Hissing?

[BlissfulChaos]

I'm a new BP owner so I'm sure you'll see lots more questions from me. But I have a question about hissing....Do they open their mouth when they hiss? When I have my BP out, Nina, she sounds like she's holding her breath then releasing. She only does it when I get close to her head. She's VERY head shy. I don't think she was handled much and I'm trying to slowly work with her....Any ideas? Will she get over this head shy thing if I keep working at it?

[Maverick67]

Sounds like hissing. I found my bp to be a bit headshy but I started petting her under the chin and she can stand that much more than the top. She is slowly getting better with it. Give it a shot and see what happens. You still mioght get bit but it happens.

[BlissfulChaos]

Yea I'm kind of anticipating a bite sooner or later lol. I'm going to keep working with her. She seems to calm it down a bit after I have her out for about 5 minutes. Just really bad when I first get her out. Although I haven't had her out longer than 15 min. Just trying to take it slow....Also, when I have her out, she's constantly moving trying to go somewheres and won't stay in one spot....Is that a sign of stress?

[Maverick67]

I think its more just exploring a new envronment. Mine will do the same thing till she finds a nice cozy spot. Normally she will try to get inbetween the couch cushins or under my leg. If you give her a little bit more time while she's out she should settle down.

[BlissfulChaos]

OK, Cool. Thanks so much!

[Maverick67]

No problem and welcome to the forum.

[Kyle@theHeathertoft]

Some snakes are just hissy. I have a few who've never hissed...and I have a few who hiss a lot.

[DJ_Bizarre]

One of my girls is very hissy, as soon as i open her tub she gets in a mild striking position, then she hisses as soon as my hand gets close to picking her up, she settles down within a few seconds though

[BlissfulChaos]

Nina only hisses at me when I get near her head when she's already out... She doesn't do it when I put my hand in to get her out. She usually just hides her head then. But sometimes she does coil back like she's going to strike. I try not to let her intimidate me but it's hard sometimes. I keep telling myself a bite won't hurt, it's just gonna scare the crap outta me! lol

[snake2615]

my new pastel hisses at me when i get in the cage to get her out but then she chills out after you pick her up lol