Head shy

v My 14 month old male super pastel Walter is very head shy. He handles great, has never hissed or struck but has always seemed pretty timid. If I very lightly and carefully though try and pet his head he jerks back big time. I can come up below him with a finger or two and lift his head up gently with no issue.
So question is should I carefully over time try and desensitize him by gently petting his head from time to time or just let it go and not worry about it? I'm tending to think the later as he's fine other than that.

I'd let it go. Eventually as he gets larger he may become more confident or may not. just be aware of the issue and make sure that anyone who will handle him is aware of the issue. I suspect more than one snake has been dropped by an unsuspecting person who was surprised by a rapid head movement when a snake jerked his head back.

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Originally Posted by chrisv

I'd let it go. Eventually as he gets larger he may become more confident or may not. just be aware of the issue and make sure that anyone who will handle him is aware of the issue. I suspect more than one snake has been dropped by an unsuspecting person who was surprised by a rapid head movement when a snake jerked his head back.

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Thanks yea I didn't think about that although I don't let a lot of people handle him anyway. Most my friends don't like snakes so hasn't been an issue:)

I agree and not worry about it. I know personally if someone has their hands all up in my face I pull away. :D

Chrisv, looking at your sig. you have a bengal cat...they are so great! does he/she show any interest in the snakes?