Why does my python freak out when I put her back in her cage?

[Medusasmommy]

I've had her for about a week. She's a juvenile ball python. I handle her for a few minutes a day. She's improving and getting used to me. Today I took her outside to get a few minutes of sun. Her cage is in my dark room and I know some sunlight is good but not needed. It was a sunny day. But every time I put her back in the cage she starts slithering fast and crawling around her tank almost like she's trying to get back out. But within 5 minutes she's back under her log hiding. Is this normal?????

[The Serpent Merchant]

That's normal. But if you've only had her a week I would recommend that you not handle her for awhile so she can settle into her new home.

[Medusasmommy]

Oh ok. Thanks!

[danojeno]

That's what mine did when I first got him. Now it's straight back to a hide. Aside from an occasional night cruise or a head peek when he is hungry, that is where he remains.

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[Pythonfriend]

i think her new home might just be still as alien as your handling for her. It takes a while for pythons to settle in when all the surroundings change.

it causes no harm to handle snakes daily, with breaks due to feeding or breeding or shed. a few minutes a day is fine, and if she settles down on your shoulder or arm and relaxes it can be longer. If she balls up, i suggest putting her back into the enclosure or even into the hide. But i still think, maybe give her a few days off to settle in.

it will almost certainly improve i think.

[medicinhed]

Mine will migrate to my head and relax there. She makes her way there from my wrist to shoulder and to the head. I've watched a whole episode of Planet Earth with her up there the whole time. I reckon maybe its because its warm, its high up, and secure.

When I put her back in her enclosure, she will spend about 15 min trying to escape. I cover her tank at night with a cloth and she settles right down.