What to do about head shy

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Originally Posted by vangarret2000

I find it weird people wanna force their snakes to get used to being touched on the head when it's not necessary to do so. Sure if you keep touching their head they can get used to it but there is no need and why would you wanna stress them out every time you do it until they realize it's ok?

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If you ever have to take the snake to the vet for an RI, treat for mouth rot, etc. then someone will be touching the snake's head. If you've taken some time before then to acclimate the snake to having its head touched, the vet visit and subsequent treatments will be easier on you, the snake, the vet...

I've been working with Pugsley, my smallest bp, a lot on this. He was neglected at his previous home and was never handled, so he would just curled into a ball whenever I touched him. I would put him on my lap and let him sit there curled up in his little ball while I sat at my desk. I would do this every other day or so, and he eventually would start to relax and uncurl on my lap. Its been a bit of a ordeal but now I can pick him and hold him and handle him just fine. He's still head shy, but like most other people have said, it seems to be best to approach slowly and gently from the back. He'll let me stroke his head if I work my way up from further down his body, but I can't just bop his head out of nowhere. I've seen people who can just 'boop' their snakes' noses from the front, and I'm vaguely astounded by it.

As others have said it is natural. Most of my snakes started off head why but have gotten better with time and all but my newest additions don't even care anymore.