a question about body language

I just became the proud owner of an older BP. A few minutes ago was the first time I started to pet him. When I do pet him his body pushes into my hand? It reminds me of a cat when you pet them and they push into your hand. Is this bad or good? Obviously he didn't bite me so it can't be all that bad.. lol Thanks!

Ball pythons don't really care for being pet, basically, they are trying to push you off. Holding them is fine, and will give you a sort of trust so to speak. Try not holding for over 15- 30 minutes though, you don't want to stress them out too much, especially if they are new.

Thanks. I'll not do that again. I'll just have to get over the fear of being struck at and try picking him up. :D

Ball pythons will make a tight "S" shape with their neck if they are going to bite. They tend to be very docile snakes, but there are a few nippy ones out there. If you haven't already, make sure you get your snake to eat for you before you start handling.

Yea mine does that when I pick him up its not a good sign I wouldn't guess nor is it that bad. It pretty much means it bothers him. I pet mine all the time and he doesn't care really, only if I get to close to his head.

He was fed the day I picked him up. (Monday) The guy that gave him to me said the snake eats about once a month and he feeds him 5-6 mice in one feeding. He also told me not to pick him up for 3 days. This is the first day I've even touched him. I wanted to try to give him some time to start getting used to my house. He's decent sized. I've never seen him stretched to see how long he was but I'm assuming he's around 4 to 4 1/2 foot long. The guy I got him from said he had only bit him once and that was when he was a hatchling and the guy was feeding him. The guy told me that George (snake) was pretty laid back.

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Originally Posted by boogerbob

He was fed the day I picked him up. (Monday) The guy that gave him to me said the snake eats about once a month and he feeds him 5-6 mice in one feeding. He also told me not to pick him up for 3 days. This is the first day I've even touched him. I wanted to try to give him some time to start getting used to my house. He's decent sized. I've never seen him stretched to see how long he was but I'm assuming he's around 4 to 4 1/2 foot long. The guy I got him from said he had only bit him once and that was when he was a hatchling and the guy was feeding him. The guy told me that George (snake) was pretty laid back.

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Once a month seems a bit far apart for feeding, but as long as the snake is not thin or losing weight, it should be okay if you don't breed it. I would just suggest trying to feed him/ her before you get into really handling it, even if you only feed one mouse to see if the snake will eat for you. Also, it would be a good idea to get a scale to weigh your snake to keep track.

I don't know how much he weighs as I've not picked him up, but he looks as if he is a good weight. He looks to be about 6 inches in diameter. When do you think I should try to feed him again? Sorry I'm new to this and have been digging into the information, but am still noobish..lol

How long have you had the snake? I usually wait a week before attempting to feed a new snake as the move and new enclosures can stress.

I've only had him since Monday. The funny thing is that the guy had already put the mice in his habitat and he was eating them on the way home. I heard a mouse squeal in what I assumed to be its last moments. lol He ate the last of them when we got the habitat into the house..

Definitely don't handle the snake for at least 2 days...the stress of the move and handling might cause it to regurgitate.

Yes, the shoving against your hand is her way of trying to push you away. They really don't care for pettin's, lol.

That's good, most won't eat during a move. I would just feed him a week from the last time it ate then.

Sounds like he's a bit hungry if he's eating under stress. I feed my adult males a small rat every two weeks. Which I guess probably isn't a whole lot of difference in 6 mice. Did the guy say if he was just a mouse eater? I think one small rat would be better than all those mice. But, it's totally up to him & you.

Some of mine do the push thing, but I just grab them anyway. Just remember not to go directly at their face. Their heads are pretty sensitive, and most are touchy there. Come in from behind and scoop at a mid point. You can stroke him a little if you think he's sleeping. That way you don't freak him out when he wakes up :)

I might suggest getting him on a 7 day feeding rotation. You can do mice or rats. Some will not take rats and therefore you have to feed multiple mice. Also remember to give them 48 hours of alone time after eating so that they can digest. ;)

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Originally Posted by boogerbob

I've only had him since Monday. The funny thing is that the guy had already put the mice in his habitat and he was eating them on the way home. I heard a mouse squeal in what I assumed to be its last moments. lol He ate the last of them when we got the habitat into the house..

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Plz do not feed him like this your taking a risk of the mice biting your snake and you don't want them pooin in your enclosure not a good thing just my:2cent:

I would suggest changing his feeding schedule to every 5-7 days. I have my snake on an every 5 day schedule and he is 9 weeks old haven't had problems with him yet. He always eats his food, he ate 2 days after I got him to be exact.