2 mice and striking at Moss then eating it.

For those of you who don't know... I got a 4yr old (almost 5) Normal BP a little over 2 weeks ago. He was eating live. Long story short, I was told he had not eaten in almost two months when I got him. I left him alone for a week. Offered f/t. Refused. Left him alone. 2 days later he was in shed. Finished yesterday. I read up on how to encourage feeding. Left it to thaw on top of his cage and thought if he is interested he will come out. We'll, he did. And I fed him. He missed and I think it's because he is used to live and not dangling. So I dropped it right after he missed in front of him and he got it. Ate it. I had another ready incase he wanted it. He was looking and I gave it to him by dropping it. He took it in his hide and I'm guessing ate it. I then saw him with his head sticking out, struck at a pile of moss and then took it in the hide. I'm like 99.9% sure he ate that, too. I'm confused. What the heck is that and should I be worried? I need reassurance. [emoji17]

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I wonder if he's "special"

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Ok! He's sticking his head out again! I'm worried he's gonna eat moss for a second time. The MFer that had him before would put like 5 mice in with him at the same time. And I think he thinks there's more in there and smells the mouse on his substrate [emoji17]

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

For those of you who don't know... I got a 4yr old (almost 5) Normal BP a little over 2 weeks ago. He was eating live. Long story short, I was told he had not eaten in almost two months when I got him. I left him alone for a week. Offered f/t. Refused. Left him alone. 2 days later he was in shed. Finished yesterday. I read up on how to encourage feeding. Left it to thaw on top of his cage and thought if he is interested he will come out. We'll, he did. And I fed him. He missed and I think it's because he is used to live and not dangling. So I dropped it right after he missed in front of him and he got it. Ate it. I had another ready incase he wanted it. He was looking and I gave it to him by dropping it. He took it in his hide and I'm guessing ate it. I then saw him with his head sticking out, struck at a pile of moss and then took it in the hide. I'm like 99.9% sure he ate that, too. I'm confused. What the heck is that and should I be worried? I need reassurance. [emoji17]

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Ive never seen mine strick at substrate before. Ive had mine eat some substrate. I use eco earth. I started to move half of her substrate away when feeding to get as little as possible on the rat because she has a tendacy of dragging it all over the place lol. You could also make a tub for feeding only if your really worried. Or maybe take substrate out a day before feed and put like paper towel down untill after feed just a suggestion. Ive had mine eat like a mouth full of substrate before. I wouldnt be to concerned. Just keep an eye on it and make sure there isnt anything lodged in the mouth etc. Usually when they get substrate in there mouth they "spit it out for say". Ive watched mine remove the substrate on its own before.

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Personally i wont do the whole feeding in seperate enclosure. i feed mine in enclosure lets stress. But im actually thinking of removing all substrate the day before feed. so mine stops getting substrate on her food as well. But maybe someone else has better oppinion or options for you. Im a new ball python owner. ive owned my baby ball whos like 7 months old for 2 months now. and my new adoption which ive had since friday so havent seen her feed yet and shes 2+ years old.

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I'm pretty sure he didn't actually eat the moss. Even if it smelled of rodent, it gives of no heat signature.

He is just HUNGRY and still in feed mode. Not the time you want to mess with him to check what he ate. If his head is sticking out of his hide and his face / mouth looks fine, he is just fine.

He is still looking for food. Are you feeding with long tongs or dangle the mice by the tail with your hands? I highly recommend you get long hemostats and use those for feeding. You can then hold the rat/mouse behind the head and present to the snake without dangling it. Either way, you won't have to drop it.

Or just lay them down in front of the hide.

I bet your boy is just fine, he was just hungry still. Lift the hide tomorrow and check on him, and let us know :)

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Originally Posted by Dylan_

Personally i wont do the whole feeding in seperate enclosure. i feed mine in enclosure lets stress. But im actually thinking of removing all substrate the day before feed. so mine stops getting substrate on her food as well. But maybe someone else has better oppinion or options for you. Im a new ball python owner. ive owned my baby ball whos like 7 months old for 2 months now. and my new adoption which ive had since friday so havent seen her feed yet and shes 2+ years old.

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I prefer to feed him in his enclosure as well. Thank you and congrats on your adoption :)

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Originally Posted by zina10

I'm pretty sure he didn't actually eat the moss. Even if it smelled of rodent, it gives of no heat signature.

He is just HUNGRY and still in feed mode. Not the time you want to mess with him to check what he ate. If his head is sticking out of his hide and his face / mouth looks fine, he is just fine.

He is still looking for food. Are you feeding with long tongs or dangle the mice by the tail with your hands? I highly recommend you get long hemostats and use those for feeding. You can then hold the rat/mouse behind the head and present to the snake without dangling it. Either way, you won't have to drop it.

Or just lay them down in front of the hide.

I bet your boy is just fine, he was just hungry still. Lift the hide tomorrow and check on him, and let us know :)

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I use the long feeding tongs. When I prevented it the first time and he missed I totally freaked and pulled back because he's a big boy and I was scared for my hand lol. He completely missed it though and seemed to go for my hand. I make sure the mice are really warm so I can't see him mistaken it for my hand. It's new to him so maybe that's why? I know I shouldn't have pulled back have but it just happened. I had adult mice that are too big for my little one so I just wanted to see if he would eat. Next week I will get him a rat. That should fill him up.

This is a sign he's doing really well now right? Health wise, I mean.

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Originally Posted by zina10

I'm pretty sure he didn't actually eat the moss. Even if it smelled of rodent, it gives of no heat signature.

He is just HUNGRY and still in feed mode. Not the time you want to mess with him to check what he ate. If his head is sticking out of his hide and his face / mouth looks fine, he is just fine.

He is still looking for food. Are you feeding with long tongs or dangle the mice by the tail with your hands? I highly recommend you get long hemostats and use those for feeding. You can then hold the rat/mouse behind the head and present to the snake without dangling it. Either way, you won't have to drop it.

Or just lay them down in front of the hide.

I bet your boy is just fine, he was just hungry still. Lift the hide tomorrow and check on him, and let us know :)

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^^^ All of this. ^^^

There is no need to remove all the substrate. Nobody removes substrate for them in the wild. They have been swallowing substrate since the dawn of time and have survived for thousands of years.

Not to mention, a change like that, although subtle to us, is a big deal to a snake, especially a finicky BP. And for snakes, change = stress. Stressed snakes often refuse food.

If anything, put down a paper plate or piece of cardboard if it helps you relax, but they typically drag the prey into their hides or wherever they want anyway.

Also, a seperate feeding tub is a bad idea, stick to feeding in the enclosure. Ok

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

^^^ All of this. ^^^

There is no need to remove all the substrate. Nobody removes substrate for them in the wild. They have been swallowing substrate since the dawn of time and have survived for thousands of years.

Not to mention, a change like that, although subtle to us, is a big deal to a snake, especially a finicky BP. And for snakes, change = stress. Stressed snakes often refuse food.

If anything, put down a paper plate or piece of cardboard if it helps you relax, but they typically drag the prey into their hides or wherever they want anyway.

Also, a seperate feeding tub is a bad idea, stick to feeding in the enclosure. Ok

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As long as I'm being told he won't get sick I'll be fine lol. I assumed but it's good to hear as well. Thank you.

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

As long as I'm being told he won't get sick I'll be fine lol. I assumed but it's good to hear as well. Thank you.

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I honestly wouldn't sweat it. You're off to a great start. Keep up the good work :gj:

So, I checked him when I got home. As we have all said he's ok, BUT he hissed at me again! I had to move him to replace his hide. You guys got any advice on how to handle and what to do when he hisses? After tomorrow he will have been here over two weeks, completely shed, and ate. So where do I go from here now? https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c4654927f9.jpg

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Still no need to sweat it. He's still acclimating.

My Pastel Enchi DG girl hissed like a tea pot today when I moved her hide. So I gently but firmly picked her up and held her against my body while I rearranged the tub. She was fine and so was I. LOL.[emoji4]

You need to give him lots of downtime but don't be afraid to pick him up if you have to. Does he hiss while trying to hide his head and turn away? That is more like a grumbling to themselves. Ignore it.

Does he stare you in your eyes. Upper body and head raised up, neck in a tight s-coil while huffing and puffing? You might want to be careful to snap him out of that before picking up.

But I bet it's the first one..


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Two weeks is still pretty new. It is great that you’ve already gotten him to eat, and I’m sure he’ll be more full with a belly full of rat. Especially if he was not handled a lot, he’ll be a bit fussier until he gets used to gentle handling. Some snakes are more vocal than others...my Colombian redtail hisses every time I go to take her out, and I’ve had her over 25 years. You can try hook training, gently touching him with a snake hook or other object to let him know it’s “touching time”. I typically recommend scooping them up from the side rather than an overhead approach...less predatory. Basically it will take time and patience...something many of us struggle with because we want to take them out and hold them. :P

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Originally Posted by zina10

Does he stare you in your eyes. Upper body and head raised up, neck in a tight s-coil while huffing and puffing? You might want to be careful to snap him out of that before picking up.

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Zina makes a great point here....do pay attention to body language, as that is a much better indicator than the “grumbling”.

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Originally Posted by zina10

My Pastel Enchi DG girl hissed like a tea pot today when I moved her hide. So I gently but firmly picked her up and held her against my body while I rearranged the tub. She was fine and so was I. LOL.[emoji4]

You need to give him lots of downtime but don't be afraid to pick him up if you have to. Does he hiss while trying to hide his head and turn away? That is more like a grumbling to themselves. Ignore it.

Does he stare you in your eyes. Upper body and head raised up, neck in a tight s-coil while huffing and puffing? You might want to be careful to snap him out of that before picking up.

But I bet it's the first one..


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It's like YOU are one with my snake [emoji23] It's the first one. Ha ha.

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I'm new to owning snakes so I don't know until I ask and you all explain it so well. He was hiding his head. That's why I even moved him, otherwise I would have been on here with hide out and snake uncovered still. Lol

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

I'm new to owning snakes so I don't know until I ask and you all explain it so well. He was hiding his head. That's why I even moved him, otherwise I would have been on here with hide out and snake uncovered still. Lol

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Believe me, we all know the feeling, but stay curious & observant, and soon you'll be "speaking snake" with the rest of us, lol. Try to imagine what your snake is feeling-
as a shy instinctive creature that's not understanding what all is going on. Don't take their fear as aggression or hostility to you personally...learn to help them feel "safe",
and you'll both be happy.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Believe me, we all know the feeling, but stay curious & observant, and soon you'll be "speaking snake" with the rest of us, lol. Try to imagine what your snake is feeling-
as a shy instinctive creature that's not understanding what all is going on. Don't take their fear as aggression or hostility to you personally...learn to help them feel "safe",
and you'll both be happy.

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I feel like I'm getting there. I'm good with my baby but this guy I know has been around a long time and all I want is for him to feel safe. I can imagine he's scared and needs reassurance.

So even if he hisses should I still pick him up and handle him? How would you all go about it?

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

I feel like I'm getting there. I'm good with my baby but this guy I know has been around a long time and all I want is for him to feel safe. I can imagine he's scared and needs reassurance.

So even if he hisses should I still pick him up and handle him? How would you all go about it?

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I still pick the hissy or skittish ones up, making sure I fully support them. I start handling sessions short, 10-15 minutes tops, so that they have some time to get used to handling and learn I’m not going to eat them. I usually sit on the couch with them on my lap and let them explore a bit, gently guiding them with my hands. I try not to get near their heads to start with since many are head shy, there’s plenty of time to work on that later. They typically relax and will explore a bit, then you can put them back in their enclosure on a positive note...they got to explore and nothing hurt them. Patience and gentle handling eventually win them over, though some may always make a little noise when you first go to take them out.

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Originally Posted by zina10

My Pastel Enchi DG girl hissed like a tea pot today when I moved her hide. So I gently but firmly picked her up and held her against my body while I rearranged the tub. She was fine and so was I. LOL.[emoji4]

You need to give him lots of downtime but don't be afraid to pick him up if you have to. Does he hiss while trying to hide his head and turn away? That is more like a grumbling to themselves. Ignore it.

Does he stare you in your eyes. Upper body and head raised up, neck in a tight s-coil while huffing and puffing? You might want to be careful to snap him out of that before picking up.

But I bet it's the first one..


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EXCELLENT REPLY!!!! :gj::gj:
This is why we miss Zina so much in the summer!!!

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Originally Posted by Dianne

Zina makes a great point here....do pay attention to body language, as that is a much better indicator than the “grumbling”.

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Yup!

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I still pick the hissy or skittish ones up, making sure I fully support them. I start handling sessions short, 10-15 minutes tops, so that they have some time to get used to handling and learn I’m not going to eat them. I usually sit on the couch with them on my lap and let them explore a bit, gently guiding them with my hands. I try not to get near their heads to start with since many are head shy, there’s plenty of time to work on that later. They typically relax and will explore a bit, then you can put them back in their enclosure on a positive note...they got to explore and nothing hurt them. Patience and gentle handling eventually win them over, though some may always make a little noise when you first go to take them out.

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Excellent reply here as well!!! Spot on top to bottom. :gj::gj:



This thread has been awesome. Very good info and lots of positive learning. This is a great example of why this is such a great forum!


Like the others have said, watching and learning their body language is such an important part of keeping snakes. They have such limited ways to show what they're thinking, so studying their body language is key.
You'll learn quickly what the difference is between defensive and aggressive, when they're stressed based on breathing patterns or tongue flicks, when they're hungry, all sorts of cool stuff.
Keep doing what you're doing, you're off to a great start!!

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I still pick the hissy or skittish ones up, making sure I fully support them. I start handling sessions short, 10-15 minutes tops, so that they have some time to get used to handling and learn I’m not going to eat them. I usually sit on the couch with them on my lap and let them explore a bit, gently guiding them with my hands. I try not to get near their heads to start with since many are head shy, there’s plenty of time to work on that later. They typically relax and will explore a bit, then you can put them back in their enclosure on a positive note...they got to explore and nothing hurt them. Patience and gentle handling eventually win them over, though some may always make a little noise when you first go to take them out.

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Ok. Cool. I'm going to wait until tomorrow, maybe the following day, since he ate last night. I'm excited [emoji16]

So, you think once I have him and I'm sitting he will try and strike at me? Or are they usually pretty calm after being picked up? Sorry for all the questions. It's one of those things that I'm going to be scared to get it until it happens kind of thing. Just want as many facts as I can get. Lol

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

EXCELLENT REPLY!!!! :gj::gj:
This is why we miss Zina so much in the summer!!!



Yup!




Excellent reply here as well!!! Spot on top to bottom. :gj::gj:



This thread has been awesome. Very good info and lots of positive learning. Thid is a great example of why this is such a great forum!

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I You're very helpful too. Don't cut yourself short. [emoji4] I'm so grateful for all the replies to my thousands of questions. Knowledge is what will make our snakes live better lives and the people of this forum provide that. I love it! I couldn't be the best I can be without the handful of you all. You're all amazing and I thank you SO much!

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

I You're very helpful too. Don't cut yourself short. [emoji4] I'm so grateful for all the replies to my thousands of questions. Knowledge is what will make our snakes live better lives and the people of this forum provide that. I love it! I couldn't be the best I can be without the handful of you all. You're all amazing and I thank you SO much!

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Hey, we're here to help. We were all beginners once. Back when I started out I did so much wrong. But that was before forums like this. They're such a great tool for everyone from newbies to experienced keepers and breeders.
I know I like to help people enjoy this hobby as much as I enjoy it. We love these amazing animals and I know I'm happy to help others where I can.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Hey, we're here to help. We were all beginners once. Back when I started out I did so much wrong. But that was before forums like this. They're such a great tool for everyone from newbies to experienced keepers and breeders.
I know I like to help people enjoy this hobby as much as I enjoy it. We love these amazing animals and I know I'm happy to help others where I can.

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^^^This^^^. When I bought my first boa in ‘91, there was nothing like this forum. I was lucky and had a pretty knowledgable local shop that had a few experienced reptile keepers on staff. That doesn’t mean I didn’t make mistakes or learn to do things a better way with time and experience. As for this forum, it is one of the most positive I’ve ever had the privilege of joining. :)

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

...So, you think once I have him and I'm sitting he will try and strike at me? Or are they usually pretty calm after being picked up?
Sorry for all the questions. It's one of those things that I'm going to be scared to get it until it happens kind of thing. Just want as many facts as I can get. Lol...

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Remember that snakes do not see well...you are a big scary blur coming toward him. Snakes may hiss or even lunge hoping to scare you off, but it's up to you to
communicate that you are safe. "How do I do that?" The way you touch a snake tells them a lot...if you are abrupt or use excessive force, you seem like a predator-
that's more likely to get you nipped or at least "unfriended". Don't hold them tightly...stay out of their face, and don't grab their neck or tail as predators often do that.
Do your best to keep your hands flat & UNDER them, especially at first: snake don't bite the ground they crawl on, do they? If you're calm & patient & gentle, your
snake will pick up on that. Remember that they are most fearful when you are first picking them up, or even putting them back in their cage (can you remember as a
child how helpless it feels to be 'dangled'???) so go slow. Some snakes do fear faces so don't get too close...laps are a safer bet. And don't assume that every time you
pick up a snake that it's mood will be the same as last time. (-is yours?) They can have a "bad day" too. Relax, you'll do great. Empathy, that's mostly all you need.

In time, they'll know you both by touch & scent, but right now, you're both new to each other. Pay attention to their body language, it tells you more than you think.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Remember that snakes do not see well...you are a big scary blur coming toward him. Snakes may hiss or even lunge hoping to scare you off, but it's up to you to
communicate that you are safe. "How do I do that?" The way you touch a snake tells them a lot...if you are abrupt or use excessive force, you seem like a predator-
that's more likely to get you nipped or at least "unfriended". Don't hold them tightly...stay out of their face, and don't grab their neck or tail as predators often do that.
Do your best to keep your hands flat & UNDER them, especially at first: snake don't bite the ground they crawl on, do they? If you're calm & patient & gentle, your
snake will pick up on that. Remember that they are most fearful when you are first picking them up, or even putting them back in their cage (can you remember as a
child how helpless it feels to be 'dangled'???) so go slow. Some snakes do fear faces so don't get too close...laps are a safer bet. And don't assume that every time you
pick up a snake that it's mood will be the same as last time. (-is yours?) They can have a "bad day" too. Relax, you'll do great. Empathy, that's mostly all you need.

In time, they'll know you both by touch & scent, but right now, you're both new to each other. Pay attention to their body language, it tells you more than you think.

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I get the picture. Makes lots of sense. Will do. Thanks so much!

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Definitely agree with what was said about hissing and body language. Definitely a good place to get advice and some really good people here to get it from. Every once in a while when checking my boys during shed I get a big old hiss, it’s all in the body language. Best of luck!

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Definitely agree with what was said about hissing and body language. Definitely a good place to get advice and some really good people here to get it from. Every once in a while when checking my boys during shed I get a big old hiss, it’s all in the body language. Best of luck!

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Thanks Sonny!

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I used to have a large BCI & rarely, she'd hiss when I wanted to take her out. She'd be coiled up & facing one direction...she didn't turn to try to bite me when I
reached in to stroke her coils, and after a minute or two of touching her, it was as if she'd remember that she knew me...just by my touch, and she'd quit hissing.
At that point I'd pick her up & she was always fine. (And once she was out, she seemed to enjoy it & didn't want to be put back...silly girl!) So don't stress out
over a few hisses. My BCI sounded SO fierce but she was nothing but a big cuddle-muffin.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I used to have a large BCI & rarely, she'd hiss when I wanted to take her out. She'd be coiled up & facing one direction...she didn't turn to try to bite me when I
reached in to stroke her coils, and after a minute or two of touching her, it was as if she'd remember that she knew me...just by my touch, and she'd quit hissing.
At that point I'd pick her up & she was always fine. (And once she was out, she seemed to enjoy it & didn't want to be put back...silly girl!) So don't stress out
over a few hisses. My BCI sounded SO fierce but she was nothing but a big cuddle-muffin.

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Lol That's so cute. [emoji7]

Let's say she did bite you. What would you have done? Left her be? Picked her anyway? If you choose to let her be, what would you do if she kept biting the times following?

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

Ok. Cool. I'm going to wait until tomorrow, maybe the following day, since he ate last night. I'm excited [emoji16]

So, you think once I have him and I'm sitting he will try and strike at me? Or are they usually pretty calm after being picked up? Sorry for all the questions. It's one of those things that I'm going to be scared to get it until it happens kind of thing. Just want as many facts as I can get. Lol

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I’ve never had an issue with most of my snakes striking or biting once out of the cage. There were a couple of rare exceptions, a wild caught adult female Solomon Island ground boa and a nippy juvenile coastal carpet python. The Solomon Island ground boa never did chill out, striking from the moment I opened her enclosure until I put her back. I handled her with my leather riding gloves. The coastal carpet eventually settled down with hook training and handled well.

Nothing wrong with being prepared and asking for advise. No-one really sets out to experience a bite. Just the longer you keep snakes, and the more different species, the higher the likelihood of it happening.

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

Lol That's so cute. [emoji7]

Let's say she did bite you. What would you have done? Left her be? Picked her anyway? If you choose to let her be, what would you do if she kept biting the times following?

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For me, this would depend on the snake. The Solomon Island above I handled anyway, at least to move her to a cleaning tub then back to her enclosure. Her bites were strike and release, drew blood but not deep bites, hence the gloves a solution to protect my hands. She was about 2’ long, so not but so scary. My Bci is 7’, so it depends on her body language. If it’s her usual hissing, but no aggressive body language, out she comes. If she starts really blowing and jerking her body away from me, I wait until later or for another day. In the last 25 years, I’ve learned her next warning usually results in me bleeding. :rolleyes:

Most defensive bites are either lunges without an actual bite (scare factor) or strike and release, usually over before you can react. That said, I’ve made stupid errors in the past and gotten bites by a large boa and one adult burmese python that each bit and held on. The important thing is not to try to pull your hand out, which is instinctive. This is for two reason: first, recurved teeth will tear your skin making the bite more severe; and second, it can also break the snakes teeth...particularly with smaller snakes. The trick I learned from an old time keeper was to pour a little rubbing alcohol on your hand or arm around their mouth. They spit you out immediately. I’ve tested this a few times, it really does work. And each of these bites was not severe, even from my 13’ burmese...cuts yes, but nothing deep or requiring more than cleaning and some band-aides.

All of this said, calm perseverance is the key. If you are concerned about a bite, cotton or light leather gloves may make you feel more comfortable until you get to know your new addition and vice versa. I highly encourage hook training and use it on all of my snakes, even the hatchling balls. The sooner they learn a touch first means handling, the better for when they are adults and don’t mistake your warm hand for a mouse or rat. As a parting note, the only bp that has ever struck at me was a hatchling back in the mid-90’s, which was probably wild caught. Even she was more bluff than action.

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

Lol That's so cute. [emoji7]

Let's say she did bite you. What would you have done? Left her be? Picked her anyway? If you choose to let her be, what would you do if she kept biting the times following?

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That BCI came to me as an unwanted yearling that had been re-homed multiple times for biting consistently & scaring everyone. :rolleyes: I had never planned to have a
large boa but felt sorry for her situation & figured that at the worst, I'd just re-home her once I calmed her down if she turned out to be larger than I wanted to deal
with. I had no information about her origins to go on. In the 12 years* I had her, I never got even ONE bite: she WANTED to bite me at first, of course, but I didn't
let her...I cuddled her in a towel, until she knew my touch, warmth & scent & felt safe, only then I let her peek out. Snakes aren't blessed with expressions but I swear
she had the look of panic, but nothing had actually changed, only her view, so she calmed down. In about a month or two, & from then on, biting was a non-issue.
Some terrorist she turned out to be. :D She even did well meeting strangers for over an hour in a strange location (outdoors, on a nice day). (*by age 13, she was
7.5' & still growing, so I re-homed her w/ friends.)

To answer your question though, I'd have felt bad for having scared her into biting me. I'd have tried in any way I could to reassure her. And I'd have thought about
what went wrong, what did I miss? My experience is that snakes bite out of fear or by feeding mistake. Both are preventable...almost always. Most bites happen when
you approach them: humans get most of our information by vision, & it's easy for us to forget that snakes do NOT. To converse with a snake, use their best senses
(scent & touch) and don't rush them, they need time to recognize you (once they know you). It's pretty much just "good manners" to help a snake feel safe with you.

Thank you guys! If the hook training is needed then I will have to ask about that when the time comes. I hear it's not to painful so that's not what worries me it's the pulling away out of surprise that does. I don't want to hurt him. I can't wait until I get out of work to go get him out and sit with him. [emoji16]

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In my experience with snakes (& other animals), when you focus on THEM, not on YOU, your head & heart will help you communicate correctly. I've never had
a snake bite me when I've been doing something to help them...not even for an injection. (It's a little tougher for vet techs & vets, as they are usually pushed
for time...)