Update on aru

Well i am officially in over my head.This snake is big and mean as hell,and he scared the crap out of me.I thought all was well when i put him on the floor and put a hook on him,wrong.My cheap hook bent in half and he chased me around hissing and striking wildly at me,talk about adrenaline.I have no idea how i am going to do anything at all in the cage, maybe with my motocross gear LoL.This should be very interesting.

I'll admit that a little laugh snuck out - I couldn't help myself.
You were warned, though, that the snake was "particularly nasty"...I guess now you have a better understanding of what that is about, lol.

Get yourself a good solid python hook, set up a hide that you can contain the snake in (a box with a door or removable panel works), and get yourself a good pair of welders (or other heavy gaunlet type) gloves. You may want to consider setting up a shift cage (a panel insert that effectively walls off one side for maintenance), but that is difficult with larger enclosures. Another option is a type of handled shield/barrier that you can keep between you and the snake.
Good luck.

Thanks for those tips that should help quite a bit,and you know what i would laugh at me too.I got a pretty good laugh out of it myself once i got him in the cage.I love that method of containing him in a hide and i will sure make one tomorrow asap.And don't get me wrong i in no way regret buying this snake it should be fun trying not to get bitten LoL.Oh and do you want another chuckle,picture me being chased by a snake while i am wearing a winter jacket,oven mitts and a motorcycle helmet LoL.

Thanks for the visual, , the oven mitts really complete the picture.

Seriously though, 8 ft is still a very workable size - especially with a scrub. He may seem like more than a handful at this point, because it is totally new to you...but stick with it. You two will get used to each other, and you will figure out what works and what doesn't. I've never been much of a glove & gear person, and I have worked with a variety of aggressive snakes...I prefer the feel & control of bare hands. I did have one Afrock that I wore face protection with for a while - if he is a face biter, you may want to look into something lighter than the motorcycle helmet...they work, but are bulky and make you feel silly. Check out a couple of the local sporting good stores & see what they have to offer.
The Vision cage doesn't lend itself easily to traditional shift panels, but the sliding glass doors make it easy to shield off half the cage for maintenance. Personally, I would try to leave him alone as much as possible for a while, then start increasing your presence (not necessarily trying to handle him, just being there). I take a sort of minimalist approach to handling with aggressive snakes because it is stressful for them - but it has always worked well for me; and usually the roughest of edges get worn down relatively quickly, allowing necessary contact without big displays. When you do have to handle him, in the mean time, try to resist the urge to control him. Grabbing him firmly behind the neck will bring out all sorts of bad behavior, and make your job that much more difficult. (I used to demonstrate this in some of my presentations, using a variety of medium large pythos - typically 8-10ft Afrocks and retics. While I was holding them & talking about them, moving my hands to allow them to crawl through them, I would bring up how they DON"T like to be handled...slide my hand up and gently take hold behind the head. As soon as the snakes felt that change in grip, they would thrash, constrict, try to bite, spray, or some combination of the above. It was definitely an attention getter, lol...my favorite was a retic that used to freak every time I did that, but would settle down as soon as I release my grip)

You can get a face shield at a hardware store. It's an alternative to protective goggles. Very lightweight, and if he hit you it might be knocked off, but your face would still be there and untouched. AND it doesn't resist your vision.
I concur... the oven mitts definately set off the giggles in my brain.
The shield with a handle is REALLY easy. A trash can lid. If you want to amke a REALLY spiffy one, get some lexan, and drill two holes, attach a handle. Now you have a CLEAR shield. Also good for him to be able to see you, and that you aren't harming him.
With both the face shield and the shield-shield, you should be able to change his water and such a bit easier. The absolute ideal sounds like the connected cages. Get him into the second cage, clsoe it off, clean the first one. No confrontation.
Sounds like you are pretty determined, and not blaming the snake which is great!
Wolfy

Thanks for the help guys,and wolfy your right it's not the snakes fault he is in a cage so if he wants to be pissed off good for him.And also if i get bit it would be my fault too so i would have to give him some credit for outsmarting me,But i think i might win this one.Well i'm off to go make a hide i can contain him in if anything funny or interesting happens i will update you guys.

With reference to the face shield I mentioned earlier - I suggested a sporting goods shop because I was thinking of a specific type of mask/shield...the one I used with the rock. It was like a goalie mask (not like Jason's, lol), it strapped on and offered cage-like protection. Better than anything plexi because a) it won't fog up, b) it won't distort your vision, and c) it straps securely in place. The one I had was similar to this, except it was nicely padded wherever it might contact your face/head http://www.kempshockey.com/mask2003/bauerFM8000.jpg , and at the time it cost just under $20

Ahhh, nice, but I'd worry about teeth getting caught on it.
My suggestion came because I use a plexi face shield when I mess with fire... and... things...
A bit of the anti-fog stuff made by Rain-X does wonders on those too.
Either way, yours will be less hot for sure, and won't get smeared up.
Wolfy

Either way works - we both suggested what we had experience with...human nature.
No matter what you wear for protection, getting struck hard in the face is unnerving, and should be avoided at all costs, heheheh

My face biter stopped going for my face when I started wearing that (that was really the only target that interested him, too...what does that say about my looks, lol). I used it for a couple weeks then never bothered again.
**not to suggest it would stop anybody's/everybody's snake from going for the face.