Is BP Head-Shyness curable?

I've never had the urge to pet/fondle/caress my BP's head.

I don't think it's something wrong with them that needs to be cured lol. That's just lbs some, or most, of them are.

I think messing with their heads would mostly just stress them out

It's personality and natural instinct. Allure was pretty headshy when I got him but I can put a finger under his chin now without him pulling away. My clown female lets me put a finger/hand under her chin no problem. Dahlia will tuck her head over any sudden movement, but she's a baby so that's normal. Just seems like they grow out of it and that it varies by the individual.

I think it can help, but you don't have to do it every day. Unfortuneately there's no one size fits all answer with these animals (as I'm sure you've guessed from the range of answers). It may work with some, but not others, some grow out of it, some never do. It certainly doesn't hurt to try (assuming he's not biting you and still eating normally), but there's no guarantee that it will work.

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Originally Posted by Artemisace

I wouldn't do it just on the off chance of taking a hit because you scared the snake. I've been bitten by several different species of snake, all non venomous mind you, and pythons hurt the worst out of all of them. That being said my ball has never bitten me and there are times he will rest his head on my fingers or let me lift his head to look at his heat pits, eyes, nostrils, etc. and he doesn't care. Then there are times when he will snap back and get defensive. I just wouldn't do it personally because I would be worried about stressing my snake or getting bit.

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Ball pythons have the least painful bites out of most pet snakes, imo. Even large adult females give about equal bites as a sub adult corn snake (which does not hurt). Getting blood drawn by the DR hurts more lol

If your hand comes toward their head they are going to flinch, if someone tries to poke you in the eyes, you do too, it's just a reflex for the most part. If they are feeling stressed or a bit uneasy they flinch more easily, just like we do. Don't bother trying to "cure" the head shyness, just try to make your BP more comfortable with handling, which also means not doing it to excess. Try to read their behavior. If they seem stressed put them back, and if they are relaxed keep them out a bit. I do touch my BPs heads, but I often start at the chin (like they are just sliding onto my hand, and once your hand is a part of the furniture, they don't seem to mind as much, but if a hand seems to come out of nowhere, it's scary.

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Originally Posted by dxpx

As stated, its all about building trust in normal activities, not trying to touch its head because it is not normal to them to have there heads touched. once they realize you are the smell that gives them water, brings them food, handles them gently, seems to hang around often, they MAY... MAY lighten up with being so head shy.Every BP is different, as is any creature. There are things some can tolerate more so then others. That's like someone trying to force feed Brussel Sprouts down my throat. Is that gonna make me like them, heck no. It's just gonna make me hate you for shoving Brussel Sprouts down my throat.

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very well said.

actually, about everyone who posted in this thread made very good, and valid points.

You also must realize, in addition to the points made above, a predator will almost always go for the head when attacking a snake to quickly disable and kill it. That is NOT something you are going to be able to "cure" or "train" out of your snake.

All of my snakes trust me, and that trust has been earned the hard way, worked for and is never taken for granted. While all of my snakes let me handle their head if need be, I don't make it a habit to try and touch, stroke or fondle their heads, it is completely unnecessary. Once your snake trusts you and knows you, it will allow you to handle it gently even in an uncomfortable or intimidating situation. But don't try to force them, it won't work.

I can help mine with sheds, administer medicine, examine problems and such without worry. Some are easier to handle in touchy situations than others, it varies from snake to snake. But I never worry about getting bitten or struck at, because I know they won't unless I hurt them. Or I'm foolish enough to handle a rat and then reach for a hungry snake on the hunt.

My husband on the other hand, rarely handles his snakes. He keeps them clean, fed and watered, but he really doesn't interact with his like I do. As a result, his are very difficult to handle in situations where handling is necessary. Helping one shed, examining one for trouble, or anything like that and they become wild. They squirm and thrash and fuss, and will snap as well. He has not built that trust with his snakes like I have with mine, and it shows.

So for now, work on building the trust between you and your snake. Handle it gently and calmly, and don't force it into a situation where it is uncomfortable. Once your snake knows and trusts you, a lot of that skittishness will vanish on it's own.

Gale

Seems it was a big mistake to use the word "cureable" lol.
Thanks do those who looked past the word and addressed my question for what it was.

And yes I know all snakes are different, after all I stated in my OP - my various other kinds of snakes (non BPs) were overall less head shy.
I was just curious as to if there was a general way to help reduce the instinct.

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Seems it was a big mistake to use the word "cureable" lol.
Thanks do those who looked past the word and addressed my question for what it was.

And yes I know all snakes are different, after all I stated in my OP - my various other kinds of snakes (non BPs) were overall less head shy.
I was just curious as to if there was a general way to help reduce the instinct.