How Can You Tell?

[Herpkid101x]

How can you tell if a Ball Python or any pet snake likes to be handeled?

[snakelady13]

You will know. They each have their own personalities. I use to have a baby redtail that loved to wrap around my ponytail and lay his head on my cheek and go to sleep and another one that use to lay by my ear and sigh. If they don't want to be held, they will let you know. They may strike, or get restless. But you will learn to read their actions and looks

[The Snake Guru]

I'm hesitant to say "liked" being handled. But Ball pythons especially are easy to tell if they are comfortable with it...a BPs defensive manuver is to hide it's head underneath it's coils....in extreme cases they roll up into a ball litterally with the head in the center, Mostly only happens in Wild caughts and hatchlings...most grow out of the "ball" stage. At anyrate if it's trying to hide it's head, it isn't comfortable with handling yet.

~B~

[Rolly]

Guru that answers my question from my other thread. Thanks

[The Snake Guru]

Absolutely man...killed 2 birds with one stone huh? Neat! LOL

~B~

[Herpkid101x]

i guess my snake likes to be handeled because whenever i use the computer he wraps around my arm and always some how gets in my shirt sleeve lol

[ffollett]

Guru that answers my question from my other thread. Thanks

That doesn't matter he will still post to it. :)

[Rolly]

lol.. :freakedout:

[The Snake Guru]

That doesn't matter he will still post to it. :)

LOL.....now that's not very nice! Funny though!

~B~

[gonesnakee]

No snake likes to be handled, they only tolerate it, some more than others. Snakes like to get out of their enclosures because its freedom & they like to sit on or wrap around us because we are warm. They don't like to come out just to say hi or cuddle. Its all about freedom & warmth, not love or affection. Mark

[ohh_kristina]

No snake likes to be handled, they only tolerate it, some more than others. Snakes like to get out of their enclosures because its freedom & they like to sit on or wrap around us because we are warm. They don't like to come out just to say hi or cuddle. Its all about freedom & warmth, not love or affection. Mark

Agreed! Snakes are not kitties and puppies. That's what is amazing about them. You have to respect and love them for what they are - creatures who don't give a damn about you!

[ffollett]

LOL.....now that's not very nice! Funny though!

~B~

Yeah but its true. lol

[The Snake Guru]

Yeah but its true. lol

I have no idea what you are talking about! LOL

~B~

[The Snake Guru]

Snakes like to get out of their enclosures because its freedom

I've actually found this to be the exact oppisite. It seems to me that when a snake has been in the same enclosure fot a period of time, it gets to be like the enclosure is "home base" so to speak. I've actually found when my snakes are out for handling, I barely have to even walk by thier cage and they are barreling into it right away. I've had boas sitting out and sliding across the floor and they usually head back to thier cages and get in them on thier own accord. Just an interesting behavior that I've observed over the years.

~B~

[Reticsrule]

I have to agree completely with Mark on this one as well. Way too often do I hear people talking about their "pet" snakes as though they were puppies. Don't get me wrong, I love interacting with my snakes as much as any herp nut lol, but it's a completely different experience than playing with a puppy or kitten. This is just my $.02.

[snakelady13]

I agree they are totally different than cats and dogs, and I also respect them for what they are and what they are capable of, but I still think they are living breathing creatures with different emotions and feelings. Some like to be paid attention to, some don't, etc.

[Rolly]

but it's a completely different experience than playing with a puppy or kitten.


So they don't fetch sticks? JK:)

[gonesnakee]

I of course also agree with the "homebase" comments as some snakes definitely want back quickly to the safety of their homes. Backs up what I say about them not liking interaction. They are content to be left alone if their needs provided for. Then of course some want out right away for freedom, but some folks are like "No my snake comes out to greet me as soon as I open the cage. It loves me." etc. LOL I think its more like OK doors open let me out of here or does it have food? Boids of course usually being more "homebase" types & Colubrids more likely to "bolt". Mark

[ffollett]

I've actually found this to be the exact oppisite. It seems to me that when a snake has been in the same enclosure fot a period of time, it gets to be like the enclosure is "home base" so to speak. I've actually found when my snakes are out for handling, I barely have to even walk by thier cage and they are barreling into it right away. I've had boas sitting out and sliding across the floor and they usually head back to thier cages and get in them on thier own accord. Just an interesting behavior that I've observed over the years.

~B~

I have seen the same behavior depending on the animal. My albino burm does not want to come out of her enclosure she won't bite but she will wrap her tail around anything she can and is more then happy to go back in. While some of my boas are on the move to get out as soon as the enclosure is open and then I have a fight to put them back in.