Today I had a miracle!A male ball had a complete turn around,has anyone else had this

[richiquick]

My five foot male bp,Aries,actually let me hold him,pet him and clean his cage!I am not generally afraid of snakes but this guy is that mean!I was actually about to regime him because it was so hard to care for him and out of no where he is just relaxing in my hands,I had never held him before besides in his travel bag to come home,he just would not let me,I kept trying and finally he let me!I am no expert,has anyone else had this happen,will he stay like this?I rescued him and a female,she is awesome,he is full grown,healthy now,he was skinny but he is good now,any advise?Should I handle him everyday or every other day,I don't want to stress him again!I'm happy,very,and would like to keep him like this.

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[Pythonfriend]

first of all, congratulations

then, if the BP just doesnt let you pick him up..... just accept that you might get tagged, use one flat hand as a shield so that you only get some head bumps and approach the head with the flat hand, pick him up in the middle of the body with the other hand, and go through with it no matter what. and then just hold him for as long as it takes for him to calm down, and add 2 minutes, before you put him back.

but i can see how this may be a problem if there is some residual trace of fear of snakes left. if you can completely overcome that, and accept that you may get tagged, even the most defensive/agressive and feisty BP can be handled. its not fun and can be done. and if done right, they tend to get better with every correcly done handling session. of course its much easier with hatchlings and i can see how it may be a challenge with an adult.

[xFenrir]

Have you considered hook training? Basically, whenever you go to pick him up, you tap/nudge him gently with the hook to "snap him out of it", then pick him up. Usually I hear about people doing it for aggressive feeding responses (usually the bigger guys like Burms, Retics and boas) to give them a heads up that they're not reaching in to give food, but it might work with general aggression too. It can be done without a hook (like say, with a paper towel tube or something) but the added bonus of a hook is having something to pick him up with as well, just in case he decides to try an ambush attack.

[kylearmbar]

Underfed/ hungry ball pythons can be aggressive, feeding more often usually helps. He was probably just hungry before and now that he is healthier is settling down.so good job on that lol. And I wouldn't hold him everyday maybe every couple, but if he stops eating I'd lower that to.

[richiquick]

Thanks guys,so I tried the hook,oh boy did he HATE that thing lol!I gave him a few days and took him out again,he was not happy this time but I took him out for awhile to put some shed ease on him,let me tell you he fought with me but he didn't strike,good for me lol,but he definitely believes he is fighting for his life,I feel bad for him.He may never be a lap snake but I will always give him a home,I would trust anyone else to understand him and maybe over time he will learn to trust me.Thanks so much!

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[Pyrate81]

If you feel like doing some reading about a snake I have, go down to a post from 7/18/2013. Your case isn't as extreme, but I think the story is applicable. Sometimes they just need stability and care before they will trust you. Kinda like getting a dog from the pound, but a bit different. Good luck with your guy.


http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=pyrate+pets

[Archimedes]

I've got my little one touch-trained (not quite hook training, because who uses a hook for a baby BP). When I need to pull her out, I remove her hide and run a finger along her flanks before actually lifting her out, so that way she doesn't turn and tag me. It's not that i'm nervous about getting tagged, but more so developing a routine for an otherwise nervous snake to grow comfortable with. maybe in that way, hook training would do well for your big 'un!

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[richiquick]

I've been trying all sorts of things,making sure to give him some time in-between,so far the best is to open talk to him to let him know I'm there and then picking him up before he can think about it to long.Today will be a test for both of us,he needs a bath,he is a problem shedder because all he does is hide,so I black out his tank for a few days to add a bit of security and just let him be but I know the rest of his shed has to come off so wish me luck,I don't mind a bit,id rather not lol,but I don't want to stress him more or hurt his teeth with my skin either.If he sees that hook he gets MAD in the worst way,so hands it is!I'll update you later with good news or my bite stats lol,oh boy!

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