Tips to help a BP become less head-shy?

[Karbon]

So i've had my BP for a year and 7 months now and in that time I have never been bitten or struck at.

Well tempered overall I would say, only one problem. Head-shy!
It's not really a 'problem' perse since I know most younger BP's are head-shy, but is there any way to help lessen it?

I don't know if anyone elses snake does this, but if I even make an advance with my hand anywhere near the snakes head, the snake freaks out and pulls back into a ball. I'm not lunging at the snake either, i'm making sure to go in nice and slow.

I'd really like some tips, if anyone has any, on how to try and get the snake to become less head shy and more accepting of me without causing the snake stress that'd be awesome.

I handle the snake almost every day and I can see the snake watching me from its enclosure quite a bit. Feeding response is superb, never gone more than 2 weeks without eating and only during sheds. Enclosure temps and humidity are perfect always. Snake actually sometimes prefers to be out of the hides and curled up between some small branches I have in there so he can see what's going on. 100% sure he watches what I am doing most of the time!

After holding for about 5 minutes or so, the snake will start exploring and slithering all over the place and sometimes rest on my chair with me. I was told it comes with time and how frequently you handle them by some people. Just wondering if there's anything else I might not know of.

So! Any tips would be appreciated! Thanks!

[MiniJ83]

If hes not in his hides...thats usually a sign thats something is wrong...not that he's happy. When you describe your temps and humidity as "perfect", what are they? And how are you measuring them?

As for the head shyness... that depends on the snake. Some will freak out if a hand is in their eye line, while some don't mind it until you actually touch his head.

[toddstj]

My snake is head shy a bit, but if I come from behind and touch his head, he doesn't seem to mind. He will actually let me rub his head and under his chin. But if I come from the front, he ducks back. My husbandry is good also, but sometimes after holding the snake, he will hang out on the tree branch for a while before going back to the hide. If you are getting good sheds, and the snake is eating good, I wouldnt worry about it being out in the branches sometimes.

[Karbon]

Him being out of his hides isn't something new. Sometimes he goes in and sometimes he doesn't. He really seems to like watching me. Even when he's in his hide, he will usually poke his head out a little and see what's going on.

Like I said, it's how he's always been. He's always shed without issues and he always eats without issues. I don't think that something is wrong?

I use two small temp and humidity gauges inside and a digital Accurite monitor for inside temps and humidity. The gauges are not as accurate of course but I put them in anyway Tank is a 20G long glass with locking mesh lid. 3/4 of the lid is covered by aluminum foil to keep humidity up.

Overall though he has a superb personality and doesn't mind other people handling him either. He's also roughly 1,100 grams as well at only 1 year 8 months old.

Maybe I just need to be more patient with him and maybe he'll warm up to me a bit more.

[MattU]

Mine was pretty head shy when I first got him... Whenever I handle him I just always try to touch his head a few times, from behind and from in front, after a while I suppose he just figured it wasn't a threat cuz he's much better with it now

[BPelizabeth]

Mine tries to act like she is a wild green tree python on her branch at times.....you look at her and can just tell by the look on her face...."Yeah, thats right...I am a wild dangerous snake on the prowl...hanging out in the jungle". Its actually hilarious...but we try not to laugh AT her!!

Trying rubbing the neck slowly and then work your way up .....I have one that is NOT head shy at all and another 2 month old that is a big scardey cat of EVERYTHING! But once out for a while.....he calms it down.

[PyramidPythons]

My BP breeder friend gave me this tip that may or may not work for you. He said that if you take your BP out and hold it until it is comfortable enough to settle in or even start looking around a bit, place it into your lap and put one of your palms over the BP's head and one below. He said not to hold the snake tightly, but don't allow it to draw away quickly. The key is to teach it that your hands are not threatening, even if they are taking away it's sight. He also said that holding the BP in this manner helps it to get used to your scent. I have done this with Anubis (my normal male), with pretty good results. When I got my female, Isis (another normal), I found out that she wasn't as head shy. Anyway, just a tip from a local breeder, hope it helps.

[nixer]

my pied is dog tame, but he is very timid

[Lolo76]

Most snakes are head-shy to some degree, although I have a few BPs who totally aren't... Toby actually leans into my finger, and lets me rub both the top & bottom of his head. The only way I can think of to make one less head-shy is just regular, gentle handling - but some will never get used to it. It also helps to approach them (with your finger) from the neck/back, rather than coming at them head-on.

[Karbon]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Very helpful info!