Do they like to be held?

We are going to try to get to the show in Kzoo if my husband's health is okay for the fairly long drive down and back so hopefully we'll run into you there.

Buckdawg, as far as our aggressive female...yes there are probably issues with her we will never know fully about. We purchased her recently through a local pet store as an adult female (she is approximately 3 years old and 1500 grams at the moment). She was given to the pet store due to her nature but no history was available on her. I feel a number of things may have contributed to her tendency to be highly aggressive. They might have been a previous handler that was rough with her, or one that never handled her as a young snake so she could become used to being handled, it could be she struck as a small snake and learned it kept humans away or she is just a dominant type creature....really any number of things that I will never know.

Brannagh would not make a good pet snake at this point. We purchased her knowing this and prepared for it. We bought her though as both a pet and a future breeding female and she is pure beauty with not a mark nor scar on her and in lovely condition so she was physically well cared for in her life. She may indeed come to accept some handling....we work with her and have gotten to the point she does not strike as often but she is still highly territorial about her enclosure. On the upside, she is the best feeder in our group of 5 female balls!

These snakes are usually quite docile but remember any snake can and will strike, even the most easy natured. They do have "bad days". Part of owning a snake is becoming tuned in to the signs that they are agitated and adjusting your handling. Most balls will allow reasonable handling and are quite a fascinating creature to share own's home with.

Just take your time picking a nicely started baby from a reputable source, let the snake settle in and get eating for you, then start gentle, regular short handling sessions and I'm sure you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.

We have other females that are so easy to deal with our children regularily handle them. Only Brannagh is aggressive in this manner so is definitely the "odd snake out" (but I adore her anyways LOL)


~~Jo~~

Thanks for clearing that up. I fully recognize that getting tagged is par for the course, that does not bother me. I want a ball for the reason that they are so easy going but when I read your post it gave me cause for pause. That's all. Again, thanks for clearing it up for me!!

I used to go to WMU and i am very interested in this reptile show. I live back at home near Detroit but go to Kzoo frequently. Is there a webpage or can you give some more info on this show? Sorry for being off topic.

here's the link:
http://webpages.charter.net/collison...le%20Show.HTML

i'm bringing a bunch of non-herp people that thought my snake was cool... maybe we can convert them.http://westmichiganmusic.com/modules...on_twisted.gif

Ive never even thought about a reptile show or anything. I found one thats nearby in Taylor. I still plan on going out to the one in Kzoo, gives me a reason to visit my college buddies. Thanks for the link!

JT

i just very recently rescued a 3ft ball... i dont' know if it's a boy or a girl, i say he just cuz... anyway, he was in a very bad situation, awful shed, no hide, heat lamp... it was awful... but the point is....

this snake loves me... i helped him shed most of the skin he had on off, by lettin him skinnydip in my sink, and we are tryin to help the dry cut awful spots heal on his tail end... but ever since the bath, he's been all up in my bussiness, constantly wanting to be held... he will curl up in my fuzzy blanket on my lap and stick his nose out... and just chill. he kisses my face all the time, and everyone says he is weirdly loving...

do you think, because he hadn't eaten in 2 months, and was dry and uncomfortable and miserable, that because i took him out of the crap situation he was in and am helping him feel better than he UNDERSTANDS i am helping him and LOVES me for it?

my vote is YES some snakes definately ENJOY being held cuz Snikolas does ;)

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Rachel, I don't know that snakes truly enjoy being handled or touched as say a dog would (which by it's nature is a pack structured animal). I think snakes more likely become used to it over time and a structure of firm, gentle interactions with the humans around them. Some of ours seem to "like" it more than others however.

With our 5 females of varying ages and backgrounds we cover the spectrum from one that actively seeks to be in constant contact with a warm friendly human to one that would rather bite us than do much of anything else. We have another who will allow us to handle her for about 5 to 10 minutes and then slithers off to explore the area, quite without fear or obvious stress....she seems to be our most inquisitive snake.

So for me anyways it seems to be very dependent on the individual snake, their past interactions with humans which may or may not have some bearing and sometimes just the time of day or mood they are in. Even our most easy going snake is quite capable of making us toe the line if she would rather not be handled when we want to get her out LOL.


~~Jo~~

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I am with you 100%. Me and my boyfriend have had a bp for 12-13 yrs and when my boyfriend cleans her cage we put her in the bed and she just lays there and falls asleep while other bps that I've had for a couple of years just wonder around as soon as we put them down... Maybe the one that I've had for 12-13 yrs doesnt like to be held she is just used to it and doesnt mind as much as the one that I've had for a couple of yrs.