Can a BP be a "lap snake?" Is there such a thing?

Over time, could a BP be a lap snake, meaning could I just have my snake hang out with me in my lap or on my arm as I read a book?

Does anyone currently do this? Are there any other snakes that are docile and could be handled like this?

btw, it's usually over 80 degress in my room, especially now that it's summer.

it really just depends on what the snake will tolerate. Generally the bigger snakes are more chill, but my adult ball pythons will only chill for 101-5 minutes before they start getting antsy and exploring. There are some snakes that will just curl up and sleep on your lap though.

As long as you have a close eye on the snake the entire time it is out its not a big deal. Also, make sure your snake is eating consistently (once a week) before handling it at all.

Keep in mind these guys are still snakes. They are not social animals and do not really like being held. In the end they would rather you leave them alone. I would say in general though BP's are pretty good chill snakes.

Kaorte is totally right. However as she stated there are those that are just like that. I have one ....my first Elizabeth....(she thinks she is one of us). :rolleyes: Hangs with us.....plays video games with my son.(well I should say she watches)..and she watches tv. It is truly the weirdest thing I have ever seen. She also thinks she needs to sleep with us sometimes....ahhhh...NO!! Anyways....it really depends on them....that is few and far between as I have 4 others that are your typical BP.

I know when it came to raising my bp and my rtbs I turned them all into "lap snakes". From day one they were brought out at least a few times a week for a few hours a day to cuddle with me the way most people would a dog or cat. But as said, some snakes may never be of the temperament to enjoy that type of thing.
I know my biggest girl is much more content to lay on me and let me pet her in bed for hours while I watch shows or play games, where as my boy has a tendency to get bored after a while and want to start wandering.
Most people do find it almost shocking that anyone would even want to cuddle up with a snake the way you would a dog or cat. But I just smile and tell them they're missing out :)

My bp, Abuja, is a little too active to stay in one place when I'm holding him, but most of the time bps are very laidback and will be content to simply sit on your arm or in your lap. It all depends on your snake; you just have to try it out and see if he could be a lap snake.

Honey likes to curl up in my hair and lay her head on top of mine and she'll just chill like that for up to an hour....She really likes my robe and when I wear it she'll curl up in the pocket or in the sleeve and sleep for an hour or so...

It's possible if you have the right snake. However, if you really want a pet that will sit with you for a long time and --->enjoy<---, maybe a ball python isn't what you're looking for. :confuzd:

Some are just more content than others, you just have to find the rare super tolerant ones.:)

I've had a couple of snakes that will occasionally hang out rather than explore. My het pied is like a cat: one day he wants to sit in my lap and fall asleep; the next day he's stalking my toes.

And my black pastel female likes to sit on my knitting--I mean, right ON TOP of the part I'm currently knitting. I think she likes the slight tugging and pulling? Like a rocking chair for snakes or something.

not to hijack, but on this subject are they trainable, so to speak, or is it entirely on temperament of individual snakes?

Depends on what your definition of 'trainable' is. They definitely get more used to or tolerant of human handling the more they are forced to experience it. Everyone says handle them even if they bite you so they know it doesn't make you go away or get them put back in their homes. They do learn, but temperament definitely plays a big part. They may not bite, but try hard as they can to get away.

Yep. It's more a case of 'conditioning' rather then 'training' at at higher intelligence level.

Mine will sit on my lap for no more then 15 minutes or so, but then it's cold here and his place is the warmest place in the house! :-(

Having said that, my 3.5 year old male ball seems to behave differently depending on whose handling him. With me, he's always on the go. When my wife holds him, he's content to just sit there with her. When my daughter holds him, he stretches out and rests his head on her shoulder like a baby!

What makes them so fascinating, I guess!

It's pretty difficult if not impossible to condition a snake to sit in your lap, if they're not already prone to doing it. Luckily, BPs and other lazy snakes will often sit still in your lap if you let them.

Starting with a BP is a good way to go, they're lazy. Finding a particularly lazy BP is a good way to get a 'lap snake'.

my bp loves to sit in my lap its very young. i make sure i hold it at least once a day except for when its shedding. also now when it wants to be held it will stick its head up to the top of the tank lol. i will get it out hold it for a little bit then put it back and he will be fine. kinda seems like its telling me it wants to be held.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

It's pretty difficult if not impossible to condition a snake to sit in your lap, if they're not already prone to doing it. Luckily, BPs and other lazy snakes will often sit still in your lap if you let them.

Starting with a BP is a good way to go, they're lazy. Finding a particularly lazy BP is a good way to get a 'lap snake'.

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Yep - sorry. By 'conditioning', I was referring to the handling.

Agreed - there is no way you could 'train' a snake to sit in your lap, or train it to do anything else, for that matter.

They're simply not that evolved! :)

I have a female spider who will sit with me for hours and not move i think its just her personality. one day I sat her in the living room she crawled in to a back and stuck her head out and sat like that for well over 3 hours. she is the best!

thats pretty much what i meant i guess, like get them used to it.. i want my snake to chill with me someday :)

Good question! I have actually put my ball pythons in the fridge for about 5 minutes to cool them down so they work well as lap snakes for people that have never held snakes before.

Works great!

Later, Matt

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Good question! I have actually put my ball pythons in the fridge for about 5 minutes to cool them down so they work well as lap snakes for people that have never held snakes before.

Works great!

Later, Matt

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Really?

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Good question! I have actually put my ball pythons in the fridge for about 5 minutes to cool them down so they work well as lap snakes for people that have never held snakes before.

Works great!

Later, Matt

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I truly hope you are joking :please:

A lap snake is basically a snake that will hang out and won't really go anywhere because.. well.. they're lazy:rolleyes:.

Some Ball pythons will actually hang out, others are curious to move around.

I honestly believe that Blood pythons make the perfect lap snake. They are just basically a piece of sausage hangin' out with you:8:

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

Good question! I have actually put my ball pythons in the fridge for about 5 minutes to cool them down so they work well as lap snakes for people that have never held snakes before.

Works great!

Later, Matt

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I question ur purpose for doing so... of coarse putting someone or somethin in this case close to there death would make them chill out... slowing there heart rate so they cant function is no way to make you snake more calm or able to handle...

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Originally Posted by aff19802

I question ur purpose for doing so... of coarse putting someone or somethin in this case close to there death would make them chill out... slowing there heart rate so they cant function is no way to make you snake more calm or able to handle...

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It was a joke:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

I honestly believe that Blood pythons make the perfect lap snake. They are just basically a piece of sausage hangin' out with you:8:

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Agreed. :D My ball pythons like to explore a bit, but my Sumatran short tail seems to be content anywhere as long as he doesn't have to move.

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Originally Posted by Tikall

Agreed. :D My ball pythons like to explore a bit, but my Sumatran short tail seems to be content anywhere as long as he doesn't have to move.

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Oh yeah for sure, any of the Short-Tail pythons make awesome pets cuz they just hang out. Sometimes I don't like it when a snake moves around everywhere and gets in the couch.

My sweet Blood girl hangs out, I don't even attempt to hold my other Blood LOL:O

If you want a cuddly lap animal I suggest a dog or cat. I hate to be blunt but thems the facts.


Snakes don't particularly enjoy handling but some put up with it better than others. My BP is very active outside her cage once the initial "Ack there's a human" fear subsides. But I never handle more than twice a week and even then never more than an hour a week.

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

It was a joke:rolleyes:

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I am glad to hear that... now i can laugh with you... ha ha

It wasn't actually CoolioTiffany that mentioned the fridgesnake, which is the "joke" I thought she was referring to, so I'm a little confused...

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Originally Posted by ronniec02

my bp loves to sit in my lap its very young. i make sure i hold it at least once a day except for when its shedding. also now when it wants to be held it will stick its head up to the top of the tank lol. i will get it out hold it for a little bit then put it back and he will be fine. kinda seems like its telling me it wants to be held.

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Yeah, my het pied does that. He doesn't want to be held, necessarily, but he does want out, and he is trying to get my attention. And, unlike my other snakes, he won't jerk away when I open the tank.