Scared bp - advice!

[Katstjames]

Hi all

I got my bp about a month ago, he is 5 months old. I handled him very little for 2-3 weeks, as I did not want to stress him out- only when I cleaned the cage. He is eating fine and is healthy.
Since it's been a month I have started to take him out of the cage and handle him for a few minutes every day or so, so that he gets used to it. However he is clearly very scared when I pick him up, he balls up and his breathing gets really really fast. I don't want to scare him so I put him back in his tank.

I just want to know if I should be handling him anyways, just so that he gets used to it and stops being scared, so should I wait for a while longer because he's clearly not ready? What do you think?

thanks so much
kat.

[nixer]

thats typical actions for them when you first pick them up hence the ball in ball python
if you hold it for some time it will unball itself.

[piper]

Hi all

I got my bp about a month ago, he is 5 months old. I handled him very little for 2-3 weeks, as I did not want to stress him out- only when I cleaned the cage. He is eating fine and is healthy.
Since it's been a month I have started to take him out of the cage and handle him for a few minutes every day or so, so that he gets used to it. However he is clearly very scared when I pick him up, he balls up and his breathing gets really really fast. I don't want to scare him so I put him back in his tank.

I just want to know if I should be handling him anyways, just so that he gets used to it and stops being scared, so should I wait for a while longer because he's clearly not ready? What do you think?

thanks so much
kat.

Hello,

Is your ball python sill very young? They're especially skittish when they're young. You should still handle them of course because that is the whole point of getting them used to you and being handled.

I have an older female who does not care what so ever when I pick her up, she has hissed twice at me in the 5 months I've had her and I handle her pretty frequently and can pet her head like a cat/dog if I wanted to. I would just keep the handling sessions down to about 10-20 minutes at a time, your ball python will calm down soon.

I have a younger one who still does the same thing your's is doing. They just think your a predator and are going to try to eat them or something.

Thanks

[snakecharmer3638]

Just keep taking him out for short sessions, maybe 10 to 15 minutes. But remember not all snakes react the same. It may take some time but he should get used to you handling him. We have four Bp's all 08's and three of them never cause a fuss or ball up when they are picked up. But the other one will still hiss sometimes and is very jumpy if you make sudden movements. So she needs to be handled a little different, and watched more closely when handled.

[MDB]

yep the more that you handle him the sooner he will be used to you. After a couple months he will realize that you are a friend, and will be very comfortable with you holding him. I have 14 ball pythons, I swear that a couple of them are in love with me, lol. But seriously keep handling him be gentle, and enjoy the ride.

[boboso]

Repeat of snakecharmer's info (and others). We left our adopted ball (2-3 month old) alone for the intital two weeks before feeding, handling etc. During that time he/she seemed to want to explore/escape more than hide, now that comfort and familiarity in his/her new environment has come, he/she likes to hide as normal, or curl up in a nice tight open space, with activity coming when hungry or thermo-regulating.

We handle ours about every other day, for 10-20 minutes. No out of hand exploration as they are not a dog for sure, and getting away is their main goal. It is more for my son to learn and me to inspect as well as get the snake used to handling (both for show and inspection). No touch the day of feeding, or two days after feeding.

As a side note, ours does not ball up these days at all when handled. He/she did when first adopted and held (for cage prep as provided cage from previous "owner" was a red lamp, some pine shavings and a small water dish), now however it is open the enclosure and into hand (sometimes he/she wants out) and moving around hand to hand with support. I should also note that the cage is in our family room which sees some activity. My belief is the snake acclimates to this as the norm and he/she is doing very well, no spooking, hissing, and like stated being reclusive a bit as a normal BP will.

[Melicious]

-Smiles.- First of all, welcome aboard. It's always great so see new faces here. Please feel free to ask questions, and remember. The only silly question is the one not asked. We're to help. Always.

I hope you don't mind my suggestion. -Smiles.- I have a very, very finicky het. albino male who's not very fond of people touching him, walking by him, breathing. -Grins.- When I first got him, he would strike at his enclosure every time I walked by. He would hiss. He was just a very unhappy snake. After the first three or four weeks of not handling him, I finally decided that I needed to do something. I picked him up, all balled up, and pressed him tightly against my chest. I would hum softly, and cradle him close to me. I know they can't hear, BUT...he can feel my heartbeat and he can feel whether or not I tense up. I would stay completely relaxed and just hold him.

He's still very wary of other people, but I believe that he knows my scent. He doesn't hiss at me. He doesn't strike at me anymore. If someone walks by and he tenses, I cradle him and hum to him and he relaxes.

Not everyone can have a female like my Ophelia. She is my normal female. She cuddles up next to me, gives me kisses, loves to be held. Her temps are perfect, her humidity is perfect. She genuinely seems to enjoy being held. She'll lay on the bed with my mom all sprawled out and watch TV for an hour or so. She's never struck at anyone and she's never hissed. She's never minded having her head touched.

My point? Every snake has a different personality and has different quirks. You have to have patience to figure it out. Maybe my suggestion will work for you. I wish you the best of luck.

[emersond]

I just picked up my first ever snake - normal bp male same age 5 months or so. My son and I just looked at him and he slithered quickly into the cool side hide.

He is scared as well I just put him in his enlcosure and will leave him alone for a week or so. Same thing breathing rapidly not sure he is more scared of me or me of being bit by him.

I hope he warms up only time will tell!

Good to know I am not the only one with a scaredy cat snake

Dave