Hey

[Terrified of snakes]

So first off, I'm terrified of snakes in general. I think they're really cool, and my fiance has a normal ball and a Black Pastel that I got her as a Christmas present. I like holding the Pastel, but won't get him out of his tank myself. Scared he'll freak out and strike me. The normal I won't touch, mainly because he's nippy with everyone but my fiance. All of this is a little worse now because my brother who lives with us has a normal that he brings in my room and scares me with. Last week he had him striking at my ear and thought it was the funniest thing. I'm planning on getting a hatchling for myself in the next week or so, and forcing myself to get over the fear of getting bitten.

[Chkadii]

I think it's really cool of you to recognize your fear and not only not blame the animals for it, but actively try to overcome that fear.

Spend lots of time watching your BPs. You'll start to pick up on the difference between cautious "S" necks and prepared-to-strike "S" necks (which are very tense by comparison). You'll feel better being able to read your snakes.

I hope it helps to know that I still jump a bit when mine strike (at me or at a rat on tongs). It's not fear, but it is always a surprise how quickly they move. That said, bites really don't hurt, and hatchling bites are hard to feel at all.

Your brother is a goober. The reptile community already has trouble with people making judgements based on fear, and people like your brother are doing us all a disservice by perpetuating that fear.

If you find you are not able to provide the necessary care for your baby due to fear, make sure your fiancée is cool with taking on the new family member. I'm sure you'll be fine though! 😊

What genes are you looking into for your hatchling?

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[Reinz]

Welcome to the forum Tos.

Good for you on facing your fear.

I understand the teasing that goes on between brothers and how insensitive it can be. I have a brother as well. A responsible snake keeper is ALWAYS respectful of others fears, especially family. I am concerned if your brother is mature enough to even own a snake.

[distaff]

I'm going to be harshly blunt here: your brother is a jerk.

The snake could easily be hurt by another's involuntary fear reflex.
He is happy to put an animal he supposedly cares for at risk for fun?

You don't need a snake - you need to deal with this jerk.
(I'm wording that kindly.)

[bcr229]

I would suggest that you not get a hatchling at first as they tend to be more nippy than older critters. To a baby snake you are a great big Godzilla-monster that will gobble it up, so they are more likely to strike out in defense. If you react the wrong way you could end up inadvertently hurting the baby. Most people at least jump when they get nipped, and it takes a lot of conditioning to not jerk back when it happens.

Either keep handling the adult critters available to you, or if you must get your own snake, look around for an established older animal in need of rehoming that has learned that people won't hurt it.

[Reinz]

I think bcr has a good idea.

I've acquired all of my snakes so far as adults and juvies, hence no striking problems.

[LittleTreeGuy]

I was afraid of snakes as well. More from lack of knowledge about them than any particular phobia or anything else. I thought they were all out to bite me and would kill me if they could. The second expo I went to I was looking at a bp a young man was holding. I was talking to him and just couldn't take my eyes off the snake. Some out of fear, some out of awe of how beautiful and calm the animal was, and some out of curiousity for an animal I just could not understand. We talked a little, and he had a customer come to his booth. He said, Hey, do you mind holding her a sec... and handed the snake too me. She was a young adult, probably a little over 3' in lenth, and I'm not sure of weight. It was different than I expected. Something just clicked. I remember not wanting to hand her back, but I wanted to keep holding her. She was so peaceful. An hour later, I was on my way home with a Mojave hatchling in the car (in a secure deli cup).

I have a couple of aquantences I know that have BP's. I could have handled theirs and spent time with them to get more comfortable, but for me, I wanted my own. Now, I feel MUCH more comfortable with my snake, and snakes in general.

[Reinz]

Great testimonial LTG.


It was the peace and tranquility as well as awesome beauty that won me over too.

[hazzaram]

I definitely understand your fear. I was afraid of snakes but had always thought they were beautiful. I went and picked up a hatchling corn snake and I was terrified to pick her up. She was this tiny little worm, fitting in the palm of my hand, but I was afraid of her. She was unhealthy when I bought her (not from a breeder) and she ended up dying on me. RIP.

From there, I started researching snakes more. I came across ball pythons but I was really freaked out even looking at them. I thought the shape of their heads were scary and thought they were huge!

Fastforward a little bit... I ended up getting an albino male bp from a wonderful breeder. This breeder talked to me about how to handle the snake, telling me the signs to watch for and how to deal with him. Luckily, the male is the most docile thing ever. I fell head over heels and a week later I bought a yellowbelly female. A couple months after that, I dove into the world of boas and got a beautiful brazilian rainbow boa. I adore all of my snakes now.

My advice to you is to take it slow. Find a breeder that you can trust and let him/her help you pick out a snake. Let the breeder teach you the proper ways to interact with the snake.


EDIT: I have three young snakes but I've gotten lucky. None of them have ever hissed, struck or bitten me so I do still have the fear of a bite. I know someday one of my guys will get me. It's inevitable but it makes me nervous!

[EL-Ziggy]

In the immortal words of FDR, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Not many people enjoy being bitten by any animal but in the case of most non- venomous snakes, especially younger and smaller ones, their bark is much worse than their bite. I actually like to buy hatchlings because I'd rather get tagged by a baby snake than an adult . I also like watching my snakes grow from babies to adulthood. If your new snake is a bit defensive just put on a glove and let him strike it to his hearts content. Once he realizes that behavior isn't going to scare you away, and that you're not going to eat him, he should calm down fairly quickly. Most snakes do become docile as they grow but some will be bitey their entire lives. I don't believe we can tame all of them but the vast majority will learn to tolerate handling. Best wishes with your new critter.