Nervous Snake, Nervous Handler

[epilover]

Ok, so, i've had my bp for only two days now, and took him out to really "interact" with him. Well, we lasted about, oh, 30 seconds. I opened the cage and tried to gently pick him up, but he stayed latched on to his hide. So i just left the cage open and waited for him to untangle himself and start to crawl out. At that point, I gently picked him up by the center of his body, and a few inches behind his head. I sat down with him in my hands, in my lap. He was calm for about 10sec, and then really just wanted to get movin. He started making jerky movements and I got very nervous, so I picked him up and put him back in his tank. This is the first snake i've ever owned, so I really don't know how to interact, or what their actions mean. I kept trying to hold him so that his head was facing away from my hand, but he kept turning his head toward my fingers, which made me pretty nervous. Any help on all this would be really appreciated. I've read so much on the internet about bp's, but no one really seems to talk much about how, when, and where to handle snakes.

Thanks,
Benn

[AngelOfDeath]

umm...... thats great that you just got a BP but you shouldn't really take him out of his enclosure or bother him for about a week while he is adjusting to his new home since you just got him.... give him a week or so then i would say give him another shot at an "interaction" with you. If your BP is "flighty" its a sign that he needs to be put back in his enclosure so that you dont stress him out, which could cause him to go off feeding or worse. Any other stuff i'm sure the moderators will add in

[Cody]

Yeah, I know where you're coming from Benn. My first snake was Pelota, my ball(first and only snake currently), and I'd never really held a snake before so I wasn't sure how to hold her. I did know to support their body so they feel safe, and let them wrap around you and stuff and explore. After the first handling session with her, it just came natural. Now when I want to take her out, I lift her hide, rub her sides gently so she knows its me, then I pick her up at the mid-body region, and turn my hands so she'll wrap around my wrist and hand. I don't really care where she puts her head. I know she won't bite unless she smells rodent or something. She frequently pushes her head between my fingers. It's cute.
So I don't think you have to worry about your bp's head and where it goes. You have to be calm and not worry about a bite(if thats why you didn't want the head at your fingers). They usually won't bite unless you smell like rodent and it triggers their feeding response. Even then, at that age, it won't hurt at all.

Oh, and as was mentioned, you should probably give your snake another 5 days alone in its new surroundings. Usually the general rule of thumb is to leave them for a week in their cage so they settle in. Just supply proper heat and humidity, and fresh water daily, and it'll be fine. Then after that week, you should try to feed the snake. If it takes the rodent, then leave him for a few days to digest, then you can start handling sessions and bond. If it refuses, and you're doing everything right, then maybe the snake isn't settled in yet. Give it another 5 days to a week and try again. By then it should be settled in, and good and hungry.

Good luck. And don't hesitate to post any other questions.

[epilover]

Thanks for the advice guys, really helps. So i'll leave ronin alone for a week. Now, petco said he was fed saturday Nov 6th. I bought him and got him all set up on the 10th and finalized all his heating stuff today (the 11th). Should I try to feed him this saturday (1 week after his last meal) or should I wait longer?

Benn

[Shelby]

You could always offer the food on sat, but don't be too surprised if your snake doesn't eat. I let my snake settle for a couple weeks before feeding her, though she was older about a year old, so wouldn't feed as often anyway.

As far as handling goes.. I would also say, don't worry about the head. The more you fuss with your snake's head/neck the more you're going to make him nervous. I also second the fact that a bite from a baby BP won't hurt. Most of the time, they just bluff anyway and don't even open their mouth. Besides that, it's rare to have a BP strike at you. Bluff or no.

When I take Shelby out, I lift her hide off of her, then pick her up mid body, while supporting her. She usually gets active real quickly and likes to explore. Just keep letting your snake crawl over your hands. Don't make sudden movements by his head, especially when he's learning to trust you. BPs are notoriously shy animals.

But most importantly, enjoy your snake!

[Cody]

Yeah bp's are usually very headshy, as its a pretty vulnerable part of their body. I got Pelota over her headshyness by sloooowwwly and geeentttly petting her neck just behind her head as I held her. Then as she got used to that, I would sloooowwwly and geenntttlly touch the top of her head. She'd jerk away. And I'd wait a bit then try again. After a while she was used to it. And now, as long as I don't spook her and go for the head out of nowhere, she's fine with it. Probably good to get her over the headshy thing incase sometimes in the future I need to touch her head for something, like opening her mouth for medicines or substrate removal, etc.

[Marla]

I agree with the others about not rushing either handling or feeding. Your little guy needs some time to get used to his new home and a nervous handler isn't going to help that along. When you do handle him, be sure to support his body weight for him, give him the opportunity to hide his head and wrap around you for support, and don't act nervous or jumpy. I first got a ball python in 1995 and I first got bitten 3 weeks or so ago (stupid feeding error, completely my fault). I was bitten by a 4' adult and while it didn't feel like butterfly kisses, it certainly wasn't any worse than what my kitten does to my hand day in and day out.

[Jake_la_serpiente]

Let your BP get used to the encloser (at least a week before handling). Your BP can pick up on your nervousness too. They pick up on vibrations and can easily sense your nervousness. I would suggest handling for 10 minutes in the morning and in the evening, just so you can get used to handling. This will increase your confidence, and also get your snake used to you. Again, I would not disturb your snake for at least a week in the new encloser.
Good luck!

[Brandon.O]

I know what your talkin about, i was kinda nervous (OK, scared) when i first got roxy, i actually took her out of her cage with a hanger (like a snake hook) and then once i got her out i didnt want to put her down becuase then i would have to pick her up again, and i was scared.Now after ive had her for awhile there is no fear at all.Im not really scared of any snakes anymore.With the new snake, if you open up her cage and she is out she looks at me like " if you come any closer ill get you" but i just look at her and tell her to behave, im not really scared even if she does bite me, it cant hurt all that bad (even tho she is three feet long) but a bite from 22 inch roxy wont hurt.

[sophie42204]

I don't think I was ever nervous when I first got Sophie, but I had handled snakes many times before I actually owned any. To be honest, I'm more nervous w/our baby Cali Kings than with our BPs (Serpico bit me the other day, it startled me more than hurt me--they are only 2 mos. old and are prone to nippiness--but it still freaked me out a little as it was the first time I was 'bitten' by a snake).

As everyone has stated already, best thing to do is let your snake settle in and feel at home in his new surroundings before handling too much. I would also wait another week before trying to feed. I'm sure you'll do great, just take your time and be gentle.