Nervous/shy young Ball Python

[ronster]

Hi there, and hello! I`m aaron from Scotland, i couldn`t find a hello thread, so hope its ok for me to just ask questions?


OK, so here goes.... I have had my Royal for 6 weeks now, and he is 6 months old. He does seem very nervous/head shy?? He lives in a small 4L rub with heat mat, mat stat, hot and cold hides, hot end at 32, and its in a quiet bedroom. He eats fine, poo`s like a good un`and he strike feeds everytime on tues night on med mice, and weights about 130+ grams. I get him out every night for 10 mins or so, I always slowly approach him from the side, and give him 3 or so gentle strokes half way down his body, then lift him out of the rub & let him on the bed with a few kitchen rolls to slide in and out of and he seems to enjoy this, after a 2 min slow start, he has never hissed or shown any signs or aggression. But him being nervous can make me a tiny bit nervous too..

SO - is he a Royal just being a young shy Royal or are there things I can do to make him less nervous? its just that I handled a corn snake yesterday and he seemed very confident and was exploring all over me!

thanks all,

[dr del]

Hi,

I'm Del from Scotland and almost answered this on RFUK.

Temperament varies from snake to snake somewhat but BP's are well known for being headshy.

The top of the head just seems to be an area a lot of them don't like being approached or touched. Some of mine got more used to it over time and some are just as reluctant as they were as hatchlings.


dr del

[WifeOfSlasher]

Sounds totally normal. Being head shy is actually a very normal ball python trait. You can work with them to get beyond this mostly but they can be very easy to startle. Also, they don't tend to be super active, well... ours isn't. He's perfectly happy coiled around our arm, draped across a shoulder, lazily exploring the bed. From the sounds of it your guy is doing great.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Sounds normal but are you sure that he is 6 months old? He should weigh a good bit more than 180 grams. I would guess that he is about 2-3 months old.

[Slim]

It pays to remember that young Royals are very low on Mother Nature's food chain. They are hard wired to be a little careful with their young selves. As a general rule, they start to calm down a lot as they get older and larger. Sounds like you're of to a great start with your Royal.

Welcome to the Fourm. Tons of great info on this site.

[snake lab]

Another thing to remember about ball pythons are they spend the majority of their lives burrowed underground. They are not normally a cruisin type of snake. Colubrids such as corns tend to do alot nore moving about. Everything with yours sounds totally normal. The more you handle him he will get used to it.

[DooLittle]

Sounds like you are doing good. We have a corn and balls, and they are just two different "animals". Our corn never sits still. She is the busiest thing you would want to meet. Our balls, will generally hang out and watch tv with you.

[ronster]

Thanks everyone, he's going up to rat weaners soon, also I think it's down to me the handling, I kinda of lift him out, and place him on the bed, sit next to him, let him explore then pick him up again before be falls of the other side! So last night I let him do that before I picked him up and let him explore me, my hands and arms, so think this is what I'll do from now on and hope he becomes less timid.

[ronster]

Hi,

I'm Del from Scotland and almost answered this on RFUK.

Temperament varies from snake to snake somewhat but BP's are well known for being headshy.

The top of the head just seems to be an area a lot of them don't like being approached or touched. Some of mine got more used to it over time and some are just as reluctant as they were as hatchlings.


dr del

Small world! Hi Dr!

[Emily Hubbard]

I visited Scotland a few years ago and LOVED it, by the way. My favorite of all of the countries I have been to, actually. You people are SO much more friendly than the English (at least Londoners). Just saying.

Anyway, sounds like you are off to a great start. I have had my girl for about 5 months and she can still be skittish when I first reach in to get her, but she calms down once out. As mentioned, the poor things, even as adults, are pretty much defenseless in their native environment. They aren't venomous and they aren't fast, and their bite is not really all that impressive. They don't stand much of a chance if discovered by a predator, and they know it! You are doing great, just gently take your snake out and let it explore you. They like to feel secure and hidden, so giving them something to hide in/under/around while with you can help. Mine will duck her head under my couch pillows and just stare at me for several minutes with her tongue flicking.

I have also found that mine is EXTREMELY head shy when she first comes out, but after a few minutes, once she starts exploring and realizes I don't plan to eat her, I can pet her head and she won't flinch at all.

Congrats on your new snake!