Holding a Ball Python

[smity461]

I have a 26 month old, 3 foot long male python. He has been the most tame Ball I have ever had. But I have slacked off from holding him for about 5 months. I have probably only held him once since last October. He seems to be a little more jumpy than before. Can anyone give me any suggestions on how to start holding him again?
Should I be worried about getting struck at?

[Kaorte]

Try taking him out every day or every other day for 10 minutes. After a week he should get used to you.

If you use caution and look for signs of stress or agitation, you should be fine. If you are struck at, don't put him back in his tank. Keep him out for another 5 minutes and then put him back. He will cool down

[Kysenia]

One of my new bp's was very aggressive......when I would open the tub he would slither out of the hide and come at me.......It took a week and I hate to say it but here is what I did.

I got my motorcycle gloves out ......when he came out and got in attack mode I slowly moved the back of my hand towards him...strike...strike....and then he would ball up ....picked up...kept facing away for 10-15 minutes....gentle touch and strokes....he would strike here and there but with the glove no issues......After a week of this process he realized I was no harm.

I have heard that if they strike and you put them back or stop your attempt it reinforces their behavior.....anyways I am new to the ball world...but consistency and follow thru should work.

[cktansys]

I just got a new ball and she strike at me too ~ poor

[frankykeno]

Be consistent, be patient, move with purpose and confidence, don't let the snake set the boundaries of your interactions, do respect the snake and not stressing it unduly but don't let him back you off or it will set up a new pattern that gets harder to break over time (for both of you).

[Lolo76]

I have heard that if they strike and you put them back or stop your attempt it reinforces their behavior.

That's what I've heard too... same thing with dogs, where if you pull back when they snap, they learn that's a good way to get rid of unwanted hands. Of course you have to use common sense (don't put your hand in front of a snarling Cane Presario!), but animals - and children for that matter - need to learn they can't accomplish anything with negative behavior.

[Lolo76]

Oops... I meant "Presa Canario" but it won't let me edit now.

[joshn6805]

just hold him for 10-15 minutes a day for about 3 weeks and he should be back to his old self in no time. there really nothing to be scared about, the bites are actually kinda funny.

[kc261]

As others have said, regular brief handling sessions should get him back to being more comfortable with it.

If you are afraid of being bitten, gloves go a long way, but so does just letting him bite you once and realizing it isn't that bad. If my husband or I get struck at, the thing we worry about is if our instinctive pulling away from something that hurts or is scary will kick in before our knowledge that it neither hurts nor is scary does, because pulling away could hurt the snake's teeth. That sentence was awkward but hopefully you'll understand what I meant.

A trick I learned from someone who works mostly with colubrids is that if a snake looks like it is thinking about striking, move your hand towards it, presenting it with the wide, flat back of your hand. Usually they'll decide not to strike, but if they do they don't get a hold so it eliminates the possibility of either of you getting hurt.

[Sanova]

As others have said, regular brief handling sessions should get him back to being more comfortable with it.

If you are afraid of being bitten, gloves go a long way, but so does just letting him bite you once and realizing it isn't that bad. If my husband or I get struck at, the thing we worry about is if our instinctive pulling away from something that hurts or is scary will kick in before our knowledge that it neither hurts nor is scary does, because pulling away could hurt the snake's teeth. That sentence was awkward but hopefully you'll understand what I meant.

A trick I learned from someone who works mostly with colubrids is that if a snake looks like it is thinking about striking, move your hand towards it, presenting it with the wide, flat back of your hand. Usually they'll decide not to strike, but if they do they don't get a hold so it eliminates the possibility of either of you getting hurt.

Awesome tips here.