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yanderhawks0 · 2 years

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hi! i recently got a pet rat snake and i was wondering if you had any handling tips on how to start? i know to give her time to adjust and not to touch her after she eats but do you have any tips for getting her used to being held?

She's beautiful! Baby rats can definitely be a bit nippy, but the biggest thing is definitely just patience.

Here are my tips for how to start handling a snake (especially a nippy one like a baby ratsnake):

Wait until your snake is established before handling. This means at least three consecutive meals. Eating is always the most important thing!

Keep your first handling sessions short. About five minutes to start off with, and you can develop the pace together based on how comfortable you both are.

Pick her up confidently and without hesitation, especially if you see defensive behaviors. Hesitating over a snake can easily frighten them more, so you'll want to just get in there. Pick your snake up in one fluid motion - scooping a hand underneath their belly is easiest.

Establish consistent signals from the get-go. I tap-train all my snakes; just lightly tap her side with your finger before picking her up so she knows that the tap means handling time.

If your snake tags you, do not immediately put her back. That will teach your snake that biting will get her put back in her enclosure, and that's not a behavior you want to teach. After a tag, keep handling your snake until you both feel calm again, and then put her back.

Always end a handling session on a high note! Put your snake back when everyone is still feeling good and having fun.

Good luck! Just be patient and take things at her pace, and you won't have any problems. :)

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