Alright, I've had this fella for just a bit over a week and it bit me. No I'm not hurt. It's a little baby, and I'm fine. But I need to know how to tame this thing before it's really big.

I always thought, from my reading, that this is how you handle them, and this is what I've been doing daily (except for 2 days after feedig) sucessfully:

1) Open the enclosure door and put your hand inside, not too close to the snake, and then wave at it slowly a few times so it knows you are there.
2) Slowly move your hand over and pet the snake gently about midway down is body.
3) Reach under the snake midway down the body and pick it up slowly, then the ther hand support it a little way down from the neck (not too close)
4) Voila! Handling!

Well, I've been doing that almost daily and it was always fine. I fed it last wednesday and left it alone for 2 days. On the third day, I notice it was a little scared when I put my hand in. It would back off a little bit, but after a while, I pick it up no problem.
Today, I reached stage 1, and BAM it struck. It was halfway out of its hide and smacked the hide around with its body as well.

I seriously don't think I did anything to associate my hand with food. Whatever mistake I may have made in feeding, it was only fed once since it was here, and from what I was told, twice since it was born. And no, I didn't handle mice just before. I haven't touched a mouse since last wednesday.

How do I tame this baby??

It is probably just really scared, you shouldn't be handling him yet anyway. It is best to leave the snake a week (2 is probably better for BPs) after putting it in a new home before handling it at all.

Ok, now I was just told on MSN chat that you should NEVER wave your hand in front of a snake to let you know you're there, as it will know you're there an think yuo're food. Now that completely contradicts the websites I've read. So which is it?

By the way, Amber, its almost 2 weeks now so it should be fine.

Okay, I was just going by your post...

"I've had this fella for just a bit over a week and it bit me"

"I always thought, from my reading, that this is how you handle them, and this is what I've been doing daily (except for 2 days after feedig) sucessfully"

"Well, I've been doing that almost daily "

Anthony, bp's are very head shy and its going to take longer than a week or two for them to over come that. You shouldn't put your hand in front their face, they will see you,,,just support the body when picking up and very slowly rub his head daily...this is the only way to get them unhead shy..

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Anthony I would never put my hand in front of any snake's face and wiggle it. Thats asking for a bite. Many snakes cue in on warmth and movement.
As for picking up the snake I just put my hand in and moving from the side slowly and deliberately pick it up.You have to be very careful with this. Any twelve year old and a computer can put up a website. I have visited many sites that from the statements made I quickly realized it was just a bunch of kids playing around and most of them had probably never even owned a snake! You have to take advice you get on some websites with a very large grain of salt!
From the sound of things you startled the snake (they tend to sleep during the day) and then your hand movemenst made the problem worse.
Don't get too concerned. I (through my own negligence) scared my male when he was little and he bit me.
He has never even offered to again.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

ok I have to post on this one. You were waving you hand in front of your pythons face to let it know you was there?? what did you think was going to happen? they dont wave back thats for sure. 1st off to pick up a snake do not approach from the front always come in from the rear and work you way up to the front to support the body. Do not restrain the snake this will scare them and they will bite or try to flee and hurt them self or you. Do not wave your hand in front of the snake it will think you are either food or it will think its food either way it will bite. I dont know who told you to wave you hand in front of your snake but who ever they are they are mean as **** as you can bet your last dollar they knew it was going to ite you so they could get a good laugh. Just be very slow and deleberite with your snake man let it know you are not afraid of it and that you are not there to harm it and you two will get along just fine. Dont worry bout the little nip it could have been a 18ft retic that hit you then you would be in the emergency room getting stitches.

Yes, I agree I should have left it alone more in the beginning. Now it was fed last wednesday and that was a week in so it is now a week and 4 days. So I should be able to start handling it now. right?

Yes. Just go slowly and have patience. It WILL work out

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I probably scared it somehow yes, while trying to do the exact opposite (let me know its presence first). It wasn't during the day though as I am in Hong Kong so your day is my night.