What's the best way to get over fear of snakes!

somehow I keep ending up with double messages...sorry!

Well - first I had a drink - then I picked up his hide. He was peeking out a bit anyway, keepin' an eye on me. I stroked his back (he kept wrinkling his back, almost like a cat does when you pet them). I started to pick him up, felt the weight in my hand and then....totally chickened out. So I pet him a while longer while internally fighting with myself. When all was said and done, he was quite cute. I turned around to smell himself as if to say, "what the heck was that!?" Then he was quite comfy for a couple of hours and I couldn't really put his hide back in. He was just happy in that dark corner of the tank. Eventually, he moved over to the warm side hide and I put his furniture back into place. I had fun, but it's gonna take a while, I guess. By the way, do you use two hands? He seems too big for one and if I should steer clear of his head, how should I balance him so he doesn't fall? These are probably silly questions, but I really wasn't sure once I got there...

I mean, of course, that he turned around to smell himself!

That's a great step in the right direction! Good job!

I think I remember you said that your daughter got this snake 2 years ago, so it isn't a little baby. I don't think that picking it up with one hand will hurt it, as long as you are supporting at least one point somewhere vaguely close to the middle of its length. However, the snake will probably feel more secure if you support more of its length. Since you say he seems to big for one hand, it sounds like you might also feel better using 2 hands.

The snake will actually do a lot of the balancing so he won't fall all by himself. When we are handling our little girl, if she starts to feel insecure she'll wrap herself around our wrist, and suddenly we have a snake bracelet! :) However, you do still need to be careful because BPs aren't as graceful as some other snakes and will fall sometimes. If you search the forums enough you'll find lots of times that people mention their BP fell off the driftwood or whatever in their enclosure.

I am really impressed with the efforts you are making to overcome your fear. I hope our daughter appreciates all that you are doing to take care of her pet!

I find myself rushing to my computer each morning to see how you are doing. Very nice step in right direction last night. Good for you!!!

Well...took out the hide...stroked his back - he was sort of wrinkling almost like a cat - is that normal? Then I started to pick him up. Honestly, my heart was beating a mile a minute! I felt his weight in my hand and chickened out! So, I pet him some more. When I stopped, he turned around to smell himself probably wondering what the heck was going on! I was wondering, do you use two hands? I mean, how do you support his weight and stear clear of his head? I'm usually such a decisive person - I can't believe I'm struggling with this so much!!!!

You are doing SO GREAT! I am so proud of you.

Yes, it is normal, for a BP to arch his back, or move slightly, as you pet them. It feels good to be stroked and IMO they like it. Once you get more comfortable, try stroking his side or belly and you'll see him sort of wiggle or squirm b/c it sort of tickles. It's actually funny and cute once you get used to it.

You can use two hands or one, either is OK. Sometimes, I start with one hand, then as I lift him up, I use both.

Don't worry - you are on your way to being a snake lover!! We are all so proud of you. Keep at it!

Hi,

You're doing super-duper great! ;)

I, too, have been reading your progress, and it's wonderful that you're making such an effort.

I was going to comment that my BP isn't head shy at all... I know you might be more comfortable not being near Dakota's head, but what I mean is that he might not care. :P Obviously, if you make a sudden movement toward his head he might recoil a bit, but after a couple of shots you'll be smooooth, right?

When you're petting him does he seem to be annoyed when you get near his head?

As for your initial grab, I would have to say again that most of them don't really care. :) I just sort of hook a section with my fingers and lift, supporting a different section with the other hand if necessary.

And I, too, talk to them before picking them up- it sounds dumb, but with Milton I usually say "Hey, buddy!". :)

My snakes all do the leaning up against your hand like a cat, the sensation must be nice. :) You're doing really well! And yeah, you can lift with one hand but it's good to support with both hands once you've got em out.

I'm glad Swingline mentioned headshyness! I forgot that this spooks a lot of people when their snakes get spooked. Ball pythons will sometimes jerk their head away really fast if they get nervous and the fast movement might startle you. It doesn't mean he's going to bite, it just means "OMG, not my head, I need that!" like he's scared your hand might smoosh or eat his head or something. Gomez used to do that, but he's a lot less headshy now that he's older and used to us. That's why they're called ball pythons, they're more likely to ball up and protect their when spooked then bite you.

...omg, that just gave me a great snake fleeing zombie hand visual that I may have to draw..."Brainz..." "Eeeee!"

the way i did when i had my corn snake was to put my hand fully into the cage, hand flat onto the substate and let him crawl up my arm, did not need to pick him up persay, he just picked himself up then just remove my arm and not let him fall

a good idea may be to coax him into a bag or box (not one you would use for feeding if you use one and not a plastic walmart bag, paper bag like the one the scotch and tequilla came in ^^)

carry the bag to say a bed or chair and open it up on your lap. let him crawl out and onto you, then you can let him just slither all about on you. would suggest having someone there experienced with snakes for support for you or to snag him if he makes a dash for it. just my 2 cents