my ball python wont let me pick her up

[XxRYANxX]

ive had my ball python for 2 weeks now and i feed her two days ago and everytime i go to pick her up she like inhales really deep what is she doing. i need to take her out of her cage to fix some stuff

i think she scared and she is trying to look bigger.

any tips or ideas what to do

[dsirkle]

You shouldn't be handling her yet. Leave her alone for a couple of weeks. Make sure that she has a good hide. She hasn't had time to adjust to her new surroundings.

[Kaorte]

Just pick her up anyway. She is just scared because you are a big bad predator! It will take some time for her to get used to the idea that you will NOT eat her.

I always approach from the side so that they can see me coming but aren't facing me so they can't bite me.

[XxRYANxX]

thanks guys i got her

[luna13]

i approach from the front and pick them up from the back

[cartman89]

a little tip....when they are in shed mode....don't bother hahaha. Mine gets ticked. Though I never had a bite but facial expressions says all

[Neal]

I just go in from the front, of course mine never hisses or coils up or attempts to bite. If they did bite me though it's not like it would hurt.

[DM1975]

I got tagged today at my buddies herp store. I was helping him clean the cages and water the snakes because he was overwhelmed with customers and I was scrubbing the plexy in front of a juvenile mojave and he tagged me. I always jump when I get bit, but it doesn't hurt, just scares the poop out of me.

The real biter was a peruvian milk snake, a very young one. She latched onto my hand and wouldnt let go, she just hung on like crazy, lol.

Just an off day today I guess

[syvil]

My guy was a striker when I first got him. I left him alone for 2 weeks and completly ignored him (besides feeding, chaning water, checking temps/humid) and now almost a month later he's great. He sometimes get tense but I just grab him and he's fine and doesn't strike anymore. Usually they will strike at you instead of bite. It doesn't hurt at all just scares the crap out of you.

[BPsRule]

I always approach mine from the side and "pet" him for a minute to get him used to me. Believe it or not, as I'm petting him I can start to reach underneath his body and he'll actually lift that part of his body up for me. He knows exactly what I'm doing and knows the routine. Makes it easier that he lifts his body up so I don't have to grab him with as much force. I can just scoop my hand underneath and pick him up that way.