Newbie here!

[Hollis_Steed]

Very nice snake! congratulations!

[mustang]

cool!

[Mix]

Thanks! I do think she's very lovely.
Turns out she's the Bitey McBiterson of the snake world, though. Took her out only for a few minutes tonight and she had a couple or three goes at my hands - she's a feisty one! And she's lightning fast. Thinking something like 'Pirhana' might be more fitting for a name.
I think I need to stick with it, and get her a little more used to contact - I don't think she's had much handling so far. Hopefully she'll get used to me and feel safer.
Didn't have chance to take more pics today, so I'll try and get a decent one tomorrow.

[guidofatherof5]

Patients is key with them. You can't calm them on your time. It has to be done on their time.

[Laura]

Had the same deal with Lola, but that was just down to the fact that the place I got her from didn't really get the chance to handle her any other time other than when they fed her. So I guess she just thought I was food She's never tried to bite me again since the first day I took her home though.

[Mix]

I have an infinite supply of patience, but am unsure of the best course?

What would everyone recommend? Trying to handle her a little every other day or so, or leave off the handling completely for a while?

I don't mind the biting if the best course is to get her used to being held, and on the other hand I didn't know whether it will make it more difficult the longer I leave it? Advice would be very welcome!

She's fine with my hands going into the viv so far, if a little wary, and hasn't bitten in that situation, but she did bite the guy at the store when he got her out, and he put it down to her being hungry (she has been fed since). It seems to just be when she's handled.

I absolutely do not want to do anything that will make her uncomfortable or scared, but I don't want her to be surprised and stressed out when it comes to essential handling such as cleaning the viv etc.

[drache]

a late welcome to you, Mix
my approach has been to handle them every day long enough for them to settle down a bit (usually 5-10 minutes), and then return them to their enclosure. that tends to work pretty well. after a while they habituate

[guidofatherof5]

I have an infinite supply of patience, but am unsure of the best course?

What would everyone recommend? Trying to handle her a little every other day or so, or leave off the handling completely for a while?

I don't mind the biting if the best course is to get her used to being held, and on the other hand I didn't know whether it will make it more difficult the longer I leave it? Advice would be very welcome!

She's fine with my hands going into the viv so far, if a little wary, and hasn't bitten in that situation, but she did bite the guy at the store when he got her out, and he put it down to her being hungry (she has been fed since). It seems to just be when she's handled.

I absolutely do not want to do anything that will make her uncomfortable or scared, but I don't want her to be surprised and stressed out when it comes to essential handling such as cleaning the viv etc.

I don't think you can do anything but stress and scare her in the beginning. It's a neccessary evil towards a good goal.

Rhea's advice is solid.
You might also consider this: Try put your hand in and let her come to you. She may come by you in a panic and touch you. This will show her you're not going to grab her. After this initial period she will calm down and may come out to you. They're natural curiousity will eventually take over.
You may also hold off feeding a couple of times. Then offer food by hand.
While holding the food blow air across it towards your snake. If she's hungry she will come out towards the food an probably take it. She may immediately retreat to her hide but that's OK. It's a start.
I have baited wild snakes out of their hides. Hunger is a great motivator.
You'll do fine with whatever you do and before you know it she'll be coming out to greet you and even get up in your hand.
Best of luck.

[Mix]

Aaah, thank you both! It's a relief to know that I'm not doing wrong.
Thank you for the great advice! I'll let you know how it goes.

[Mix]

I tried the hand-feeding advice this morning. I put a piece of fish on her bowl to tempt her up (which worked), then offered the second piece with my fingers. Success! She ate it right out of my hand, and wasn't jumpy or avasive. And no nips! Then I popped my (washed!) hand in a couple more times (water change and new plastic plant), and she was fine both times.
I want to give her a day to digest before I handle her, so fingers crossed for tommorow.
She's also been more active, and obliged me by posing for better photos! Here's a couple of nice ones:





ROAR!!