How to tame a BP?

[MrLang]

I'm curious how the more experienced owners 'tame' their BPs? If there are people who do animal shows with their snakes or let small children manhandle their BPs (not abuse, you know what I mean)... your input is most appreciated.

How often do you handle them as juveniles? For how long at a time?

Do you slowly transition them to different areas of your house or outside or just fling them into the situation and make them cope with the stress so it won't be stressful next time?

Do you let them explore rooms and spaces outside of your hands or mostly keep them on your persons?

Do you pass them off to as many people as possible to be handled?

How 'rough' are you with them?

Basically I'm wondering if anyone has any tips about molding the temperament of a ball python to be totally safe for small children, loud people, or those who are scared of snakes to handle them (under supervision, ofc). The kind of snake you could pull out if its hide and plop on a newbie's lap and have no fear of it stressing to hell, being flighty and booking it, and/or biting them.

Thanks

[Ogre]

I personally dont know but I think it just has to do with the snake, like any animal you have the ones that are just calm and docile and then there are the more aggresive ones. and Im sure the more you have them around different situations the more they will be used to the idea just like when I feed I used to be quiet because she what a trouble eater but now I really dont care how much noise I make because she has gotten used to all the noise I make and it is now common place for her.

[Annarose15]

I'm curious how the more experienced owners 'tame' their BPs? If there are people who do animal shows with their snakes or let small children manhandle their BPs (not abuse, you know what I mean)... your input is most appreciated.

How often do you handle them as juveniles? For how long at a time? About once/twice a week for 30 minutes, unless they seem overly stressed before then. It's really just based on when I want to handle, not that they need any kind of socialization.

Do you slowly transition them to different areas of your house or outside or just fling them into the situation and make them cope with the stress so it won't be stressful next time? Bright sunlight outside seems to stress them (they are nocturnal, after all), so I tend to avoid that. Otherwise, it's just wherever I feel like handling - just watch the head when you walk through a doorway!

Do you let them explore rooms and spaces outside of your hands or mostly keep them on your persons? Letting them "explore" on their own is a good way to lose them, or end up with one stuck in/behind a piece of furniture where you don't want them, or have an accident with another pet.

Do you pass them off to as many people as possible to be handled? I am very careful about the circumstances when someone handles my BPs. If they are inexperienced, then they have to be sitting on the floor or couch, so the animal cannot get hurt if dropped. As far as "many people," I don't allow multiples in one session (2 or 3 tops).

How 'rough' are you with them? It is your responsibility to make sure NO ONE is rough with them. They aren't made of glass, but there are very few bites when handling that weren't deserved (IMO).

Basically I'm wondering if anyone has any tips about molding the temperament of a ball python to be totally safe for small children, loud people, or those who are scared of snakes to handle them (under supervision, ofc). The kind of snake you could pull out if its hide and plop on a newbie's lap and have no fear of it stressing to hell, being flighty and booking it, and/or biting them.
Define "small children"? I have let kids as young as 5 hold my BPs, but they are required to sit still on the floor, with supervision. Loud people can either learn manners around my snakes, or they don't get to be around them. Newbie's get the same rules as 5-year olds. In the end, the snake's safety and well-being are the owner's responsibility, and they are not show-and-tell toys to be trained like a puppy. Oh, and of course, it always comes down to the individual snake. I have some that wouldn't notice an earthquake, and some that simply stress out at being handled any more than necessary.
Thanks

[MrLang]

I don't have any children, I was merely looking long term since these are 20 year commitments. I didn't really mean the word rough, it's just that when I personally handle my snakes I treat them very, very gently. I was basically curious if there's anything specific I can do now to ensure that they're as tame as possible as adults.

Right now I hold them both for about an hour a day each unless they're within 48 hours of eating or in shed. I've had my roommate hold them both briefly, but they almost seem more skittish with her even though she handles them as carefully as I do. This is why I'm wondering about 'socializing' them with other people or outside of their normal environment. I want to be able to hand my snakes over to brand new people and have them be universally OK with that provided the person is not a complete moron.

Sounds like I inherently don't have to have that fear with a ball python?

[Annarose15]

BPs are almost always going to take the defensive (ball up or run away) over the offensive (striking) when stressed, so yeah, I'd say you don't have much to worry about. I have noticed that mine are a little more cautious around new people, but I don't think that you can get them universally accustomed to all new people. Sounds like you've got the right ideas.

[WifeOfSlasher]

Lots and lots of handling. In the beginning we would do 10-20 minute sessions once a day paying attention to the snake's demeanor. If they were curled up a a tight knot then we would continue to hold, aka act like furniture, until they would relax and start exploring. After that we would put them back. We handled right away. We are part of their environment after all. Also, we work with our snakes so they are okay with someone messing the their head and tail. There are times when we would need to do this and would rather avoid begin struck or stress the snake with something new, especially with head shy bps.

Being that we have cats our guys are usually on us. Every once in awhile they slither around on our bed.

Kids.. Ours don't man handle. Now that Julius is larger our oldest son isnt too interested in handling but he does know how to properly "pet" him. Our daughter acts like furniture. Lol. She'll redirect him as needed.

We don't tend to take them outside but indoors we'll just go about our business. Snakes will let you know in their own way if something bothers them.