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I'm completely new to snakes and ill admit i am a bit frightened.I fed my python on Sunday for the first time i really wanted to handle her today but she just isn't having it. i think she can tell im hesitant she jerks her body towards my hand when i gently pet her and try to slide my hand under her
(mid body) this immediately frightens me and i pull my hand away sometimes to fast even for my own liking i know this is wrong but why is she doing this and how can i get more comfortable with her. I just cant read her body laungauge and tell when shes happy or not. i really want to handle her i dont want her to turn please any tips on body laungauge, handling or becoming more comfortable with her would be greatly appreicated
Honestly all I can say is keep at it but for short periods. Also remember the worst that can happen is she will bite you...... that's not a real big deal. It has happened to most of us.
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I used to be a nice guy but that don't get you anywhere. So now I'm just a piece of ****, idiot,
who's too stupid to care.
Since she's new, she might just need time to settle in more before she's comfortable being picked up and handled. Some snakes take longer than others to adjust to a new home.
Body language:
Put your hand into her enclosure slowly. Don't move too fast or she may get frightened. If she's under her hide when you're trying to take her out, you may want to wait until she's out and about. Otherwise, you can remove the hide, and give her a moment. Then slowly reach in and stroke her so she knows you're there and that you're not going to harm her. If you're calm and relaxed, she's more likely to be relaxed too. Go in there with the mindset that you can do this. Don't make hesitant moves. Remember, she's probably still getting used to the sight and smell of you. When she's tense, you'll probably be able to see that she's in a tighter position, and if you watch her enough, you might be able to tell when her muscles are tightened. Go at a pace that you're comfortable. Maybe the first few attempts are just petting her but not picking her up. Slowly build up your confidence to pick her up. She'll probably appreciate the slow pace too . Do you have other friends that have ball pythons? It might help if you work with a friend who has more experience, and who can let you hold his/her ball pythons that are used to handling, so that you can get more comfortable. I hope this helps a bit! Good luck!
__________________ Alessia
Quote:
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France
As far as "reading" the snake is concerned. There is one thing you need to be watching out for..... ecessive toungue flicking. If their "tasting the air" way to much (specially if they don't even pull their toungues back in full too often) you don't want to be "forcing the issue". It's a sure sign of an uneasy serpent... (there's a distinct possibility blood will follow - most likey yours not theirs ).
For the most part your personal confidence has little to do it with. First you need to learn how that specific snake reacts to specific actions then move from there. I've got a calm female retic, I always go in on the first 1/3 and pick her up.
The male is cage DEFENSIVE (there are very few true cases of cage aggressive snakes) (hook training only works on feed responses, and will do nothing but annoy a cage defensive animal) I go in with one hand to keep his attention, then pick him up with the other from behind where he can't instantly strike, if I just touch that spot he will strike but the second he passes the threshold of his enclosure he calms down, so I pick him up from behind and raise his body above the exposed part of my hand so he can't strike at it, then raise him calmly and gently. I'll attach a video in a bit.
__________________
People who know everything are often clueless.
She doesn't ever leave her hide. unless she does it when im sleeping but legitimately she never comes out unless i coax her. Those photos are from the first day when i felt really comfortable with her. The next day she struck at my GF at feeding time by my own mistake i heated up the rat before hand and had it already in the bin waiting for her so im guessing she smelt it.
But honestly please help with the jerking motion i just dont understand it its almost like a puffing up or her just throwing her weight were my hand is it scares me a bit and i just leave her i haven't successfully gotten her out today
I'm completely new to snakes and ill admit i am a bit frightened.I fed my python on Sunday for the first time i really wanted to handle her today but she just isn't having it. i think she can tell im hesitant she jerks her body towards my hand when i gently pet her and try to slide my hand under her
(mid body) this immediately frightens me and i pull my hand away sometimes to fast even for my own liking i know this is wrong but why is she doing this and how can i get more comfortable with her. I just cant read her body laungauge and tell when shes happy or not. i really want to handle her i dont want her to turn please any tips on body laungauge, handling or becoming more comfortable with her would be greatly appreicated
you need to be more firm with the python when you pick it up.when your gentley trying to slide your hands underneath it,your creating an unstable surface for the snake.this will make it nervous and stress it out
imo they much preffer a good solid grip when being lifted,all the time using your other hand/arm to support its body wieght
your correct in thinking the snake will be picking up on your hesitation,i have found this behavoir to make carpet python hatchlings defensively bite.
also pulling/jerking your hand away from her quickely will startle her and make her very nervous
the good thing is you have already begun to read body language,you have idenyified what some of your actions do to the snake and vice versa
in time you will learn to relax
being bit is not sore,it happens that quick you only feel the thump of the snakes head hitting you
the sooner you calm down and show your confidence,the sooner the snake should settle down
in time you will be able to read all the snakes you keep.it comes with working with them
all the best shaun
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ALWAYS judge a person by the way they treat someone who can be of NO POSSIBLE USE TO THEM !
How you act and react with each animal is different. With my male, I KNOW that hes going to bite so when I'm in range and he strikes I pull back just enough that he misses me then I go right back in so he knows I'm not backing down.
With my female I know she isn't going to bite but I still won't give her the chance to.
Even if its a baby corn snake, letting yourself get bit isn't just painful for you, its potentially painful for them, especially if you jerk back and break a few teeth.
__________________
People who know everything are often clueless.
I was so scared when I got my BP it tool a while to get used to handling him try to stay calm and Alessia gave you some really good advice. Just go slow and if you dont feel comfortable taking her out just put the hide back in and try again
Just try not to shy away from her because the more you do shes going to keep striking so you leave her alone
. Do you have other friends that have ball pythons? It might help if you work with a friend who has more experience, and who can let you hold his/her ball pythons that are used to handling, so that you can get more comfortable. I hope this helps a bit! Good luck!
).
I think this is the first time ya'll are hearing what I sound like! hehe
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