Handling

[Crazyface2492]

Hey there I purchased a baby BP about 2 weeks ago and have only held him to feed him which was last Saturday... I gave him a few days to digest and tried to handle him yesterday but I felt like he didn't want to be messed with so I just gently stroked him to Guage his reaction and he just inflated like a balloon and slowly got into attack mode so I put his hide back and after I did that I was closing the cage and he tried to strike at me...so my question is, am I doing anything wrong and if so what...and when should I try again because I don't want him to get stressed to the point that won't eat

P.s. this is my first my ball python so I'm still very new at this. Thx

[calmolly1]

This is just my opinion, and there will be as many opinions as people on here. I'm pretty new as well but we believe in handling ours. Take it slow, relax, I totally think they read our vibrations or something and know when we are uncertain. So your snake senses your hesitancy and doesn't understand where the danger is...so he thinks your going to eat him. I start ours with just a short session of being held sitting down in my lap so you feel secure. Hold him sort of in his ball until he relaxes and peaks his head out between your fingers. Keep it short at first til he understands that 1. You won't eat him and 2. Don't just feed him. At first with my first one Id sit in a chair right in front of her tub then put her back. Now as soon as she comes out in the evening she waits til I open the door and climbs up my arm. The others are starting to do the same.


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[Crazyface2492]

Oh OK that makes sense becuz before he went into strike mode it looked like I had an opening to hold him but as soon as his head went into an "s" shape I put his hide but in his cage... but if there body inflates is that OK? And when should I try to take him out again he hasn't came out of his hide since then

[xXBASSXx777]

Hello, in my experience I've never had a ball python that liked being held at first. (especially younger ones) the key to getting him comfortable, is holding him. Some tips, be slow at first and allow him proper time to accumulate to his surroundings. Then you are ready to begin regular holding. it is impossible to prevent ALL stress while holding him at first so the key is keeping that stress to a minimum. you can do this by keeping your early holdings short. my technique is as follows:
Begin by picking him up when he is not moving much and preferably a little cool. (on the cool side balled up)
this will allow your hands and skin to warm him. when he becomes active easily begin moving around and letting him become used to you and then put him up while he is still being active. then slowly become more frequent and longer as he becomes more and more alright with your handling.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I purchased a baby BP

Here is the answer on his behavior.

Hatchlings and Juvy can be defensive (most are) , to them YOU are a predator, they naturally grow out of this phase as they get older and bigger.

Best is to pay attention to the body language and act with confidence, striking is not unusual for animals that age and this should not discourage you, and if you do get tagged not a big deal either it feels like paper cut.

[albinos_rule]

Agreed most juveniles go through that nippy stage. I know most people want to start out with a juvenile snake, but I would recommend a bit older one, and I realize however that can be intimidating too, but your snake will outgrow this stage once he learns you aren't going to harm him

[Crazyface2492]

Thx for all the advice everyone! He let me take him out (:

[Atrox]

Great to see that he let you hold him, my baby python has had about 4 days in his new home and I may attempt to handle him on the fifth day.

[MontyAndMelissa]

I've had Monty for 3 months and he did this for the first time the other day. You may not have fed him enough. He very well may still be hungry. Have you tried feeding him again? Monty got the mouse before it hit the floor. He was definitely still hungry.

[kylephillips87]

Hold is as much as possible when it has digested for a few days. Dont be afraid to get bit its not that bad it will realize there is no use in biting you. Even after a bite dont put it back in the cage hold it and show it that a bit is useless. I agree with the holding him in a ball inside your hands it limits its striking ability and yes let your hands warm him he will grow to like you. Bps are such babies when they get older!!! Its just a stage!! Another tip i have tried and it worked successfully with a snappy baby was what ever hand you use to pick it up from the cage hold it under cold water for a min since bps see heat signatures cool your pick up hand and reach in from straight above the snake never from the front or side with a snappy snake.