how to properly handle your BP

Liam I think if you approach any handling situation with the frame of mine that handling is a gift...something your snake allows you, something you want but the snake may not necessarily need....you'll always make the right choices. :)

Part of successful handling is really getting to know your own particular snake. There are general things that apply to most ball pythons...that they tend to be head shy, that they tend to be a bit more nippy or reactive when they are very young and that they are nocturnal by nature. What you will get to know as you observe and interact gently with your snake is it's particular tolerances. Those tolerances though always must be judged from the snake's perspective - what's best for it is always foremost in a good keeper's mind I think. You might be enjoying a lovely, quiet handling moment with your snake when a bunch of friends come over. Even though it's fun to show off your snake, is it in that snake's best interest, at that specific time to allow it to interact with your friends? Things like that are always the owner's judgement call and will change with the moment and the specific snake involved. What works for one snake does not always work with another, what worked with that specific snake, may not be something the snake's willing to put up with 2 hours later. It comes down to knowing and being very in tune with your snake and it's sometimes subtle cues to you.

There of course should be no handling for 48 hours after a feeding to allow your snake to properly digest it's prey undisturbed. Also when they are in shed cycle they are often not receptive to human handling.

In the end, remember this is a snake, quite unlike any pet you've ever owned. It cannot bond to you as a dog or cat would but it can have a very special and unique relationship with you if you respect and honor what it is, and what it is not.

+1 karma franky on communication skills... :) good points m8. this isent just 2 me it is for any new snake keepers that need to know some great tips on how to handle there snake.

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Originally Posted by liam

and not to blow ur buble, bt u cant really bond with a snake, to it ur a food giving big warm blob :-) but in my mind im my snakes big warm blob :P,

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When I said bond, I mean me get to know the snake! I know that pythons' (and maybe snakes in general) vision is pretty poor (hence the blob), and they're not dogs so they can't identify specific people by their scent. I want to observe him and learn about his temperament, and at the same time get him used to being handled. I really enjoy observing all kinds of herps to learn about their particular nuances and behaviors. :)

My snake in particular is pretty good about being handled. He will go into ball mode for a minute or two when first taken out, then he will start wrapping around my fingers, flicking his tongue, and exploring the landscape. He gets nervous when other people are around, but what juvi snake wouldn't?

After doing little "explores" around whatever I am sitting on (supervised of course), he sometimes will settle down and sit curled around my hand for awhile, not really moving. But his breathing slows down so I know he's not stressed out.

This was during the day time today. Why does he "explore" if it's not during the night - is that just to make sure his new environment's safe? It doesn't seem like he is trying desperately to escape.

The bonding is nothing like a cat or dog but I like to think that after some time there are enough simple associations built up in their little heads that there is something you can call a bond. At least, as much as a snake is capable of. I don't think it would be capable of missing you but I do think its capable of accepting you a little bit and allowing just a bit more than its screaming instincts tell it to. I like to think of them as hopelessly paranoid. Always with a voice in their head going "He's going to eat you. I'm telling you. Look, here it comes. He's going to eat you. Don't trust him.."

Aside from supporting my snakes whole body I handle them pretty much whenever I need to clean the cage and what not. I handle each of my snakes at least a few times a week. When I get them from their enclosures I kindof come from behind like a submarine move...car ramrod? Just so I don't startle it or stress him too much. A couple of my snakes bit their last owners and there was a lot of blood involved. I think you can avoid most bites with the right handling + giving the snake his space when you think he needs it. I havn't been bitten by any of my BP's and I think it's just how I handle them. Gently and slow and easy is how I do it.

how often do you lot get urs out for. i know when ur starting take it out of the tank for 2-3 mins then back and with every session 3 times a week increase the time out. but what is the max time you should bring it out for.

cheers,
liam

Really depends on the particular ball python, Liam, that specific moment in time and factors around the handling. Generally our ball pythons are out for about 20 to 30 minutes but only as long as:

1) it's not a hatchling and is used to being handling
2) it's in a frame of "mind" that is accepting of handling at the moment
3) the environment the snake will go in to (the living room, etc.) is warm enough and quiet enough to encourage a good handling experience for the snake
4) the handler is in a quiet and calm state of mind
5) the snake hasn't recently eaten and is not currently in shed

For me if any of the above 5 criteria aren't met then handling doesn't occur, is a much shorter duration or occurs only within the controlled area of the ball python room. Some of the younger snakes or the more nervous ones are handled mostly in that room where the temps are fairly warm and stable, they are used to the scents there and the room is basically escape/snake proofed. Others snakes are brought out to the livingroom to explore or just hang out with us for a bit of time. It's always about what's best for that specific snake, at that specific moment. :)

well he is about 1.5yr so i dont think its young. :P hes starting to put on weight and does not seem to mind being handeled. he likes to lie under my shirt in my lap *currenlty while i am typing this with 1 hand :P, now lying on my keys so making it hard to type. :P*

becasue the tank is in my room, *best place in house* its normally not noisy, but i like to have music on. i know tht my amp is cousing virbrations becasue i can feel them. is this a no-no in future am i destinted to always were headphones.

just wondering that ws all .

joanna do you have 15 normal BP's or is it a mistake in ur sig :O