Bp feeding n flinching and overall getting used to snakes

I'm a new bp owner. And my bp is eating pooping and shedding. So happy about that. I handle him 3 times a week with no problem let him crawl all around my hand. I had a regular fear of snakes and two weeks after handling my first one I bought one. My gf likes snakes. I had this snake for about a month. So having said that I've been having nightmares of snakes and I flinch when I feed him. So my question does that go away? Meaning in time I'll be able to feed him with confidence. Anyone else use to do the same?

It seems like you're good and on track with a healthy ball python! But the whole flinching thing, that goes away. I used to have the same with my my first boy, he ate live so I'd jump when he'd attack and the rat would cry out. But sooner or later you start to expect it to happen and can tell when they'll strike and all that. So it won't even phase you after that. Yep! So don't worry, this is only the beginning with your new boy :)

You feed F/T? If so, def should be using tongs. It makes it easier.


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You'll get over it, I never had that problem, though I don't really like hearing the rodent make noise as it's being constricted.

I've had my BP for 6 months and I still flinch when I feed her. Its not that I'm scared of her. She'll sit in the striking position for like 30 seconds, so the anticipation just builds and builds until when she finally strikes, it makes me jump. I do hope it goes away though, I always feel so silly for jumping afterwards.

The only time ive jumped is before i had tongs and my super mojave missed the rat. She got me. But my girl used to jump everytime, not so much anymore. Even the 7 year old didnt flinch last time i let her feed. Patience.

I don't really flinch when I feed him (f/t with tongs) because I'm watching him eye it up, so I know when hes going to hit it and I'm pretty far removed so I'm not scared he'll hit me by accident. My wife jumps every time though!

As far as being nervous or jumpy period, I'd never owned a snake, or even handled a snake, before I got my noodle, so the initial handling was frightening. I was so scared, couldn't do, would pick him half up and then set him down, then freak out because I figured I was stressing him out. After calming myself down and sucking it up a bit, I'm MUCH more calm with him. Basically, give it time, it gets easier!

I've had my first ball for about 6 months and I was pretty jumpy/flinchy with handling the first month or so. Picking him up, you just have to do it without hesitation. I never really had a problem grabbing him out of the tub, just the actual handling. Mine is head shy so when he would flinch, it would make me jump when I was holding him. It just took time to get used to handling, and I no longer jump when he flinches. I do still jump at every feeding even though I know when the strike is going to happen, but I'm a jumpy person in general. (I'm real fun to watch scary movies with haha). Just give it time and have confidence, it will pass. 😊

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Originally Posted by Andera33

Mine is head shy so when he would flinch, it would make me jump when I was holding him. It just took time to get used to handling, and I no longer jump when he flinches.

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That's what would get me! And when he would pull his head back he would be in an S shape and I thought S=strike, which would freak me out even more. I did some research into what a BP actually does when defensive/striking and felt much more calm when he would pull his head back while being handled.

I always jump. But I jump sometimes opening cans of biscuits. It isn't really fear just a reflex.

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Exactly this lol

I see people feeding their bp on YouTube and they let the snake grab on to it for a bit before letting go. No Finching or nothing lol. I flinch and get jumpy even though I know it's coming.
Like jack in the box...feel really silly after.

For those that asked yes it's with tongs and yes it's with f/t lol I can only imagine live. U guys cool but you crazy lol

I could just imagine you with a problem feeder that only takes live lol. You got lucky:rolleyes:

and yeah sometimes people who feed f/t will hold onto the prey item even after the animal has struck, just to wiggle it around and give the snake the simulation of a struggle. It tends to help animals that are reluctant to eat f/t get the job done, and either way I think it adds a bit of enrichment ;)

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Originally Posted by Dtotheot

I see people feeding their bp on YouTube and they let the snake grab on to it for a bit before letting go. No Finching or nothing lol. I flinch and get jumpy even though I know it's coming.
Like jack in the box...feel really silly after.

For those that asked yes it's with tongs and yes it's with f/t lol I can only imagine live. U guys cool but you crazy lol

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It can take time to get used to their food response and to stop flinching.

Also people who feed BP's often keep other species that are larger, and hit harder and faster, so feeding a BP isn't a big deal any more.

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Originally Posted by Trisnake

I could just imagine you with a problem feeder that only takes live lol. You got lucky:rolleyes:

and yeah sometimes people who feed f/t will hold onto the prey item even after the animal has struck, just to wiggle it around and give the snake the simulation of a struggle. It tends to help animals that are reluctant to eat f/t get the job done, and either way I think it adds a bit of enrichment ;)

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I do that too sometimes. But a couple of weeks ago I had the cage door open, was moving the f/t medium rat forward and the snake's head unexpectedly zipped out about 6 inches, grabbed the rat out of the tongs and snapped back into the enclosure before I could even react LOL.