Striking?

Is there really anyway to tell if they are going to strike at you or not? I want to see if my new bp's (ruffly around 2 years) are going to be Handled... but you never now what they are doing...and of course Im worried about my first bit.....I know I know its going to happen...its just that first one......hehehe...but how can you tell...i know that the S shape they make with their neck is not a sure things...but any other signs??

Actually you can read your snake pretty easily, once your used to it. I can watch their breathing to see if it's increasing, indicating stress. Hissing and the S shape in their neck as their poised to strike are more obvious signs of a potential bite. All in all though, most bps just don't strike. They usually ball up, hence the name.

The most important thing is not to back down. If your animal knows that if it hisses or strikes and you leave it alone, then it will reinforce that behavior. Make sure you snake has had a week to settle into it's new enviroment and eating.

If it makes you feel better you can use a sheet to throw over your snake before you pick it up. It sounds like you just need to get used to handling them. I've only been bitten once in 3 years, and it didn't hurt at all. In fact, I wasn't even sure I had been bitten except I was bleeding. lol. I always tell my kids that I've had worse bites from them when they were babies, than any from my snakes. ;)

Sorry for the rambling babblings. I hope that may be of some help, if it's at all intelligible. :oops:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tigerlily

Actually you can read your snake pretty easily, once your used to it. I can watch their breathing to see if it's increasing, indicating stress. Hissing and the S shape in their neck as their poised to strike are more obvious signs of a potential bite. All in all though, most bps just don't strike. They usually ball up, hence the name.

The most important thing is not to back down. If your animal knows that if it hisses or strikes and you leave it alone, then it will reinforce that behavior. Make sure you snake has had a week to settle into it's new enviroment and eating.

If it makes you feel better you can use a sheet to throw over your snake before you pick it up. It sounds like you just need to get used to handling them. I've only been bitten once in 3 years, and it didn't hurt at all. In fact, I wasn't even sure I had been bitten except I was bleeding. lol. I always tell my kids that I've had worse bites from them when they were babies, than any from my snakes. ;)

Sorry for the rambling babblings. I hope that may be of some help, if it's at all intelligible. :oops:

---

that makes me feel a lot better, and everyone has said that it really does not hurt...and your totally right i do need to get use to handling them...i love them and just want to all the time......my little guy has only hissed ones and i made him mad...that was my fault.....and i am going to give them time to settle in before trying.,,,thanks that was great...maybe i just need some reassurance...they are my first snakes ever and im just crazy about them!!!

Glad to be have some help, and welcome to the site!

You'll love ball pythons. They're wonderful snakes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tigerlily

Glad to be have some help, and welcome to the site!

You'll love ball pythons. They're wonderful snakes.

---

thanks...glad i joined....
and i already love ball pythons...that's why I have 3 already...hehehe