Any tips for socializing my new, shy BP?

[Brstin2flames]

Hi all,

I picked up my new BP last friday so starting tomorrow I will begin handling him and hopefully getting him used to my fiance and I.

I was hoping some people could give me some advice for socializing him? He seems to be pretty shy and usually pulls his head back into the striking position when I come around or move him for any reason. He has not tried to strike me at all, but just seems very nervous. Also, when I "pet" him lightly his skin crawls so he doesnt seem to be very happy.

Will he come around and soon learn to trust me? How often/how long should I hold him to get him used to me?

Thanks for any advice,
Robyn

[stevepoppers]

The skin crawling is normal. I think it's some reflex that has something to do with how they move about.

Just handle him for fairly short, calm sessions. I keep hearing 20 min. No matter how scared or aggressive he gets, handle him and don't reward his bad behavior by putting him back. He has to learn it won't get rid of you.

That's about it. After so long, he'll get used to you and being handled by people. I can't tell you how long, of course. Depends on a lot. How much you handle him, what those sessions are like, and probably more than anything else, his personality.

[Kaorte]

It just takes time.

Don't over handle him, keep it to a few short sessions a few times a week.

He is just acting like a normal scared ball python.

[A.VinczeBPs]

How old is he?
With adults, the 20 minute rule is usually good.

However, if he's still a baby, being out for 20 stressful minutes can put them off feeding, and really won't get you far.
With babies, I find 5 minutes is all it takes, each night (not on or after feedings) and if they happen to strike, I add another 5 minutes. The maximum is 10 minutes for me. It's worked just fine, they still eat, and after a month or so they seem to relax and calm down...until you show them to someone else.

[Brstin2flames]

I'm not really sure how old he is...I'm thinking maybe around 3-4 months old. He weighs 145g and is a little over a foot long if that helps at all. He is slightly underweight, I can see his backbone (and we are working on getting his weight up a little). With that info is there any guess on how old he might be?

It's so hard not to hold him! I've wanted a snake for at least 10 years and I was able to finally get one so I'm just really excited right now. I find myself just staring at his tank even though there's nothing to see because he's always in his hide lol.

[A.VinczeBPs]

I'm not really sure how old he is...I'm thinking maybe around 3-4 months old. He weighs 145g and is a little over a foot long if that helps at all. He is slightly underweight, I can see his backbone (and we are working on getting his weight up a little). With that info is there any guess on how old he might be?

It's so hard not to hold him! I've wanted a snake for at least 10 years and I was able to finally get one so I'm just really excited right now. I find myself just staring at his tank even though there's nothing to see because he's always in his hide lol.

Sounds like maybe close to a year with length, but underweight. Since he's underweight, you might was to focus more of making sure he eats (little to no handling) until he looks more plump. It might help his stress levels as well.

[Vypyrz]

Something that might also help is at the end of the day put whatever shirt you wore that day on or near the enclosure so the snake can get used to your scent. I have seen some people recommend putting it in the enclosure, but to me, that is just asking for a big poo or pee to be left on it...

[Brstin2flames]

Sounds like maybe close to a year with length, but underweight. Since he's underweight, you might was to focus more of making sure he eats (little to no handling) until he looks more plump. It might help his stress levels as well.

Wow a year old?! I had no idea he was that old. The poor guy was at the PetSmart (where I got him) for almost 3 months, so I was just assuming he went there as a hatchling. They definitely were not feeding him the right sized prey, they told me to feed him pinkies...he weighs 140g, I've learned a pinkie is WAY to small!

I'll stick to handling him for very short periods of time a few times a week, if he doesnt eat next feeding I will stop handling all together to make sure he stays healthy.