I just wanted some advice if possible. Everything was going great for about a week and he would happily let me pick him up (as happily as a newly homed ball python could be) there have been a few incidents within a day, i got back from work and wanted to handle him for a little while as i had left him for 48 hours after his first meal i picked up his hide the wrong way he had his little head poking out of the hole so i didnt want to pick it up that way incase i knocked his head. so i picked it up long ways and he went into his typical ball, so i sat there and just stroked him, no idea why but it felt like a good idea at the time to just leave him be so i decided to put his hide back over him anyway as i went to put it back i dropped it (not on him) but he got startled as anyone would if someone dropped a house on them. I felt extremely bad so i went to go give him an extra stroke of reassurance that it was a silly mistake. he obviously didnt see it that way and went for my hand. He was pretty fast for a little fella but obviously being as amazingly ninja as i am i managed to evade his strike.
Anyhow an hour passes and my girlfriend arrives home and gives me the usual, "why are you talking to the snake again", "why are you calling him pretty", "why are you telling him youre taking him out for food to apologise." okay maybe not that far but i definitely got the "you treat and talk to the snake better than you do me", after i had reassured her that she was my one and only priority whilst winking at my boy Raphael and him sticking his tongue out at her, i got onto telling her about the fact he had just gone for me. this primarily shocked me because at the reptile centre i purchased him from he was used to hold at kids parties. Anyway as all girls do they give you that look when theyre hiding something they dont want to admit. After giving her the Gestapo treatment minus the water boarding she eventually admitted something.
In our flat we have those ridiculous power saving, energy efficient light bulbs where they take an extremely long time to brighten up. Just like my girlfriend when she doesnt get what she wants. She tripped over the recycling box and fell over grabbing the door frame and hitting her hand rather loudly on the top of his vivarium whilst he was doing his morning routine work out. As much as i resented the fact she fell on my boy i was glad she was physically tripping and not tripping about something i said 3 weeks 6 days 4 hours and 37 minutes ago.
Anyway what i want to know is if he goes for me again, should i just let him bite me and get it over and done with? i understand we have probably startled him but i dont want him thinking we are going to hurt him...
From what I have read on countless occasions is that you have to be confident - and make sure every thing you do is final. You picked up his hide, and he went into a ball... Perfect chance to pick him up. Im not sure how i Feel about people "strokeing" snakes. They arent fured animals, with soft skin. I doubt it means anything to them.
If you go to pick up your snake and he strikes, and you put him back and back off, every time you go to do it he knows what he has to do to avoid it. Snakes (ball pythons) dont really get along with being held. However they can be docile and enjoy. Once up and in your warm hands he will be fine. Its like, if you was asleep in a warm luxurious bed, and your mrs just rolled you out and dragged you into the cold front room you wont be happy.
Just approach from behind the snake, and ignore his actions. Move away from the strike and get him in your hand. He will calm down once stretched out. IF he is in a ball again he wont strike.
Try not to be afraid....pick him up from the side or the back, don't go towards his head. Mine will hiss if he does not want to be bothered and it's always for a good reason(going to shed soon). Sometimes he acts all tough but I go in to the side of him and just pick him up. My son Craig is seven, he just picks him up...no care in the world and the snake never messes with him. I think they may sense fear a little...It sure seems that way. If I act cautious...sometimes my BP looks like he's not cool with that. IDK for sure but it sure seems that way. I can't agree more with Nathaniel....this sure does seem to work every time. It's almost like they give in when they know who the boss is. Plus...they learn to trust you and become very calm. My guy almost never goes into a tight ball....I wish he would, it's pretty cool.
From what I have read on countless occasions is that you have to be confident - and make sure every thing you do is final. You picked up his hide, and he went into a ball... Perfect chance to pick him up. Im not sure how i Feel about people "strokeing" snakes. They arent fured animals, with soft skin. I doubt it means anything to them.
If you go to pick up your snake and he strikes, and you put him back and back off, every time you go to do it he knows what he has to do to avoid it. Snakes (ball pythons) dont really get along with being held. However they can be docile and enjoy. Once up and in your warm hands he will be fine. Its like, if you was asleep in a warm luxurious bed, and your mrs just rolled you out and dragged you into the cold front room you wont be happy.
Just approach from behind the snake, and ignore his actions. Move away from the strike and get him in your hand. He will calm down once stretched out. IF he is in a ball again he wont strike.
thanks for the advice mate, ill see how it goes! cheers
Handling Tips & Advice
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Nathaniel1989
!
