Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 678

0 members and 678 guests
No Members online
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,905
Threads: 249,105
Posts: 2,572,111
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, Pattyhud
  • 11-07-2010, 07:14 PM
    Stubean15
    No idea why but im scared! lol
    im sure im gonna get some laughs and some head shakes for posting this but here it is.. my whole life ive never been afraid to hold a snake.. even now im not.. i could walk in to any petsmart were their snakes are constantly afraid and stressed be handed one, and have zero problems with it doing whatever but i just noticed something today

    i got my first ball python 2 weeks ago today, he ate his first meal in my possession 4 days ago.. so i figure 2 weeks for acclimatization and 4 days is more than enough after a meal so im gonna start handling him and getting him used to the idea.. great so i take the lid off his cage, slowly take his hide off of him and reach for him.. then i realized this is the first time ive ever stuck my hand in to pick up a snake, ive always been handed them.. the next thing i know ive completely chickened out and haven't tried since..

    idk if its the fact ive seen him eat and it freaks me out or the fact reaching in his cage puts him on edge and therefore me or a combination of both..

    ive done the research seen the videos of people being bitten by bps twice the size of mine.. seen their teeth and i know it hurts less than a shot from the doctor but i for whatever reason have a crippling fear of picking this thing up..

    please tell me that this is normal lol cus all my friends that have snakes say they were never afraid and now im wondering if im even cut out to have one lol..

    should i just quit being a baby and force myself to do it?
  • 11-07-2010, 07:26 PM
    JLC
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Stubean15 View Post
    should i just quit being a baby and force myself to do it?

    Without any laughing or headshaking involved...I believe you already know the answer to this question. ;)

    IF he should try to strike at you...the worst part of it is simply being startled. It's really no big deal. But chances are pretty unlikely that he'll try. If he was going to try, he would have done so with your hand just hovering in the enclosure.

    I really believe you only need to do it once to get over your initial anxiety. Just reach in and gently scoop him up around the middle and lift him out. It'll take all of 3-4 seconds and then your fear will be gone.

    One thing you can try beforehand is to picture him striking and biting....and imagine yourself just watching it calmly and not reacting at all...because really, it won't hurt in any real way and he's not being mean, he's just trying to scare you away....and you're so much bigger and stronger than he is. So imagine yourself being completely calm and cool under that scary situation.

    Give it a try and let us know how it goes.
  • 11-07-2010, 07:29 PM
    Jeo123
    Put a sock over your hand if you're really worried. At that age, even if they did strike, the thickness of the sock should be enough to prevent any scratches.

    If nothing else, it'll give you a feeling of security.

    If that fails, you could always buy one of those cheap snake hooks until you get comfortable picking him up.
  • 11-07-2010, 07:37 PM
    snakesRkewl
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    As JLC says, it's the strike that is the fear, the bite isn't a big deal at all(unless were talking 3000 gram snakes) :P

    You just have to suck it up and handle the snake :)

    *I would think a sock would be a bad thing, the snakes teeth could catch on it possibly hurting the snake?*
  • 11-07-2010, 07:41 PM
    BbyBoa
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    With BPs its all in your head, these little guys 90% of the time are little angels and have great dispositions, when your going in to it tell yourself what is the worst thing that could happen? he could on the slight chance bite you and your reaction will be to jump and then laugh because you realize that it didn't hurt at all, and then you pick him up anyways and it gets you over your fear. So its a win win, you get over your fear, and you can get on and tell everyone you took your first bite from a BP :D "this is worst case scenario".
  • 11-07-2010, 08:00 PM
    angllady2
    I don't think you are being irrational. Truthfully, being handed a snake and picking one up on your own are two totally different things. I've handled lots of snake over my lifetime, all handed to me or placed on me by the owner.

    When it came time to hold my own, I was very nervous. Not so much of being bitten, but that I would hurt her. I had to try three or four times before I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth and picked her up. Know what happened ? Not a darn thing. After that first time it was easy, and I'll even pick up unfamiliar snakes with permission.

    So your best bet is to realize being nervous is normal, you already know a bite is not likely, and if you did get bitten it won't hurt, so take a deep breath and just reach in and pick him up. Once you do it the first time, you'll forget you were ever scared.

    Gale
  • 11-07-2010, 08:31 PM
    theartofsolitude
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    i dont know if i'm weird, but every time i pick up my snakes, i prepair myself from being bit. haha. i know its crazy, but that's how i overcame my fear of them. i had one of my normals strike me, but since i'm prepared, its like, "ummm okay" haha. it's scary if you totally trusted it it wont strike at you and it did, at the very least.

    the difference between me before having these snakes and after having them for a while is whenever i put my hand inside the cage..

    before: "i hope he wont bite, but what if he strikes my face, bites my hand, his teeth in my skin, and squeeze my arm really bad. it would hurt so bad!"

    now: "hi there little buddy, i should gently tap his body with a snake hook,so i dont surprise it (dramatically lessens the chances of defensive strike), and if it strikes, it strikes, it's a snake i dont expect it to bark. ;) and oh, i'm like 1,230,234 times larger than this thing." ;)
  • 11-07-2010, 08:55 PM
    sarahlovesmiike
    My normals have never ever struck at me. I recently got a new boy who isn't used to being handled and so I just leave him alone, but he has struck at me a few times. I'm not worried about being bitten, but I do get really apprehensive about picking him up because I'm afraid I will pull back and rip his teeth out or something :(
  • 11-07-2010, 08:56 PM
    djansen
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    just lead with the palm of your hand, that way if she strikes it will bounce off and you wont feel as much.
  • 11-07-2010, 09:23 PM
    boogerbob
    I was pretty intimidated when I first got my bp.. it took another fellow snake lover coming over to get me going. Lol..

    Sent from my Ally using Tapatalk
  • 11-07-2010, 09:32 PM
    thedeathhippie
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    Generally BP's don't bite outside of the usual circumstances. I got my first bite about a week ago from my 1700 gram male and I had to laugh at him. I had just fed another snake and didn't wash my hands before handling... my fault.
  • 11-07-2010, 11:02 PM
    loonunit
    Mittens!

    You're recovering from a phobia, and it's pretty normal to regress from time to time. But you do need to do this--otherwise the bp won't get used to being handled, and will be more nervous and likely to bite.

    You also need to be as ready as you can for the fact that you WILL be bitten sooner or later... of course it will hardly hurt, and likely won't bleed, but it's still shocking when you see it the first time, and quite likely to send you back to not wanting to stick your hand in or grab the snake. I'm not sure the best way to desensitize yourself to this. I guess you can always go back to gloves if it totally freaks you out?

    Good luck!
  • 11-07-2010, 11:30 PM
    Dundee
    ive been bite by a 8ft boa and got leary for a long time but what i recommened if your nevous about him striking wear some king of glove...I do when i feed my RTB and my boas in there feeder boxes. the babys dont hurt at all its more of a suprise than anything.
  • 11-08-2010, 12:18 AM
    BPelizabeth
    I really dont think you have anything to worry about unless you smell like a rat or a mouse. In the year and almost a half that I have taken care of my BPs I have never been bitten or even struck at. Typically if my snakes hiss it is only when they are in shed and even then its allot of talk and no action.

    Ball pythons are some of the most docile snakes out there...typically when scared they roll up into a ball and stick their head in the ball. Hence the name. Calm down and dont worry...you will have no problems...(again...unless your using eu de rodenta colonge....lol)
  • 11-08-2010, 12:54 AM
    iCandiBallPythons
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by BPelizabeth View Post
    I really dont think you have anything to worry about unless you smell like a rat or a mouse. In the year and almost a half that I have taken care of my BPs I have never been bitten or even struck at. Typically if my snakes hiss it is only when they are in shed and even then its allot of talk and no action.

    Ball pythons are some of the most docile snakes out there...typically when scared they roll up into a ball and stick their head in the ball. Hence the name. Calm down and dont worry...you will have no problems...(again...unless your using eu de rodenta colonge....lol)

    I'll send you a special one I have, hes like an M-60:D and a runt at that
  • 11-08-2010, 08:00 AM
    ballpythonluvr
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    I can honestly tell you that I was scared to death when I acquired my first BP. I was soooooooooo afraid of being bitten. What helped me to get over this fear was to just gradually start handling the snake for a few minutes a day until I felt confident. I have two bp's now that get a little grumpy when they are in shed and hungry. I like to make sure they are well fed and I try not to handle them when they are in shed unless I absolutley have to. You will be just fine. These snakes are incredible animals! Once you have your confidence, you are truly going to enjoy your BP!
  • 11-08-2010, 08:54 AM
    geekypythongirl
    I'm not sure if BP's are like dogs, and can 'smell' fear, but I find that generally, if you are confident, even pretend to be, it helps big time. My husband and I have had several snakes for almost 3 years now, and about 2 weeks ago, I got bit by one of my boy BP's. It was COMPLETELY my fault (stupid feeding error), and while it stung and was bleeding a lot, it wasn't a big deal (of course, he's only 5 months old as well).

    The best way to get over the fear of being bit, is to get bit. That may sound weird, but it helps to find out that, yea, its really not a big deal.
  • 11-21-2010, 10:31 AM
    LRJB
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    Hey, i hear you and feel the same way. I have always been afraid of snakes, big time. Last saturday, i decided to buy my first snake, a BP. He is about 18 to 20 inches. I was advised to wait a week to 10 days before touching him. The next day (sunday) i went in to change his water dish. He was out of his hut and bite (mouth open or closed) i couldn't tell, the dish. I jumped so far away.

    last night, i wanted to try a feeding... I took him out and put him into another aquarium (one i will use to feed him only) he hissed a few time and didn't wanna have anything to do with his food.

    i put gloves on to take him out and put back in his house.

    I did notice he often puts his body in a (S) shape, head up. That freaks me out.

    If you come into good ideas or anything, do post it. <

    any help of info is a relief.

    Luc, a.k.a afraid of a bite.

    cheers
  • 11-21-2010, 10:45 AM
    monk90222
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    If you are worried, use a hook to get him out of the tub and then take the snake off the hook with your hand. I have some BP's that I have to use this method for and they are fine, otherwise they are striking wildly.
  • 11-21-2010, 12:09 PM
    BoaFreak
    Truth be told. When I first got my boa I couldn't take her out her tank either. She was only about 2.5 feet but I was also terrified to reach for her. I used to wait for my wife to get home so she could take her out for me lol. Once she was out the tank I would hold her for hours. I just couldn't get myself to reach in for her. Finally I got tired of my wife and friends clowning me and Just did it. I remember once I had Her out. I ran into the bathroom cause my wife was fixing her hair and was screaming I DID IT, HAHA IN YOUR FACE LOL. but after that I was good. And now I don't think twice about taking any one of mine out.

    Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
  • 11-21-2010, 12:17 PM
    dembonez
    What i do every time i go to handle my Ball Python is, Lift the hide, then move it over then i wait about a second or two then i put my hand in front of his face to show im not a threat and not wanting to hurt him! i then gently and slowly pick him up supporting his entire body works for me every time!
  • 11-21-2010, 12:25 PM
    BoaFreak
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by dembonez View Post
    What i do every time i go to handle my Ball Python is, Lift the hide, then move it over then i wait about a second or two then i put my hand in front of his face to show im not a threat and not wanting to hurt him! i then gently and slowly pick him up supporting his entire body works for me every time!

    Same hear. I also use a [whole bunch] of germ x


    Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
  • 11-22-2010, 12:25 PM
    TrpnBils
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Stubean15 View Post
    ive done the research seen the videos of people being bitten by bps twice the size of mine.. seen their teeth and i know it hurts less than a shot from the doctor but i for whatever reason have a crippling fear of picking this thing up..

    You're not going to like this, but you just need to get bit and see that it's not as bad as you think. It hurts for awhile, yes, but usually after a day or so you can't even see the teeth marks anymore...even from most adults.

    Every snake is its own individual...some have good tempers and some don't. You're taking more of a chance handling a PetSmart snake than you are handling one of your own because you don't know those snakes at all...don't know their personalities, don't know their attitudes, don't know if they've bitten the last 10 people that have held it. When you work with a snake for long enough, you get to know what sets them off (of course there will be exceptions, but for the most part you can sort of gauge their response), and you'll know what to do and what not to do with them.

    Just "get over it" and you'll see it's not that bad! :)

    EDIT: You said you're watching videos of people being bitten...and you're psyching yourself out for nothing! If you were afraid of flying, would you watch dozens of videos of deadly plane crashes before you boarded?
  • 11-22-2010, 06:37 PM
    Marissa@MKmorphs
    I kind of understand this fear. My first ball python is arriving tomorrow morning (2010 super pastel male) and I've only ever been handed snakes as well. I handle my friends 6 ft. Red Tail Boa pretty frequently and am fine with him. It is just the fact that I will be completely responsible for this little guy kinda freaks me out. I'm going to take a vid of me unboxing him because I'm pretty sure it is going to be pretty funny seeing me trying to pick him up for the first time. I'm not so much afraid of getting bit as I am of just not being able to take the step and pick him up.
  • 11-22-2010, 09:59 PM
    WingedWolfPsion
    My husband AND my friend still act like a little girls when they have to pick up a hatchling sometimes. It takes TIME to learn to read their body language, and time to learn how to move so that they don't react adversely, if they're nervous.

    In the meantime--use a little hook or something, and transfer to the snake to your hand that way. Why not?
  • 11-22-2010, 10:16 PM
    Marissa@MKmorphs
    Good point about taking the time to get to know the snake's body language. I'll definitely have to remember that when the time comes for me to be handling my snake more regularly.
  • 11-23-2010, 02:20 AM
    Stubean15
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by LRJB View Post
    Hey, i hear you and feel the same way. I have always been afraid of snakes, big time. Last saturday, i decided to buy my first snake, a BP. He is about 18 to 20 inches. I was advised to wait a week to 10 days before touching him. The next day (sunday) i went in to change his water dish. He was out of his hut and bite (mouth open or closed) i couldn't tell, the dish. I jumped so far away.

    last night, i wanted to try a feeding... I took him out and put him into another aquarium (one i will use to feed him only) he hissed a few time and didn't wanna have anything to do with his food.

    i put gloves on to take him out and put back in his house.

    I did notice he often puts his body in a (S) shape, head up. That freaks me out.

    If you come into good ideas or anything, do post it. <

    any help of info is a relief.

    Luc, a.k.a afraid of a bite.

    cheers

    yea this post is a little old.. now i kinda worry i hold him too much lol and a hook may work for you but for me it kind of became a crutch.. i just forced myself to pick him up every time i misted which is like 2 times a day.. i just picked him up misted then i put him down..

    honestly everyone on here was a huge help and made me feel better about my fear but not one method they suggested helped i just had to grit my teeth and do it.. after like 2 days i became perfect at it now i pick him up and have his top back on his cage before i realize ive got him out..

    and mine hisses alot too but its all talk.. and its becoming more evident that the "s" shape only means hes gonna strike about .00005% of the time the rest of the time its just how hes holding his head..

    but yea just force yourself to do it gloves and hooks will become a habbit and will take waaay longer than it should to get over it.. just remember no matter how you feel its actually nothing.. you will feel silly once you get used to it

    now remember the first few times suuuck you have that overwelming terror feeling and you know what im talking lol but it passes and each time it is less and less untill picking him up will be like picking up the remote.. its no big deal
    once you read this go try it

    well i hope this novel i just wrote helps lol good luck :D let me know
  • 11-24-2010, 12:08 PM
    TrpnBils
    On a related note...

    Snakebytes TV - New episode
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21UBS...re=uploademail
  • 11-24-2010, 06:25 PM
    Ham
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    I have learned from experience that the trick to picking up a snake is to not hesitate. If you hesitate not only do you spend more time upsetting the snake you also spend more time upsetting yourself, just reach in calmly and confidently and pick the snake up, just be gentle but firm. The more confident you are the more relaxed the snake will be, I know if I was a snake I would not want a nervous shaky hand waving around in my face, but if you just reach in and get it over with the snake will be more comfortable because you are not teasing him by reaching in and out repeatedly while you try to get the guts to pick it up. Also if your not shaking while holding him the snake will be in a lot better mood as well. Plus with a ball python you are unlikely to get bit even if you were to pick the snake up and toss him back and forth like some insane snake juggling clown... The majority of them are just too calm and timid to strike at people...

    PS: Please dont juggle snakes!
  • 11-24-2010, 08:19 PM
    wax32
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by missriss2012 View Post
    I kind of understand this fear. My first ball python is arriving tomorrow morning (2010 super pastel male) and I've only ever been handed snakes as well. I handle my friends 6 ft. Red Tail Boa pretty frequently and am fine with him. It is just the fact that I will be completely responsible for this little guy kinda freaks me out. I'm going to take a vid of me unboxing him because I'm pretty sure it is going to be pretty funny seeing me trying to pick him up for the first time. I'm not so much afraid of getting bit as I am of just not being able to take the step and pick him up.

    LOL I want to see this vid!
  • 11-24-2010, 09:57 PM
    Marissa@MKmorphs
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    :
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wax32 View Post
    LOL I want to see this vid!

    It was an epic fail, so it will not be posted. I didn't hesitate picking him up though! It is so hard to not bother him while he is settling down and getting used to his new home.
  • 11-26-2010, 12:42 AM
    TheReptileEnthusiast
    Re: No idea why but im scared! lol
    Yeah, the body language thing is the key. If a BP is balled up you can just scoop them up with no worry because they are not in attack mode. If they are coiled with the neck in an S, they are prepared to strike, but that doesn't mean they will. BP's tend to jerk thier head suddenly away from you more often than they strike out at you. When they are in the S posture I just keep my body in front of them and reach around the side or back and just scoop them up. They will stay focused on your body and typically once you have picked them up they settle down. I guess I have no qualms about being bitten because I used to spend my days as a boy collecting garter snakes and racers. Thay almost always bite when picked up, and racers often bite you 5 times before you can blink. BP's are like the teddy bears of the snake world. I have been keeping them for many years and the only ones that ever strike are occasionally new hatchlings and girls on eggs. Of course, once you walk into a room with a boxful of rodents, it is hands off.
  • 11-26-2010, 12:48 AM
    zina10
    I always cup one hand over them and use the other hand to scoop them up. Thats for the "new" or nervous snakes.

    Later on, I can grab them whichever way, they don't care ;)

    I think the hand covering them like a cave, makes them feel safer as they are being picked up.

    Have yet to ever be bitten by a BP.

    Don't ask me about the bite from a RTB I got, though..ouch. LOL
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1