Does anyone here keep Olive Pythons?

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Originally Posted by parashootist

... She seems agitated when I mist the enclosure but I'll consider it as a tool and may try it. Thanks

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I'd imagine that's because the spray touches her body in many places at once- causing a defensive reaction to "the unknown threat". Try narrowing the spray & aim for the face- more like a drinking fountain. :cool:

Another way I communicate with snakes is to offer something with my scent on it. (& make sure there's no scent of prey, haha!) You wouldn't want to use any fabric that snake teeth would hang up on too much- I'm thinking more along the lines of the sleeve (cuff) of a heavy jacket (make of densely woven fabric) that you impart your scent to first- rub it on your hair & hands. Many "enthused" snakes back off once they get our (yucky!) scent instead of what they're hoping for.

Just another way to signal to a snake. Or instead of your scent on that sleeve, use something harmless but repulsive to them. (like a bit of vinegar, etc.) Have fun-:D

Once she comes down from the radiant heat panel, I'm going to take her out! (The materials to resolve this issue should arrive Monday)

Small victory. She was down from the RHP so after a bit of floundering, I tapped her with the hook and took her out. She did great. No striking or any real defensiveness during handling that my untrained eyes could detect. She didn't even seem too head shy. I kept her out just for about 5 minutes but I'm calling it a win. Hopefully I can repeat tonight. I also cleaned a couple piles of urates out 😀 haha

I call that a win too-:gj: Humans intimidate snakes & snakes intimidate humans- we just have to find ways to communicate, using some signals to reduce threats & mistakes, & a bit of patience.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I call that a win too-:gj: Humans intimidate snakes & snakes intimidate humans- we just have to find ways to communicate, using some signals to reduce threats & mistakes, & a bit of patience.

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Absolutely, her and I are learning together. I think tonight I will lose the gloves but keep the long sleeve shirt.

Since she's nocturnal, I'm trying to handle her during her awake hours although it would certainly be nice to be able to take her out during the day sometimes.

Good thread going here!

Any chance you can post some photos of the caging and the snake?

Almost everything I've read in text, seen in videos, and learned from keepers here about Olive pythons is that they settle quickly.

They do have a huge feeding response, and sometimes they have been known to latch on to a keeper during handling for no reason other than hunger issues.

Learning your snake's demeanor should help you avoid that.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have going on.

Thanks! I'll try to get some pictures now and then after I make improvements this week. I've found it very difficult to get good pictures of her with the glass in the way and we're not at the point where I can take pictures while handling her.

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Originally Posted by Gio

Good thread going here!

Any chance you can post some photos of the caging and the snake?

Almost everything I've read in text, seen in videos, and learned from keepers here about Olive pythons is that they settle quickly.

They do have a huge feeding response, and sometimes they have been known to latch on to a keeper during handling for no reason other than hunger issues.

Learning your snake's demeanor should help you avoid that.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have going on.

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Held her tonight without gloves. I also put her back into the enclosure and took her out a second time for additional practice getting her out. I didn't hesitate tonight which felt good. I kept the handling session short, just 5 minutes or so but I plan to increase them a bit each time. She definitely doesn't sit still, it's like juggling haha!

don’t keep olives but raw peat is a v good way to maintain higher humidity levels

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Originally Posted by YungRasputin

don’t keep olives but raw peat is a v good way to maintain higher humidity levels

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Thanks, I will look into it.