The Art of Befriending Your BP

So, I've had my first BP baby Sapphira for about 2 weeks now, she seems to be settling in nicely and we get along great. I have read lots about how they get cranky and defensive and all that fun stuff, but so far Sapphira has been very tame, timid, and curious. A friend of mine who owns a BP told me her BP bit her not long ago because she was cleaning her rat's cage and the BP caught a wiff of it on her hand. That's pretty reasonable, but it got me thinking...

I wonder if ball python's have a somewhat similar brain structure as ours - when we smell, it triggers powerful memories and emotion. When I smell an ice cold Miller Lite it takes me back to PNC park, sittin there watching the Pirates (go Pittsburgh!). So my hypothesis is: If I use the same hand sanitizer or lotion on my hands every single time I handle my little Sapphira, she become accustomed to this smell and associate it with me. If so that would allow us to strengthen our relationship and the relationship with the humans that I allow to come into contact with her. Maybe an aloe vera hand sanitizer or something like that? Idk, just an interesteing thing. If anyone has ideas or suggestions to better befriend the magnificent ball python; post away.

You have a natural scent of your own, so I think scented lotion or not, Sapphira will recognize your scent after a while of being in your care :)
Congrats on your new baby :)

Yeah that's true I do, but I'm a smoker, so my hands always reak of smoke. I don't know if that would cover it up or not.

The most important thing is definitely to learn her body language. They're like cats. Hisses and swishing tails are bad :P

Other than that, I think you have an idea worth trying.

Also, some snakes take to handling better than others. If she ever goes off feed at all, be sure to cut off the handling until she's eating well again.

So far, no swooshing tails, hissing, or anything. She hasn't even gone into Ball Mode yet! I've been very impressed!

Thats one of the 7 characteristics of life. To respond

I've had my baby for a month and it still tries to bite me.

All BPs are different.

- CCarr33

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Originally Posted by CCarr33

I've had my baby for a month and it still tries to bite me.

All BPs are different.

- CCarr33

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That is definitely one thing I have learned from these forums. I think I got really lucky!! Keep at ya little baby though, I'm sure he or she will warm up soon :cool:

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Originally Posted by Xazereth

So far, no swooshing tails, hissing, or anything. She hasn't even gone into Ball Mode yet! I've been very impressed!

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Sounds like you have a nice friendly social girl :) I love the name you picked for her, btw. Sometimes I have dreams that my snakes grow wings and start flying:D

I have a new baby lesser and pastel and can't wait to handle them. I just got them yesterday so leaving them alone. I said I would give them a week. Not sure I can wait that long.

Sounds like my snake this is my first ball also and got over a month ago never got bit and never showed any sign of aggression sounds like you got a nice snake with a good personality ....

Also I am from Pittsburgh also go steelers :) !

I just got a 2 month old that im letting calm down and eat at least 3 times before i start handling him. But he strikes at me all the time. I really hope he grows out of it.

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Originally Posted by hitman3303

I have a new baby lesser and pastel and can't wait to handle them. I just got them yesterday so leaving them alone. I said I would give them a week. Not sure I can wait that long.

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Aw :) congrats on the babies! It's still very important to hold out for that week before holding them, they'll be able to fully settle in and feel secure before they start learning what handling will be like!

I've never had a problem with BPs trying to bite me. But my boas are a different story. I came home smelling like IHOP one day and my BCI bit me when I tried to take her out. Some snakes are very sensitive to changes in smell. I know she is. Lol. The others don't care as much, but I have learned that my BCI is one of those sensitive babies. :rolleyes:

Your technique should help her get used to you. The fewer things that change the better I think. But it sounds like you have a sweet, social girl. So you shouldn't have a problem regardless. I'm helping my new baby BP get used to me by sticking him in my shirt while I watch TV a couple times a week. That way he can "hide" and be warm while smelling me and getting used to my scent. :)

I have heard of strong scents and perfumes irritating ball pythons' lungs, but if she doesn't seem bothered by it it's probably okay. But she will definitely recognize you, with or without lotion. :) Sounds like you've got a sweet girl.

We also have a new baby, an 8 week old female normal. This is our first snake, and we've had her for 2 weeks now. I just fed her for the second time, and we've successfully switched her over from live to f/t. (My son has severe allergies, so a reptile is the only pet we can have. If his allergist had approved rodents in the house, I would have gotten him a guinea pig years ago!)

WarriorPrincess90 I see you're also in the Tampa Bay area. We got the baby and several months of frozen mice from a really wonderful breeder in Lakeland. (Family Reptile, which I highly recommend.) Can you suggest anyplace local where I can find frozen feeders? I checked out Petco's selection of overpriced, freezer burnt rodents, and decided that I'd rather drive back to Lakeland!

Oh, and Millie, the new baby, is still somewhat nervous around us, but hasn't struck. The hard part is waiting until she's comfortable to handle her more!

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Originally Posted by Libby

We also have a new baby, an 8 week old female normal. This is our first snake, and we've had her for 2 weeks now. I just fed her for the second time, and we've successfully switched her over from live to f/t. (My son has severe allergies, so a reptile is the only pet we can have. If his allergist had approved rodents in the house, I would have gotten him a guinea pig years ago!)

WarriorPrincess90 I see you're also in the Tampa Bay area. We got the baby and several months of frozen mice from a really wonderful breeder in Lakeland. (Family Reptile, which I highly recommend.) Can you suggest anyplace local where I can find frozen feeders? I checked out Petco's selection of overpriced, freezer burnt rodents, and decided that I'd rather drive back to Lakeland!

Oh, and Millie, the new baby, is still somewhat nervous around us, but hasn't struck. The hard part is waiting until she's comfortable to handle her more!

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I get my frozen feeders from MiceDirect. I got mine at the last show, but you can also order them online. :) I don't know of any decent local breeders that sell frozen though. :/

interesting concept, although im not sure the snake will remember the last time you held it. I am sure however they sense fear.

Sensing fear could be a few things, Endorphin's your body sends out or different heat patterns in your body

My normal is cool with everyone

My Lesser on the other hand knows my wife doesn't care for him and he senses that i'm sure of it.. He will come out of his hide when she is in the basement but retreats back to it when she leaves

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Originally Posted by WarriorPrincess90

I get my frozen feeders from MiceDirect. I got mine at the last show, but you can also order them online. :) I don't know of any decent local breeders that sell frozen though. :/

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Thanks so much, that's really helpful! (Though I think the name "MiceDirect" is hysterical. Has that "Man, I'm really jonesing for a mouse!", delivered in a discrete brown paper package feel to it.) :D

it's funny micedirects chicks are cheaper then rats lol

MiceDirect has been really good to me so far, my picky guy will only eat dark-colored rodents and I called ahead of a show to see what they had and they sorted out and brought me a big bag of dark colored, frozen rats. .....and of course he still won't eat f/t, but I'm working on it.

My bp is totally fine with me handling him, the only time he's ever been snippy was when I moved him into a new tank and swapped out his old hide with a new one to try to get him to move over the hot spot. I was well out of striking range, it was more like an adorable, cranky pout than a biting attempt!. However, as fine as he is with me, if I give him to anyone else he immediately goes in to ball-mode and won't come out. Even with people who've raised snakes and know how to handle them, yet he's never done that with me. So it really does seem like not only can they recognize your scent they can recognize "unfamiliar human" scents as well.

My baby BP "Lilly" is a shy,curious,sweet Normal that I am truly in love with. Three weeks ago, I responded to a Craigslist Ad of a baby BP a young man had. Turns out his roomie bailed out to Oregon,leaving this baby abandoned and cold. She was thin and starving as well. I took her home to begin the process of rehabilitation. :banana:
Presently, "Lil" (nick name) is thriving well and eating like a little garbage disposal.LOL. her body has increased in size as well as some length. Still in the process in getting all the equipment I want. I am wanting to get a digital Gram scale to keep accurate weight accounts. Her habitat is an ongoing process and I even have a vet for her.( The same one I use when rehabbing wildlife ) I keep contact with a local breeder I know personally. She is so helpful, I am even considering a second snake in my future.:P

0.1.0.Normal BP

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Originally Posted by Spookitie

Sounds like you have a nice friendly social girl :) I love the name you picked for her, btw. Sometimes I have dreams that my snakes grow wings and start flying:D

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Lol, thanks! I read those books years ago as a child, and somehow the name presented itself to me while I was trying to think of one for her.

We have one male that's particularly ornery and he used to love to strike at us and get really nasty. But my partner and I put small scraps of cloth that we wore in our clothing for a few days in his cage and he's much better now. He's still tense and rather shy, but he won't try to tag us anymore. Worked for us. :)

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Originally Posted by twoyrbrat

My baby BP "Lilly" is a shy,curious,sweet Normal that I am truly in love with. Three weeks ago, I responded to a Craigslist Ad of a baby BP a young man had. Turns out his roomie bailed out to Oregon,leaving this baby abandoned and cold. She was thin and starving as well. I took her home to begin the process of rehabilitation. :banana:
Presently, "Lil" (nick name) is thriving well and eating like a little garbage disposal.LOL. her body has increased in size as well as some length. Still in the process in getting all the equipment I want. I am wanting to get a digital Gram scale to keep accurate weight accounts. Her habitat is an ongoing process and I even have a vet for her.( The same one I use when rehabbing wildlife ) I keep contact with a local breeder I know personally. She is so helpful, I am even considering a second snake in my future.:P

0.1.0.Normal BP

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Nice to hear ya saved a BP!!! Good luck with your second one if you decide to go for one.

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Originally Posted by hotelvoodoo

We have one male that's particularly ornery and he used to love to strike at us and get really nasty. But my partner and I put small scraps of cloth that we wore in our clothing for a few days in his cage and he's much better now. He's still tense and rather shy, but he won't try to tag us anymore. Worked for us. :)

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That's a really cool idea!! Thanks for sharing, I'm gonna do that.


Rather than make a new post about it, I'm just gonna throw this out here. Now this is just a thought, an idea, a paranoid one at that. So those who look down on live feeding argue that the mouse could hurt the snake, which is absolutely true. But...not with broken limbs...

Anybody ever think about doing that? Its pretty cruel but snake > mouse. I don't have intentions do necessarily do this but...it was an interesting thought I figured I would share.

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Originally Posted by Xazereth

That's a really cool idea!! Thanks for sharing, I'm gonna do that.


Rather than make a new post about it, I'm just gonna throw this out here. Now this is just a thought, an idea, a paranoid one at that. So those who look down on live feeding argue that the mouse could hurt the snake, which is absolutely true. But...not with broken limbs...

Anybody ever think about doing that? Its pretty cruel but snake > mouse. I don't have intentions do necessarily do this but...it was an interesting thought I figured I would share.

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Uh....yeah that's not....not very kind. Plus, it's not the limbs you have to worry about, it's the teeth. There are two things I would suggest for lives if you're really worried (which is legitimate) about the rodent hurting the snake.

1) Do a "sloppy" cervical dislocation. It's easier than it sounds, if you're new at it, you probably do it all the time. A broken back or a crushed skull will result in a twitching, jumpy mouse that the snake will think as live, but will not be functioning well enough to bite the snake.

2) If you don't want to do a CD, then "twirl" the mouse/rat. They get surprisingly dizzy very easily. Pick them up by the tail and twirl them either by spinning them or just twirling your thumb and forefinger for a bit. Get them good and dizzy and dump them in with the BP, it'll take them a minute to orient themselves and it may be enough time for the snake to grab them before they're able to respond.

Just some ideas...

It is unnessary and cruel to break limbs of prey, or twirl them to make them dizzy.

Either feed live responsibly without torturing the prey item, or stick to f/t.

I feed live exclusively. In over 15K live feedings, I've never ever incapacitated the prey prior to feeding them off. It's simply not necessary. :mad:

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Originally Posted by OmNomNom

Uh....yeah that's not....not very kind. Plus, it's not the limbs you have to worry about, it's the teeth. There are two things I would suggest for lives if you're really worried (which is legitimate) about the rodent hurting the snake.

1) Do a "sloppy" cervical dislocation. It's easier than it sounds, if you're new at it, you probably do it all the time. A broken back or a crushed skull will result in a twitching, jumpy mouse that the snake will think as live, but will not be functioning well enough to bite the snake.

2) If you don't want to do a CD, then "twirl" the mouse/rat. They get surprisingly dizzy very easily. Pick them up by the tail and twirl them either by spinning them or just twirling your thumb and forefinger for a bit. Get them good and dizzy and dump them in with the BP, it'll take them a minute to orient themselves and it may be enough time for the snake to grab them before they're able to respond.

Just some ideas...

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Reading your post just cracked me up, lol. You're right its not very kind at all. I just couldn't help but notice the mice will scratch like crazy when she curls up on them. Like the really fast, maniacal scratching to try and break free. And then I noticed a little scratch on the top of her the following week, and I'm betting that it was the damn mouse!! I know its cruel...but the damn mouse is going to die anyways and if by some chance that mouse were to hurt her I know I would regret not flailing that little son of a butch in a plastic bag for 20 minutes.

I'll look into the CD..lol, might just stick with the plastic bag. That's not too inhumane anyways.

@Raber Your statistics encourage me to treat the mice better. Lol. I will take this into account!!

I agree with Robin; the only time a mouse is actually going to damage a snake is if it's left in overnight to chew on the snake. If you supervise feedings there's no serious risk. Worst case scenario, the mouse gives the snake a little nibble and you remove it. No harm done. Or the snake grabs the mouse too far down and the mouse turns around and bites it for a few seconds. Snakes are tough; a tiny nip or scratch from a mouse (which is in and of itself uncommon) isn't going to cause a problem. This is what snakes are built to do; as long as you don't lock them up in a confined space with a mouse that they're not going to eat, they can take care of themselves.

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Originally Posted by OmNomNom

MiceDirect has been really good to me so far, my picky guy will only eat dark-colored rodents and I called ahead of a show to see what they had and they sorted out and brought me a big bag of dark colored, frozen rats. .....and of course he still won't eat f/t, but I'm working on it.

My bp is totally fine with me handling him, the only time he's ever been snippy was when I moved him into a new tank and swapped out his old hide with a new one to try to get him to move over the hot spot. I was well out of striking range, it was more like an adorable, cranky pout than a biting attempt!. However, as fine as he is with me, if I give him to anyone else he immediately goes in to ball-mode and won't come out. Even with people who've raised snakes and know how to handle them, yet he's never done that with me. So it really does seem like not only can they recognize your scent they can recognize "unfamiliar human" scents as well.

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My Clyde has done this strike attempt while out of range. I too took it just to be a cranky pout lol. I have only had him going on 4 weeks now so I am taking it easy and try not to bug him too much but still handle him regularly even if it is just petting him while he is still in his enclosure.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

It is unnessary and cruel to break limbs of prey, or twirl them to make them dizzy.

Either feed live responsibly without torturing the prey item, or stick to f/t.

I feed live exclusively. In over 15K live feedings, I've never ever incapacitated the prey prior to feeding them off. It's simply not necessary. :mad:

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I've actually never fed live, so I wouldn't even know how "risky" it is to the snake, or the likely-hood of either rodent or snake suffering. If possible I'd like things to be as painless for both parties involved! Breaking limbs.....yeah no...just no.

And by "twirling" I don't mean swinging them around like a bolo! Good heavens, no, a little twirl doesn't harm them any more than spinning around quickly in a circle does to us. I don't want to give you the impression that I'm not very concerned about the humane treatment of feeder rodents, or lazily suggesting things out of no-where. I'm new to keeping BPs, can't say I'm doing much more than still learning at this point, but when it comes to other animals, rodents in particular....let's see...yeah, I'm well over 15k in terms of numbers that I've handled and cared for. :) I'm always more than happy to help or provide suggestions when it comes to their care, housing, or humane ways for sacrificing in the hopes of improving the care of not just our reptiles, but the animals we provide as sustenance as well. I would never suggest something that I thought was cruel.

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Originally Posted by OmNomNom

I've actually never fed live, so I wouldn't even know how "risky" it is to the snake, or the likely-hood of either rodent or snake suffering. If possible I'd like things to be as painless for both parties involved! Breaking limbs.....yeah no...just no.

And by "twirling" I don't mean swinging them around like a bolo! Good heavens, no, a little twirl doesn't harm them any more than spinning around quickly in a circle does to us. I don't want to give you the impression that I'm not very concerned about the humane treatment of feeder rodents, or lazily suggesting things out of no-where. I'm new to keeping BPs, can't say I'm doing much more than still learning at this point, but when it comes to other animals, rodents in particular....let's see...yeah, I'm well over 15k in terms of numbers that I've handled and cared for. :) I'm always more than happy to help or provide suggestions when it comes to their care, housing, or humane ways for sacrificing in the hopes of improving the care of not just our reptiles, but the animals we provide as sustenance as well. I would never suggest something that I thought was cruel.

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I'm still not sure what twirling or making them dizzy is supposed to accomplish, though.

Prey items don't enter the enclosure in attack mode and go after the snake. Most will curiously explore the new surroundings, stop to clean their muzzle, sniff around, etc. Twirling an animal to make them dizzy immediately puts them into a fearful state, and one that would cause them to be MORE likely to lash out or respond negatively, than one who is well fed, well hydrated and in general good health and not stunned or dizzy.

Heh, yeah, this is where not having ever fed live becomes obvious. ;) In my head, it works something along the lines of mouse dropped into cage, mouse: "ZOMG IT'S A SNAKE!", snake: "NOMS!", mouse: "NEVAH!!!!" *bite bite bite claw bite struggle bite claw epic battle ensues* "NOOOOOooooooooooooooo"

Okay maybe not so dramatic as that....my head is a strange place...Generally they aren't the brightest of critters on this planet, but I have met me some mean and crazy little buggers once in a while that I wouldn't even want to get my fingers near, much less me poor snake. Most of the time though? Eh. Guess they probably wouldn't even know what a snake is or what to do with it. Either way...I am so happy Shen started to take F/T! Heh.

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Originally Posted by WarriorPrincess90

I've never had a problem with BPs trying to bite me. But my boas are a different story. I came home smelling like IHOP one day and my BCI bit me when I tried to take her out. Some snakes are very sensitive to changes in smell. I know she is. Lol. The others don't care as much, but I have learned that my BCI is one of those sensitive babies. :rolleyes:

Your technique should help her get used to you. The fewer things that change the better I think. But it sounds like you have a sweet, social girl. So you shouldn't have a problem regardless. I'm helping my new baby BP get used to me by sticking him in my shirt while I watch TV a couple times a week. That way he can "hide" and be warm while smelling me and getting used to my scent. :)

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Feels like a silly question but do you mean wrapped up in your shirt or under your shirt against your skin? Sorry if that's a weird question lol

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Originally Posted by omnomnom

mouse: "zomg it's a snake!", snake: "noms!", mouse: "nevah!!!!" *bite bite bite claw bite struggle bite claw epic battle ensues* "noooooooooooooooooooo"

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rofl!!!

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Originally Posted by OmNomNom

Heh, yeah, this is where not having ever fed live becomes obvious. ;) In my head, it works something along the lines of mouse dropped into cage, mouse: "ZOMG IT'S A SNAKE!", snake: "NOMS!", mouse: "NEVAH!!!!" *bite bite bite claw bite struggle bite claw epic battle ensues* "NOOOOOooooooooooooooo"

Okay maybe not so dramatic as that....my head is a strange place...Generally they aren't the brightest of critters on this planet, but I have met me some mean and crazy little buggers once in a while that I wouldn't even want to get my fingers near, much less me poor snake. Most of the time though? Eh. Guess they probably wouldn't even know what a snake is or what to do with it. Either way...I am so happy Shen started to take F/T! Heh.

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In most cases, they nail them so fast, mouse/rat never knows what hit them.

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[QUOTE=OmNomNom;1899496]Heh, yeah, this is where not having ever fed live becomes obvious. ;) In my head, it works something along the lines of mouse dropped into cage, mouse: "ZOMG IT'S A SNAKE!", snake: "NOMS!", mouse: "NEVAH!!!!" *bite bite bite claw bite struggle bite claw epic battle ensues* "NOOOOOooooooooooooooo"

The funniest thing I have ever envisioned in my head. Little mouse with shield and sword. Little snake that breathes fire rofl. I only feed live just watch the whole thing go down who knows you might learn ssomething it's all science-y and stuff

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

In most cases, they nail them so fast, mouse/rat never knows what hit them.

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unless its my Normal LOL... He's so lazy its depressing haha He just kind of reaches out grabs it and neglects to coil real hard LOL

I think its a product of being fed F/T and not live

Where as my lesser nails coils and devours like he's never eaten before, coming from a little wee guy who was force fed 3 times just over a year ago, he's come a long way