No idea why but im scared! lol

[dembonez]

What i do every time i go to handle my Ball Python is, Lift the hide, then move it over then i wait about a second or two then i put my hand in front of his face to show im not a threat and not wanting to hurt him! i then gently and slowly pick him up supporting his entire body works for me every time!

[BoaFreak]

What i do every time i go to handle my Ball Python is, Lift the hide, then move it over then i wait about a second or two then i put my hand in front of his face to show im not a threat and not wanting to hurt him! i then gently and slowly pick him up supporting his entire body works for me every time!

Same hear. I also use a [whole bunch] of germ x


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[TrpnBils]

ive done the research seen the videos of people being bitten by bps twice the size of mine.. seen their teeth and i know it hurts less than a shot from the doctor but i for whatever reason have a crippling fear of picking this thing up..

You're not going to like this, but you just need to get bit and see that it's not as bad as you think. It hurts for awhile, yes, but usually after a day or so you can't even see the teeth marks anymore...even from most adults.

Every snake is its own individual...some have good tempers and some don't. You're taking more of a chance handling a PetSmart snake than you are handling one of your own because you don't know those snakes at all...don't know their personalities, don't know their attitudes, don't know if they've bitten the last 10 people that have held it. When you work with a snake for long enough, you get to know what sets them off (of course there will be exceptions, but for the most part you can sort of gauge their response), and you'll know what to do and what not to do with them.

Just "get over it" and you'll see it's not that bad!

EDIT: You said you're watching videos of people being bitten...and you're psyching yourself out for nothing! If you were afraid of flying, would you watch dozens of videos of deadly plane crashes before you boarded?

[Marissa@MKmorphs]

I kind of understand this fear. My first ball python is arriving tomorrow morning (2010 super pastel male) and I've only ever been handed snakes as well. I handle my friends 6 ft. Red Tail Boa pretty frequently and am fine with him. It is just the fact that I will be completely responsible for this little guy kinda freaks me out. I'm going to take a vid of me unboxing him because I'm pretty sure it is going to be pretty funny seeing me trying to pick him up for the first time. I'm not so much afraid of getting bit as I am of just not being able to take the step and pick him up.

[WingedWolfPsion]

My husband AND my friend still act like a little girls when they have to pick up a hatchling sometimes. It takes TIME to learn to read their body language, and time to learn how to move so that they don't react adversely, if they're nervous.

In the meantime--use a little hook or something, and transfer to the snake to your hand that way. Why not?

[Marissa@MKmorphs]

Good point about taking the time to get to know the snake's body language. I'll definitely have to remember that when the time comes for me to be handling my snake more regularly.

[Stubean15]

Hey, i hear you and feel the same way. I have always been afraid of snakes, big time. Last saturday, i decided to buy my first snake, a BP. He is about 18 to 20 inches. I was advised to wait a week to 10 days before touching him. The next day (sunday) i went in to change his water dish. He was out of his hut and bite (mouth open or closed) i couldn't tell, the dish. I jumped so far away.

last night, i wanted to try a feeding... I took him out and put him into another aquarium (one i will use to feed him only) he hissed a few time and didn't wanna have anything to do with his food.

i put gloves on to take him out and put back in his house.

I did notice he often puts his body in a (S) shape, head up. That freaks me out.

If you come into good ideas or anything, do post it. <

any help of info is a relief.

Luc, a.k.a afraid of a bite.

cheers

yea this post is a little old.. now i kinda worry i hold him too much lol and a hook may work for you but for me it kind of became a crutch.. i just forced myself to pick him up every time i misted which is like 2 times a day.. i just picked him up misted then i put him down..

honestly everyone on here was a huge help and made me feel better about my fear but not one method they suggested helped i just had to grit my teeth and do it.. after like 2 days i became perfect at it now i pick him up and have his top back on his cage before i realize ive got him out..

and mine hisses alot too but its all talk.. and its becoming more evident that the "s" shape only means hes gonna strike about .00005% of the time the rest of the time its just how hes holding his head..

but yea just force yourself to do it gloves and hooks will become a habbit and will take waaay longer than it should to get over it.. just remember no matter how you feel its actually nothing.. you will feel silly once you get used to it

now remember the first few times suuuck you have that overwelming terror feeling and you know what im talking lol but it passes and each time it is less and less untill picking him up will be like picking up the remote.. its no big deal
once you read this go try it

well i hope this novel i just wrote helps lol good luck let me know

[TrpnBils]

On a related note...

Snakebytes TV - New episode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21UBS...re=uploademail

[Ham]

I have learned from experience that the trick to picking up a snake is to not hesitate. If you hesitate not only do you spend more time upsetting the snake you also spend more time upsetting yourself, just reach in calmly and confidently and pick the snake up, just be gentle but firm. The more confident you are the more relaxed the snake will be, I know if I was a snake I would not want a nervous shaky hand waving around in my face, but if you just reach in and get it over with the snake will be more comfortable because you are not teasing him by reaching in and out repeatedly while you try to get the guts to pick it up. Also if your not shaking while holding him the snake will be in a lot better mood as well. Plus with a ball python you are unlikely to get bit even if you were to pick the snake up and toss him back and forth like some insane snake juggling clown... The majority of them are just too calm and timid to strike at people...

PS: Please dont juggle snakes!

[wax32]

I kind of understand this fear. My first ball python is arriving tomorrow morning (2010 super pastel male) and I've only ever been handed snakes as well. I handle my friends 6 ft. Red Tail Boa pretty frequently and am fine with him. It is just the fact that I will be completely responsible for this little guy kinda freaks me out. I'm going to take a vid of me unboxing him because I'm pretty sure it is going to be pretty funny seeing me trying to pick him up for the first time. I'm not so much afraid of getting bit as I am of just not being able to take the step and pick him up.

LOL I want to see this vid!