BP puffing air

[dakski]

Just a quick note not he puffing air, my two cents anyway, as everything has been covered well here.

He may be getting used to you and as mentioned, just saying, "Leave me alone," or, "I don't want to get picked up."

BP's are generally pretty chill and have the name Ball Python because they usually curl up to protect themselves as opposed to biting.

Shayna, my BP, is a total sweetie and I've had her since she was 6 months or so and about 200G. She fit in the palm of my hand. Now, she's over 4FT and 1,800G.

The first few times I went to pick her up once she was settled in her new home (which was a temporary 10 or 20G for the first month or two I had her), she "puffed air" at me, like a quiet hiss. I called her bluff every time and she never struck at me and stopped as soon as she was picked up. Once she realized, or was conditioned to know, that I wasn't going to hurt her, she stopped. Hasn't done it again to this day. I've had her almost 7 years now.

Snake can show displeasure by hissing, but also by the puffing air, or "quiet hissing." It's kind of stage 1 of 3 or 4.

Stage 1 - Puff air

Stage 2 - Hiss and/or posture

Stage 3 - Posturing/striking position and showing tension in the body and short tongue flicks

Stage 4 - Defense/Bite

Most snakes, especially BP's, and older ones that have been handled, never get past stage 1.

My carpet python, Yafe, will "quiet hiss" at me every once in a while when I wake him and/or go to pick him up. He's also all bluff. He's still growing and he does it less and less with more handling and with size.

If you are worried, you can always "hook train" to let him know you are going to pick him up. I do that will my boas and Yafe as well. Shayna I don't use the hook 95% of the time, but will if she is looking for food, to snap her out of food mode.

Hook training is mostly used to let snakes with strong food drive know food isn't coming and/or to let bigger snakes that can do damage know you are there. You don't want bigger snakes to think you are food or startle them.

I am sorry for your loss and wish you and your new BP all the best. We are here to help so do not be afraid to ask anything and learn from our past mistakes and the knowledge we have gained over a long period of time keeping reptiles and interacting with other keepers, breeders, and enthusiasts.