Two-year old skittish ball python

[MedicalAuthor]

Progress?



Uncurled in my son's lap and tried to escape and then I picked him up with two hands, rotating from supporting chest-ish to tail as he moved and eventually he wrapped around my arm. Sign of comfort? I transferred to my son and I noticed as I helped my son support him, the snake would more readily wrap around my hand so maybe that's a sign that he has a new association with my scent?

Anyway, definitely the most action we've had in 2 years!

[Homebody]

I've never found it easy to read a snake's emotional cues. I've found this chart helpful.



Progress is moving from red and yellow to green.

[Bogertophis]

I think people have the most trouble with reading those "S" curves that snakes form no matter what- it takes time (lots of practice) to pick up on snake moods. But also know that we can influence them- that's what 'fun' is to me. Making that scared, defensive snake realize it's safe with me.

[Ian C]

I'm late to this discussion, but wanted to add something I haven't read so far.

With our BP, she handles well BUT recoils into her hide or otherwise retreats if we approach her either too quickly or from the front. I think she confuses the act of reaching for her from the front with an aggressive movement or possibly an attack. If we slowly approach her from the side, aiming for the body and not the head or neck, she "might" have a momentary flinch when we first touch her (usually not, but it happens), but generally she's much more relaxed. I will also give a couple of strokes down her body, going with the direction of her scales and not against it, and this also seems to relax her to the point where she doesn't resist being picked up.

We also don't handle her a couple of days before we feed her, as she's getting hungry and more likely to misinterpret your presence as food, or for 3 days after we feed her to ensure there's no chance of regurgitating.

We've never had any problems by following these simple rules. Best of luck!

Ian

[Bogertophis]

I'm late to this discussion, but wanted to add something I haven't read so far.

With our BP, she handles well BUT recoils into her hide or otherwise retreats if we approach her either too quickly or from the front. I think she confuses the act of reaching for her from the front with an aggressive movement or possibly an attack. If we slowly approach her from the side, aiming for the body and not the head or neck, she "might" have a momentary flinch when we first touch her (usually not, but it happens), but generally she's much more relaxed. I will also give a couple of strokes down her body, going with the direction of her scales and not against it, and this also seems to relax her to the point where she doesn't resist being picked up.

We also don't handle her a couple of days before we feed her, as she's getting hungry and more likely to misinterpret your presence as food, or for 3 days after we feed her to ensure there's no chance of regurgitating.

We've never had any problems by following these simple rules. Best of luck!

Ian

Your observations are correct- just remember that snakes do NOT identify us visually* (at least many snakes don't, & certainly not ball pythons) so naturally when they see a large creature approaching them head-on, they instinctively assume "predator" & feel threatened. (*Snakes with better eye sight & therefore better visual recognition abilities include- in my experience- rattlesnakes, rat snakes, bull & gopher snakes, & cobras. But all snakes appreciate additional "cues" from us.)

Conversely, when you sidle up to a snake, you're approaching them the way another snake & potential mate does...a gentle touch on their side mid-body lets them know you're not a predator, not a threat, & possibly even a mate (though your scent & other cues will rule that out). "Body language" is everything to a snake- when we get it right.

Years back I was in my local pet store & they asked me for help with an "aggressive young rat snake" that they couldn't handle & therefore couldn't sell. It was a yearling Everglades rat snake & he was in his hide, naturally terrified. (He'd had a previous owner, then escaped outside for months, & once re-captured, was returned to the store as no longer wanted.) Rather than lift off his hide, exposing & terrifying him as the store employees had been doing, I simply slid my hand under & into the hide with the snake, whereby I was able to reassure him by touch, & pick him up without any bites. I ended up with the snake- he was fine- like many pet stores (& all too many owners), they just didn't understand snakes very well. We have to remember to communicate on their terms, not on ours.

And for sure, don't mix handling with meal-times... Ian, you covered that perfectly.

[Ian C]

Thank you!

I'm way more confident with her than I was when I first joined here, and am at the point where I feel I can contribute more than just asking questions.

Ian

[Malum Argenteum]

I simply slid my hand under & into the hide with the snake, whereby I was able to reassure him by touch, & pick him up without any bites. I ended up with the snake- he was fine-

With my snappier neonate boas, I've gotten into the habit of holding an index card or similar in front of their face with one hand and going in from the side and underneath with my other to pick them up. They don't see the "aggressive" approach of my hand, and once they're in hand they're pretty chill. The same sort of approach works pretty well with snakes that see my incoming hand as food (which, after all, is in fact made of meat and so the snake's interpretation isn't unwarranted).