Handling Ball python

[Skittles1101]

Sounds like he is trying to escape, which is not a bad thing. I wouldn't say he's stressed being handled, but most snakes including bps don't "like" being handled, they tolerate it. It's not like a puppy that rolls over so you can rub it's tummy, they are just different critters and snakes don't necessarily like to be held, but they like being out of their glass/plastic box so they can plot their escape

[snakesRkewl]

Sounds like he is trying to escape, which is not a bad thing. I wouldn't say he's stressed being handled, but most snakes including bps don't "like" being handled, they tolerate it.

I think this is up to the individual ball python.
I have numerous snakes that will insist on being held by coming out of the tubs on their own and right into my arms, it's pretty obvious that they more than just tolerate being held.

[Skittles1101]

I think this is up to the individual ball python.
I have numerous snakes that will insist on being held by coming out of the tubs on their own and right into my arms, it's pretty obvious that they more than just tolerate being held.

Well what we interpret as "liking" may not necessarily be them liking it. I've looked into scientific studies of this stuff and keep coming up empty handed unfortunately. I'd LOVE to see proof that they are capable of those emotions because I find it fascinating, and I like to think my snakes enjoy my company and enjoy being held and feel more than just "trust" towards me, but I haven't seen any of the scientific proof behind it, which is why at this point I said "I think" they just tolerate it, or trust us, or know our scent. Whatever it may be, I wish the studies were readily available like the stuff on cats and dogs.

[spitzu]

I think this is up to the individual ball python.
I have numerous snakes that will insist on being held by coming out of the tubs on their own and right into my arms, it's pretty obvious that they more than just tolerate being held.

I'm inclined to disagree with the majority of our community and instead agree with you. I'd say less than 10% of my balls are like this, but the behavior is undeniably there.

My favorite BP is my little 500g axanthic girl and she loves being out and absolutely refuses to get off of me to go back in her tub

[snakesRkewl]

The act of coming out and insisting on being held is all the proof I need that they enjoy being held
I don't believe a snake that just tolerates us would do that.

[Skittles1101]

The act of coming out and insisting on being held is all the proof I need that they enjoy being held
I don't believe a snake that just tolerates us would do that.

I completely agree that my snakes are all "lovable" to me, I mean it appears to me that they really do enjoy it, but whether that's scientifically true is what I was getting at.

[spitzu]

There's a lot of things that can't be proven (or dis-proven) by science. Like the existence of a God. Or that human love is anything more than nature's nifty little trick of forcing men to stick around to protect the women/children.

You either feel it or you don't, and other peoples' "science" (opinions) aren't going to change that.

[xFenrir]

My girl's the same way. I only let her out on my bed, but she's always cruising towards the edge of the bed or trying to squeeze under the pillows or covers. She doesn't seem to mind being held, but she doesn't like the initial getting picked up out of the tank. But once she's out she's always periscoping and sniffing around.

She does seem to recognize familiar scents though. She's climb all over my boyfriend and I, but with new(er) people she'll sit stock still and flick her tongue like crazy to figure out what's going on. We think she's attracted to higher body heat, because she'll beeline to my boyfriend and curl around him because he's always toasty warm. Each snake has its own quirks, just like any pet.

[Keyboard Warrior]

My girl's the same way. I only let her out on my bed, but she's always cruising towards the edge of the bed or trying to squeeze under the pillows or covers. She doesn't seem to mind being held, but she doesn't like the initial getting picked up out of the tank. But once she's out she's always periscoping and sniffing around.

That pretty much sums up me and my bp's experience together. He hates being taken out, but once he's out, he seems to do fine. Always looking for crooks and nannies on the sheet of my bed to hide in. If I let him go, he'll fall off the bed.