreciate all the advice from all of you!
07/27/08  11:09am


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