Clumsy handling

Is it common for younger ball pythons to be clumsy when handling. My older 2500 gram girl holds on to my hand or arm and I never have to worry about her falling off when I’m handling her. My ones around 600-800 grams right now will slip or crawl right off my arm/hand if I don’t pay attention every second when handling them. Is this common? Are they clumsier when younger?

The snake isn't clumsy, it's curious. If the snake falls it's because the human is clumsy and not paying attention to the animal that's in their own hands.

Some are just way more slippery than others. lol I never cease to be amazed at how agile my boas are when they climb. Even when larger they can climb out on the smallest branch and turn around on themselves very slowly and climb right back down. Always so graceful and sure of themselves. So awesome.

Snakes have their own reasons for not hanging onto you, it's up to you to decide what it means. Some are curious, yes, but a snake that doesn't yet trust you may also
not want to hang on & try to go where it feels safer. Some snakes are naturally better climbers & thus better at hanging on: rat snakes (having a long thin physique)
are practically MADE for climbing trees, while heavier bodied snakes are more terrestrial by design. In general though, younger snakes are still learning, so even
in their enclosure (where they presumably feel safe) they're more apt to fall...sorta like toddlers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Snakes have their own reasons for not hanging onto you, it's up to you to decide what it means. Some are curious, yes, but a snake that doesn't yet trust you may also
not want to hang on & try to go where it feels safer. Some snakes are naturally better climbers & thus better at hanging on: rat snakes (having a long thin physique)
are practically MADE for climbing trees, while heavier bodied snakes are more terrestrial by design. In general though, younger snakes are still learning, so even
in their enclosure (where they presumably feel safe) they're more apt to fall...sorta like toddlers.

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This has been my experience. My BP did not hang onto me as much when he was younger, but I think that was because he didn't fully trust me yet and was trying to escape. Now when I take him out the first thing he does is latch onto my arm :P

Remember that ball pythons are not arboreal snakes, they are traditionally terrestrial. They don’t have the strength at the lower portion like Boas, GTP, ATB, and ETBs.


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