My Bp doesnt like me :(

Ok, so ive had honeybee for about a month now, and she seems attached to my uncle. I have picked her up before and let her explore, she seemed fine until she went up to my leg and bit me,(that problem has been tooken care of) anyway, i dont know why, but im still afraid of getting bit, I know, it doesnt even hurt, I think its the surprise of getting bit, and that i dont want to hurt her.( Shes big, about 3 1/2 feet) So i tried to take her out of her cage one day, and she wouldnt let me, she went up in a ball. My uncle took her out and she was just fine. But i can sit down a little away fro her, and she avoids me :(. It really hurts to me, because I have always wanted a ball python, and she wont even let me pick her up. But she lets my uncle. Also, I really dont know why im afraid of a bite when i have already been bitten out of a feeding response. I know, this is probably one of the dumbest posts, but plz help!:(

Good news is that he does not hate you but it will not love you either, they are not capable of that kind of emotions, they do however sense whether someone is comfortable with the or someone that is apprehensive, uncomfortable or fearful.

Those are wild animals and owning a BP will mean you will get bit sooner or later, they don't enjoy being handled they tolerate it, so if you are looking for an animal to bond with a snake is just not it.

This is a total theory but maybe she can sense that you're afraid? And that makes her afraid to go near you? Or maybe you can figure out what she likes about your uncle and try to mimic it (is his temperature, way of holding, amount of body hair lol thats weird but idk) on yourself? Lastly, maybe she smells something on you she doesn't like (a medication, your perfume, another animal, etc) don't worry I've posted wayyyyy stupider stuff on here. I hope you find something that works, dont be disheartened there's a ton of really knowledgeable people on here who I'm sure can help you out (better than me at least lol) [emoji173]

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Normal doesn't mean boring! [emoji4]

Thank u, It might've been the lotion I was wearing at the time. I will try not to be so nevous too.
Thank u!:snake:

I think BP's dont exactly like or hate anybody.

If you hesitate when reaching into the cage, or tense up when holding your girl, she might feel afraid that you're going to accidentally hurt her or drop her. By trusting in yourself and holding her gently but confidently a few times a week, Honeybee will eventually begin to trust your touch. Try wearing gloves to get her out the first few times, just to help with your apprehension about getting bit! If she balls up, that's ok - give her time to come out on her own. With time, these awesome snakes can easily become laid-back, great pets :-) good luck! [emoji1360]


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I approach all my snakes from behind NEVER go towards their face / eyes / teeth :)


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Originally Posted by Alurii

Thank u, It might've been the lotion I was wearing at the time. I will try not to be so nevous too.
Thank u!:snake:

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You're welcome! Glad I could help a bit :) dont force yourself to feel any sort of way, Try to be natural [emoji216]

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Normal doesn't mean boring! [emoji4]

The best advice I can give you is to just try to be confident when picking her up. Respect her, don't fear her. It may take some time for you both to get more comfortable with one another, and that's ok. Take your time, develop a trust with your snake.

They aren't capable of like, love, hate or any emotions like that. As has been said above, they tolerate being handled. They don't seek it out. You'll never see your snake looking through the glass of her enclosure wagging her tail excited to see you're home from work, school or wherever.

One trick that may help her acclimate to you may be to try wearing a t-shirt or something that belongs to your uncle. Your snake may recognize his smell and be more inclined to trust you. But, even with that being said, it's going to come to confidence on your part.

Don't give up, don't let it get you down. It may take a little time and effort on your part (your snake won't initiate it), but it'll be worth it.

Good luck! Hope this helped a little.

Don't worry. She can live upwards of 30 years, so you guys have plenty of time to get to know each other. Just be confident and everything will work out. Also, I recommend you handle your Ball Python before you shower or put on body chemicals with strong odors. My Ball Python is very outgoing and loves to crawl all around me but if I've recently taken a shower or put on deodorant, he tenses up and stays in a ball.
Also, I recommend handling during late afternoon/early evening when Ball Pythons are most active. Be in a moderate to low lit room and make sure other animals are not present. Sit down while holding her too. When picking her up, either do so from the sides away from her head and scoop her from underneath or use snake hooks.


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Originally Posted by Deborah

Good news is that he does not hate you but it will not love you either, they are not capable of that kind of emotions, they do however sense whether someone is comfortable with the or someone that is apprehensive, uncomfortable or fearful.

Those are wild animals and owning a BP will mean you will get bit sooner or later, they don't enjoy being handled they tolerate it, so if you are looking for an animal to bond with a snake is just not it.

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I used to feel this way until my wife got her BEL. They are BFFs and in love lol.

Her BEL comes out of her hide when my wife comes around and goes to the door of her enclosure. She also pushes her head into her fingers for her massage ....they cuddle.

I know, I know....not the norm....but they bonded :D

One other thing to add. Spend time watching her, just watching - no touching or even opening the cage. Learn her patterns and her body language. This will help you to be more confident and get surprised less.

For instance, I know Mashadar will come out between 9:30 and 11 pm every night to explore. If I want to handle him I wait for him to come out. Then I just open the door and let him climb over my arms and I can lift him out. If he resists at all (ie curling his tail around a branch or retreating from my hand), I leave him be.
I know what his body language is when he is in feed mode or "hunting". When he has the slight 'S' curve to his neck and his tongue is going a million flicks an hour - this would not be a good time to reach in and mess with him or try and clean or what not. I've had him for two years and he's not struck / bitten yet.

Just give yourself time to learn her and for her to learn you. It may be that your Uncle is more confident. I know my guy won't strike when my fiance tries to feed him. He's a little flinchy and has jerked when the Mashadar struck one of the first times he fed him and my snake bumped his snoot on the glass pretty hard. Now Mashadar is hesitant to strike if I'm not the one feeding.

They may not have the ability to have higher emotions, but they can remember things. It may take time for her to come to realize that you are not a predator that is going to hurt her. Be patient, she should come around :)

*also, make sure she is getting properly sized meals often enough, they can get snarky if they are hungry

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Originally Posted by Crowfingers

One other thing to add. Spend time watching her, just watching - no touching or even opening the cage. Learn her patterns and her body language. This will help you to be more confident and get surprised less.

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Also great advice. Great advice for any keeper new to snakes, or any animal really.

Snakes can definitely sense fear, and they know and respond to uncertainty. This is most likely what is happening with your interactions, perhaps compounding other possible issues mentioned such as approach and chemical odor etc.

Who normally interacts with the snake? Like feeding, water changes, spot cleaning, all that jazz. If it is your uncle who usually does these things, it may just be that his scent and presence have become recognizable to the snake, and she has learned through repeated exposure that he is not a threat to her. She may just be uncertain of you and fearful of the unknown, especially when you're afraid and uncertain of her too. In this case leaving a small article of clothing or object that has your scent on it inside the cage with her and/or building up small interactions (such as water changes and spot cleanings) should help aclimate her to you.

Im curious though, how did the leg bite occur? Like what do you think prompted it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crowfingers

One other thing to add. Spend time watching her, just watching - no touching or even opening the cage. Learn her patterns and her body language. This will help you to be more confident and get surprised less.

For instance, I know Mashadar will come out between 9:30 and 11 pm every night to explore. If I want to handle him I wait for him to come out. Then I just open the door and let him climb over my arms and I can lift him out. If he resists at all (ie curling his tail around a branch or retreating from my hand), I leave him be.
I know what his body language is when he is in feed mode or "hunting". When he has the slight 'S' curve to his neck and his tongue is going a million flicks an hour - this would not be a good time to reach in and mess with him or try and clean or what not. I've had him for two years and he's not struck / bitten yet.

Just give yourself time to learn her and for her to learn you. It may be that your Uncle is more confident. I know my guy won't strike when my fiance tries to feed him. He's a little flinchy and has jerked when the Mashadar struck one of the first times he fed him and my snake bumped his snoot on the glass pretty hard. Now Mashadar is hesitant to strike if I'm not the one feeding.

They may not have the ability to have higher emotions, but they can remember things. It may take time for her to come to realize that you are not a predator that is going to hurt her. Be patient, she should come around :)

*also, make sure she is getting properly sized meals often enough, they can get snarky if they are hungry

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This....this is great....wish my hubby would understand this lol hes so scared of our two BPs and RTB