Taming?

[Rickys_Reptiles]

This is my rule of thumb. The first year = NO HANDLING. none.

After the first year you can start handling for short periods of time once a week between feedings. Then slowly work up to handling more often, still for short periods... then slowly handle longer and longer.

[Snake Judy]

This is my rule of thumb. The first year = NO HANDLING. none.

After the first year you can start handling for short periods of time once a week between feedings. Then slowly work up to handling more often, still for short periods... then slowly handle longer and longer.

The first year? That's pretty extreme! What's your reasoning?

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Baby Ball Pythons are the worst eaters. Any drop of stress and they stop eating. For an animal that lives to be 2 or more decades old...1 year is a small price to pay IMHO for a healthy and well rounded animal.

[EL-Ziggy]

I'm probably a little more straightforward with my snakes. I usually don't handle new arrivals until they've eaten 2-3 times. After that I just reach in quickly and confidently and swoop them up from underneath. The worst case scenario is you might get bit. You can also wear a glove or use a snake hook if you like. Usually they just thrash about for a few minutes and calm right down once they realize the defensive behavior doesn't scare you or make you leave them alone. I start with short gentle 3-5 minute handling sessions and increase the frequency and handling time as our trust grows.