Tips for Handling?

I have a 1.5 yr old male bp. He's awesome and is super easy to handle. I have no problems handling him and even my 2 boys, at 3.5 and 1.5, are able to handle him easily with supervision. My question is about my husband. Hes nervous about handling him. Anyone have any good tips to help him get comfortable handling the snake? I've tried everything I can think of, he even watched me clean the tank out today while the snake just sat around my neck. He'll hold the snake for a couple minutes if I take him out and set him on my husbands hand and forearm but he just stands there like a statue. The snake was my husbands idea and I'd love for him to get comfortable enough to actually handle and enjoy him, instead of being a perch.

Is he scared of the ball python, or does he just not know what to do/how to move?

If he's just confused how to hold them, maybe I'd tell him specific instructions like:

1. support the middle heaviest parts of its body
2. move your hand wherever is needed to help it keep balance
3. re-direct its head by holding your hand under the lower neck and moving it
4. it won't run away? LOL

Maybe he should practice sitting with it on his lap first.

My girlfriend had a phobia of snakes, she was petrified to the point she would shake seeing it. The way I got around the issue was both sitting down together letting her hold the body while I controlled the head (the scary end lol) and just letting her support the body. After a while of doing that she realised that she wasn't going to get eaten alive and became more confident, it's all about little steps and building that level of confidence whether it's fear of the snake or fear of not knowing what to do. Hope that helps

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

He's always been scared of snakes. Especially smaller snakes. I'm hoping as he grows, my husband will get more comfortable. As it is now, he basically puts his arm and hand out, palm up and I place the snake on him, making sure he's supported properly. I stand right beside him to control the head and take it off. That's all he'll do, he won't sit down with it, won't hold it on his lap... My husband will run away before th snake! Haha. So basically, keep making him handle the snake a little bit at a time until he relaxes?

I wouldn't worry about it. If he doesn't want to handle the snake I wouldn't push him. This isn't something he HAS to enjoy.

I was the same way, for the most part. I agreed to the snake as I was fascinated but also apprehensive. I wasn't so much as scared, but nervous that I was going to not handle correctly or do something wrong, as well as the creepy-crawly feeling. After a couple handlings, I started to get more comfortable. Don't push him, let him get there at his own pace. Guide him and encourage him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cletus

I wouldn't worry about it. If he doesn't want to handle the snake I wouldn't push him. This isn't something he HAS to enjoy.

---

He wants to. Right from the beginning he's been interested. He was actually more involved in the cleaning, changing water, general tank upkeep routine than I was at first. Now that Millow has settled in and gotten used to us and enjoys coming out, he's gotten less involved. Maybe we'll try with a long sleeve shirt to avoid the slithering feeling. I think he gets nervous around Millow's head. I do my best to keep his head away but, he's a pretty cuddly snake and seems to like having his head resting on us.


Thanks for the tips and advice everyone!

Honestly, it's probably similar advice as for a snake that's nervous about being handled. Keep handling sessions short and low-stress, and minimize negative or startling experiences. It takes time for animals to overcome deep-seated fears, even human animals. 😃

Tall about timing. My husband came home from work today and asked to hold Millow! Held him for about 5 minutes and was almost comfortable. He was a little tense but more relaxed than usual!

Maybe he found this thread. HAHA

But good for him!! That's interesting that he wants to be super involved with the snake but has a phobia.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gruba

He wants to. Right from the beginning he's been interested. He was actually more involved in the cleaning, changing water, general tank upkeep routine than I was at first. Now that Millow has settled in and gotten used to us and enjoys coming out, he's gotten less involved. Maybe we'll try with a long sleeve shirt to avoid the slithering feeling. I think he gets nervous around Millow's head. I do my best to keep his head away but, he's a pretty cuddly snake and seems to like having his head resting on us.


Thanks for the tips and advice everyone!

---

Well. My gf had never touched a snake before and didn't even like to look at them in pics. Now she absolutely loves mine. It didn't take that long. I just had her sit down and put her hands palms facing up on her lap. I set the snake into her palms and she was kinda nervous and wanted to scream every time it moved. Once she realized it wasn't going to bite her she calmed down. Whenever I would clean the tub I would ask her if she would hold her for me and I would just ask her if she was ok. In the beginning she would last a couple minutes until she couldn't stand it anymore but she gradually relaxed and now really enjoys holding her. Was the same thing with the kids. Just focus on calm and relaxed and no sudden movements and it should be fine.

Also, I certainly didn't mean to imply that you were forcing the snake on him in my initial post. I'm really sorry if I came across that way. Didn't mean to. Some people are just afraid of snakes no matter what you do. Some get over it, some never do. My son is that guy. He is a certified tough guy and isn't afraid of much. Except for snakes and spiders. lol I don't force it on him. lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cletus

Also, I certainly didn't mean to imply that you were forcing the snake on him in my initial post. I'm really sorry if I came across that way. Didn't mean to. Some people are just afraid of snakes no matter what you do. Some get over it, some never do. My son is that guy. He is a certified tough guy and isn't afraid of much. Except for snakes and spiders. lol I don't force it on him. lol

---

I didn't take it that way at all! Just thought it was relevant that he's interested and WANTS to be involved in the handling but, he's nervous. Its not even that he's scared of him, he's just not comfortable. I can't even say its nervousness for sure. I don't think he knows what to do with the head. He knows that moving too quick near his head makes him recoil a bit so he doesn't know how to redirect. That's my theory anyways. I've been showing him how to gently move his head without startling either one of them!