Calming a new ball python

[Emily Hubbard]

I just got my very first ball python, a little girl named Zola. She ate for me two days after she arrived, and a few days after that, I started interacting with her. I am just curious if any of you have some "taming" techniques (taming being entirely the wrong term, as we all know, snakes cannot be tamed) but any techniques that have worked for you that have put the least amount of stress on your snake?

This is what I have been doing. I bought her one of those heavy pieces of driftwood they sell at PetCo because I figured she would like it as a rubbing post when she sheds. But she loves it so much, it is her favorite place to hide. So the few times I have taken her out, I have gently nudged her up on the wood and then carefully lifted her and the wood out the tank. Then I set the driftwood on my lap and place my hands flat in front of her. That way, whether or not she touches me is entirely her decision, and she has her "security blanket" by being on her familiar piece of wood. Each time, she sits on the wood for a good minute just frozen, but then slowly starts smelling my hands and then crawling halfway up on them.

We do this for about 10 minutes and then I put her back. She seems perfectly calm after that first minute, but I feel like I am completely terrifying her every time I reach in to get her, even though I move very slowly and carefully. I suppose this is just the way it is until she is used to me, but I was wondering if anyone else had any other techniques that have worked in convincing your snake that you are not trying to eat it. It just makes me so sad to think I am causing her any stress at all.

[dragonboy4578]

I just reach in calmly and pull out my snakes. It takes time for them to become use to handling. I usually only have new additions out for a few minutes at a time and slowly increase it until they get use to the handling.

[Inknsteel]

You'll learn to read your snake. I can usually just reach in and grab most of mine out, no problem. Once they're out, they chill out pretty quickly...

[loonunit]

She actually sounds pretty calm already. If she wasn't calm, she'd be balling or nipping you.

Ball pythons sleep during the day, and I think the thing they like least about handling is being woken up in the middle of their "night". I try to do most of my handling in the evening. If you really want to be nice you can wait until she's clearly awake and at least poking her head out. But generally evening handling goes down better than mid-afternoon handling.

[Emily Hubbard]

Thanks, everyone! She has not made any attempt to nip at me since the day she arrived, and I hardly blame her, I would be pretty upset if someone mailed me across country in a box. (But a big thanks to Brian at BHB Enterprises, she is a beautiful and healthy little girl!) I don't mind if she bites me, but I figure if she tries, she is too scared, and I would feel terrible. So I am glad she is calm and gentle thus far!

I had her out this evening while my fiancé was over, since she needs to get to know him too. She did great, we just moved very slowly and she crawled between both of us and over our hands.