Avoiding bites

[pinkspore]

I think I saw a thread on this somewhere, but I can't find it now, so...

My ball python is a year old and hasn't been handled in a few months. When I touch him he balls himself up. He bit me once while I was playing with a humidifier hose right outside his hide entrance, but has never hissed.

When he finishes shedding and is handlable again, how can I avoid future bites and make handling as non-threatening as possible?

[xdeus]

Handle them when they are awake, usually right after dark. Move slow, and approach them from behind their head. Also, it would probably help if you didn't handle rats or mice before grabbing them.

They'll usually either ball up or hiss to let you know that they don't want to be bothered. The young ones might be a little nippy, but they grow out of it.

[pinkspore]

He always balls up as soon as I touch him. Should I pick him up anyways?

I really gotta make sure to wash my hands between cages, since I have three pet rats.

[JLC]

Ahhh yes...do wash up, well. I wouldn't even wear the same shirt if I'd been playing with the rats before handling the snake.


It's ok to pick them up if they're balled up. Sometimes just being held in your hands...still and quiet....will help them relax and they'll begin to explore you. If not...just hold her for a few minutes and then put her back. Eventually she'll realize getting picked up and held won't hurt her.

It just takes time and very gentle patience.

EDIT: Her....him.....hehe...the advice works for either. Sorry!

[Razaiel]

What is a humidifier hose? If you've got a fogger in the viv I don't think they're recommended for anything but amphibs.

[JimiSnakes]

What is a humidifier hose? If you've got a fogger in the viv I don't think they're recommended for anything but amphibs.

Yeah, good catch! I don't think they are either.