Why do they do that?

[VigdisXX]

Random question i was thinking about while holding my bp: why is they tense away from you when you touch them? Is it just a reaction?


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[Cyndymei]

Because you are a lot bigger than them and you can be seen as a predator going after them. In my experience larger snakes don't seem to care as much about you touching them. Juveniles seem to be a bit more skittish.

[SouthernVaper]

yup its a snake & you are a moving heat source way larger then a prey item, its just their instinct .....

[nachash]

I think it also has a lot to do with where on their body you are touching them. They'll whip away if you try touching their heads, and even touching their necks makes them nervous. I've noticed mine don't like being touching along their bellies or their tails. Both seem indifferent to being touched along their spines though.

Also once mine acclimated better they became much less skittish around me. My older bigger ball python will take around my arm sometimes if I have it the tank.

[Mike41793]

I tense up when strangers come up and touch me lol

[VigdisXX]

Well i dont mean like flinching, its a smooth kind of muscle tensing as i touch her.


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[jxl]

They like their private space and are not dogs that need petting ;-) and as Mike41793 said i also don't like to be touched by random people

[CORBIN911]

Well my guess what you mean, Your almost tickling them, When someone gently, rubs around your rib cage, what do you do, I laugh, kick, punch and tense up because it tickles me, my guess is it bugs the snake!