BP handling gloves

I appreciate all the help I've been getting with the plethora of questions I've asked. Here's another :)

What kind of gloves are good to use for handling BP's? I've looked and found some ranging in price from around $30 to well over $100. I don't want to break the bank, but do want some that will protect fingers and be kind to Zeke at the same time. I'm planning on handling Zeke more often as time goes by and would like to have some gloves to, mainly, help with my nervousness. He's already tagged me once, but that was during feeding :P Also, if anybody else wants to handle him, they would feel more comfortable having some gloves.

It's kind of hard to handle a BP with gloves on. Many will tell you that a bite from a BP doesn't hurt so don't bother with the gloves. I use them for quick water changes and the like. If I have time I can pick up just about any snake without getting bit, but sometimes you're just in a hurry. You are most likely to get bit now that Zeke knows food comes more regularly than he's use to. After a week or two he won't be so hungry all the time and I'll bet he will be a real sweetheart. The other time you may get tagged is when you first reach in for him. Once out of the enclosure they are just fine. If I think I may get tagged from a snake I wear only one glove. Reach in with that hand and let him know you are there. Give him a poke or two. Then just pick him right up with the gloved hand and get him out of the enclosure as you bring your other hand under his body for support. You will know right away how things are going. Then just drop the glove and away you go. I use a thin leather glove. Anything thicker and you won't be able to feel the snake.

Forget the gloves.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

Forget the gloves.

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x2

I would say NO gloves needed unless u got a G.T.P. ! lol

Unless you have a true monster dont worry about the gloves. Just take it easy and take your time. Do not be afraid of him.

I would say if your afraid of getting bitten that a snake may not have been your best choice of a pet... :D I will say however that ball pythons are very gentle creatures and won't bite unless you something wrong( aka trying to feed without Hemostats, or jostling them around too much). I have only been bitten twice, both times by my male and both times when a food item was involved. I would say LOSE THE GLOVES. The only protection you are actually going to need is confidence:P. Snakes can feel when your uneasy or nervous and it makes them uneasy and nervous. Plus, I personally would rather get bitten by my snake than by a dog. Good luck with your pet.


PS- Gloves make it hard for you and the snake to bond. It takes away the feeling of being one with the animal. not to mention they will make handling harder for you and the snake.

Hi,

Just to say if you still want to use the gloves then there is no need to buy expensive padded gauntlets or anything.

BP's have small teeth so most work gloves would be fine I would think.

The reason a lot of people don't use gloves is the bites are really not that significant and the snake might be more likely to lose teeth in the glove - not totally sure about that last part though.

But if wearing gloves makes you feel more confident about handling him the first few times then that is fair enough by me. :)


dr del

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Originally Posted by RoyalGuardian

I will say however that ball pythons are very gentle creatures and won't bite unless you something wrong.

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That is not always the case. Just like any other creature, some are more aggressive than others. I have one that has tried to bite me many times. I was not doing anything wrong. She just does not like to be touched. I will say that she has never bit me, but only because I know how to read her.

To the OP, gloves will likely not be needed, but if they make you feel more comfortable, then wear them.

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

That is not always the case. Just like any other creature, some are more aggressive than others. I have one that has tried to bite me many times. I was not doing anything wrong. She just does not like to be touched. I will say that she has never bit me, but only because I know how to read her.

To the OP, gloves will likely not be needed, but if they make you feel more comfortable, then wear them.

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You may not have been doing something wrong in your eyes but it was indeed wrong in the snake's. do you breed your own prey? had you been handling any other sort of animal? does your snake have enough places to hide? How old is your snake? and is she old enough to be bred?

@OP- If in doubt, buy a snake hook ^_^

I'm gonna agree with Dr. Del on this one. Do what makes you comfortable and confident and then switch to no gloves when you're ready. Many people swear that snakes can read your mood so I think its better to go in handling with gloves and confidence then without gloves and fear! And I bet you'll find that after a couple handling sessions you won't need the gloves anymore.

And like he said you definitely don't need to invest into welding gloves or anything else that thick. A pair of winter gloves would suffice.

Ball pythons are very docile creatures but you can't generalize that to each and every snake. They all have their individual differences and you're likely to find one that is more defensive than the next. Just use smooth movements when you scoop you snake up and go from behind the head! Good luck.

Dennis

p.s.
There's nothing wrong with being scared of getting bit. Lord knows I was when I first got a snake. But once it happens it will only rationalize your fear since it really doesn't hurt, like the others said. Its the shock and anticipation that is worse IMO.

Nah...I'm getting more and more comfortable as I read the info posted by seasoned BP owners. I'd like to have some gloves for when I'm first holding him as I've read they can detect fear and nervous "vibes". It's funny b/c I have a Bearded Dragon and Chilean Rose-Hair Tarantula that I hold with no problems at all :P

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Originally Posted by Hapa_Haole

I'm gonna agree with Dr. Del on this one. Do what makes you comfortable and confident and then switch to no gloves when you're ready. Many people swear that snakes can read your mood so I think its better to go in handling with gloves and confidence then without gloves and fear! And I bet you'll find that after a couple handling sessions you won't need the gloves anymore.

And like he said you definitely don't need to invest into welding gloves or anything else that thick. A pair of winter gloves would suffice.

Ball pythons are very docile creatures but you can't generalize that to each and every snake. They all have their individual differences and you're likely to find one that is more defensive than the next. Just use smooth movements when you scoop you snake up and go from behind the head! Good luck.

Dennis

p.s.
There's nothing wrong with being scared of getting bit. Lord knows I was when I first got a snake. But once it happens it will only rationalize your fear since it really doesn't hurt, like the others said. Its the shock and anticipation that is worse IMO.

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X2

Do what makes you feel the most comfortable, there's really no need to be afraid when you're trying to enjoy your pet.

I used to catch water snakes when I was young and foolish and anyone who knows water snakes knows they are pretty aggressive, especially wild caught. I think I was about 12 when I decided to use gloves. i tried all different kinds and the ones I liked best were foul weather golf gloves.

I know it sounds weird, but they were thick enough to protect my hands, stay fairly water repellant, yet not keep me from losing feeling with the snake. I've never used gloves with a Ball Python, but if I had a really aggressive one, I'd be busting out my foul weather golf gloves :) Head up to ****s or another sporting goods store and try on a pair. you'll see what I mean. They're snug and fitting, yet protect the skin.

Good luck and remember, just relax, exhale before you pick him up, and know he probably really doesn't want to bite you. He's only doing it to protect himself if he feels threatened.

I appreciate all the input :) I just tried picking him up by holding him under the back half of his body while letting him move around in his enclosure. He seemed cool with it. I'd just let him pass through my hand and then hold him again after he went through.

There are bitey ball pythons out there, and it may help with the handler's nerves to wear gloves, NOTHING wrong with that at all. Better a calm handler wearing gloves than a jumpy one who drops the snake if it strikes.

I'd recommend to anyone with a bitey snake and wanted gloves to just pick up a cheap pair of leather gloves from a local outdoors store. I got some for fishing, probably paid $15 for them. Nothing fancy, just something that looked and felt pretty tough.

I got a small snake hook for when I think they may bite. I would think it would be less intimidating seeing a hook than a hand. I just hook them about 1/3 of the way down and support there tail with my hand. Its a good tool for any herper. :)

gloves are highly unnecessary. I've pried my BP's mouth open with a spatula, and squirted medicine down his throat without even a hiss. If s/he strikes 'cus he's angry he might leave a scrape, the only way he could actually draw blood is if you pre-scented the cage and stuck your hand in a waved it around while s/he is in feeding mode. If something is wrong with the food or you need to stick your hand in for some reason, you could just use an oven mitt. Plus, gloves can be stressful on a snake in a sense that it could be uncomfortable, smell weird, and be hard for the snake to hold on to. What I do is I just wash my hands before I take him out with the same hand soap so he knows it's me 'cus I smell like hand soap. Handling gloves are probably only really necessary for snakes that have big fangs or are poisonous. You can't even see BP's teeth they blend in with the gums. So don't waste money on gloves, absolutely no good will come out of it and you will just be wasting money that could go towards more important things like vet visits and whatnot. Unless of coarse your snake has a bad temper or just doesn't like people. Get to know your snake before you decide on gloves or not.

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Originally Posted by JbirdAg96

Nah...I'm getting more and more comfortable as I read the info posted by seasoned BP owners. I'd like to have some gloves for when I'm first holding him as I've read they can detect fear and nervous "vibes". It's funny b/c I have a Bearded Dragon and Chilean Rose-Hair Tarantula that I hold with no problems at all :P

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If it's any comfort - the fear of the bite - is far worse than the bite itself. I'd rather get bitten by one of my ball pythons, than scratched by my cat!:P

i have balls that with spot on husbandry,no prey handeled or around,would still light me up for even lookin at them sideways,,i used a hook for them moments of fun,but for gloves,look in walmart hardware department,can find a decent pair of thin leather ones for 5 bucks or under,or a pair of mechanix from automotive for 10 bucks,,either are thin enough to be comfrtable,and thickenough to protect

I may pick some gloves up for those who are too squimish to not use them.