Reading Ball Python language and Tongue Flicks

[Bweiser18]

I’m really interested in reading my snake. I’m a new owner and would like some info! Today we got my guy out for the second time this week. I took his hide off of him super slowly trying not to startle him as much. He was kind of in that “S” shape but didn’t strike me as I went in slowly underneath of him. Once out he doesn’t really ball up too much. He does hide his head a little bit and then quickly starts slithering around. I have heard that you really want long slow flicks of the tongue. Which in the beginning they’re pretty quick or non existent and then finally he started just moving around slowly flicking that tongue longer and slower. What does it mean when they don’t flick there tongue at all and not moving? Just scared? He has been doing this a lot In the beginning.

[KMG]

Google for a more complete answer.

They are gathering samples of the things around them and bringing them into their mouth for examination. Much like a dog sniffing around.

[Bogertophis]

Not flicking & motionless to me says "scared & hoping you don't see me & go away"- . It's depending on their natural camouflage when faced with a potential predator. Like rattlesnakes, ball pythons are heavy-bodied & unable to depend on speed to escape, so they sorta "hold their breath" & hope for the best when holding their ground.

[KMG]

OH!!!!! "Don't flick." My bad.

To me that says one of two things.

1. I'm trying to be stealthy either because I am afraid or hunting.

2. I'm good where I am and trust what I am around.

[Bogertophis]

^ ^ ^ Yeah, we need more context to give the best interpretation!

The tongue-flicks I get a huge kick out of are rattlesnakes, when they're p-o'd. They do very exaggerated (long air time) tongue flicks, & if you imitate them (as best you can) they're "visually-oriented" enough to get even MORE p-o'd, apparently "reading" our mood. And the opposite works to calm them down...at least for some. Gotta love rattlebrats... Cobras respond to our body-language too. Gotta be careful & "talk nice".

[Zincubus]

I get our granddaughters to blow through the air vents of our Corn snake and King Snake just to get them to wake up and start tongue flicking


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