Handling my BP - Don't laugh!

Okay, so I have had my BP for 12 days now, and have not handled him yet -- we waited a week, then fed, then gave him 48 hours to digest. The problem is (and I hate to admit this) that I'm afraid to pick him up.

Now, I know how silly that sounds. I'm a 6'5" 350lb man, and this little snake is seriously about as thick as my thumb. I've never had snakes or other reptiles before and when I was growing up, my dad was terrified of them. Before anyone says "well, why did you buy a snake if you're afraid of them?", please realize that I'm not really afraid of the snake itself. I've handled our BP before, at the pet store, and I've briefly handled a corn snake, and an adult BP. Every one of those times, though, the snake was handed to me by its owner. I'm not really afraid of holding the snake, I'm nervous about the part where I actually reach into the tub, take the hide off of him, and pick him up. I have no idea how he's going to react

I did make progress tonight, I pulled the hide off of him, stuck my hand down into the tub about 8 inches from his face, and then put the hide back on top of him, haha. He just sort of sat there, although he did flinch and start to coil up when I started to put the hide back down over him.

I don't really know what I want anyone here to tell me, but I figured you all would get a kick out of the thought of a big guy like me getting antsy about picking up his little hatchling BP. :D

Y'all don't laugh too hard, ok?

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Originally Posted by Crawdad

Okay, so I have had my BP for 12 days now, and have not handled him yet -- we waited a week, then fed, then gave him 48 hours to digest. The problem is (and I hate to admit this) that I'm afraid to pick him up.

Now, I know how silly that sounds. I'm a 6'5" 350lb man, and this little snake is seriously about as thick as my thumb. I've never had snakes or other reptiles before and when I was growing up, my dad was terrified of them. Before anyone says "well, why did you buy a snake if you're afraid of them?", please realize that I'm not really afraid of the snake itself. I've handled our BP before, at the pet store, and I've briefly handled a corn snake, and an adult BP. Every one of those times, though, the snake was handed to me by its owner. I'm not really afraid of holding the snake, I'm nervous about the part where I actually reach into the tub, take the hide off of him, and pick him up. I have no idea how he's going to react

I did make progress tonight, I pulled the hide off of him, stuck my hand down into the tub about 8 inches from his face, and then put the hide back on top of him, haha. He just sort of sat there, although he did flinch and start to coil up when I started to put the hide back down over him.

I don't really know what I want anyone here to tell me, but I figured you all would get a kick out of the thought of a big guy like me getting antsy about picking up his little hatchling BP. :D

Y'all don't laugh too hard, ok?

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I think it is good that you are confronting your fear as long as you take care of him. A lot of pythons will huff and puff at you until you have the in your hands, once you do he will most likely calm down. By the way, a baby snake bite doesn't even hurt. When you go to pick him up, scoop him up in one solid and confident move. If he hisses and you move, he will most likely take more of a stance because he sees that he is scaring you. As long as you pick him up quickly and hold him firmly he will see that you are no harm. If you are that affraid use gloves until you feel comfortable. What ever you do, don't drop him or he will most likely not trust you again(at least not for a while). If you do get bit, don't pull away. It will be hard not to because it will most likely scare you but you could seriuosly hurt him. Let us know how it works out for you.

Ok - I laughed a little! :P

It's just going to take some time for you to learn to read your snake and become more comfortable with him.

I was at Petsmart today picking up some crickets for my leopard geckos and they all know that I breed ball pythons and the gal said "we have this EVIL kingsnake that tries to bite everyone - we're afraid of it!"

I asked if I could see it, and she's like "ok - but it might bite you - I have to warn you!"

I reach in and scoop him right on up, and other than a little musking that young kings do, he never attempted to bite me and settled down. She goes "whoa....you ARE the snake whisperer!" I cracked up!

Honestly - just be confident - there's nothing wrong with putting on a pair of gloves if it makes you more comfortable the first few times you go to pick him up.

I just gently pick them up close to the middle of their bodies and support the rest of their body once I have them out.

You're going to be fine!

Hahaha......erm :bolt:

Just get in there, pull the hide off him and scoop him up. The faster the better. Don't sit there and wave your hand in his face, it will just give him more time to go "Ah scary thing trying to eat me! panic!!".

Once you get him out, he will probably stay curled up for a few minutes but should start to relax.

Judging by the reaction you described when you pulled the hide off him, I doubt he will try to bite you.

Don't be nervous!

Hehe....don't feel bad! I've handled tons of snakes....been bit a couple times...and I still get an antsy, nervous feeling when trying to pick up a wild baby corn or garter. I tell myself that I'm afraid I'll squish the tiny little worms....but the fact is, it's a knee-jerk reflexive reaction that is difficult to control when I'm not 100% confident about the snake's docility.

What has helped me to get over that sort of irrational reaction to a harmless snake is to visualize the "worst case scenario" and go with it. The animal is going to bite me. It's going to strike and bite, no matter how slowly or carefully I move. Will it hurt? No. Will it surprise me? Not if I'm expecting it to. I just decide in my own head that I'm going to pick up this little snake that IS going to bite me.....rather than trying to figure out how to pick it up so I won't get bit.

So far, I haven't been bitten by anything I approached in that manner.

I have been bitten by an 8' burmese that held on for 20 minutes or so before finally deciding she wasn't going to get to make a meal out of my hand....and I still handle her a couple of times a week. HER, I approach differently, and don't try to picture myself getting bit. :rofl: But for anything harmless that can't do anything worse than startle and maybe draw a few drops of blood.......just decide you don't care if it happens and you'll find your confidence building quickly. :)

aw lol, cute story :)
I think you two will be fine once you've both built up some trust :P

Just a small tidbit to add- Its best to be sitting down when you're ready to handle him. Since he is so small and perhaps scared, you wouldn't want to run the risk of dropping him from such a height. Not saying that would necessarily happen, but you can't be too cautious :)

PS - would love to see pics of your new baby :D

CHICKEN! :rofl:
just put your hand in there it cant eat you and its not going to kill you.
if your lucky you might get bit and bleed, which doesnt happen much.
just look at bite pics or the bite club thread

Well if it makes you feel better, My first time handling a snake, which was a ball python, i was 100% fearless for about 2 minutes until it yawned.... then i put it down on my lap and it sat on my lap for the next 20 minutes until it crawled off. I was not touching it after that.

In my defense, I had no idea why it opened its mouth and wtf it was thinking, didn't know jack about snakes back then. but looking back, yea it was just yawning.

in my experience with all my ball pythons, they ball up as babies when their afraid, not bite like other snakes. which for us keepers makes them conviently easy to pick up. really just pick em up, its a ball python and it most likly going to duck and move really fast to hide its head, not too many ball pythons bite. its gotta get used to you, just like i guess you need to get used to it lol.

I'll 'fess up to being a big sissy about my snake, if it will make you feel any better. :) I know, in my head, that a baby BP can't really do anything remotely exciting to me. For the first few days (after we started handling him), my BF had to take him out of the cage because I was somehow always "busy" fiddling with his heat sources, washing his water bowl, etc. I would hold him after my BF picked him up, but I was convinced the BP would sense what a freak I was being and bite me if I tried to pick him up myself.

If you think it will help, watch some SnakeBytes and other videos that show people getting bitten by snakes. If nothing else, you'll see that it's really not that big of a deal, even with snakes much larger than your baby BP. It helped me realize that, even if the little guy did bite me, it certainly wouldn't be as exciting as anything I'd imagined.

It's also nice to watch the experienced herpers handling their BPs as casually as I'd handle a house cat. If you haven't taken him to the vet, that might help, too. I took him to the vet by myself (without the BF who has no worries about the little guy), and I was dreading the moment when the vet would ask me to take him out of his bag/box. I was terrified that I'd be the laughingstock of my exotic vet for buying a puny little BP and being too scared to even handle him. Luckily, the vet just grabbed him up, examined him (including opening his mouth and probing him), carried him all over the clinic for various things, and pretty much did whatever he wanted with Simon. This was a guy who knew nothing about this particular snake's temperament, and I'd been observing him for close to a month and had no reason to believe he had an aggressive bone in his body.

I've been bitten by dogs, cats, ferrets, rats, guinea pigs, horses, cows, chickens, parrots, rabbits, and stomped/kicked/scratched by a good number of them, as well. I've worked in shelters and a vet hospital. I've sustained broken bones with the horse thing. There's absolutely no reason I should be worried about a snake.

Like you, I've never had a problem handling snakes that were *handed* to me.

At this point, I've gotten much more confident with picking him up and can't wait to get another snake. I'm also halfway looking forward to getting bitten by ANY snake, just to get past that particular hurdle.

I agree with the poster who said to just slap on some gloves and grab him, if it will get you over the hump.

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Originally Posted by Crawdad

Now, I know how silly that sounds. I'm a 6'5" 350lb man, and this little snake is seriously about as thick as my thumb.

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6'3 330lbs here my friend...you need to come over and join our crew!!!!!!

I did giggle a little but if you saw my reaction to a house spider or common house centipede you would hit the floor laughing..

Every one else has already givin great advice. Its normal to be nervous about reaching in to take him out the first few times. The only thing id put in - is its better to reach in from behind the snakes head. Some snakes, especially babies that are great eaters, will strike at anything with a heat signature that moves in front of it if they are hungry.

It cant hurt you at all. Just the speed of the strike will most definately make you jerk back. Thats an automatic reaction for most people no matter how many snakes they have handled or how many times they have gotten pegged by one. Thats why you want to try to avoid any accidental bites. If any of the teeth get stuck he could lose some. They do grow back but i hate the thought of one of my snakes losing teeth due to my own mistake.

None of my BP's have ever bitten me except one. A little hatchling with a phenominal feeding response. She got me one day as i reached in to get her water bowl out to clean. She wanted food and just got a little too excited.

Even if you did get bit you would only have a few tiny little pin priks. Its more annoying than anything. Coming from a BP.

I get hissed at alot by the bigger girls and one of my males whenever i pull them out but they are fine once they are out of the tub.

So yes, the less you hesitate the better it is. Just reach in and pull him out. You wont get bitten and he will be fine. Like NIKE.. Just Do It!

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

Well if it makes you feel better, My first time handling a snake, which was a ball python, i was 100% fearless for about 2 minutes until it yawned.... then i put it down on my lap and it sat on my lap for the next 20 minutes until it crawled off. I was not touching it after that.

In my defense, I had no idea why it opened its mouth and wtf it was thinking, didn't know jack about snakes back then. but looking back, yea it was just yawning.

in my experience with all my ball pythons, they ball up as babies when their afraid, not bite like other snakes. which for us keepers makes them conviently easy to pick up. really just pick em up, its a ball python and it most likly going to duck and move really fast to hide its head, not too many ball pythons bite. its gotta get used to you, just like i guess you need to get used to it lol.

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you dont know scared till you catch a retic 3 inches from your face with its mouth wide open!

I was in the same boat when I bought my pastel. I had held a few BPs, babies and adults, and then when it came time to hold my own after she had been home I kinda freaked out a little inside.

Here's what I did. I pulled her hide off of her to let her know I was there. She just stayed all curled up, and I just sat there. I would wait until she felt comfortable enough to start moving around and flicking her tongue, then I would scoop her up. Once she was in my hands I just kinda let her do her own thing. After a few times of that, I was as confident as Mighty Mouse!

Hope this helps!

Hey! That's my story :ohmygod:
Don't feel bad,it toke me two weeks to to master my fear and stick my hand in that tub.
P.S. 6'2 350lbs here :hungry:

Heres a quick story for you. Its really all in the approach. No matter what type of snake it is.. I put in another thread that id gotten my first constrictor (albino burm) while in TNN for a summer. Id left him with friends for a month while i moved to a different house when i went back north. They proceeded to tell me how agressive he was, That no one could take him out without being bitten. I never had this problem. I drove back down to get him. Called my friends to say im on my way. They say the doors open & we'll be there after work. They walk in to see me sitting on the couch holding my snake. They freaked out wondering how id gotten him out without being bitten.

All i did was open the cage, reach in coming from behind his head, and scooped him right up. He had no chance to get nervous or even know what was going on. Then he was fine. I just think they were nervous & procrastinated when they went to get him out. I also think some snakes, like many other animals, can sense your fear. I did get bitten by that same snake a few years later but it was due to my own stupid feeding mistake. It didnt cause me to fear him because i knew it was my fault. Dont be afraid of your BP. Keep us updated and let us know when you're to the point where you want to take him out all the time. Then you'll be ready for more super cool snakes! :D

Don't feel bad...I was scared to handle my snake when I first brought him home, too. I'd go to pick him up and he'd hisssssssss! I just faced my fear and picked him up! After the 3rd time I picked him up he stopped hissing! Now I get him out all the time.

:D I like how you put the hide back on top of him. Made me smile.

I unfortunately had no option of fearing my adult male bp because to this day my husband still refuses to even open his viv and I have had Tanveer since May LOL. So if it weren't for me he would never be handled, viv would never be cleaned, and he would never be fed:O

It's easier I think when you are forced into it LOL.

Wishing much luck to you! You can do it!!!!! The advice given by previous members is awesome!

lol...same thing happens to me sometimes

That was a really cute story! Especially from a guy your size. Just remember you are the jolly green giant and trust me...he is waaaaaaay more scared of you than you are of him right now.

My hubby is that way with centipedes...he had one crawl up his leg in bed while in HI. I am pretty much scared of anything out in the wild, however if it is in a cage....I am totally ok with picking it up. Weird....

Anyways...you can always get a snake hook if you are scared to pick him up or as some else said get some gloves. I have never been bitten however had mine yawn while friends were holding him and they FREAKED! Just remember BP's are some of the most gentle snakes out there...they typically just ball. I think 99% of the bites that are talked about are feeding responses and hatchlings. Get some long tongs to feed with and make sure you are not picking him up with any kind of mouse/rat smell on your hands. If for some reason during a feeding you do get bit. Don't pull away as that will do more harm then good....(they don't like to let go). Just try to run some warm water on them and they will typically let go. (That is something I read that made perfect sense to me).

Stop worrying....have fun with your new baby!! You and the BP will be fine!!

Lol. Cool. Just make sure you dont smell like food(a little hand sanitizer helps,keep it by your tank) and make your moves are smooth with confidence.
Snakes tend to not trust things coming at them from above because thats usually where a natural predator comes from. But bps will even tolerate that. If it makes you feel more comfortable try sliding your hand underneath from the side.
In no time you'l be diving in fom all angles. Just dont smell like a rodent. :gj:

I know how you feel. After having bp's for only a few months I bought a large adult female and the second time I ever tried to take her out she bit me. Looking back it was totally bc of my stupidity (she was hungry, I had just finished cleaning mouse cages and didn't bother to wash my hands...lol). I tried to pick her up a couple days later and it took me a good half hour to work up the nerve.

But anyways, if she just curling up she shouldn't be any problem, she's not trying to strike you. Even if you do get bit the first times the scarriest, after that you'll be like oh that was nothing...lol

btw I'm 6'5" 270

Sorry, I had to laugh. Like most good humor I laughed because I can relate to your story. I went through the same thing.

You've got some great advice here. Just "pretend" you are not afraid. I found it helpful to wear only one glove. Reach right in, remove the hide, and grab him about a third of the way down from his head with your gloved hand. Don't hesitate. Leave enough neck free so that he could bite you if he wanted to. Make your hand work like a snake hook so even though you have him grasped you are only touching him with your finger tips and the tip of your thumb on his belly. Then come in from behind with your ungloved hand to support the body. Once he relaxes slip the glove off. Of course if he's in the ball position just scoop him up.

It gets a little easier every time.

Happy Halloween!!!!

dont worry man im 6'5 and 250 and got my first ball alst year and was scared like a lil school girl he puffed and stuff and move dhis head towards my hand but then i said what the heck worst happens he bites me and i get it over with so i reache din with confidence and onc eu have him in ur hands he should calm down and be aweosme thats hwo mine was averytime they need to no ur a safe zone when u pick them up . lol goood luck

tall paul

I dont know if I would be trying to pick it up after only feeding it once. I understand the urge, but I typically wait for 3 feedings (about 4 weeks) before handling.

As for getting him out: pull the top off and just grab him. Then pick him up and hold him still for a few moments so he can relax. I do it all the time and it saves you from being hissed at or having a snake that is spazing out.

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Originally Posted by Draigess

All i did was open the cage, reach in coming from behind his head, and scooped him right up. He had no chance to get nervous or even know what was going on.

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Do most of you approach from behind or in full sight of the snake?

Although not bitten, ours has lashed out at me in that lightning fast defenseive strike, scaring the bejeebers outta me (it was about half a year old), and I still haven't fully gotten over that fear. So after letting our BP know I'm there (tapping on hide before removing it), I always approach from behind to pick him up. It also avoids that quick head flinching.

So, when you folks say you "just scoop it up," is your hand approaching from in front or behind?

I just grab em more form the top i'd say, just reach in and pick em up, they know im there when i pull the hide off them, im pretty sure all of them can assume their coming out for some reason when i pull the hide off them, exception being breeding pairs, just checking on them.

you guys are really making this out harder to be, its a baby ball python, forget the gloves or snake hook, just pick it up.

only one I have to watch is my 2 month old amazon tree boa i just got last week... very defensive still, but when your not much more than 20 grams i bet the whole world seems like its out to get you. no snake hook or gloves, and still pull the hide off, but i distract her with one hand and grab her with the other lol. but even after the few days I've been handling her, shes getting more confortable. yesterday, she never struck once at me. bet you in a few months ill be able to reach my hand right in without worry. like all my other snakes.

heres me picking up the smallest bp i have, the biggest bp i have, and the snake most likly to bite me.


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v5...cture004-3.flv
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v5...cture006-1.flv
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v5...cture007-2.flv

ok i must admit im still a little nervous and scared sometime but whats the best thing to do if your little BP likes to strike at you?

Hi,

Well I generally say things like "aww isn't that adorable!" or on occasion "let go ya wee bugger!"

Best advice is to try and remain calm and not to pull away or make any sudden movements. :gj:

I sometimes have good luck with distracting them by keeping them moving or pointing their heads towards a tv screen ( yes I know it sounds nuts :rolleye2: ) - I figure that if they don't get a chance to "lock onto" something they are less likely to strike. And of course if there is something in front of them changing they are too busy watching it and assessing it for threat to think about striking at the thing they are sitting on. :P

And once they have been sitting in your hands for a good length of time without getting hurt they tend to relax a little and come out of the strike pose all on their own. :)

Not all of that works all the time though. :rofl:


dr del

Seeing as everyone else is, Im 5'6 and 140, but i find if you just dive in there and not give them time to think they are ok, but if you hang around and umm and arrr they have time to think... Hey, hes gonna eat me.. *hisss*

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

you guys are really making this out harder to be

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You're probably very right. Those video clips you posted were helpful, thanks! :)