Obnoxious newbie questions.

I asked a ton of questions at the reptile show where I got my snake yesterday, but it seems I didn't ask enough questions because I still have more. I know these are pretty general and I have been trying to find answers, but I'm either getting mixed answers or finding nothing at all (I think I just don't know what to look for). If anyone would be so kind and patient enough to give me a few pointers it would be greatly appreciated!

1. Feeding: I was stupid and did not ask when the last time he ate was. I did, however, ask if he has eaten before- he has and he's a good eater, according to the breeder, which is one of the reasons this particular breeder encouraged me to go with this particular snake after hours (literally, HOURS) of looking at all the same snakes over and over. A friend told me that I should wait a week before I feed him and should be giving him one fuzzy rat when I do feed him.

So my questions for feeding are: 1) Should I wait a full week to feed him? and 2) what should I be feeding him? He weighs 254grams right now. And 3) If I should be feeding him fuzzy rats, would an adult mouse be okay instead?

2. Handling: To be completely honest, I am terrified that I'm going to get bit. I know once I get it over with and actually do get bit, I'll be better about it because I'll realize it won't hurt that much. But ever since I had a bad experience with a red tail boa, I'm very nervous about picking up snakes. This guy has been wonderful- he does the typical curl up into a ball pose when I reach in for him. I still have an irrational fear that he will try to eat me. Once he's out, I'm fine- it's just pulling him out of the cage.

So for handling, would it be okay if I'm completely ridiculous for awhile and wear gloves to take him out of his cage? Once he's out, I have no problem. It's just taking him out that terrifies me.

Also, my room is filled with rodents- I breed mice and own rats and guinea pigs. He lives on the other side of my room but I know he can smell all of those animals. Would this temporarily cause a bit more aggression/eagerness? I haven't noticed him being super eager to come out and he doesn't *look* hungry, but I figure it's best to ask regardless.

Thank you guys! I appreciate how welcoming this community is!

Buy a $7.00 snake hook from Petsmart if reaching in to grab him scares you.

wearing gloves taking him out would probably increase your chances of getting bit, he needs to get used to your scent.

Don't own an animal you are afraid of.

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Originally Posted by Rob

Don't own an animal you are afraid of.

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So much for being friendly and helpful.

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Wouldn't using a snake hook present the same issue of the snake getting used to my scent?

Guess I'll just suck it up and reach in to get him. Thank you.

Can somebody please at least point me in the right direction regarding what to feed? I was searching for some kind of feeding chart or table or calculator or SOMETHING pertaining to feeding what to a snake weighing x grams but came up with nothing.

A good rule of thumb is feed him prey items the same thickness as the snakes thickest part of its body. Or if you have a scale feed it a prey item that is 10-15% of the snakes weight. Rat pups are my preference for my little guys. I feed only rats aside from my 2 mouser boys...

It's something like a rodent weighing 10% of the body weight of the animal. I would recommend investing in a food scale with a bowl so you can get his weight, in grams, so that you know the size of rodent to feed.


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I think the general rule when they're small is 10-15% of their body weight. You might consider investing in a digital scale. You might get tagged at some point, but you'll probably lose your fear of it long before that happens. You can find just about anything you need to know on this forum. Enjoy your new friend!


Edit: Looks like a few people beat me to it. Also, I'd suggest describing/posting pictures of your housing so we can help you make sure you've got the right set up.

1. I would wait 7 days, BP's can go a long time without food so waiting a week will be fine.

2. A BP's bite (espicially young BP's) don't hurt at all. The best thing that you can do is be confident. If you hesitate you are only giving him more time to get you.

A snake hook/gloves while completely unnecessary are ok to use if that makes you feel better.

Thank you!! I have a digital scale that I use for weighing pregnant mice, so that works perfectly.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

1. I would wait 7 days, BP's can go a long time without food so waiting a week will be fine.

2. A BP's bite (espicially young BP's) don't hurt at all. The best thing that you can do is be confident. If you hesitate you are only giving him more time to get you.

A snake hook/gloves while completely unnecessary are ok to use if that makes you feel better.

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Extremely helpful, thank you! I think I'm just going to suck it up and reach in for him.

Apparently a hamster bite is much worse then a BP bite haha (i have been bit by a hamster not my BP yet though) so you've nothing to be scared of!

if he does act aggressive towards you or anything like that... do not put him back straight away because then he will start to know that acting agressive towards you will make you leave him alone, so in a way be authorative but gentle :)

If nervous! Not scared of picking up your snake then try a snake hook. Or do what I do gently rub it letting ot know your there andd then slowly place your hands at the parts off his body thhat his head is farthest from and slowly lift. I know how you feel Im not afraid of my bp but it does make me nervous to initially pick him up. Im like that with all amimal though an initial nervousness is NORMAL.

Now about feeding most bp ownerss prefer to feed ratts due to more nutrotional value. I would maybe try rat pups they have tons of nutrition and will help him grow. Then you can move up in size ifwhen needed.

You need to find out his weight like everyone else said before feeding your BP you don't want to feed to little or to less, but i wouldn't recommend the snake hook.

The quicker you get use it picking him up the better just try and hide your nerves, there are many methods of picking up you can be slow and stroke him or just go in grab him get it over and done with simple :)

This forum is very helpful so any more questions just ask :)

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Originally Posted by SRMD94

Apparently a hamster bite is much worse then a BP bite haha (i have been bit by a hamster not my BP yet though) so you've nothing to be scared of!

if he does act aggressive towards you or anything like that... do not put him back straight away because then he will start to know that acting agressive towards you will make you leave him alone, so in a way be authorative but gentle :)

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I have heard this about keeping him out even if he does bite- thank you. I definitely don't want to get him into that habit.

Since he has been so mellow thus far, is there a chance that he will stay that way his entire life? Do snakes have an "adolescent stage" when they become a little harder to handle (like dogs do)?

And I hate hamsters. I've been bitten by them before. I can't stand them.

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Im like that with all amimal though an initial nervousness is NORMAL.

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I tend to agree with this statement.

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Now about feeding most bp ownerss prefer to feed ratts due to more nutrotional value. I would maybe try rat pups they have tons of nutrition and will help him grow. Then you can move up in size ifwhen needed.

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Noted! Are african soft furs any better than regular rats? I will be breeding them come September and will have plenty available for the snake.

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Originally Posted by SRMD94

You need to find out his weight like everyone else said before feeding your BP you don't want to feed to little or to less.

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I put this in the first post but I think it was too buried in text. He weighs 254 grams :)

so you need something that is around 38grams to feed your ball and ye ASF's are fine i am sure, make sure the rodent prey is not over 40 grams or under 35grams!

Here is some information about the weights of ASF's:
http://www.darwinsreptiles.com/feede...can-soft-furs/

For now because he's new in your house you've got to give him the acclimation period. No handling until 3 consecutive meals. This could be three weeks or a couple months. This will make it a ton easier with getting him started in your home with feeding. And it'll make it easier when you do try handling him that he won't be such a nervous nelly. For you to be nervous it's fine and normal.
Reach in and grab him from behind. Don't go straight for his front. That will just make him more nervous. If he is eyeing you you can cover his head with a towel. That way you aren't associating your hands with being something scary. Or use a hook, gloves aren't my favorite.
Hope this helps.


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Ok, one at a time, here we go. I see you have a few questions and will try my best to answer them fully.

First allow the snake to settle in, leave it alone for at least 5 days to settle down and relax in its new home during this time do not try to feed. Handle it as little as possible during this time.

As far as the breeder goes, they would not be that good of a breeder if they were selling snakes that have not fed several times. What I would do is pick a night that you would like to feed weekly that you know you have the time to feed and try your selected night when it comes up next, after the settle in time. Feeding at night is best since they are nocturnal. For the feeder size I stick to feeding whatever size will leave just a slight buldge in the snakes thickest section. For you that will PROBABALY be a mouse hopper or a rat fuzzy, a rat feeder will always be bigger than a mouse feeder with the same designation. Meaning that a rat fuzzy does not equal a mouse fuzzy and would more closely fit a mouse hopper. This is not set is stone and two different sources will both have fuzzies but one may be much larger than the other. When you find a source you like stick with it so you learn their sizings. To hit your question, NO, a rat fuzzy does not equal a adult mouse it would be closer to a hopper.

Im kinda scratching my head about why you would buy an animal you are afraid of. But being willing to get over your fear is good, so good luck. As far as your BP biting you, relax. Even if it does happen you probably wont even feel it or realize it happened until it is done. Snake hooks and gloves are really not needed and I would suggest facing your fear head on and not using them. If you think you really need to wear gloves make sure that they are soft and you can feel things well, they will not make it strike more. Your gloves will still have your scent on them. Wearing a thick glove that doesn allow you to feel the snakes body could lead to you gripping to tightly and hurting it. My BP will sometimes hiss if its in a hide and I disturb it but it has never tried to strike. It also has the ability to determine what is food and not. Now some snakes will strike more than others but BP are usually very good about not striking everything that moves. Mine will lay in its hide and look out. I can wave my fingers in front of the opening or even stick them in the opening to open the hide and she has never taken a shot at me. However as soon as I lower a feeder if front of the opening she strikes like lightning. When you want to take your snake out just lift the hide and give it a second to realize what is happening, then calmly and confidently lift the snake supporting it as you bring it out. You will probably find that it just balls up concealing its head. Thats the way they protect themselves.

Your other animals should not cause any aggression towards you but do be sure to wash your hands before you handle your snake if you have done ANYTHING with the other animals. Failing to do so is a good way to confuse your snake and it may strike just because you smell like food.

Also I suggest keeping notes for your new pet. Keep track of feeding, cleanings, water changes, sheds, etc. I track everything I do or they do. I will even track when I placed new items in the cage. I know thats alittle much but aleast keep track of feeding, cleanings, and sheds if nothing else so if a problem comes up you will have the information for the vet.

Im sure some of the other members have noticed I can be alittle long winded but I believe if you are going to answer the post answer everything and add the things the person didnt know to ask. I hope this helps you out.

Lots of good advice here, some not so good...

I understand the fear of picking up a snake. Confidence takes a little time to build but once you realize the bites are the least scary thing on the planet, you will be just fine! If my snakes even look like they are going to strike I either tap them gently on the nose with my hand or some nearby object. This will usually make the snake "ball up" and is much easier to grab. If you feel more comfortable with gloves, then do it! All this scent stuff is kind of nonsense... You are huge compared to this snake, its not like they can only smell your hands and if you cover them up they suddenly can't smell you.

As for rats and rodents in the vicinity of the snake, I don't think it matters. I keep my ASF colony right next to my snakes and I don't notice any strange aggressive behavior or anything like that. It should also be worth mentioning that ASFs are a great choice for feeders. Their full adult size is pretty much perfect for an adult ball python. And they breed like crazy!!

If for now you can only get your hands on adult mice, that would be fine to feed your snake. 10-15% is just a guideline. If you have a scale it takes the guess work out of deciding which prey item to feed.

:welcome: And thank you for doing your homework and being so receptive to our feedback!

I'll tell you what, though. I still am a little tense with Houdini at times, just because he'll S his neck and being pointed right at me. But, if you havent been struck at yet then there's not much to worry about.

Heck, watch the couple episodes of Snakebytes where they talk about picking up a grumpy snake. Well, I really recommend watching Snakebytes, anyway, but that's just cause its a fun web show!


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Originally Posted by Kodieh

Heck, watch the couple episodes of Snakebytes where they talk about picking up a grumpy snake. Well, I really recommend watching Snakebytes, anyway, but that's just cause its a fun web show!

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Ye you should watch snakebytes tv lol and watch how they get bit, by green tree pythons which have huge and or loads of teeth lmao, quite educational to watch also

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Originally Posted by SRMD94

Ye you should watch snakebytes tv lol and watch how they get bit, by green tree pythons which have huge and or loads of teeth lmao, quite educational to watch also

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While GTP do have larger teeth than a ball they are not huge. The Emerald Tree Boa however has a nice set of grabbers, most people get these two confused.

When my GTP bites me I will usually have 6 little red spots and 4 will bleed, if she got me good. It still is not a bad bite. The teeth are like little needles and almost everytime I get bit I dont realize it til it has already let go. The bottom jaw of the GTP is something else, it reminds me of the jaw Predator has in the movie.

I love my GTP and cant wait to have more. They get a bad rep but with work are great snakes.

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Originally Posted by KMG

While GTP do have larger teeth than a ball they are not huge. The Emerald Tree Boa however has a nice set of grabbers, most people get these two confused.

When my GTP bites me I will usually have 6 little red spots and 4 will bleed, if she got me good. It still is not a bad bite. The teeth are like little needles and almost everytime I get bit I dont realize it til it has already let go. The bottom jaw of the GTP is something else, it reminds me of the jaw Predator has in the movie.

I love my GTP and cant wait to have more. They get a bad rep but with work are great snakes.

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Emerald tree boa, GTP i get confused lmao.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Ok, one at a time, here we go. I see you have a few questions and will try my best to answer them fully.

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Thank you! Thank you so much for your help!!

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First allow the snake to settle in, leave it alone for at least 5 days to settle down and relax in its new home during this time do not try to feed. Handle it as little as possible during this time.

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This was going to be another question. I took him out to weigh him today and that was it. He wasn't happy with me at first but got very curious when it came time to put him on the scale.

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I'm kinda scratching my head about why you would buy an animal you are afraid of.

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I'm beginning to wonder if "fear" was the right word to use. I am VERY nervous picking him up out of the cage, but once I'm holding him I'm fine. I have always wanted a snake and my only experience handling snakes is zoo club when I was 5 and when I worked at Petco a few years back. I was a grooming assistant but would occasionally go and hold the snakes in the morning when the store wasn't open yet. I usually took the ball pythons out but one time decided to try for the red tail boa. As soon as I opened his cage and put my hand in, he struck. I knew you weren't supposed to give in to that so I managed to get him out with a snake hook, at which point he struck at my face. I stopped handling the snakes after that :/

My interest in snakes hasn't died out though and this past weekend I had to handle my client's (I'm a pet sitter by trade) very bitey cornsnake. I was able to get her out and clean her cage without any problem. I decided that since handling snakes is part of my profession, I had an excuse to go ahead and get one of my own. :)

I looked at hundreds of snakes at the show but eventually had to decide between a ball python from Outback Reptiles and a hognose from BHB. (Obviously I went with the bp but was VERY tempted by the hognose- the show comes back in September though :D).

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Also I suggest keeping notes for your new pet. Keep track of feeding, cleanings, water changes, sheds, etc. I track everything I do or they do. I will even track when I placed new items in the cage. I know thats alittle much but aleast keep track of feeding, cleanings, and sheds if nothing else so if a problem comes up you will have the information for the vet.

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I do this for the mice- great idea! Thank you!

Thank you for answering all of my questions!!

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I understand the fear of picking up a snake. Confidence takes a little time to build but once you realize the bites are the least scary thing on the planet, you will be just fine!

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I don't like to be surprised so I think what I'm more afraid of is the "strike" than the actual bite. But you're right- I'm sure once I get used to it happening, it won't be a big deal. :)

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This will usually make the snake "ball up" and is much easier to grab.

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Here's a question- my boy does ball up when I go to grab him. Is he still capable of biting as quickly in this position or does balling up prevent him from having as fast of a reaction? (Am I in the clear if he has balled up?)

Thank you!!

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Heck, watch the couple episodes of Snakebytes where they talk about picking up a grumpy snake. Well, I really recommend watching Snakebytes, anyway, but that's just cause its a fun web show!

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Haha- Last week when I was trying to figure out how to pick up my client's snake so I could clean her cage, I checked YouTube for instructional videos. Everything I found was Snakebytes and I spent two consecutive nights watching half of their videos. Come the reptile show yesterday, I'm shopping around and run straight into the same people I've seen in those videos. It took me a minute to register *why* I recognized them though.

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Originally Posted by doganddisc

I don't like to be surprised so I think what I'm more afraid of is the "strike" than the actual bite. But you're right- I'm sure once I get used to it happening, it won't be a big deal. :)


Here's a question- my boy does ball up when I go to grab him. Is he still capable of biting as quickly in this position or does balling up prevent him from having as fast of a reaction? (Am I in the clear if he has balled up?)

Thank you!!

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If they are properly balled (head in the coils) then there really is no way for them to bite. But if the snake just retreats back to an S shape, they still could bite. I usually tap them on the head and then pick them up right away. I don't give them the chance to strike. I've only been bitten once and it was because I was removing an uneaten rat from the enclosure. It was much more surprising than painful. Actually, there was no pain that I can recall. Just surprising. But after feeding 5+ snakes for the last few years, I am used to the sudden strike. You will get used to it and it won't be so scary :)

Good choice going with the BP. Hognose love to hiss, puff up, and strike. They strike with a closed mouth but I dont think that would matter if your uneasy around snakes in the first place. Mine does this no matter what when she is in the tank. She puts on a nice show. They are characters.

I learned a few lessons that seem to make sense on snakes biting.

1) If you smell like food they may bite you! (duh)

2) Snakes don't like when you touch their heads too often, avoid it.

3) Contrary to a post on here earlier, holding the snake closer to his head will stop him from striking. A snake uses its neck to strike so if you hold him closer to his neck he can't coil-up like a spring and strike you.

4) Snakes make an S before striking, if you see that just touch his backside (mine usually will ball up or straighten out and move).

5) Kind of like 4, don't surprise your snake. No fast movements, just keep calm and move normal. Hesitation will probably get you bit as well, every other animal knows fear and it is most often what triggers animal attacks of all kinds. In the animal world things only get scared before they get eaten or challenged, don't give him a reason to do either.


Honestly, my wife had the idea to get our BP, she'd had one before. I was TERRIFIED the first time I held him. Now I put him on my neck with no issues (clearly in my avatar). I've had some friends who were scared of snakes come over and they too have found that it isn't that bad. After a while of having our BP I've noticed they really DO NOT want to bite. There is a reason they are called ball-pythons, they ball up when scared.

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Originally Posted by 357

3) Contrary to a post on here earlier, holding the snake closer to his head will stop him from striking. A snake uses its neck to strike so if you hold him closer to his neck he can't coil-up like a spring and strike you.

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I wouldn't restrain him.


It's okay that you are nervous.
I would use one glove on your dominant hand. Once you have the snake out out you can hold it in both hands. If you're comfortable at that point, you can take the glove off but don't panic if you aren't at that point yet. I used a gardening glove the first time. I am sure in five years when I have owned 15 snakes that it'll be easier to pull out the "Don't own an animal you are scared of" card.

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Originally Posted by Rob

Don't own an animal you are afraid of.

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Looking at you. :P
I was wondering, Rob, in what circumstances you held your first snake? Like did you have to pick it up? Were you nervous? And how long from that point did you own a snake?

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Originally Posted by Poseidon

I was wondering, Rob, in what circumstances you held your first snake? Like did you have to pick it up? Were you nervous? And how long from that point did you own a snake?

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I see what your trying to do here lol. Sorry to disappoint you, I was very young maybe 8 or so I would catch garter snakes in my back yard. I never had a fear of snakes, guess it wasnt in me. I still stand behind what I said. Was it a little too harsh, yes that's not my normal approuch. But I don't think people should own an animal they fear. If you want a snake test the waters handle one at the pet store or a friends and prove to yourself that you can become comfortable with the animal before you make the commitment.

I agree with Rob.

Thatd be like me just going out and buying a horse.

I haven't had a snake for very long, but I do disagree about the horse analogy, sorry. I have owned horses for 15 years and ridden them for even longer. Am I scared of horses - no, absolutely not. Do I wear a helmet every time I get on - every time. I know that the chances I will fall off are minimal. I own a very safe, placid horse and have had him for the past twelve years. I also insist on jumping with a breast-plate. In twelve years, I've fallen off maybe eight times. I ride five times per week. There are a lot of gung-ho people at my barn who ride with no helmet and wouldn't dream of riding with a breast plate. If I was riding a horse I did not know - I would take every precaution, even though I would not fear the animal. Riding with a helmet makes me feel automatically safer, more confident etc. Anyone who owns horses and does not have at least a healthy respect for the size and power of the animal has even less business owning one than someone who is a little nervous.

I don't understand why the OP's choice to use a glove to take out her snake would be materially different to riding a with a helmet. If the piece of equipment makes him/her feel more comfortable and send those signals to the animal, why is it a problem?

You would have to know Mike and his love of horses.

Op, I would agree you probably should have made sure you were comfortable with the pet you are commiting too. But now that you have it, it will be a matter of you learning and getting comfortable with it. I think once you get bit, you won't be as fearful of it. It's more of a startle than anything. You will learn to read your snake and you need to handle him confidently. I would not use a glove. I could see that spooking the snake.

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Originally Posted by Rob

I see what your trying to do here lol. Sorry to disappoint you, I was very young maybe 8 or so I would catch garter snakes in my back yard. I never had a fear of snakes, guess it wasnt in me. I still stand behind what I said. Was it a little too harsh, yes that's not my normal approuch. But I don't think people should own an animal they fear. If you want a snake test the waters handle one at the pet store or a friends and prove to yourself that you can become comfortable with the animal before you make the commitment.

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I wasn't trying to do anything. Just curious.

Garter snakes? Why is it that everyone has garter snakes in their back yard but me, :confusd: :P
Did you keep them around for a bit or was it just a catch and release in the same day? If it was a catch and release thing, how long was it before you owned a snake?

I think there's a line between fearing the animal and being fearful of picking it up. And some people need to be alone to fully adjust to the snake. They know they can do it, they just need to do x or y.

As this is being discussed to death, I will step in and say that, as a person who has been handling a variety of animals for years, my decision to purchase an animal that I am very cautious of was well-intentioned and informed.

The horse analogy really sticks with me, actually. In addition to a bad experience with a snake, I have also had a very bad experience my first time handling a horse without supervision. An irresponsible teaching assistant sent me down to the barns at my school to pull out a horse that I had never worked with before- and my experience with horses and very minimal. I got him about two feet from the barn when he reared up and came down on my foot, then reared again and got the lead rope tangled around his front legs. I had never been holding on to a horse that reared before, much less actually seen a horse rear in person. Instead of dropping the lead and letting him go, I managed to hold on until he calmed down and untangle his legs at the same time.

After all that, I handed him to a horse-experienced person (she was just approaching as all this was occurring) and had trouble handling my own assigned horse for the remaining three months of the class. I constantly had flashbacks to the horse rearing up and coming down on me- the experience was absolutely terrifying and has stuck with me.

Regardless of my feelings about the incident, however, I refuse to give up. I took up an independent study the following semester that required me to work with the horses and learn to read their behavior. Though I had to bring some very horse savvy friends with me to help, I eventually grew more confident in handling. My absolute fear of horses that developed after that incident has grown into a respect for their power and size, and a fascination in the human-horse bond. I would love to own a horse someday.

95% of pet ownership is learning to communicate with your animal. Dogs in particular will always be my first choice when it comes to living with a pet. It took me a year of working closely with them to fully understand the warning signs of a dog who has the potential to bite. I can read them like a book now.

My hesitation to reach in and pick my snake up out of his tank does not have any effect on the quality of care I give him. And that, I do believe, is all that matters :)

Sorry if this turns out to be along post.. I'm pretty lazy so it probably won't be..

First of all, I want to reiterate what's been said many times. You don't have to fear your ball python bites. As stated earlier, it's startling. I HATE getting startled, so I still flinch! But I'm not worried... After feeding all of my snakes for a LONG time, I came to LOVE the strikes! They only strike at me if there's a rodent in tongs, or I'm trying to pull the rodent out of their water dish (after dropping it in there :oops:).. They'll just blindly strike...

Once you get more experience feeding and handling your BP in its good and bad days, you won't have a problem at all! If you learned to read dogs, you will learn to read your BP. When he's nearing a shed cycle, or just finished one, they may be grumpy and hissy. That means if they strike (they never reach me...), it'll be a quick strike then hide motion. Nothing to worry about. If they manage to tag ya, I'd be worried that the poor thing lost a tooth :(... As for YOUR damage, if you somehow see a teeny tiny dot of blood, take a picture (for the forum :gj:), wipe it away, and notice the blood stops :gj:.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with a RTB... I'm glad you're still interested in snakes :D. I want to congratulate you on picking a great beginner snake to help you overcome your fear!! They have adorable faces, lazy movement speed, terrible aim, and they come in a variety of colors and patterns :gj:. I don't remember seeing an answer to your question about their attitudes as they grow up, so I'll try to answer it here...

Most of them are docile and will curiously slither around, searching for a warm area to hide from you :D. Every now and then, you get a monster who wants your rodents but doesn't want anything to do with you.. These will hiss and slither as fast as they can away from you! If you touch them, they will often push away with their bodies, hiss sometimes, and sometimes they'll strike.. I have ONE snake out of 11 who will hide from me, and will do the typical "S-neck" while watching me... She has yet to tag me (more blind strikes...), but I'm sure if I got too close, she might headbutt me.. I bet your BP is one that won't bite you unless your hand smelled like rodent..

Sorry for the long post :P..

PS. Don't hesitate to ask questions on this forum. Some people can be blunt, and that may come off as rude to you, but these people are often people who have answered the same exact question to hundreds of users, and they are quite past the friendly reminder stage.. They like to get straight to the point.. Lots of folks here are EAGER to help you, I promise :gj:.

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Originally Posted by Poseidon

Garter snakes? Why is it that everyone has garter snakes in their back yard but me, :confusd: :P
Did you keep them around for a bit or was it just a catch and release in the same day? If it was a catch and release thing, how long was it before you owned a snake?.

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Haha yeah we have a ton of them up here, lift up a rock and you will probably come across one. I would keep them, for a couple days and release them. I actually brought one on the school bus is first grade, that didn't go over so well. And I don't think it was too much longer before my parents got me my first pet snake. Along with every other pet a kid could have.

Man you people are so rude. Anyway you should only feed the snake something the same or slightly larger then its girth. Also if it is live do not leave it in the tank as it can harm your snakes. Watch it for about 20 minutes and if it does not want it take it out and try again later. You can use forceps to dangle the mouse and the snake interested.

For the handling, the ball will not bite you. They are one of the most reluctant to bite. If it is uncomfortable and scared it curls into a ball but after a couple minutes in you hand it should relax and roam more. The more often you handle, the more used to you they get. Also try to handle less during shedding since there sight is impaired. I know its scary but you will be fine even when your ball hisses they most likely will not bite. Have fun with your ball!!.

P.S when you are going to pick it up rub it first to let it know your there.

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Originally Posted by Bellatrix_LeSnake

I haven't had a snake for very long, but I do disagree about the horse analogy, sorry. I have owned horses for 15 years and ridden them for even longer.

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then you don't understand mikes issue with horses and their heads.

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Originally Posted by Rob

then you don't understand mikes issue with horses and their heads.

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Now I'm just curious. What's wrong with horse heads?

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Originally Posted by Bellatrix_LeSnake

I haven't had a snake for very long, but I do disagree about the horse analogy, sorry. I have owned horses for 15 years and ridden them for even longer. Am I scared of horses - no, absolutely not. Do I wear a helmet every time I get on - every time. I know that the chances I will fall off are minimal. I own a very safe, placid horse and have had him for the past twelve years. I also insist on jumping with a breast-plate. In twelve years, I've fallen off maybe eight times. I ride five times per week. There are a lot of gung-ho people at my barn who ride with no helmet and wouldn't dream of riding with a breast plate. If I was riding a horse I did not know - I would take every precaution, even though I would not fear the animal. Riding with a helmet makes me feel automatically safer, more confident etc. Anyone who owns horses and does not have at least a healthy respect for the size and power of the animal has even less business owning one than someone who is a little nervous.

I don't understand why the OP's choice to use a glove to take out her snake would be materially different to riding a with a helmet. If the piece of equipment makes him/her feel more comfortable and send those signals to the animal, why is it a problem?

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Ok well pick whichever animal youre afraid of and thats the example i wanna use. I am very leery around horses in case you didnt catch that lol. Aka they scare the living *ship* outta me.

I dont agree with youre horse example. If you dont wear protective gear you could be killed/hurt i.e. Christopher Reeves. No one has ever been killed by handling a bp without a glove.

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Originally Posted by Bellatrix_LeSnake

Now I'm just curious. What's wrong with horse heads?

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They have tiny little mouth openings but HUGE powerful jaws. You put your hand too close and they suck it up into their mouth and grind it up. Plus if you try and rub their back away from their killer mouths then theyll mule kick you.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

They have tiny little mouth openings but HUGE powerful jaws. You put your hand too close and they suck it up into their mouth and grind it up. Plus if you try and rub their back away from their killer mouths then theyll mule kick you.

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:rofl: What about ponies?

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

They have tiny little mouth openings but HUGE powerful jaws. You put your hand too close and they suck it up into their mouth and grind it up. Plus if you try and rub their back away from their killer mouths then theyll mule kick you.

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But have you ever felt how soft a horses muzzle is??? Almost snuggly.

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Lol, I can never get enough of hearing mike describe what freaks him out about horses.

Ive never encountered a pony, not really sure how id handle that. I dont even like the stupid little midget horses. Good god, theyre mouth level with things even more important than my hands!

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

But have you ever felt how soft a horses muzzle is??? Almost snuggly.

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Omg yes of course i have! I wuv to snuggly wuggly, cuddly wuddly right up next to the horsies cutey patootey widdle face.

Heellllll no i dont know what their muzzle feels like! I can picture in my head what getting eaten alive feels like though pretty well actually.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Omg yes of course i have! I wuv to snuggly wuggly, cuddly wuddly right up next to the horsies cutey patootey widdle face.

Heellllll no i dont know what their muzzle feels like! I can picture in my head what getting eaten alive feels like though pretty well actually.

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Omg, lmfao!!! You crack me up! Rob is right. Look, this guy almost ate my daughter at her riding lessons.... J/k, this is what he does when you hit his "good spot" with the brush
http://img.tapatalk.com/aeffa13a-d24e-f124.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/aeffa13a-d268-9795.jpg

Op, so sorry for going off topic, I will stray no more!!

Mike, sorry, I just couldn't help it. I love horses, so its hard for me to understand your fear.



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If i ever have a daughter she better not like equine critters. Shes gunna be awfully disapointed...

That first pic is the horse trying to attack you. In the second pic its eyes are pure evil. Its like its looking right into my soul...

Naw, he's a teddy bear. Just goofy. And I think girls liking horses go hand in hand, so you better pray for boys.

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Naw, he's a teddy bear. Just goofy. And I think girls liking horses go hand in hand, so you better pray for boys.

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Youve obviously never seen me raise kids before... Everytime she says the word horse ill pinch her so she associates the word with pain. When she finally sees one in person for the first time she'll be afraid of it...

You would be amazed what you would do for your child. If it weren't for mine, I would still be terrified of snakes, instead of in love with them.....

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