First BP, Handling Questions

Okay, I just got my first BP, he is a 2013 hatchling measuring at 14". I have had many reptiles in the past, but never a snake (I wasn't allowed). Now that I have my own house with my fiancé, I decided to get a snake and a FWC was out of the question hehe.

Anywho, I am very nervous handling Jory (his name), simply because I am not used to snakes. I want him to feel safe in my home, in my hands, and with my fiancé. I handle him multiple times a day every day, but he still assumes a "striking position". I usually ball him up, like the breeder told me to do, and just hug him to my body. If he begins to wriggle, I'll give him an opening to go out of and slither around my arms and legs.

I'd like to make it known, I am a paraplegic reptile owner, so I can't chase after him, so generally I try to keep him on the couch or on my lap. He has only struck at me once and that was the first day, in the breeder's store. He didn't sink in teeth, just "bumped" me with his nose.

I guess there really isn't a question here, but I guess my question is, is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable and "tame"? I understand it takes time, and I have all the time in the world.


Thank you!


Also, I have attached a picture of him before I bundled him up, can anyone tell me what he's "thinking"?http://i44.tinypic.com/2h4wadj.jpg

Like you said, you just got him. He's not going to warm up to you and be used to handling after a week. It's different for each snake, but you have to be patient. It might take a while before he gets comfortable with handling. When I got my first ball she would not let me touch her head at all but now she's like a puppy and I can do anything I want. Some hatchlings are aggressive and if you get him used to you, he'll grow out of it.

Also multiple times a day, every day, is a huge no-no. Ball pythons get stressed easily and getting them out of their home over and over to be held by a stranger will not make them happy. Once every few days, even once a week is enough. Also make sure you don't handle him at least 2 days after feeding.

He is a beautiful snake! I'm sure he'll get use to you in time.

Okay, thank you! I wasn't sure about handling, I was getting SO many numbers, so I just listened to the breeder. Bad idea, which does not surprise me. :/ he is doing a lot better since I let him alone. I didn't see your message until today, but I gathered after the second day that he was probably too new and nervous to be handled. I feed him for the first time tomorrow, I'm pretty psyched but also nervous. He's on live rat pups. Thanks again, huge help!

I handle my BP 3 times a week,give or take. He's very friendly,very head shy,very curious,very mellow and sweet. But they are nervous,so I prefer to leave him be.

Howdy H/O, welcome to the forum.

As to what you your snake is thinking? Keep in mind that every snake has their own personality. Now we are looking at a still shot. But if that were a shot of my snake I would think that he was uncomfortable or a bit scared. When my snake is loose, even in my hands or on my body, he is constantly on the move exploring. But that does not necessary mean the same for yours. He may just be a little shy and slow about coming out of his shell.


Enjoy your new friend :snake:

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Originally Posted by Reinz

Howdy H/O, welcome to the forum.

As to what you your snake is thinking? Keep in mind that every snake has their own personality. Now we are looking at a still shot. But if that were a shot of my snake I would think that he was uncomfortable or a bit scared. When my snake is loose, even in my hands or on my body, he is constantly on the move exploring. But that does not necessary mean the same for yours. He may just be a little shy and slow about coming out of his shell.


Enjoy your new friend :snake:

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Thanks! He seems to be much more comfortable since this photo was taken, I'll try to get video. I have only pulled him from his enclosure twice, once for substrate change and today to put him in his feeding container, and he ate! :) I'm super excited about this, I was worried after reading the above post that I'd stressed him too much. But he ate vigorously :) thank you for the warm welcome, he is great!

Why don't you feed him in his enclosure...I feed mine in his...I think that taking them out and then bothering them right after they eat can stress them as well as make him possibly regurgitate his food. That's just IMO and how I do it and what I've been told..I've also been told it's better to feed them in there tank. I always do and never once has he hissed at me or struck at me. He's absolutely a very nice snake.

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Originally Posted by HerpetualObscurity

Thanks! He seems to be much more comfortable since this photo was taken, I'll try to get video. I have only pulled him from his enclosure twice, once for substrate change and today to put him in his feeding container, and he ate! :) I'm super excited about this, I was worried after reading the above post that I'd stressed him too much. But he ate vigorously :) thank you for the warm welcome, he is great!

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Hey, welcome to the site! You have a very pretty little pastel there :) Usually it is suggested not to handle baby BPs when you first get them. It's best to let them acclimate for a few days (some say a week), and then try to feed. Once they have fed a couple of times then you can start handling regularly. If you have a strong feeder, it's fine to hold them daily, but if they start going off food, then it may be stressing them, and a stressed BP doesn't usually eat very well. Of course many other factors can cause a BP to go off food, but stress is one of them. I usually hold my girls daily (for about 15-30min or so), except when in shed, and not the day of, or the day after a feed. It's certainly not required to hold them that much to keep them tame, but I enjoy holding them.

Good luck trying to feed tomorrow. If he doesn't take it don't be discouraged. I would try again in 4 days or so, and don't handle in the mean time. In your pic i wouldn't say that he's in striking position, more in a recoiled position, probably a little uneasy, but it's hard to say from a picture.

Time and patience is key with these guys, especially as babies. They are shy and afraid that the big humans will eat them. the bigger they get the more comfortable they are. I have Magnus out all the time with me now that he's bigger and more accustomed to my smell. Try putting a gently used laundry item in his enclosure to get him used to your scent in these early days when you're nor handling him as frequently.

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