Jaw Stretching

My boyfriend and I just got a new python a few weeks ago. He is extremely timid, but seems to be a little more comfortable with my boyfriend and is more curious and exploritive when he is holding him. However every time I go to hold him, he stops moving and being curious and stays very still in my hands. After awhile, he will stretch his jaw (numerous times, it looks like he is having a yawning attack) while I am holding him. This ONLY happens when I hold him. Any ideas why?

My understanding is he is trying to get a deeper sniff! They tongue flick to smell as well as "yawning".

Possible mouth injury?

The only time mine "yawn" is after a meal and what that is is realigning their jaws as they unhinge them to eat.


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Both of mine do this now and again when I have them out for enrichment. Lots of tongue flicking and the occasional yawn. Both of mine are perfectly healthy :D

Mine yawns to

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Originally Posted by valasidria

My boyfriend and I just got a new python a few weeks ago. He is extremely timid, but seems to be a little more comfortable with my boyfriend and is more curious and exploritive when he is holding him. However every time I go to hold him, he stops moving and being curious and stays very still in my hands. After awhile, he will stretch his jaw (numerous times, it looks like he is having a yawning attack) while I am holding him. This ONLY happens when I hold him. Any ideas why?

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I find my girl picks up on nerves etc. I don't even know if that's the right word but I guess what I'm thinking is maybe your boyfriend is more comfortable holding him and he can sense that? When I was first getting used to handling if I became uptight during handling she would as well. Now I have no fear while handling and I try to make it as comfortable for her as possible. When I'm super relaxed so is she.

As to the yawns ?? I've seen Val yawn many times after eating or sometimes at random even today during a handling session but it's usually just once.