Handling Spotted Pythons

Video Transcript

"Next thing we're going to touch on is handling your spotted python. When you're handling any snake, you want to make sure that you're using a gentle but firm hand. You don't ever want to grab, or hold or tightly constrict the snake. They're going to take that as aggressive behavior and you trying to eat them. What you want to do is just give them areas to climb around on and perch on. See I'm using my hand; it's kind of open, letting him curl around it and move around. Now, if he's going somewhere you don't like, you can gently and firmly push him away and push him away. That's fine. You can do things like that, but definitely no grabbing or holding; you want to be gentle. They are strong, but they are still delicate. They are a living creature and you want to show them the respect for that. You want to stay calm. You don't want any fast hand movements. You want to be slow and deliberate with all your movements. Anything fast or jittery will scare him or possibly make him think that you are food, so you want to avoid that sort of thing as it's just going to get you bit. Again, let him do what he wants. It's very relaxing, at least I find it relaxing, to handle a snake. It's kind of like a big massage on your fingers. He's going to slowly move around, just wrap around and curl up. Again, while you have him out and handling him, watch for any strange signs. You know, anytime you're interacting with your reptile, you want to make sure that they're healthy, so always be checking for that sort of thing. And once again, gentle but firm."