Handling question

[EthanMG]

So my ball python is 9 months old, eats perfectly, never struck at me, but he seems a bit shy. Any time I take him out to handle he doesn’t seem to like to leave his enclosure, and when I do take him out he tries to squirm away. If I don’t constantly control him he’d slither off of me and go somewhere into my room.
I handle about 1-2 times a week at most, and my question is is this enough handling to try and combat his shyness? I’d like to just be able to lay down with him and watch a movie without having to constantly prevent him from trying to get away.
My other question is: Once they are Adults is it harder or impossible to change their temperament/personality such as his shyness?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jmcrook]

That’s just how snakes are. Rarely if ever will any of mine of any species just sit without moving for any duration while out of their enclosures.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bogertophis]

Rather typical snake behavior- it takes patience & some will just do better than others at staying calm while handled.

Try to remember why BPs feel safest in their hides, & try to "be his hide" when he's out & being handled. In other words, his fear is instinctive when he's out in the open- so many snakes feel safer when cuddled next to us (as if we're a big rock to hide behind), & you might also try handling him in a pillow case or under a towel, to limit his vision & wandering, until he learns to feel safer with you.

I don't think his being an adult now will make any difference, by the way. Just be patient & try to empathize with where he's coming from.

[Albert Clark]

It’s actually unnatural for snakes to be comfortable during handling sessions for the most part. They usually just tolerate it and some are less tolerant than others. There is a existing article on the way that pythons move and how they need stationary objects to press their bodies against to feel safe and secure. The article defines this as a term that escapes me at the moment. I will try and get that term for you.

[Animallover3541]

I tried to get my ball python to do the same thing, but it never really worked. I just take him out to check on his health or to take pictures. I used to take him outside sometimes (like in my avatar picture) before SFD started to spread through Indiana.

[EthanMG]

Thank you everyone for the responses. It makes more sense now, that I understand that’s just their nature to act that way. I will try to make him feel more safe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hilroy48]

I have 8 different snakes. I have 2 ball pythons. My 4 year old took about 6 months to trust me, now he is no longer head shy and will lay on the bed with me, move around and come back to me. My 9 month old is very calm and relaxed, i got him at 2 months old. Both pythons lay on my chest at first, while i run my fingers all over them. In about 5 min they are now ready to explore. All of my snakes trust me, and hang on my shoulder, or around my neck or they crawl inside my hoodie. I have a job where i work from home for the last 15 years, so my snakes get handled every day.

[EthanMG]

I have 8 different snakes. I have 2 ball pythons. My 4 year old took about 6 months to trust me, not he is no longer head shy and will lay on the bed with me, move around and come back to me. My 9 month old is very calm and relaxed, i got him at 2 months old. Both pythons lay on my chest at first, while i run my fingers all over them. In about 5 min they are now ready to explore. All of my snakes trust me, and hang on my shoulder, or around my neck or they crawl inside my hoodie. I have a job where i work from home for the last 15 years, so my snakes get handled every day.

Pretty snakes! I guess handling slightly more but making sure he’s comfortable might help a little. Just a question out of curiosity, have they ever peed or pooped on you? I’m now scarred and won’t bring mine on my bed anymore because he peed all over me and my bed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bogertophis]

Thank you everyone for the responses. It makes more sense now, that I understand that’s just their nature to act that way. I will try to make him feel more safe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think that's mostly the issue- they're 'wild' animals so they rely on their instincts (in the case of BPs, mostly to hide)- they just don't understand that we're going to protect them, so when we handle them, they feel exposed.

But there's so much variation among snakes, & also for our own ability to transmit calmness. My all-time winner for the most mellow snake to hang out with (& watch a movie for hours) was my late boa (BCI)- who knows, maybe she was even following the plot? hahaha!

[Bogertophis]

...I guess handling slightly more but making sure he’s comfortable might help a little. Just a question out of curiosity, have they ever peed or pooped on you? I’m now scarred and won’t bring mine on my bed anymore because he peed all over me and my bed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You do need to watch out for that tell-tale bulge above the cloaca that means their most recent meal is nearly ready to check out, especially when your snake is still fairly new & may be a bit nervous.

But you never know: I once had a very friendly, mellow & mature rosy boa (that I'd raised for years) that snuggled around my shoulders for a while one evening, before she slid into my shirt & sent a river of feces down my back! It happens to most of us sooner or later. But a whole bed...UGH!