New and scared

[gidget67119]

My husband has owned BP before. He is really wanting one again. I'm terrified of snakes. I respect them enough to stay away from them. I have held 2 in my life,very intoxicated on the first, and very pregnant on the second(i pissed myself I was so scared on the 2nd). Anyways, I started reading about them and looking into different morphs. I'm kind of leaning towards a butter ghost IF I CAVE AND LET HIM GET ONE.

My question is, does anyone have any advice for me the first time possible owner?

[RestlessRobie]

Ball Pythons are a great first snake for people with a fear of snakes
They are very docile and most of mine just like to chill out and watch TV around my neck, arm or sitting in my lap. As for their needs I would definatley check out the care sheet and go slow while trying to overcome your fear. My daughter was scared of snakes as well and now she has her own Ball Python she enjoys

[The Serpent Merchant]

Statistically a dog is twice as likely to hurt you than a snake is, and a dog bite/cat bite/cat scratch is going to hurt far more than anything a Ball Python can do to you is going too.

They are very calm and mostly slow moving animals that are naturally wired to run rather that fight. It takes a lot to get a Ball Python to even take a swing at you. And if they do a bee sting hurts more than their bite does. Even full grown they pose no threat to you, they aren't strong enough or big enough to do any damage.

I strongly suggest handling one but don't just run to petsmart/petco to do so... they keep their animals in terrible conditions so the animals are far more likely to be aggressive. See if there is a breeder local to you or if there is going to be a reptile show in your area.

These are amazing animals, and they make really good pets.

These 2 threads are a great start for a beginner:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...04#post1845904

[Annarose15]

Until you are more comfortable, make sure you are always sitting down when you handle him. This way, if he startles you (or vice versa) and you jump, he falls into your lap instead of all the way to the floor. Just start out easy, and "fake it til you make it." If you start getting too nervous, just hand him gently to your husband, and add a few more minutes on next week. One bonus to BPs is that they don't get "mean" when they aren't handled often, which means you don't have to push it or yourself any faster than you are comfortable with. It also might help to him him handle him for a few minutes first sitting beside you, and see if your curiosity helps you overcome your fear, too! By the way, a butter ghost is a fantastic choice. They're sooo gorgeous!

[LLLReptile]

What I've found when it comes to moms/wives that are terrified of the snakes... Have him get a baby, a nice, pretty, beautiful little baby snake, and then don't mess with it yourself. Just watch him interact with it. See how he does, see how the kids do with it, and just get used to it.

Don't force yourself, and don't let him force you. That is the one mistake I see significant others and parents make - don't force it on yourself or on the kids, just let it happen. Natural curiosity will take over at some point, especially if you think the snake looks cool. Just take your time. The snake will easily live 30+ years with good care, you'll have TONS of time to get used to it!

Basically, let him get the prettiest one he can within your budget, let him remain in charge of all the care, and just don't let yourself get worked up over it. Over time, you'll find yourself minding the whole "snake thing" less and less, and eventually you may end up liking it. Maybe even so much that YOU end up the one with all the snakes (that happens more often than you'd think).

Good luck, relax, it'll be great. enjoy!

-Jen

[Andybill]

Until you are more comfortable, make sure you are always sitting down when you handle him. This way, if he startles you (or vice versa) and you jump, he falls into your lap instead of all the way to the floor. Just start out easy, and "fake it til you make it." If you start getting too nervous, just hand him gently to your husband, and add a few more minutes on next week. One bonus to BPs is that they don't get "mean" when they aren't handled often, which means you don't have to push it or yourself any faster than you are comfortable with. It also might help to him him handle him for a few minutes first sitting beside you, and see if your curiosity helps you overcome your fear, too! By the way, a butter ghost is a fantastic choice. They're sooo gorgeous!

Yeah I thought my nephew was cool with snakes when he held one of mine all was good until the snake moved its head all quick like then he jumped and squealed and dropped my lady! I was so mad but I guess I should have told him to sit down so that will never happen again. He was squatting down cuz she was low in the rack but still I felt really bad for her!

[covah-pariah]

^^ agreed with all of them. mine have helped many people get over their fear of snakes with my bp's by letting them come to me in their own time, that is key.

When I got my first one, my gf at the time was afraid of them and she got over the fear and fell in love with them by the end of the next day after I brought him home. She held him for a few SECONDS at the store when I got him then held him for about a minute the next day before work, when we got home that night she eagerly asked to hold him again and admitted she looked forward to holding him again the entire day.

[mdfreak2]

yes it will just take some time dont pressure yourself like everyone else said and it will come naturally my wife was terrified of them and she let me get 1 and then 2 and now im up to 9 and getting another tomorrow so it takes time like we all said she still wont hold them unless she is watching them while i clean tubs and as soon as it moves she yelling at me to get it lol but its all good. good luck on getting your first snake post pictures as soon as you get it

[gidget67119]

Thank you everyone!! I admitted to my husband that I'm on the verge of letting him get one. I think he about pissed himself from excitement. LOL! He already bought a tank and stand today (preparing for the day i give in). Tomorrow we are going to the shop to look at them. They are breeders not just any pet shop. We will see how it goes. I run a daycare so the snake will be in our bedroom til we sell our house. I'll have plenty of time to 'get used to it'. I'll post pics when/if we get one.

He was very impressed by my use of Google and all the research I have done on the snake. Unfortunately the morph I want isn't readily available, so we may be getting just a normal to nature BP. Maybe when I;m ready for my own, he'll find a breeder that has the butter ghost.

Thanks again everyone!!!

[rabernet]

Kudos to you for doing research on them! We have a number if members who got a ball python to help get over their fear of snakes and now own multiple ball pythons.

They really are fantastic little critters!

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