Nervous! (Long story beware)

[shrsg7]

So I have saved a normal from one of my moms work friends. She came to me with the whole set up a long 20 gallon teraneuium, Lights, water bowl this is my first ball. (I previously had a rattlesnake that I found injured on the road feed him back to health and set him free) this will play into the story shortly. So when she brought her over the tank . It was just in horrible condition atleast 3 sheds and 5+ poops. so I took her out and but her in a tub with some warm water. and cleaned her tank all up and put a uth on it. now she is what seems happy as can be... but there's 2 things im nervous about 1. She looks really ashey on top of her head and dont know if she is about to shed or if this is from how poorly she was cared for previously. (If I can ever find out how to post pictures I will)
2. She is very head shy and if I make any movement she goes into what looks like she is about to strike. Im not scared of getting bit I'm scared that if I do I'll jump or something and hurt her wich is the last thing I would ever want to do. But I do get nervous holding her. I think this is where the rattlesnake comes into play. I have always loved reptiles. but the rattlesnake being my first I was always careful and very scared of him and I think it might have carried over with her for some reason I would like two know if you were nervous when you got into snakes. what helped you relax with them? And any thoughts about the top of her head and what I should do to help her?

Any information will be very appreciated!
Thanks for reading sorry it is so long lol!

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[BeccaBurrr]

I was super nervous when I first got mine a few months ago. I used to be ridiculously frightened of snakes, in general, though. When I would visit my aunt's place up in the mountains in California, she would warn me about rattlesnakes when I was kid. She always said to run and get one of them to get rid of it and not to get close to them. I think I just took that early childhood warning and assumed all snakes were dangerous from then on. I got talked into holding a BP a while back and fell in love with the species immediately! When I first got mine, I was still a little nervous. I didn't like picking her up because I always thought she would strike, so I always had my boyfriend do it. What helped me relax was just holding her often. I think it helped her too. She was a little skittish at first, but now (in just a couple months time) she's a sweetie. She practically begs to be held. You just have to be gentle with them. Have a good hold on them (don't squeeze) and just support their body. Since you just got it, I'd say let it settle in for a few days and then start getting it out to hold it. Don't go any longer than maybe 10-15 minutes of holding time for now. I think it'll settle in fine. As for being head-shy, that's normal. Mine used to freak out about movements around the head too. I'm not sure when this stopped...but the other night I successfully touched her head without her freaking out. I think she just got used to the handling and realized I wasn't going to hurt her.

[shrsg7]

Thanks I agree I'm sure in time I will become more comfortable with holding her and balls in general...

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[Badgemash]

Tee hee hee! Ok now that's out of my system. Don't worry about hurting her if she bites you, instinct kicks in and you pull away before you can even think, so you won't smack her or anything (you will however probably smack your hand on the tank on the way out). As far as the ashy thing, pics would help greatly if you are able, without them anything else would be pure speculation on my part. I'm glad you've taken her in and she has a good caring owner now!

[shrsg7]

*Pictures*



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[shrsg7]

The last pic was taken about a week ago just thought I would throw it in you can still see it in that one a little bit and she was submerged for a lil bit but man I love how she looks in that one! Thanks in advance. .

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[angllady2]

Aww, you both just need time to get used to each other. The spot on her head looks like where she roughed up scales when she was shedding. It may or may not go away when she sheds again, but it's not something to worry about.

All snakes are head shy, it is instinct. The head is where a predator will grab them to quickly kill or disable them. Some snakes NEVER get over the fear of anything near their heads. Most will adjust to it if you move slowly and carefully and start on the neck behind the head and gradually work your way up.

For the most part, her "s"ing up, as we call it, is simply her being afraid, and not a sign of an impending strike.

It may help you both to use my favorite trick for helping a new and nervous snake adjust. Clean off your bed, and pull the blankets tight. Gently lift her up by her middle body, and set her down on the bed. Sit down near her and just let her wander around. You can also lay down on your side, prop yourself on your elbow and let her wander around. Once she relaxes, and starts to slither around, then you can gently lift her by the body if she tries to get down off the bed. Just spending time near each other can help you both adjust. Start out with maybe 10-15 minutes, and try to work up to maybe as much as 30. Slowly and gently touch her body, start down on her side and quietly work your way up her body to her neck by degrees. As you go, pay attention to her reactions. When you get high enough on her body to make her uncomfortable, make a note of that, and start there to begin her headshy training. Once you can gently stroke that spot with no reaction, then move closer to her head.
If you go slowly, I'd say about 90% of snakes will eventually let you gently stroke their head, but you must move slowly. Otherwise you become a predator again, and you have to start over.

I wish you all the best with your new baby. Take things slowly, and you will both be happy.

Gale

[tlich]

Good advice here already, frequent handlings and you will both get used to each other.

Just wanted to point out your uth will need to be regulated by a thermostat or rheostat if you don't have it on one already, it will get hot enough to burn your snake.

Congrats on the new addition!

[Solarsoldier001]

When I first got introduced to snakes, I wanted nothing to do with them. They were scary too me. But what helped me open up was I guess how confident and calm my boyfriend was around them. I figured this is a man I adore, therefore snakes can't be that bad. He help me everyday hold his first snake. Then soon enough I just started holding her by myself. Now I have nine snakes. And I've been bitten twice. I've yet to jerk my hand in any manner that would hurt any of my bps. But if any of them were poisonous I'd probably be less calm around them for sure. Good luck. And if you have a friend that loves snakes. I'd say invite them over for a play date lol. And keep holding your BP. They'll get use to you over time


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[whispersinmyhead]

Congrats! You already got excellent advise above but I will share a little anyway. I wasn't really afraid of snakes and got a bearded dragon first. Once I held a ball python I fell in love. I think I love how misunderstood they are. I handled a few and then we got our first. It wasn't until I reached in to pick her up that I felt a little nervous. Like you I didn't care about getting bit. I just didn't want to upset her and wanted to have positive handling experiences.

Only advice I can give is when you go to grab her approach deliberately. Don't rush but don't hesitate. Most animals (and children) can sense out emotional state and react to it. This is my experience and so don't take it as scientific fact. Keep handling sessions short and increase time as you are comfortable. Before long you will be able to read your snake and get a sense of its mood. I haven't run into a mean (defensive) ball python yet but I am sure there are a couple out there. If it is hissing at you then leave it be for a while and try when it is not. That was advise I got from the breeder. I have never heard one hiss yet either.

Enjoy!