Handling advice

[u/Concept_Natural]

Hi everyone! I recently got this little guy/girl from someone who was looking to rehome them and give them a better life. I’m a first-time snake owner, so I’m still learning!
Today was actually my first time handling them since I got them. I had been giving them some space because of shedding and feeding. Overall, handling went pretty well, but I definitely realized I’m not as confident as I’d like to be yet

At one point they started getting pretty close to my face, and it freaked me out enough that I decided to put them back in their enclosure. I’m assuming they were probably just curious/exploring, but since I don’t really know how to read snake body language yet, I got nervous.

Does anyone have recommendations for good YouTubers, creators, or other resources that teach snake body language and handling? I’d especially like to learn how to tell the difference between curiosity/exploring, stress, defensiveness, feeding responses, etc.

[u/Vegetable_Cupcake988]

Uhh my gf is a first time handler and reptile owner because of me , she was scared to hold them , until I gently let her hold them , i suggested you not being scared and just picking it up , maybe tap it incase so it dont get scared, make use you have at least a 40 gallon so he can be conformable and I suggest you make a bio active for him or her as they need lots of humidity due to their tropical needs. Use coconut husk.

[u/Concept_Natural → u/Vegetable_Cupcake988]

I have a 40 gallon, but I am moving soon and will upgrade to a 120 gallon. I set up a temporary bio active enclosure with plants for him as well until i upgrade his tank. I love snakes, it’s just scary actually getting to hold them. He takes his food super gentle so im not sure what im afraid of.

I was able to successfully grab and hold him, but when he got close to my face that was enough for me😂 I can tell the snake enjoyed being able to explore though

[u/Vegetable_Cupcake988 → u/Concept_Natural]

Nice im so so glad ! Your snake literally got a good new ower ! Im sure it will enjoy and be happy, also I dont think you need advice lol I think you got ! The fact that you're getting his 120 tells me all ! Im happy for you and may you enjoy:) noodle are scary at first or to naive people but they are the nicest things in the world lol , they are like dogs , they literally won't bite unless threatened . Also if you scared mentally just put a sweater when holding him , when I got back into snakes I was shaking too lol , I was like what im not scared but why im shaking lol . The sweater thing really help since yours is a little bigger !

[u/Vast-Nobody8719 → u/Concept_Natural]

I am super curious as to the „takes his food super gentle“. I feed my python thawed out rats/mice and she will not touch them unless she gets to stricke and strangle.

Which is also a reason I lost my quiet similar „fear“. Once I saw what she looks like when she is about to strike I felt way calmer when handling her. She flicks her tongue much less frequently and moves slowly and way less tensed up (not tensed up at all actually). Sometimes she stops and doesn’t move at all for a minute or two then just keeps going like nothing happened.

[u/Concept_Natural → u/Vast-Nobody8719]

He took the mouse so gently to the point of I had to look it up to make sure it was okay. He only curled up once he got it to the ground. I’ve seen videos of feedings and kind of hid my arm behind the glass just in case. He took it and I was able to watch him eat it.

So honestly if he strikes at me, I don’t think it’ll be bad at all. He is on the younger side still (I don’t know the age sadly)

[u/Vast-Nobody8719 → u/Concept_Natural]

That’s so interesting! And kinda sweet. Mine was fed living for 11years so I was afraid she would refuse thawed out. But she luckily seems to not care at all so far!

[u/Vegetable_Cupcake988 → u/Vegetable_Cupcake988]

Also if he is stress his body will coil in a s shape aka striking position , and breathe really hard , if you just got it like barely like a few days LEAVE IT ALONE FOR LIKE 2 WEEKS , SINCE ITS MOVE ENVIRONMENT AND OR SETUP, NEW HOMES HAVE DIFFERENT SMELLS SO IT WILL BE STRESS , LET IT GET CONFORMABLE ! I did this and after my ball was super chill and not stressing !