What about those snappy, defensive hatchlings ..

Time and time again I hear it said. People looking for a Ball Python don't want a snappy hatchling. Or they worry about handling it all the time to "tame" it.

In this video I present my SNAPPIEST hatchling. She was the only one that would literally come flying to the front of the tub, striking at everything!!! Fierce little one, LOL !!!

I just ignored it. I didn't "tame" her. All the handling she got was simply being lifted from a dirty tub into a fresh one. And her tub would get opened at least once the day to "check" on everything, possibly mist, change water, etc. There were a couple quick "photo and or weighing" sessions.

She was quick to eat, gaining weight quickly. And calming down just as fast. I simply ignored her posturing and would push my flat hand down on her angry little head and body GENTLY and then scoop her up. No hesitating, no fearful quick movements. Moving deliberately.

Look at her now !

Today is her first actual handling session. She came flying out the tub like she does, but now its just curiosity. Never a strike or slightest hiss. She is completely calm and unstressed. Not even head shy, I can pet that formerly angry little head and she couldn't care less, LOL.

This is going to be one cool Ball Python and anyone preferring a "non snappy" baby could miss out on a pretty neat one ;)...

I'm having WAY to much fun with these hatchlings :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9LC...m-upload_owner

Maybe you just have some very magical hands :cool::D:P

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Originally Posted by oodaT

Maybe you just have some very magical hands :cool::D:P

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LOL, yeah, I don't think its that...hehe.

It just goes to show, they grow out of that phase, even without any actual taming or long handling sessions involved. I actually enjoy those brave, brassy ones ;)

I have one that could hiss like a Teapot !!! Of course she stopped doing that too, but that was funny!! She is also a very forward, unafraid little one. Also ate quickly and eats lots and is now a fatty !

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Originally Posted by zina10

LOL, yeah, I don't think its that...hehe.

It just goes to show, they grow out of that phase, even without any actual taming or long handling sessions involved. I actually enjoy those brave, brassy ones ;)

I have one that could hiss like a Teapot !!! Of course she stopped doing that too, but that was funny!! She is also a very forward, unafraid little one. Also ate quickly and eats lots and is now a fatty !

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My little lesser male is a hell of a hisser, when i slide his tub open he's going at it. Once i give him a rub on his side tho he's done with the hissing.

Great work, snake whisperer.

Next thing you are going to tell me is snakes can be trained. I am not sure I like all this hippie talk about snakes I hear lately. :p

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Originally Posted by SDA

Next thing you are going to tell me is snakes can be trained. I am not sure I like all this hippie talk about snakes I hear lately. :p

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You're telling me you don't teach them to sit up and beg? Well..hells bells !! lol

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Originally Posted by zina10

You're telling me you don't teach them to sit up and beg? Well..hells bells !! lol

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Like so?! Lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...621c4864cc.jpg

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the quick and frequent handling sessions have been doing really well for Coffee Bean. she still postures but seems more interested in her surrounding than me.

the flat hand on the body/head really does help when you see them get uppity. they learn real quick.

excellent job. :gj:

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Originally Posted by zina10

I have one that could hiss like a Teapot !!! Of course she stopped doing that too, but that was funny!! She is also a very forward, unafraid little one. Also ate quickly and eats lots and is now a fatty !

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It's funny, I've heard a few times that the meanest/snappiest ones as hatchlings have the best appetite LOL! Same with one of my ball pythons, the super pastel cinnamon. She's struck at me (nose first) more than I can count in her life, and she has the MOST voracious appetite and the hardest feeding wrap ever haha

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Originally Posted by oodaT

Like so?! Lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...621c4864cc.jpg

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That's it !! Good boy !!! Now give him a cookie. Or a hopper...lol

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Originally Posted by zina10

That's it !! Good boy !!! Now give him a cookie. Or a hopper...lol

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She had 2 that day :D

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

the quick and frequent handling sessions have been doing really well for Coffee Bean. she still postures but seems more interested in her surrounding than me.

the flat hand on the body/head really does help when you see them get uppity. they learn real quick.

excellent job. :gj:

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I'm so glad to hear it !! That worked best for Arjana as well. Some just get more upset with long drawn out handling and it accomplishes the opposite. Short and sweet worked for Arjana. That plus time and routine has really mellowed her out ;)

The flat hand on body/head really does work. I cannot take credit for that, though. I learned of it through forums and youtube, and I was surprised how well it works. Really just snaps them out of the "I'm gonna kill you mode" and they are back to normal, LOL!!

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Originally Posted by oodaT

She had 2 that day :D

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If that's not training, I don't know what is... :rofl:

Yup flat hand over the head and an angry noodle calms right down. And baby bites are funny, they don't even hurt

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Great video and gorgeous snake! Ok so this is a fascinating topic for me and I'm a complete noob...we have had our beautiful pied for one week exactly. He is roughly 200g. And I'm quite sure he literally wants to eat me alive. No hissing, no striking but I haven't really held a snake in 12 years so the couple times I've had him out I am nervous as h*** and expecting him to bite me at any moment. We have had him out twice (my 6yr old and I). Maybe 5-10 min each time. First time he was ok....exploring a bit, second time he seemed tense and stayed tightly wrapped around my hand. I seriously was expecting him to attack the whole time. Sweating lol.

His warm side hide is a log and cool side is a pyramid and he stays in that...it's kinda heavy and I take it off him to get him out but it's cumbersome. Looks cool though.

He has hammered two rat F/T in past week but we gotta wait 48 hrs ideally to hold him after he eats, right? So that really only leaves 3-4 day window to handle before next feeding right? I need to figure this paranoia of getting bit out lol. My daughter loves him and she is too young (6 yrs) to really understand snappy, etc....I really don't want her to get tagged or bit for fear that it may affect her wanting to hold him. Right now she LOVES him. Thanks for the video and insight!!

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Originally Posted by The Night King

Great video and gorgeous snake! Ok so this is a fascinating topic for me and I'm a complete noob...we have had our beautiful pied for one week exactly. He is roughly 200g. And I'm quite sure he literally wants to eat me alive. No hissing, no striking but I haven't really held a snake in 12 years so the couple times I've had him out I am nervous as h*** and expecting him to bite me at any moment. We have had him out twice (my 6yr old and I). Maybe 5-10 min each time. First time he was ok....exploring a bit, second time he seemed tense and stayed tightly wrapped around my hand. I seriously was expecting him to attack the whole time. Sweating lol.

His warm side hide is a log and cool side is a pyramid and he stays in that...it's kinda heavy and I take it off him to get him out but it's cumbersome. Looks cool though.

He has hammered two rat F/T in past week but we gotta wait 48 hrs ideally to hold him after he eats, right? So that really only leaves 3-4 day window to handle before next feeding right? I need to figure this paranoia of getting bit out lol. My daughter loves him and she is too young (6 yrs) to really understand snappy, etc....I really don't want her to get tagged or bit for fear that it may affect her wanting to hold him. Right now she LOVES him. Thanks for the video and insight!!

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Honestly i say the best way to get over the fear is to get bit. It doesn't hurt, at that size I'd doubt it would even break skin. Bite mitzvah's tend to make people more confident about handling.

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Originally Posted by Pezz

Honestly i say the best way to get over the fear is to get bit. It doesn't hurt, at that size I'd doubt it would even break skin. Bite mitzvah's tend to make people more confident about handling.

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+1 for bites making you more confident. my only bite has been from my feisty Coffee Bean and i feel more prepared and confident knowing the worst is over. [emoji4]

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Originally Posted by The Night King

Great video and gorgeous snake! Ok so this is a fascinating topic for me and I'm a complete noob...we have had our beautiful pied for one week exactly. He is roughly 200g. And I'm quite sure he literally wants to eat me alive. No hissing, no striking but I haven't really held a snake in 12 years so the couple times I've had him out I am nervous as h*** and expecting him to bite me at any moment. We have had him out twice (my 6yr old and I). Maybe 5-10 min each time. First time he was ok....exploring a bit, second time he seemed tense and stayed tightly wrapped around my hand. I seriously was expecting him to attack the whole time. Sweating lol.

His warm side hide is a log and cool side is a pyramid and he stays in that...it's kinda heavy and I take it off him to get him out but it's cumbersome. Looks cool though.

He has hammered two rat F/T in past week but we gotta wait 48 hrs ideally to hold him after he eats, right? So that really only leaves 3-4 day window to handle before next feeding right? I need to figure this paranoia of getting bit out lol. My daughter loves him and she is too young (6 yrs) to really understand snappy, etc....I really don't want her to get tagged or bit for fear that it may affect her wanting to hold him. Right now she LOVES him. Thanks for the video and insight!!

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It sounds to me while you were tense and fearful of getting bit, the poor little noodle was tense and fearful of getting eaten !!! LOL

Why do you think he wants to eat you alive ? Is it just a general fear of getting bitten by a snake (and that is nothing to be ashamed of..) If you only had your little one for a week, you shouldn't be handling him a whole lot just yet. You are very lucky indeed he was so willing to eat and so quickly after moving, too !! That is a good thing. My video made the point that you do not need to handle a great deal to "tame" them. They get tame (comfortable and more calm) all on their own in time. With good husbandry, good eating and a "routine". By routine I mean they get used to their enclosure and to certain things happening (you maintaining the cage, being taken out every so often, etc, without getting killed)

Time and patience.

When you DO handle, be calm and deliberate. No fearful, jerking motions. No fast, nervous movements. Try to be rational (easier said then done with this very real fear) and realize that even if it were to snap at you, you would barely feel it. Defensive snaps are often not even open mouthed. They kind of "bop" you with their snout. Even if they would bite, it would be a quick snap. Its meant to discourage you from eating them.

Feeding mistake bites have a bigger punch to them, LOL. And that wouldn't happen while you have your snake out and handling it already. Just try to relax. Set yourself goals. Every day that you handle, do 5 minutes. Breathe and just think happy thoughts. On other days, just do your maintenance. Get your snake used to what is going on, always mindful not to do TO much for now.

Just remember, that snake can live 40+ years. No need to get all the fun times crammed into the next few weeks. As time goes by, you will get more comfortable. You will learn to "read" your snake, and it will learn to read you and trust you. (trust not to get eaten or killed)

I used to have a terrible TERRIBLE snake phobia. Where I come from you don't really ever see or worry about snakes out in nature. So moving to the US where snakes roam (not to mention big bad spiders) was a ...experience !!!

Its a long and weird story how I "got into" snakes. Short version is that I was at a petstore looking for a Hamster (pet) and ended up in the snake area because of some weird dreams I've been having that intrigued me. I was talking to the girl working there and I asked her some pretty stupid questions..LOL. The rest is foggy and next thing I know I'm in the car on my way home with a tank, a fuzzy mouse and a tiny little Rosy Boa. While driving home the Rosy Boa ate the fuzzy and it squeaked and I started sweating, LOL. In the beginning I FORCED myself to hold the Rosy Boa. It was the size of a pencil, TINY !!! I was terrified the entire time. I started sweating. Of course the poor little Boa couldn't really slide through my sweaty fingers so it would tense up trying to move forward and I thought OMG OMG OMG its gonna bite me !!! As if that would have been the end of me, LOL. Suddenly I noticed black specks on my little one. I found out they were Snake mites. Oh no, my baby had problems. Out comes the "Mama Bear" instinct and I hit the internet and researched for all my worth.

The rest is history, LOL. Since then I've had all kinds of snake species, lizards and tegus, I used to do snake rescue and hold educational presentations. Now I just have a handful of Ball Pythons, since they are my favorite.

Long story short, I understand the irrational fear of getting bit by a snake, no matter how tiny.

You will get past it and soon you will look back and laugh at yourself ;)

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Originally Posted by oodaT

My little lesser male is a hell of a hisser, when i slide his tub open he's going at it. Once i give him a rub on his side tho he's done with the hissing.

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My male does the same thing lol. He's never actually struck at me, I just imagine that he's a moody teenager 😂