Do Ball Python to like back rubs?

herpocrite27 · 01-27-09, 05:05 PM

This may sound odd, but I was wondering if anyone else has a BP that seems to like to have its back and head scratched? She will bend her tail back and forth and arch her back up, pushing her body against my fingers. It's sort of funny to watch, I have never seen a snake do this before. In case anyone is wondering, she does not have ticks.

Chu'Wuti · 01-29-09, 09:31 PM

Interesting. I really haven't noticed that behavior in my BP, so I don't know what to say.

Welcome to the forum, though! Hope you get some answers!

**Aaron_S** · 01-29-09, 10:01 PM

Ever thought maybe your snake bends it back to push you away?

Smilts · 01-29-09, 11:23 PM

Not to be mean but they dont have limbs to push away with like dogs and cats.

**Aaron_S** · 01-30-09, 08:06 AM

Coy, you obviously have never seen a snake use it's body as a defense then. Snakes can and do actually use their body to push you away, or "throw" their body at you. It's a defense in between hissing and biting.

Chu'Wuti · 01-30-09, 08:10 AM

Actually, I think Coy was agreeing with you, Aaron--Snakes don't have limbs--arms, legs--to push something away with--just their bodies. I hadn't thought about it, but I have seen/had several of my snakes do this. It's as much push you away as it is push away from.

Kmef07 · 01-30-09, 09:02 AM

hey my brb will sometimes when im holding it almost lung its front half of its body forward. if i dont catch it with my other hand it would defiantly fall cuz it lets go with it's tail end. do you think that is her way of telling me to leave her alone? i usually put her back in her tank after she does it and she usually crawls around in there for about 10 mins then goes back in her hide.

citysnakes · 01-30-09, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmef07

do you think that is her way of telling me to leave her alone?

you got it.

but shes still young right? just dont stress her too much too soon and i think she will eventually calm down with regular handling.

Kmef07 · 01-30-09, 01:49 PM

thanks and yes she is not even a year yet. i haven't really gotten a chance to handle her the last couple weeks cuz she was shedding and i fed her right after that so tonight will be the first time in a while i will be able to "play" with her. i rarely hold her for more than about 10 mins anymore

Smilts · 01-30-09, 02:34 PM

I was in fact in agreement with you Aaron S. But no worrys and I have been witness to just about every defensive means they have. Sorry I should have been more clear.

**Aaron_S** · 01-30-09, 08:17 PM

Sorry I misunderstood you Coy. My mistake. I just didn't read your words correctly.

xXKATRINAXx · 01-30-09, 11:00 PM

yah, i had a ball python that loved to have his chin scratched it was so funny! then he would get tierd and take a nap.

he was an odd snake...... he also watched south park with me

herpocrite27 · 02-01-09, 05:29 PM

Well, thanks for some of your comments. I would have never of guessed she was pushing me away. She has never acted like she was upset, she has never bit, hissed or tried to launch off my shoulders. But, I dont know, I have read alot about my snake and have never come across anything that talked about this subject. Since everyone has convinced me that I'm crazy, maybe I am. So i guess I'll knock it off. Thanks again foryour help

Chu'Wuti · 02-02-09, 09:27 AM

BPs don't hiss or try to jump off someone, and they rarely bite. They simply push away or, if they are really frightened, ball up. That's why they're called ball pythons.

We're not saying that you're crazy, herpocrite. You're just anthropomorphizing your snake, which is actually very common--lots of people want to believe that their snakes love them. But they're snakes, not people or even mammals who can feel an emotion like love.

citysnakes · 02-02-09, 11:09 AM

its always fun to believe your snake loves you and communicates it back in its own snakey way but at times we also have to understand the snakes behaviour and what it is really trying to communicate to us. have fun with your snakes just dont stress them out too much and then expect them to eat right away...

Chu i have a few balls that scare people away with their hiss. needless to say, they are my favorites.