How Can You Tell When Your BP Is Used To You?

I've had my BP Jules for a little over 3 weeks now. I waited 1 week to handle him, and he has been pretty shy for most of the time I've owned him. When handling him, he has usually been rather flighty. Very docile but jumpy.

Over the past couple days, he hasn't been going into his hide as often, and today when I took him out, he didn't even try to get away. I just sat there for about 15 minutes with him sliding around my lap. Is this what it's supposed to be like when they're not scared of you?

Sounds like he's getting used to you, yeah. Eventually he'll be either totally calm with you, or only a little jumpy, depending on his personality.

I've had my girl for 2 weeks now, and once she stops striking at almost everything, I'll consider that a victory, haha. She's a bit odd for a ball though.

All ball pythons are different. Some believe that they grow to like, or love you. Rather, i believe they grow to tolerate you. It is sort of a trust thing. Once they realize that you aren't a predator and aren't going to snack on him, he will relax. All it takes is spending time with him. Generally, in the Ball Python species they tend to just lie about, so the 15 minutes of him sliding around on your lap is normal. So in answer to your question, YES, that is normal. for being out of the hide however, be sure to check your temps. Also, make sure that you have sufficient amount of bedding over the area where your Uth is. If there isn't much there it could be TOO hot and cause a burn or discomfort. If you are worried about this there is stuff called jungle carpet that can be purchased that will prevent this from occurring.

Best of luck to you and your new BP! Sorry about the novel! lol

I've had mine for about a month and I would say that he's pretty comfortable with me now. The first week I had him was fine, but yeah he was also a little jumpy. After about the 2nd/3rd week I noticed that he was not as fidgety and didn't suddenly curl back as much if I accidentally moved my hand too fast in front of him or something. Now he likes to crawl in in my sweater hood or sleeve and just hang out. I handle him everyday except after he's eaten. Then I usually leave him alone for a day or two. Anyways good luck and have fun!

That does seem like she's adjusting to her new home. Over time they get comfortable with their surroundings and become more accustomed to being handled. Enjoy her :).

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Originally Posted by LotusCorvus

Sounds like he's getting used to you, yeah. Eventually he'll be either totally calm with you, or only a little jumpy, depending on his personality.

I've had my girl for 2 weeks now, and once she stops striking at almost everything, I'll consider that a victory, haha. She's a bit odd for a ball though.

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i agree with lotus, in my experience, if a snake isnt constantly trying to bite you, thats a win:D although i am quite fond of aggressive snakes:rolleye2:, theyre a real good way to keep yourself busy and adrenalized lol

One of my hatchling males was just like that when I got him, strikes at everything. One time when I was cleaning his tub I put him back in on the far side of it and he actually crawled all the way to the close end just to bite me.

I've been working with him slowly though, and over a month later we kind of had a break though the other day: I handled him for about 10 minutes without him either biting me or striking at anything period. I just basically set him on my lap until he calmed down before moving him at all and it seems to help.

I think hatchlings are a lot more prone to be defensive though, as they get older they just don't care as much it seems.

[QUOTE=devildog_dk;1667066]One of my hatchling males was just like that when I got him, strikes at everything. One time when I was cleaning his tub I put him back in on the far side of it and he actually crawled all the way to the close end just to bite me.QUOTE]

oh, man that is hilarious, ive never heard of a BP actually coming up to you just to bite you lol

The moment I knew Ferb was comfortable with me was when he finally let me touch his head without pulling away. I love it, he's still skiddish with my husband, but completely comfortable with me.

How I was able to tell ..

When I open his tub he gets all excited looking for a snack, if no snack shows up he shows he disappointment usually by a fake strike, then crawls up to the edge and out on my hand. He then wraps around my arm and steals my heat. Once he has thoroughly drained the heat from my wrist he moves on to relaxing on my shoulders until I move him back to his tub :) He is a character. My other snakes are used to being held as well and I do not get the feeding response when I open the tub at all, my main boy is just special that's all.