BP doesn't like being touched?

[shelliebear]

My ball python Madison is about to shed right now. Her eyes have cleared up, today is the second today they have been clear.
When I touch her in some spots she jumps--like it hurts or something. She also will tense if I bring my hand near her, predicting where my hand will touch her and tensing that spot up.
Other than these things she's acting normal; temps are never lower than 75, typically at 80 degrees (have a space heater with a thermostat in it heating the room).
She has some weird looking spots on her belly that I didn't notice until she turned blue, so I think it might just be her scales separating since she is about to shed.
Any ideas what this could be? Could she just not like being touched right now? :/
Thanks lots,
Shellie

[mpkeelee]

if you want to pet something get a dog. BP's just wanna be left alone. especially while getting ready to shed but u just stick ur hand in and "pet" them. no ur BP doesnt like being pet

[shelliebear]

Lol, where did I say I pet her like a dog?
Please tell me where I said that because I don't see it--I would be lying if I had posted that.
I don't pet my snakes. I don't know how you got that out of my post, but ok.
I'll be more specific:
When I touch her whilst checking her belly, her mouth, moving her from one location to another (i.e. to clean her tank or feed her), or when picking her up, she has a few spots on her body--usually on her sides--that she seems to not like being touched. Has anyone experience that also?
C'mon, read my whole post. XD

[sho220]

It's normal...some seem to do it more than others...I guess they just aren't as tolerant...

[angllady2]

Does she noly do it when she's getting ready to shed ?

I know several of mine do this same thing during shed week, and I've come to the conclusion that it IS uncomfortable, perhaps tender to the touch ?

The ones who do something similar when not in shed I call ticklish. They don't really jump, but they will twitch their bodies away if I run a gentle finger down their sides. They will even twitch away ahead of my finger, in anticipation of "being tickled" as I call it. They don't seem to mind if I do that every now and then, it's kind of a game we play.

Gale

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

That is normal. We have 7 snakes right now and have owned between the two of us over 100 and yes BP are more of a solitary snake but it's good to handle them. We handle ours every day as well as our kids, they love them. Our BP also are a little jumpy when you first touch them but it's normal. Once you get them picked up they are fine. When they are in the blue it's hard for them to see so we leave them alone. I guess think of it as if you were blind and some one touching and picking you up lol. But your girl is fine best of luck to you.

[OhhWatALoser]

Some snake tolerate being touched, none of them enjoy it tho.

[steveboos]

Yeah sounds like a normal attitude for a younger ball python. They are really tense and takes them about 5-10 minutes of being out and about before they calm down. Just keep holding her/him and over time it will get better.

Also you said your temps never get below 75 and are around 80, but what is the hotspot temperature?? That's the most important part of the husbandry i feel.