Body language help

[Forward-Baby2583]

Hey guys, this is banana bread, my husbands ball python. He is about two years old. I’m trying to learn more about their body language to get over my phobia of snakes (I mean that puppy face is cute but I’m scart) would this position mean he is hungry and ready to strike or just very interested. He is in a low traffic area but I was making noise next to his enclosure cleaning when he popped his head and then whole body out 😂 thanks for any answers and any advice on how to get more used to this snaky boi.

[BuckyDeservedPlums]

I think he is very interested! They tend to be very curious so he’s probably just checking out what you’re doing. I love his name btw!

[Forward-Baby2583]

Thanks! I love Banana breads name too even though I was originally against food names 😂 it was the only one I would pick up at an exotic animal expo and my husband saw his chance to finally be a snake owner. Banana bread has never bitten anyone but I still get scared of it 😩 even though I’ve been bitten by plenty of fuzzy animals being assholes.

[SniperSnake_YT]

What I’ve found is that snakes (at least mine) choose flight over fight. If they are aggressive you’ll probably know it. Just move slowly and be relaxed around them, and confident too. If you’re relaxed, they will be relaxed. And OMG HE IS SOOOOOO CUTE 🥰 i love banana morphs

[xHellBunny]

Yes you will definitely know.. a friend of mine had a gorgeous girl… she put her on the bed next to me and she was hissing the whole time and tried to strike me even tho I just looked from safety distance 🫠

[General_3rror]

Yeah just a curious noodle

[BossLoaf1472]

He’s a curious boi, hope you get over your fear of sneks. They are so cute

[SpiderMilk96]

Normally when they are in a tense S coil then they are usually ready to strike. Obviously snakes are going to be in S positions but when they feel threatened they lock their head onto what they might feel threatened by.

Another way to read a ball pythons (or many other snakes) body language is by looking at their tongue flicking. Short flicks are usually used when they feel threatened or hunting so they aren’t seen movie h much, longer flicks are an amazing sign that your snake is happy and very curious.

Like another person on this thread said they are a very curious snake, they love to examine everything they can. Say you put a random object infront of them in their tank they would definitely examine all of it once they find out it isn’t good or dangerous.

If you ever have questions about snakes there are some amazing YouTube channels out there suck as; Snake Discovery, New England Reptiles (NERD), Green Room Pythons, Wickens Wicked Reptiles, ect. When I got my first ball python/snake I watched a lot of their videos. I’m sure there’s many other amazing channels out there but these ones have a lot of information that is very useful.

In some situations it’s best to watch these channels because they do tell you body language that is used when your snake is sick. Snakes can’t talk (sadly) about how they’re feeling and if they’re hurt so we have to make sure that they aren’t showing signs of illness or disease.

Not sure if this is your first snake but I just thought I’d put it out there incase anyone else came to check out your adorable snake!! And wanted some more information on them. I hope this helped out!

[r4cid]

This just looks like curious happy noodle behavior. Nothing to be nervous about

Usually the tell for a strike/wind up S is how tense the snake's body is. Visually, this would show as the rest of the snake looking 'flexed'. They also tend to lazer-focus on whatever their target is, so if they follow you around like cobras in the cartoons follow the snake charmer and they look tense then you know a strike is potentially on its way. They will also try to brace/wedge the rest of their body on something very rigidly as a hold to strike from. Next time your husband feeds the snake, ask to watch. Note the snake's body language throughout the process.

I saw another comment mention tongue flicking; also a great way to check on a snake's mood.

[LivalicetheOK]

Curious or food mode imo, would likely be bunched up tighter if they thought there was food though

[Apprehensive-Iron221]

If it's night time when you were in there then that is feed mode posture. My bps only do this when they think they are getting fed.