is it an abnormal for a snake to let you touch the head?

[Johar]

well, i got lahsa out tonight and decided to handle her alittle for 15 mnts.
but then i got carried a way, since she didn't seem stressed and didn't wanna leave "maybe my love kept her warm " anyways. i was sliding my thumb continuesly on her back, but then i decided to do the same thing slowly on her head. weird. she didn't ball or back off ;l . maybe she fell asleep?

anyways, i kept doing it for couple of minutes, until i told my wife to get up and get the cam . but she had her cellphone instead. when she got up and stood like 1 meter away from me. lahsa saw her and decided to hide her head. she doesn't seem to like my wife. but anyways. what is the meaning of this? just luck? or she's begining to like me?

[tigerlily]

I think it's more to do with the personality of the snake. I have a couple that don't mind me touching their heads, but other times they want nothing to do with it. I think it just means that she's a tolerant snake.

[mr~python]

i think it has to do with the snake too. vanessa will jerk her head back if its sticking out of her hide and you make any movements close to the enclosure, but on the other hand zulu is totally cool with everybody. once you get vanessa out though, and you hold her for a lil bit she wont wanna go back in her cage and you'll actually have to keep pushing her head back and close the door before she gets out again, lol.

[iceman25]

well, i got lahsa out tonight and decided to handle her alittle for 15 mnts.
but then i got carried a way, since she didn't seem stressed and didn't wanna leave "maybe my love kept her warm " anyways. i was sliding my thumb continuesly on her back, but then i decided to do the same thing slowly on her head. weird. she didn't ball or back off ;l . maybe she fell asleep?

anyways, i kept doing it for couple of minutes, until i told my wife to get up and get the cam . but she had her cellphone instead. when she got up and stood like 1 meter away from me. lahsa saw her and decided to hide her head. she doesn't seem to like my wife. but anyways. what is the meaning of this? just luck? or she's begining to like me?

It depends on the snake. Basically they see you either as a predator, prey, or just plain environment. Your bp does not see you as a prey or a predator anymore but as just plain old scenery She may still see your wife as a predator, hence hiding the head or balling up.

[Brandon.O]

I dont think its anything abnormal, some snakes are headshy and some are not, one of my ball pythons Rxy, will let you touch her head all the time, it really doesnt phase her at all. However my young boa constrictor and my larger ball python dont like thier heads being touched to much.

[The Cannibal Monkey]

I handled a corn snake one time that wouldn't even let you touch it's neck anywhere near its head or it would totally freak out, but my bp seems to have no problem with me touching his head as long as I'm not, like, "swooping in" on him or something =P Some snakes are just more laid back than others, IMO the amount of handling helps.

[rabernet]

Kashmire is not headshy at all, but I've done a lot of gentle touching his head since day one.

Sullivan was when I got him, but I've been working with slowly and deliberately approaching his head with my free hand and then gently stroking the top of his head and side of his head and he's not nearly as head-shy as when he arrived.

Godiva is also getting better about head touching as well.

Echo wants nothing to do with it, but is getting a little better. But she's the most "flighty" of the four too.

I think like Raj said, it's how they perceive you. I think that Kashmire recognizes my scent and knows that he's never been harmed by me, so he's very laid back.

I hope with time, the others will become as comfortable, but if they don't, I'm fine with that too. My main concern is that they are warm, secure, eating consistently and healthy. They can be however they want to be as long as the other criteria are met!

[Johar]

great guys!. thanx for the answers , they were really helpful i guess im just an old tree to lahsa

[frankykeno]

I figure our snakes think of me as "She Who Rains Rats Down From The Skies" LOL (or the Poop Removal Human). Just kidding folks!


I figure they are ultimate survivors and likely just are used to Mike and I and have in whatever way snakes deal with their environment, classed us as non-threatening. Some don't mind gentle rubs around their heads, some pull away or sometimes it's just the day, time or the snake's "mood" (stupid word but I can't think of another right now). Orlah, for some odd reason, has absolutely no reaction to any form of head touching but since we got her as an adult I have no information on how she was handled as a young snake. She is definitely not the norm that way LOL.

I do think snakes can in some basic way recognize those humans they are in a lot of contact with. Our WC female, Saoirse shows a marked preference to be handled by Mike. She's obviously more relaxed in his hands or will slither from me to him in what appears to be a deliberate manner. I haven't a clue why other than he was the first person she took food from in captivity as well as finally uncurling in his hands for the first time. I suppose if there's a concept of trust between a snake and a human, Saoirse "trusts" Mike to do her no harm.

~~Jo~~

[Roundabout136]

Gem doesn't like being touched up near her head much, she's getting better though. My younger snake though, will let you do anything you want to him. He's great.