Comfort level with snake

Hi, just a while back i tried to handle my snake vlad. I did not know that he was in his shedding process because his eyes were not cloudy. He kinda struck at me in mid air and he made this grunt sound. Since then i am not to comfortable holding him. Does anyone have any tips on holding my snake?
Thanks.

The only thing you can do is to keep handling him. It's understandable that they may be cranky and moody during shed, but to avoid handling them after the shed is complete means the snake wins. Also by avoiding handling, not only does your comfort level continue to decline but the snakes tolerance with being handled will also decline so it's a lose/lose situation. You can always wear some gloves and a long sleeved shirt until you get your confidence back. I would also document when he starts going into shed etc. Then you can see his shed cycle and know when to anticipate any upcoming sheds or expected moodiness. Good Luck!!!

My snakes tend to be very hissy and cranky when they are in shed. I try not to mess with them to much when they are in the shedding process but sometimes they make a mess and you have no choice. I just reach in and scoop them out and then put them back when I am finished. I also used to be very nervous about being struck at. What helped me was wearing a pair of gloves unitl I got my confidence. Now, I don't even wear the gloves!

My advice is to get in there, do battle, and get Vlad out anyway. Probably not the answer you were expecting, however Vlad can't be allowed to get into the mindset that doing such things makes you go away. If he(?) does, he'll begin to do it more often. You might have to take a bite but BPs can't do much damage anyway.

Normally you don't handle them while they are in shed, however I'd make an exception this once.

It's like falling off a horse. The only way you'll ever ride the horse again (handle your snake) is to just shove the fear to the side and reach in and scoop your snake out. As mentioned by others, you can use gloves if that helps.

Sing Baby Got Back to your snake and it won't bite you. Oh no wait....that only works for spiders. If there was a magic trick to not get bit you would know about it already. Everyone would. If anyone on this forum or any other had a way to make you less afraid you would know about it because it would be revolutionary. At the end of the day you just have to decide what you want to do. Do you want to give up your snake, keep it but never hold it again, hold it and be petrified every time, or get over it and just hold your snake without fear. Pick one and do that.

Just remember, the only thing you can do is keep holding your snake.

I agree with using gloves. You could also take him out of the tank with a snake hook. I would also make sure that you're not surprising him. Let him know you're there and it won't startle him.

Try using a hook .. I use a hook for my boas to let them know its not feeding time. Ball pythons not really THOUGH occasionally I have with my normal male because he can get a bit testy in his tub.

Just grab him. If youre jerky and nervous, he'll be more scared and ready to bite your face off[lolyehright]. Be assertive I guess. I know what youre going through though, was terrified of my killer first bp. Now I dont even think about it, I absent mindedly dodge strikes and move snakes around without a worry. You just have to handle him, and youll learn his reactions and behaviors. Enjoy him.

um doesnt sound like a ball python's normal attitude

If it is a ball python, I suggest just picking it up quickly. Reach in from the back and swoop him / her up. If you are still uncomfortable with this, wear a glove or use a snake hook. Good luck.

my baby pastel and baby spider are pretty nippy so far but i only have had them for a week and a half so far but the spider ball seems to strike at me whenever he wants lol. just keep handling him like everyone said. it doesnt hurt to bad to get bit

Wear a glove or use a hook like mentioned. Right now your biggest enemy is your thoughts thinking about what "could happen". Its freaky when a snake strikes at you or even hits you but just keep saying to yourself no matter what it wont really hurt and it isn't going to kill me.

My daughters hampster's bites hurt waaaaaaay worse:mad:

Reach in and pick him up mid body. If you can pick him up from the backside, that will be the best method. If he bites you, try your best to not jerk or drop the snake. The fear of the bite is often times worse than the bite itself. Many times, they strike but don't latch on, so the bite is only a fraction of a second. A little blood may appear, but nothing serious, not even close to serious.

Take the bite and blood as a badge of honor. You will soon realize that the bites aren't that bad and you will be okay.

Good Luck,
Jim Smith

i got bit by a garter snake when i was young (fearless me was probably squeezing him a bit tight, and i suppose he wasn't too fond of the rain) and since then i've had a bit of a fear of being struck at. it didn't hurt, and i was way younger, but the speed scared me. i recently bought a BP because i really do think they're wonderful animals but my nervousness is still there a bit. it really makes me feel a lot more comfortable if i wear a loose hoodie while handling him and guide him toward my elbow. he loves it there and just kind of hangs out. the fact that he's not in striking distance of any of my body parts makes me feel better too. :)

It's a little nerve wracking to get bit. But being AFRAID of getting bit is more likely to get you bit than being calm and relaxed. Just realize that you are a big scary beast to him and give him some time to notice you. You can open the cage a little loudly or give a little tap on the nearby wall so he's awake. If you wake him up, he may nip. Snakes don't have eyelids! So it's harder to tell when they are awake or asleep and they spend a lot of time sleeping. If someone grabbed you out of bed in the middle of a deep sleep, it might make you cranky, right?
I recommend sitting somewhere quiet with him and not moving until he is brave enough to explore. If you get nervous, he can sense it and will be scared. If you are calm, he will feel more comfortable. With a little time, this will let him know you aren't going to "get him" and he'll be happier to see you for exploring or feeding time. You can help stay calm by taking deep breaths and just see what he does. BPs are usually pretty gentle and shy and they can take some time as babies to chill out. Most baby snakes are nervous and take more time than adults.

You'll be fine, just don't be afraid of him. he really doesn't want to hurt you! ^^

I completely agree with darkwormvern if you show fear it will strike in fear. Animals are sensitive and can tell when you are afraid and use it to there advantage show your are the boss and they will submit. A dog bite is much worse. Good luck and stay calm.

So, it has been a couple of days. How are you doing with him?

You could try this, when you approach the snake use one hand flat and just cover the snakes body/head with it in one smooth motion (not hesitating). They usually back down when something big comes from above.

Also, it seems to calm them when you cover them. Don't press down, just lay your hand on them.

Use the other hand to scoop them up from underneath, kind of sandwiching the snake between your hands. Once he/she has calmed a bit (they feel safer covered) you can remove the hand from on top. Usually they are fine by then.