Over active Ball Python

Hi all,

I'm a new ball python owner, and a first-time snake owner as well. I'm not sure how old the snake is but it's roughly 3 feet long. The snake eats without a problem and seems fairly well acclimated. The issue is that the snake is extremely active once it's taken out of its terrarium. Most times, you can't even really hold the snake as it slithers constantly. If you place the snake on your shoulders, it doesn't simply wrap around your shoulders and hang out. The snake will try to slither down your body--to the point where it would fall if I didn't catch it. Forget about sitting down if you are holding the snake. He will instantly make a run for it--all he wants to do is go under the couch. This is fairly disappointing as it makes the snake a real pain to handle--at this rate it's becoming more of a decoration than a pet as it's only calm when in the terrarium. Has anyone else had this experience with a ball python, and if so--did the snake calm down with age? Thanks in advance for your input.

Well, pet snakes don't usually like to be held or touched. It's pretty normal for a snake to seek a safe place if taken out of its environment (or stay balled up in the case of Ball Pythons). Some snakes will tolerate handling more than others and will allow the owner to hold it without moving much, but that is probably the exception rather than the rule.

How long have you had him? If you just got him he still may be getting used to his new environment.

I've had the snake for about a month. He's been like this since I've had him. I'm wondering if he's trying to get away from me and hide? I'd read that ball pythons will simply curl into a defensive ball if uncomfortable, but it seems like this snake refuses to be handled. I was really hoping that would change eventually and he would calm down and I could let him hang out on my shoulders while going about, but I'm starting to feel like this will never happen... :/

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Originally Posted by UrdnotWrex

I've had the snake for about a month. He's been like this since I've had him. I'm wondering if he's trying to get away from me and hide? I'd read that ball pythons will simply curl into a defensive ball if uncomfortable, but it seems like this snake refuses to be handled. I was really hoping that would change eventually and he would calm down and I could let him hang out on my shoulders while going about, but I'm starting to feel like this will never happen... :/

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my bp just slithers around real casually but my boa is exactly like ur bp. If i take him out the tub he like trys to get away. Set him down and hes gone. Trys to like jump out ur hands so to say. Never stays still always constantly moving real fast.

Yes i know its a diff species but im in ur boat. I wish my guy would settle down a bit but hes just a baby as for your guy just try to give him time. Maybe let him get used to you a bit more

Hey f4n70m, sorry to hear you're having trouble, too. I really do hope these guys settle down after awhile. Seems like it would have happened by now if it was going to, but I guess we'll see what happens... :/

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Originally Posted by UrdnotWrex

Hey f4n70m, sorry to hear you're having trouble, too. I really do hope these guys settle down after awhile. Seems like it would have happened by now if it was going to, but I guess we'll see what happens... :/

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Yea i had my guy for like 3 weeks? Hes a little over a month old but its a pain to hold him at times :P

If your not watching he will go right out of ur hands and prolly end up hitting the floor.

How often are you handling him?

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

How often are you handling him?

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I try to handle the snake daily. Although I will leave him alone for 48 hours after feeding. I usually don't have him out for that long, though...after about 20 minutes it just becomes too tiresome to hold him because he's constantly trying to get away. Should I be handling more/less? I'm kind of at my wit's end at this point...

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Originally Posted by UrdnotWrex

I try to handle the snake daily. Although I will leave him alone for 48 hours after feeding. I usually don't have him out for that long, though...after about 20 minutes it just becomes too tiresome to hold him because he's constantly trying to get away. Should I be handling more/less? I'm kind of at my wit's end at this point...

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I would try handling him less. Perhaps once or twice a week for a little while. It is worth a try!

i try handling the boa every other day for like 10 mins. unless its the 48 hr wait. i would say 3-4 times a week shld be good

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I would try handling him less. Perhaps once or twice a week for a little while. It is worth a try!

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You're right--it's worth a try! Kind of a bummer, though...

also how are u handling him?

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

i try handling the boa every other day for like 10 mins. unless its the 48 hr wait. i would say 3-4 times a week shld be good

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Handling 4 times a week would be handling every day if you don't handle on feeding day and two days after..

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Handling 4 times a week would be handling every day if you don't handle on feeding day and two days after..

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true i was thinking 2-3 ><

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

also how are u handling him?

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Well I take him out of the terrarium and place him over my shoulders/around my neck. At first, he'll usually wrap himself around my neck and hang out. Usually, within a few minutes he'll start moving around trying to find a way to get down...moving over to my other shoulder, slithering down my shirt...he'd actually fall if I didn't hold onto him. He will stay on longer if I'm standing. If I sit down, he'll usually almost immediately start trying to slither away onto whatever surface he can find. I always support his body properly, never holding him dangling or anything...I'm just not sure what the problem is!

I SWEAR MY PASTEL IS PART CORN SNAKE, SHE IS EVERYWHERE ONCE TAKING OUT OF BIN. IM COOL WITH IT BECAUSE 7 ARE COOL 1 HISSES LIKE AN ALLEY CAT AND THE PASTEL SWEARS IT SUPER MAN LOL! ITS BETTER TO HAVE ONE THAT ACTIVE THEN ONE THAT SNAPS EVERYTIME YOU TRY PICKING IT UP. GOOD LUCK :gj:

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Originally Posted by UrdnotWrex

Well I take him out of the terrarium and place him over my shoulders/around my neck. At first, he'll usually wrap himself around my neck and hang out. Usually, within a few minutes he'll start moving around trying to find a way to get down...moving over to my other shoulder, slithering down my shirt...he'd actually fall if I didn't hold onto him. He will stay on longer if I'm standing. If I sit down, he'll usually almost immediately start trying to slither away onto whatever surface he can find. I always support his body properly, never holding him dangling or anything...I'm just not sure what the problem is!

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well my bp never sits still he is always moving when i hold him exploring and stuff but he moves snail slow so its cool. the boa like flails his whole body around.

I've only had mine, since Saturday, and she remains fairly active, when I'm home, especially after I freshen her water bowl. However, when I check in on her at night, she is usually asleep in the cooler corner of her enclosure, or inside her "hide" under the lamp.