Is it possible that a ball python might WANT to be held all the time??

[dakski]

I tend to agree. Snakes do not "like" being handled, or really, "like" or "enjoy" anything. No frontal lobe, only a reptilian brain.

My BP and Corn Snakes do fine being handled. However, when I put them back, it's usually straight to a secure hide!

Behira, my BCI is the odd one. When I put her back, half the time she crawls back out and I have to push her back in. Often, when I close the doors (front opening) to her tank, she watches me for a while and even puts her nose up against the acrylic. It looks like she's begging to come out, but she's really not. She, out of all the snakes I have, seems to "enjoy" (using that term very loosely) being out. She appears more curious and makes no effort to run and hide when put back. However, she doesn't hide half the time anyway. She really has little to no fear. So who knows.

One theory, which I don't think has been addressed, is that if her tank/enclosure isn't set up properly - with proper temps, humidity, etc. and a warm side and cool side with identical hides (proper husbandry), she may appear active because she is uncomfortable.

I think that would have more to do with her activity level than not wanting to go back. However, we want to make sure she's comfortable and feels safe in her "home."

Do you know hot side/hot spot temps, ambient temps, and cool side temps? Are there identical hides on both sides? How big is she, what type of tank are you using, and how big is the tank (length, width, and height)? Do you know what the humidity levels are? What is she eating and how often?

If you can provide that info, that would help rule out any issues with diet, husbandry, etc.

Additionally, 90% of bites happen in the tank with generally calm/docile animals (feeding strikes or defensive strikes). If she's letting you pick her up and not moving in darty motions, you are probably fine. Another thing is a happy snake is generally not super tense and has a happy tongue. Happy tongue = slow tongue flicks that are frequent, but not fast, and the tongue goes out all the way and moves around (up, down, sideways, or even circular motions). That's a I am taking things in tongue. A short (only partially out), quick, straight in and out, tongue, can often mean either, "is that food," or, "I am scared."

Learn to read your snakes tongue and body language. A relaxed body and "Happy Tongue" is a recipe for a good handling session and nothing much to worry about. Remember, even a relaxed snake can grab you pretty well to ensure they don't fall. Don't confuse that with a totally tense body and neck of the snake.

Below is a picture of my baby scaleless sunglow motley corn (she's tiny - 9G - and only 2 months old). It looks like she has multiple tongues because I took this with an iPhone and it kept the shutter speed normal, not high. However, you can see that the tongue comes out far, and moves all around - flicking up and down and left and right. That's a happy tongue. It's the same with all snakes really. My BP, BCI, and other corn snake, show the same tongue when relaxed and exploring/taking things in.

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Here is Behira, my female Ghost BCI, on my arm, with a happy tongue. It's a better shot here, so you can't see all the movement, but you can see the tongue is all the way out and pointed downward in the shot. If she were hungry or defensive, the tongue would come out half as far or less and be quick and the tongue movements not far apart.

Hard to tell from the picture, but aside from holding my arm so as not to fall, she's very relaxed and although reaching, her neck and head are not tense. Tense usually means "S" position, stiff, especially head/neck area, and quick and short tongue movements. If you are not seeing that, I really wouldn't worry. You are probably much more worried about the snake then she is of you!

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