Can't get over apprehensionn of being bitten

[JoDirt]

I really like my new snake, but since they don't show much emotion or facial expressions, I can't get over the ancy feeling I might get stricken when I'm picking Nanook up out of her cage. Her owners of a year say she's never bitten, either.
And when I hold her, she wants to face me and go exploring all over my face and in my hair, is this okay?

[4theSNAKElady]

A defensive snake will be tense. If she "explores" you're fine.. BPs are friendly for the most part.

[redstormlax12]

Its fine for her to go exploring. As for the being scared of being bitten, you'll get used to your snake and will eventually be able to read her body language to see if she is thinking about striking. A give away is a tight S neck. But there is a difference between a S strike pose and the reaction to tapping your snake on the nose. You'll see that the tight S, you can tell your snake is really tensing her muscles. Your snake neck and head will wobble or shake just like you would when you hold yourself up on a pullup bar. Not many balls will strike, and im sure yours is fine. Just let her do what she wants, and if your uncomfortable with her around your face, then just hold her away from it.

[Dabonus]

There's a chance you will be bitten eventually, but I really wouldn't worry too much about it. After the shock wears off you'll realize it was nothing to get all worked up over.

However, a bite to the face wouldn't be the most pleasant thing. I personally dont let any of my snakes get within striking distance of my face.

[redstormlax12]

After the shock wears off you'll realize it was nothing to get all worked up over

So true. Ive been tagged by my super dwarf retic a few times (my faults) and to tell you the truth the bite doesnt even hurt. You dont feel it really. They are so sharp at small that really it wont hurt until a few hours later.

Getting tagged is kind of a badge in this hobby. The thing is, as stated before, its going to happen. But in reality you'll laugh at yourself after the bite because you'll realize it really wasnt that bad.

[gwood267]

Getting tagged is kind of a badge in this hobby. The thing is, as stated before, its going to happen. But in reality you'll laugh at yourself after the bite because you'll realize it really wasnt that bad.

i agree the best cure for fear of being bitten is to be bitten! beside that i would rather be bitten by a big burm than crapped on by a small king!

[rabernet]

The fear of the bite is far worse than the bite itself.

[jfreels]

Two types of snake owners....

Those that have been bitten

and

Those that have not been bitten YET!

[MissLeMew]

The only time you should ever be "afraid" of a ball python is probably the first couple months after one has hatched, and even then, it's way funnier then it is scary. My breeder friend has some baby ball pythons that are as nippy as they come, but they grow out of it and some of them never bite or strike at anything other than it's food ever again. Heck, most of the baby ball pythons that have tagged me never even drew blood.

Don't be afraid, if your snake hasn't taken a bite out of you or it's previous owners in the past, then chances are it probably won't unless you catch it in the wrong mood.. and chances are it'll let you know with noises and posture before it ever makes a move to strike.

And if you ever do get tagged, I'd bet my life on the fact that you'll laugh right after it happens. It's kind of like a "This is what I was so afraid of? BWAHAHAHA!" moment.

Have fun with your creepy crawler!

[JoDirt]

The only time you should ever be "afraid" of a ball python is probably the first couple months after one has hatched, and even then, it's way funnier then it is scary. My breeder friend has some baby ball pythons that are as nippy as they come, but they grow out of it and some of them never bite or strike at anything other than it's food ever again. Heck, most of the baby ball pythons that have tagged me never even drew blood.

Don't be afraid, if your snake hasn't taken a bite out of you or it's previous owners in the past, then chances are it probably won't unless you catch it in the wrong mood.. and chances are it'll let you know with noises and posture before it ever makes a move to strike.

And if you ever do get tagged, I'd bet my life on the fact that you'll laugh right after it happens. It's kind of like a "This is what I was so afraid of? BWAHAHAHA!" moment.

Have fun with your creepy crawler!

It's kind of funny, I jump and the snake jumps into a ball. I'm just going to try to stay away from the sharp end.