Don't be a girl about it.

I've always been scared of snakes, but my husband loves them. I told him I wanted to get over my fear, so he bought a cornsnake a whilr back. We had issues and that snake didn't make it. He bought a ball python recently and (s)he seems way healthier and friendly. I don't mind holding Fuzzy, but I can't bring myself to reach in the tank and grab him/her.

Any tips for getting over this?

Give a little time for yourself. I go over it when I was 12, but I didn't have no one to grab the snake out and clean the vivarium. Your mind knows that Fuzzy cannot kill you, but the fear from them is coded in the human nature. Now just hold him sometimes, and with time everything will change. :gj:

Uh, I think that being patient and getting more comfortable with the snake is the best thing to do. Give yourself time and maybe put your hand inside the enclosure and maybe stroke the snake, but not too much and not too often. Then some day, you can just say to yourself, "Don't be a girl about it" and go in and pick the snake up. The snake will probably be able to tell if you're nervous, so go in there with complete confidence and tell yourself that you're not going to get bit.

You could try at first using leather work gloves like the kind you can get at Home Depot/Lowes and get use to learning how to read the snakes behavior and attitude when opening their tank and going in for them. Last night I had to take my Super Pastel female out to clean her tub and pick off a piece of stuck shed. She did not seem happy to see me going in for her and snapped at me once or twice, likely because I had just fed 4 of her rack mates but not her though sometimes they're just grumpy. I used one hand to distract her, keeping it in front of her, and then used my other hand to reach in behind her and take her out. Once you get them out and out of that feeding mode they calm down and chill out. Keep at it you can get over it, better to get comfortable doing it now before it's 1500g's.

In my experience both males and females of the human species are both equally afraid of
snakes. My husband and many of his big Marine buddies wont go anywhere near any of my
ball pythons. They'll cringe when I take one out around them and back away.
Give yourself time to get used to your snake. Know that a ball python is more afraid of
you than you are of them. Think about it, you're HUGE compared to them. Plus you're not,
and never have been, on their menu.
And please refrain from any "like a girl" labels. We are still desperately trying to get away
from people saying you throw/hit/run or whatever "like a girl" being used as a dig toward anyone.
I hear enough of that mess from being around so many Marines. It's their go to insult to each other.
Please, you may have a daughter one day. Thank you and good luck.

You can try using a snake hook.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by qegalpal

In my experience both males and females of the human species are both equally afraid of
snakes. My husband and many of his big Marine buddies wont go anywhere near any of my
ball pythons. They'll cringe when I take one out around them and back away.
Give yourself time to get used to your snake. Know that a ball python is more afraid of
you than you are of them. Think about it, you're HUGE compared to them. Plus you're not,
and never have been, on their menu.
And please refrain from any "like a girl" labels. We are still desperately trying to get away
from people saying you throw/hit/run or whatever "like a girl" being used as a dig toward anyone.
I hear enough of that mess from being around so many Marines. It's their go to insult to each other.
Please, you may have a daughter one day. Thank you and good luck.

---

Pretty much this. I've loved snakes all my life, and I'm encouraging that appreciation in my daughter, who also loves our snakes, the spiders we find in our house and garden, and pretty much all of nature, even the weird creepy bits. Fear reactions are a learned behavior that have nothing to do with what's between your legs or how you relate to it. That means you needs to give yourself time to UNlearn them. And when the time comes, do be a girl about it! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by qegalpal

In my experience both males and females of the human species are both equally afraid of
snakes. My husband and many of his big Marine buddies wont go anywhere near any of my
ball pythons. They'll cringe when I take one out around them and back away.
Give yourself time to get used to your snake. Know that a ball python is more afraid of
you than you are of them. Think about it, you're HUGE compared to them. Plus you're not,
and never have been, on their menu.
And please refrain from any "like a girl" labels. We are still desperately trying to get away
from people saying you throw/hit/run or whatever "like a girl" being used as a dig toward anyone.
I hear enough of that mess from being around so many Marines. It's their go to insult to each other.
Please, you may have a daughter one day. Thank you and good luck.

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I didn't mean any thing bad by it. And I do have a daughter, she's three and loves fuzzy.

Learn how to use a snake hook. That way you can control the snakes head (even if it was never going to strike anyways), and you might feel more comfortable taking her out.

My husband is jittery handling my garters and won't even go near the BP. Neither him nor any of his buddies will even stay in the same room when I'm doing something with the tarantulas. Nothing to do with sex or gender. :)

I have a lot of family members that are really afraid of snakes... Like REALLY scared of them. It usually helps them if I'm holding the snake so I've got some control over where its head is going, then they can touch the snake's sides or whatever. Maybe handling the snake while someone else that's more comfortable with it is around would help. That way you can build up your confidence without worrying too much about trying to read the snake's body language since you've got someone else there to do that?

I never meant anything about gender, it was just the title I chose for my post. I was simply meaning I'm scared to pick up our snake. I can hold and handle Fuzzy just fine for the most part, I change the water daily and everything, I just can't seem to be able to bring myself to grab Fuzzy out from the tank.

Don't worry, no one try to attacking you :) Just the jour title is "catching", and I understand why. See this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

My big, strong husband fear to touch a snake, or fear to coming with me do bungee or parachute.

Just don't care that "girly" part. Care your snake, and care yourself to understand and calm your fears. We're different. Many cases better, many cases worst than men. That gives the balance. ;)

You will get over it over time as you become more comfortable with him and learn to read his body language. If it makes you feel better, my husband is deathly terrified of my snakes. At the repticon in Raleigh, I was able to get about 8 people who were previously fearful of snakes to not only touch but hold a ball python for the first time. I was able to change those peoples minds about snakes when I didn't even know them. My husband, I can't even get in the same room with them

Snakes have always had a bad rep. But I guess we all have our fears. I mean, I'm afraid of anteaters but I love tarantulas .


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Give yourself some time. When my husband got our snake it took me about a week to take him out of the tank. I checked in on him everyday, watched how my husband grabbed him (no sudden movements and make sure he saw us) and would change his water (involved me sticking my hand in the tank). I also figured, if the snakes going to bite me, he's going to bite me, it will hurt but I'll get over it. I'm his primary handler now, we've had him 2.5 years. Just remember to go slow and go look at him everyday. Once you feel comfortable, just do it. Make sure the snake sees you, sometimes a light pet before picking up helps. Remember to grab the upper or middle part of the body.

If it is a fear of picking him up from the tank try this.... Hold him/her for a while then place him/her in the tank and almost immediately pick him/her back up. Hold for a while then repeat. Each time take a little longer before you pick him/her back up. After awhile you should notice the anxiety you have for picking up your snake fade off. Do this over a few days if needed.

Just wanted to say I picked Fuzzy up today, all ny myself! I reached in after changing the water in the water bowl and pet him/her for a while then picked him/her up. I am beyond proud of myself. :)

I know that sounds stupid to most (if not all) of you, but I was seriously terrified to do so until today.

Congrats on the progress! Before you know it you'll find it second nature picking up your ball. Be patient and gentle - don't rush it and he/she will be comfortable with your actions. It is tough, at first to reach in and pick them up but, like people on here say, a little side rub before you take her out will let her know your intentions.

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Originally Posted by snake.named.fuzzy

Just wanted to say I picked Fuzzy up today, all ny myself! I reached in after changing the water in the water bowl and pet him/her for a while then picked him/her up. I am beyond proud of myself. :)

I know that sounds stupid to most (if not all) of you, but I was seriously terrified to do so until today.

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Awesome! It doesn't sound stupid. A lot of people have a fear of snakes. Once you start talking about how you own 1 or 25 you will realize how many people you know that are afraid of them. Congrats on conquering you fears and good luck with fuzzy and your next one...lol

Just wanted to say congratulations on the progress. It's definitely worth being proud of yourself for. Getting over that fear is a big step. Some of us never have the fear, some of us are terrified even after owning 5 of them for years, and some of us gain or lose the fear through time. I'm glad to hear you and Fuzzy are becoming closer.

I have a question if you don't mind me asking; have you actually been bitten yet? Ironically enough, and I'm just speaking from personal experience, getting a little nip might actually help you immensely with the hesitancy and concern. Your subconscious finally learns its not as bad as it thought. It's pretty much the same thought process as with any major fear: first time swimming, first tattoo, etc.

You've heard really good advice so far, handling and time are the two best tools for overcoming fear. You're already on the right path towards a very close relationship. I wish you luck :)

My girlfriend Loves snakes. I was scared to touch them. She had 6 balls and a king. I have taken on caring for the balls. But I cant bring myself to touch the king. Too tiny and fidgety. I got over my fear 2 ways. Got interested in how morphs made money and I was trying to get my son to touch it but he was scared so i had to just do it. After I did. It wasnt so bad. Every one in a while they freak me out. Time and persistence. Balls are great cuz they dont move much lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Karokash

Just wanted to say congratulations on the progress. It's definitely worth being proud of yourself for. Getting over that fear is a big step. Some of us never have the fear, some of us are terrified even after owning 5 of them for years, and some of us gain or lose the fear through time. I'm glad to hear you and Fuzzy are becoming closer.

I have a question if you don't mind me asking; have you actually been bitten yet? Ironically enough, and I'm just speaking from personal experience, getting a little nip might actually help you immensely with the hesitancy and concern. Your subconscious finally learns its not as bad as it thought. It's pretty much the same thought process as with any major fear: first time swimming, first tattoo, etc.

You've heard really good advice so far, handling and time are the two best tools for overcoming fear. You're already on the right path towards a very close relationship. I wish you luck :)

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No I haven't ever been bit. :/ That makes sense though. I have and have had a few piercings and I always got nervous in the beginning, same as my first tattoo. Now though it doesn't bother me. Thank you!

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Originally Posted by bimmer28

My girlfriend Loves snakes. I was scared to touch them. She had 6 balls and a king. I have taken on caring for the balls. But I cant bring myself to touch the king. Too tiny and fidgety. I got over my fear 2 ways. Got interested in how morphs made money and I was trying to get my son to touch it but he was scared so i had to just do it. After I did. It wasnt so bad. Every one in a while they freak me out. Time and persistence. Balls are great cuz they dont move much lol

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My three year old daughter has more guts than I do. She is more than willing to stick her hand in and grab Fuzzy if we would let her. (We don't, don't worry! )