Handling question

[Albert Clark]

So my ball python is 9 months old, eats perfectly, never struck at me, but he seems a bit shy. Any time I take him out to handle he doesn’t seem to like to leave his enclosure, and when I do take him out he tries to squirm away. If I don’t constantly control him he’d slither off of me and go somewhere into my room.
I handle about 1-2 times a week at most, and my question is is this enough handling to try and combat his shyness? I’d like to just be able to lay down with him and watch a movie without having to constantly prevent him from trying to get away.
My other question is: Once they are Adults is it harder or impossible to change their temperament/personality such as his shyness?


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That term I was looking for is Thigmotactic

Understanding Ball Python behaviour…
Ball Pythons are considered to be thigmotactic meaning they keep large areas of their bodies in contact with surfaces of the environment in order to feel safe, limiting how much of it is exposed to open space and therefore predators.


[IMG]Snakes are often kept in small enclosures or rubs ( really useful boxes ) as they feel more secure. Not all snakes like large roaming areas and/or open spaces as this makes them feel vulnerable to Preditors, and causes stress.[/IMG]

The less we handle them the less stress and difficulty.