Does your ball 'ball up'?

Mine doesn't. Even when I startle her, I've noticed she doesn't go into a ball. Is this normal or should I be concerned that she's getting stressed? Do they ball up when they're scared? Maybe she's just not scared of me.....

Some do, some don't...

Depends on the personality of the animal in question.

Sounds like you have a very friendly one! :)

They do a lot more when they are very young from what I've noticed. If you lift the hide up to hold them/clean and they are coiled up, when you touch them they should tense up a bit, but after a while I think they get used to you picking them up and don't stay balled up long. Plus I'm sure it just depends on the snake.

They are more timid I believe when they are small/young.

My large female doesn't stay balled long at all when I take her out, but the 2 late 08 ones I just received do for a little while.

My spider does too but she freezes in any position she's in when you touch her.. she's just not normal though haha

Cheers,

Mike

Piper's avatar is one of my girls that always balls up (that's how I can get tons of pictures of her! LOL). I have probably 5 out of 40 that ball up and the others rarely do.

I'm just curious because lately she's been acting like she want to chomp me.:P:snake:

I'm still not familiar enough with her to read her reactions or predict her behavior.

Newbie...:rolleye2:

Mine have only balled up once or twice. And it was because they were frightened.

Mine doesnt ball up, but often sits in the S position...but never ever has struck at me...she just thinks shes a bad ***

My '08 bp balled up when I first got him, but he rarely balls up except for the first minute after I've taken him out of his cage. I figure since he's a he, he is just showing off his bravery! :D

My larger snakes just lay in a tight coil for a moment after being picked up - not the traditional ball. My little ones used to ball, but have just decided to be nippy lately instead. I wish they would ball up. I prefer it to being struck at :)
Once I get them in my hands, they are usually fine, again, with the exception of my little girl - the hatchling who is the most defensive. She'll strike in my hands. She's getting a bit better with each feeding, though, and I'm sure will mellow out over time.

Mine has never balled up, not even when I took him out of the Fedex box. :D

He gets rigid when I remove his hide and pick him up, but relaxes after he's been out for a while. If I startle him, he just draws his head back, and as long as I sit still with him for a moment after that he just goes back to crawling around as if nothing happened.
"You're not going to eat me? Oh, ok." :P

He's definitely gotten better with each handling too.