i am somewhat at a loss

[PyramidScheme]

when i try and take my snake out for a while, whether to be handled or to clean his tank and have him explore the caves of my comforter for a bit, he gets very skiddish. his breathing becomes visibly labored, and he gets in a defensive position. he has (only twice) struck at me but from afar, never when i have my hand near him (but he will look as though he wants to). after a while he seems to calm down a bit, but he never wants to stay in one spot, whether on the bed or in my hands. i think maybe he's looking to escape? but it's crazy, when i put him back he'll try with all his might to grab the edge of the tank and not let go as if he doesn't want to go back. he isn't happy either way, and i don't want to hurt him by ripping him off the edge of the tank. what can i do? (i have had him for a little under 2 months)

[Aaron_S]

When his breathing looks like that it means he's stressing out. You're best bet is to put him back and allow him to find sanctuary within his favourite hiding spot.

The reason he places his tail on the lip of the enclosure is not because he doesn't want to go back it's because he's not secure and needs something to "hold onto." Remember, ball pythons are terrestrial creatures so being up in hands or in the air without very solid ground beneath them isn't something they would be accustomed to.

[PyramidScheme]

When his breathing looks like that it means he's stressing out. You're best bet is to put him back and allow him to find sanctuary within his favourite hiding spot.

The reason he places his tail on the lip of the enclosure is not because he doesn't want to go back it's because he's not secure and needs something to "hold onto." Remember, ball pythons are terrestrial creatures so being up in hands or in the air without very solid ground beneath them isn't something they would be accustomed to.
it's not his tail though, he'll grip my hand or thumb with his tail/back end and then stick his head out of the tank and grip the side really hard with his front and mid section. it's very strange. i dunno if maybe i should just leave him be for a few days? or if that will just make things worse when i eventually do have to take him out again?

[Aaron_S]

It won't make it worse. If I understand this is when you're lifting him out of his enclosure? If that is the case it's still the same thing as I said earlier. It's a terrestrial animal. He's being picked up off the ground, he no longer feels "safe" and is grabbing hold of whatever as to make him self feel "safe and secure" that's all.

[PyramidScheme]

when he's coming out, he gets stressed then seems to relax slightly after being out for a while. but then he freaks out when i try to put him back. i do it very slowly and most times try to let him wriggle himself free on his own terms so i don't just plop him in there all willy-nilly, i want him to trust me. but he's extremely scared of me, and being moved period it seems. a=i would have though he would have grown accustomed to me by now

[PyramidScheme]

It won't make it worse. If I understand this is when you're lifting him out of his enclosure? If that is the case it's still the same thing as I said earlier. It's a terrestrial animal. He's being picked up off the ground, he no longer feels "safe" and is grabbing hold of whatever as to make him self feel "safe and secure" that's all.
he grabs the sides when i'm trying to coax him back in

[Ch^4]

Give him some more time; BPs are very shy. Just continue to be gentle with him and read his body language. My JCP still bites me occasionally, despite nearly 3 months of "training." But I still have faith!

Time will be the key. And he may just be a really shy snake.

Good luck!

[Reptile_Reptile]

when your tank living levels are more at normal pace it will help his stress. did you let him hang for a bit before you started handling him when you got him for about a week. cause if you didnt it could be a contributing factor

[Lankyrob]

From memory you have him in an aquarium? If that is the case then you are picking him "up" form his safe area - as said above being terrestrial he wont like being taken upwards from his natural habitat. Having a side opening cage when we get our BP out he comes out sideways and is therefore still close to the ground.

[shaunyboy]

When his breathing looks like that it means he's stressing out. You're best bet is to put him back and allow him to find sanctuary within his favourite hiding spot.

The reason he places his tail on the lip of the enclosure is not because he doesn't want to go back it's because he's not secure and needs something to "hold onto." Remember, ball pythons are terrestrial creatures so being up in hands or in the air without very solid ground beneath them isn't something they would be accustomed to.


carpets are semi arboreal and love to climb

yet most of my carpets act the same way when lifted up

they get panicky and wrap as much of their tails as possible round the nearest object

mines are only out if they need spot cleaned,full clean or a 3 to 4 monthly health check.

its rare for me to take 1 of my carpets out unless theres a good reason for it

so this may explain their nervousness

i'm NOT against folk buying snakes to handle

its just not that appealing to me

i handle hatchlings regular to calm them down and get them used to human interaction

to the op
if you start by giving your snake short handling periods of 5 minutes per day then build from there

after its quite calm at 5 minutes handling

move onto 10 minutes per day

then 15 minutes after 15 minutes it should be calm most of the time

your snake may slowly come to feel more secure when handled

dont handle for 3 days after it eats this will give it time to digest its food

snakes can regurge if you handle them with a meal in their belly's

cheers shaun

[PyramidScheme]

Give him some more time; BPs are very shy. Just continue to be gentle with him and read his body language. My JCP still bites me occasionally, despite nearly 3 months of "training." But I still have faith!

Time will be the key. And he may just be a really shy snake.

Good luck!

i guess i just have to be patient! thanks!

[PyramidScheme]

when your tank living levels are more at normal pace it will help his stress. did you let him hang for a bit before you started handling him when you got him for about a week. cause if you didnt it could be a contributing factor
i think i waited about three days. i only take him out once every two or three days so he can get a change of scenery. was that not long enough?

[Will0W783]

I advocate giving any new snake at least a week (7 days) to acclimate before handling, unless there is a health problem that requires you to remove the snake for treatment. Snakes are primitive creatures, and are highly stimulated by a new environment. They need time to settle in and get used to their cage before being forced to get used to a whole new room and person.

[PyramidScheme]

From memory you have him in an aquarium? If that is the case then you are picking him "up" form his safe area - as said above being terrestrial he wont like being taken upwards from his natural habitat. Having a side opening cage when we get our BP out he comes out sideways and is therefore still close to the ground.
hmmm may have to look into that

[PyramidScheme]

carpets are semi arboreal and love to climb

yet most of my carpets act the same way when lifted up

they get panicky and wrap as much of their tails as possible round the nearest object

mines are only out if they need spot cleaned,full clean or a 3 to 4 monthly health check.

its rare for me to take 1 of my carpets out unless theres a good reason for it

so this may explain their nervousness

i'm NOT against folk buying snakes to handle

its just not that appealing to me

i handle hatchlings regular to calm them down and get them used to human interaction

to the op
if you start by giving your snake short handling periods of 5 minutes per day then build from there

after its quite calm at 5 minutes handling

move onto 10 minutes per day

then 15 minutes after 15 minutes it should be calm most of the time

your snake may slowly come to feel more secure when handled

dont handle for 3 days after it eats this will give it time to digest its food

snakes can regurge if you handle them with a meal in their belly's

cheers shaun
i'll try this, thanks!

[PyramidScheme]

I advocate giving any new snake at least a week (7 days) to acclimate before handling, unless there is a health problem that requires you to remove the snake for treatment. Snakes are primitive creatures, and are highly stimulated by a new environment. They need time to settle in and get used to their cage before being forced to get used to a whole new room and person.
ok, good to know. thanks!