Had my snake for four months, still shy.

[queenelvis82]

Hello all!
As said in the title, I have had my 5 month old Ball Python for 4 months. She is in a tank with the sides and back covered. There are two different looking hides on the cool and hot end and overall the husbandry is spot on. I handle her about three to four times a week so she is used to me. However, when she is popping her head out of her hide or completely out of her hide, she gets very scared when I am near the tank. For example, if she is smelling her surroundings and I walk by and say hello, she immediately stops and stares at me. It is like she is very scared. I do not understand it because I handle her as much as recommended so she knows my scent and trusts me (I think.)
Is this a behavior that will diminish over time or will she always be scared of me while in her enclosure?
Please, let me know
Thanks!

[J.P.]

if she stops and just looks at you, she's not scared. just sizing you up probably. that's what ball pythons do when they see potential prey or predators.
scared ball pythons quickly ball up in their hides.

[KMG]

I'm not sure what you were expecting from a ball. What you described sums up most of them. Mine is a few years old and acts the same way. Most of my snakes do. The only exception I have is my BRB. He can be very curious at times.

[wescoast]

Remeber they cannot see well enough to know its u and its hard to smell u in a tank its like a bubble. I will blow and hope it recognizes my stinky human breat but they react to movment for then details we humans see. For it to hide is good and normal if it was dumb or stargazing u would have a problem. As long as the handling goes smoothly and u dont have a nipper ur fine. The smell of u your hand feel and how u particularly handle your snake is what makes him/her feel at home or safe. .

[vangarret2000]

What you are describing is the normal behaviour of a ball python. I think you are expecting too much out of a snake. Your snake will learn to tolerate being held by you but it won't want to be held by you.


"It is like she is very scared"
"She knows my scent and trusts me(I think)"

Those last two words are the most important in those statements. It's what YOU think. That format mean it's what our snake feels. Your snake will never trust you. It will tolerate you. You aren't gonna be buddy buddy with a snake. That's just not how they are. They are great animals but it seems like you are expecting a more interacting/affectionate animal then they are. Enjoy what you got and you will just learn to love them for what they are.

[Painted]

"Probably sizing you up"- haha, that was great. I mean I definitely agree, it's just I like to convince myself my ball pythons are just longingly staring for a friend. I then proceed to scooping them up and giving them kisses. It's hard to be a ball python.

But yes, sounds 150% like normal behavior. Don't worry.

[queenelvis82]

Thanks everybody! I know my snake will never know who I am and will not show affection. I thought that after a while, she will get used me walking around and her nervousness would diminish over time. Thanks for the replies!

[NH93]

Thanks everybody! I know my snake will never know who I am and will not show affection. I thought that after a while, she will get used me walking around and her nervousness would diminish over time. Thanks for the replies!

Although I agree with what everyone has said, it doesn't necessarily mean your snake will always hide when you walk by, or every time. It may, or it may not.

For example, my guy is still shy but when he's out hanging on his furniture every night, he now doesn't leave when we come say hi. In fact, after 10 months, my corn will come OUT of her hide when we press our faces to the glass to see what's up

All the best! Keep enjoying your critter.

[J.P.]

Thanks everybody! I know my snake will never know who I am and will not show affection. I thought that after a while, she will get used me walking around and her nervousness would diminish over time. Thanks for the replies!

you're right about the lack of affection, but i'd give their intelligence a little more credit. based on what i observed, i'd like to think some of my snakes know who i am and i imagine them thinking "hey, the food guy's coming"!!!. my favorite snakes greet me by slamming the side of their tubs whenever i'm near.
your snake is showing signs of being alert, you should welcome the behavior.
having a non-reactive snake is quite dull and boring, and in fact those should be watched more closely because those ones are more at risk of losing interest in food.