What do you make of snake-phobic people?

You're right - I wouldn't hesitate to play with kittens or pups and that's an excellent thought process to have! I appreciate the reframe...and truly love the box idea - it seems a calm way to get the job done - if he cooperates, of course. He's definitely tongue flicking when he comes out of his hide, but he does sometimes look tense to me like when I come into the room just to check on him - but not coiled. He sticks his head and part of his neck out of the hide box to check me out. Last week I bent over in front of the habitat to plug something in and he struck the glass of the enclosure! I'm not sure what that was about, but it definitely surprised me! Is it possible that he's a bit perturbed by the fact that my daughter isn't living in the room with him anymore? He's used to her being nearby - music, tv, etc. Maybe he senses a change outside of his habitat?

How often are you feeding him and what size prey is he fed?
Oh, and how big is he?

I'm feeding him once a week - small mice/frozen. He eats quickly and easily and I often wonder if he should eat more. My daughter says that he shouldn't. The guy at the pet store said the next sized mouse was too big...He's about a year and a half old, maybe a bit more- I haven't seen his body in it's entirety for some time, so I'm not sure how long he is. Do you think he should eat more?

I have a 1 1/2 old female that can eat small adult rats, so I'm pretty sure that your daughter's snake will be able to eat two adult mice, or you can switch over to rats and feed her a weanling rat pup. The ideal prey size for BP's is something slightly smaller than their girth.

This is great information. The poor thing must be hungry! I think I have the wrong size prey....I'll order new ones online! Someone else suggested that.
Thank you!

I'm not afraid of snakes but I do get a bit nervous when there are venomous snakes around. Most of the time when I'm fishing and a venomous snake comes up to the surface of the water and its close to me, I will throw small rocks around it to scare it off. I have never hit the snake and don't intend on hurting it, just scaring it away. When I was little I was always interested in snakes, but when I saw snakes in the woods or somewhere, I would get close to it and watch it. I was afraid to pick one up back then because I didn't know what was venomous and what was not. I'm not sure if my mom is afraid of snakes, but I do know that she doesn't want me to have a snake and my dad is afraid that the heat mat or lamp would start a fire. :( My uncle is afraid of snakes and I don't know what caused it, but I know that I did my part in keeping him afraid when I was a kid using toy snakes. Now I would try to help reverse that (or with anyone), if I had a snake. I think that more people should be educated about snakes while they are in school so they will be less afraid of snakes and less likely to kill one when they come across a snake.

The striking at the side of the tank isn't too mysterious--ball pythons have poor eyesight, and all the snake saw was an unclear movement. With no smell to go with it, the snake either thought there was prey it might miss out on if it didn't act, or it thought something was about to pounce and eat it.

I doubt that the snake misses your daughter--reptiles aren't wired to be affectionate the way many mammals and birds are. As solitary animals that don't care for their young, they are only drawn together by scent when it's time to breed. (There are a scant few exceptions to this rule, but even in those cases, evidence of affection is lacking). Reptiles do get used to people, and routines, and may react with some stress when the routine changes--but they will eventually get used to a new routine without 'missing' the old one (or the people). You can make a snake happy, but it won't love you. That's fine, we can love them, and enjoy making them happy. They have emotions, but not all of the emotions we have. They are also not territorial. It seems likely that the snake is used to food being put in its cage when the cage is opened---so when the top comes off, he comes out, flicking his tongue to try to catch the scent of food. Making sure that he's getting enough to eat will reduce the chance of him mistaking any movement for food.

Thanks so much for all the guidance - I really think reading through the website, etc. - that the prey is too small and he's hungry....or that I'm just reading too much into this because of my fear....but, it's no worse than a kitten's bite :) (reprogramming my thinking as I type) I should have learned more before my kid left!

But you're doing so now instead of just doing nothing. ;)
Just remember, don't stick your hand right in front of its face and don't try and pick it up by its head, snakes tend to not like that as they feel they're being threatened or attacked.
What you can do however, to help you get more use to it is to just gently "pet" its body. If you need to lift its hide, do so. That will help you get acquainted with the snake and vice versa. In addition, it will give you a better idea of the snake's reactions, however, do so a couple days after its had a good meal and its belly is full.

I have to agree with everyone that says phobias are the cause of traumatizing childhood events. (And, obviously, ignorance). But I can personally attest to the first one, as I am TERRIFIED of lizards. I don't care how small or harmless it is, I'll jump on a chair, run screaming, you name it. People get confused because they tend to lump all reptiles together and they look at my snakes and go, "You're afraid of lizards? But you keep snakes. That doesn't make sense."

Fact is, when I was little, I was getting the mail one day and there was a lizard inside the box. I grabbed the mail and it jumped on me. That sudden movement was enough to frighten me, but moreover it got tangled up in my hair and we had to cut it out with scissors. I will literally start BAWLING if someone gets too close to me with one now. And it doesnt help when people try to get a laugh out of your fear.

I had a friend once who wanted to help me get over my fear of lizards. She got a baby beardie and had me touch the tail while she held it. I was shaking all over for quite a while afterwards, but I DID get up the courage to do it. I would have made more progress if the very next day, some guy hadnt chased me around petsmart with a water dragon trying to put it in my face.

So it's not only the people ignorant of their own accord, but the OTHER ignorant people who like to tease the ones who are afraid. It's like 2/3 of the population either has a fear, or strives to perpetuate the fear. Then the last 1/3 of the population tries to remedy it. It's difficult to make any headway. :(