Head shy

[DemmBalls]

I never said I was trying to pet her on the head...it's just that if I even move in front of her she will jerk back and roll into a ball. I know this is their natural defense, but thought naybe it has been bred out of them somewhat.

I agree with you guys...I have my Bengal cat to rub and pet on the head!

[tbowman]

Most ball pythons are head shy!!!.. I just dont really see the need to pet them on/near the head anyway.. I have my Husky for those moments when I get the urge to pet something on the head, or rub their ears, and he actually LOVES it..Unlike my Ball Pythons...

It's not bad to want them to not be head shy. I'm sure he'd like to be comfortable with his BP without worrying about spooking her. I'm sure being afraid of anything coming near your head is really stressful on the snake.

[Vypyrz]

I'm trying to cure mine of head shyness just in case they ever get an injury. I seem to think it would be easier and less stressful for all involved to get medicine on it without all the jerking and hiding...



Rob

[tbowman]

I think you would still have that even without the head shyness. My burm you can touch him on the head or even kiss him and he doesn't flinch. But when I have to secure his head is doesn't like it. I had to give him injections for an RI and as he got better he liked it less and less.

[Lolo76]

I think you would still have that even without the head shyness. My burm you can touch him on the head or even kiss him and he doesn't flinch. But when I have to secure his head is doesn't like it. I had to give him injections for an RI and as he got better he liked it less and less.

Even though I've never had to administer meds, I think this is true with my BPs too. Toby doesn't mind having his head touched at all, and in fact he'll even let me give him chin rubs... but the few times I've tried to restrain his head, just to check something unusual (weird scale/reflection), he was definitely not having it!

To answer the OP's question, most snakes are fairly head-shy, but will learn to accept it over time. Mona was really shy when I first got her, and now she's pretty cool about having her head touched. Just keep handling them gently, and they will eventually get more & more accepting of your touch.