Any tips for getting over fear....

[kc261]

First of all, good for you for trying to overcome your fear!

You might want to read this thread. It is long but there was tons of good info in it. Summary: mom who was afraid of snakes had to overcome her fear to take care of her daughter's pet when the daughter went away to college.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=fear+snakes

[Jenn]

Absolutely- baby steps!! And what a great way to become comfortable with snakes; royal pythons are great teachers!!! Because you are hyper-attentive, you'll learn how to read their body signals and will more than likely turn out to be the best snake keeper in your family!!
Just keep challenging yourself to pick up each snake every day. While anything with teeth can bite, royal pythons are so mellow and gentle that they seldom do. Remember that just because they are bending their neck does not mean that they want to eat you for their lunch!!! They are probably and more than likely just bending their neck!! You will know when they are asking to be left alone!
Everyone on this forum is very proud of you, and all people who have, or are in the process of, overcoming irrational fears of snakes. Bravo and kudos to you!!
Please post a picture of you holding one of your beautiful snakes when you get there!!! You rock!!!

YOU Rock Starmom. Great advice!!!!

[littleindiangirl]

Ok, this may seem like the gauntlet, but it does work for some of my more 'pissy' snakes.

Open the enclosure, tap her on the head, and hopefully she will ball up and try to hide her head. She will be more preoccupied with saving herself than striking at you.

It is also a great way to start her on the path of conditional learning. Tapping on the head will signal to her that your not food, and will pick her up.

Lol, like I said, may seem like the gauntlet right now. Why not try it with a wooden spoon or something with a long handle thats not going to poke her eye out?

[STORMS]

Ok, this may seem like the gauntlet, but it does work for some of my more 'pissy' snakes.

Open the enclosure, tap her on the head, and hopefully she will ball up and try to hide her head. She will be more preoccupied with saving herself than striking at you.

It is also a great way to start her on the path of conditional learning. Tapping on the head will signal to her that your not food, and will pick her up.

Lol, like I said, may seem like the gauntlet right now. Why not try it with a wooden spoon or something with a long handle thats not going to poke her eye out?

This won't piss them off???

[STORMS]

First of all, good for you for trying to overcome your fear!

You might want to read this thread. It is long but there was tons of good info in it. Summary: mom who was afraid of snakes had to overcome her fear to take care of her daughter's pet when the daughter went away to college.
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=fear+snakes

Thanks!

[littleindiangirl]

This won't piss them off???

Hehe, no generally not BP's. They are shy by nature and want to hide when bothered, rather than attacking like say... a corn snake.

That's why the common name for Royal Pythons is Ball python. When they feel threatened they will try to make themselves into a tiny tight little ball.

[hoo-t]

I agree with Connie. Really, any kind of body contact generally lets them know that its not feeding time. A gentle touch to the head will usually cause them to hide their heads. But I've found that if one of mine is defensive when I'm about to handle it, a gentle stroke on the back serves the same purpose. Just don't reach in front of its face while reaching for its back!

Steve

[kc261]

Ok, this may seem like the gauntlet, but it does work for some of my more 'pissy' snakes.

Open the enclosure, tap her on the head, and hopefully she will ball up and try to hide her head. She will be more preoccupied with saving herself than striking at you.

It is also a great way to start her on the path of conditional learning. Tapping on the head will signal to her that your not food, and will pick her up.

Lol, like I said, may seem like the gauntlet right now. Why not try it with a wooden spoon or something with a long handle thats not going to poke her eye out?

This won't piss them off???

Connie means just a gentle tap, just enough to create the defensive balling up reaction. It will create more fear than anger. BPs are more likely to ball up than to strike out when they are afraid. But, if after you do this, your snake does not ball up, it may be preparing a defensive strike instead, so I wouldn't reach towards it after the tap unless it does ball up, or at least until you know it better.

A different take on the conditioned response that I've seen recommended a lot is to stroke the snake's side before you pick it up. It is the same idea, to get the snake used to a cue that tells it that it is handling time. Again, this could be done with a wooden spoon or something so you will know the snake is ready to be picked up before you have to reach in yourself.

[littleindiangirl]

Connie means just a gentle tap, just enough to create the defensive balling up reaction. It will create more fear than anger. BPs are more likely to ball up than to strike out when they are afraid. But, if after you do this, your snake does not ball up, it may be preparing a defensive strike instead, so I wouldn't reach towards it after the tap unless it does ball up, or at least until you know it better.

Yea, more like your just touching their head for a moment. Not striking them or anything. *good catch

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Be confident, observe your snake’s body language and always make your snake aware of our presence and most important just take it one step at the time.

If right now you are only comfortable with your husband taking the snake out and handing it to you, just do that and learn to be comfortable with that snake.

Than once you are more comfy and confident enough, pick up the snake with your husband by your side showing you how to do it, and do that with him until you gain a little more confidence.

And I am sure in no time you will reach in the enclosure without hesitation and if you never do it’s ok too, my husband does not mind handling my reptiles (at least he does not anymore) however I know he will probably never reach in their enclosures to pick them up.