The Art of Befriending Your BP

So, I've had my first BP baby Sapphira for about 2 weeks now, she seems to be settling in nicely and we get along great. I have read lots about how they get cranky and defensive and all that fun stuff, but so far Sapphira has been very tame, timid, and curious. A friend of mine who owns a BP told me her BP bit her not long ago because she was cleaning her rat's cage and the BP caught a wiff of it on her hand. That's pretty reasonable, but it got me thinking...

I wonder if ball python's have a somewhat similar brain structure as ours - when we smell, it triggers powerful memories and emotion. When I smell an ice cold Miller Lite it takes me back to PNC park, sittin there watching the Pirates (go Pittsburgh!). So my hypothesis is: If I use the same hand sanitizer or lotion on my hands every single time I handle my little Sapphira, she become accustomed to this smell and associate it with me. If so that would allow us to strengthen our relationship and the relationship with the humans that I allow to come into contact with her. Maybe an aloe vera hand sanitizer or something like that? Idk, just an interesteing thing. If anyone has ideas or suggestions to better befriend the magnificent ball python; post away.

You have a natural scent of your own, so I think scented lotion or not, Sapphira will recognize your scent after a while of being in your care :)
Congrats on your new baby :)

Yeah that's true I do, but I'm a smoker, so my hands always reak of smoke. I don't know if that would cover it up or not.

The most important thing is definitely to learn her body language. They're like cats. Hisses and swishing tails are bad :P

Other than that, I think you have an idea worth trying.

Also, some snakes take to handling better than others. If she ever goes off feed at all, be sure to cut off the handling until she's eating well again.

So far, no swooshing tails, hissing, or anything. She hasn't even gone into Ball Mode yet! I've been very impressed!

Thats one of the 7 characteristics of life. To respond

I've had my baby for a month and it still tries to bite me.

All BPs are different.

- CCarr33

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Originally Posted by CCarr33

I've had my baby for a month and it still tries to bite me.

All BPs are different.

- CCarr33

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That is definitely one thing I have learned from these forums. I think I got really lucky!! Keep at ya little baby though, I'm sure he or she will warm up soon :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Xazereth

So far, no swooshing tails, hissing, or anything. She hasn't even gone into Ball Mode yet! I've been very impressed!

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Sounds like you have a nice friendly social girl :) I love the name you picked for her, btw. Sometimes I have dreams that my snakes grow wings and start flying:D

I have a new baby lesser and pastel and can't wait to handle them. I just got them yesterday so leaving them alone. I said I would give them a week. Not sure I can wait that long.