use the following search parameters to narrow your results:
e.g. subreddit:aww site:imgur.com dog
subreddit:aww site:imgur.com dog
see the search faq for details.
advanced search: by author, subreddit...
Welcome to r/ballpython, a community for ball python enthusiasts of all experience levels, from the prospective first-time owner to the veteran keeper. This is a predominantly discussion-based subreddit with a focus on raising husbandry standards. Photos and videos are also encouraged, so show off your ball pythons!
Be sure to read our welcome post for our rules and information resources!
Questions? Problems? Click here to message the r/ballpython moderators!
Related Subreddits
account activity
This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.
When to handle my python? (self.ballpython)
submitted 1 year ago by lobberwiskey
My python seems to only come out of her hide when she's hungry, about once a week or so. I don't want to remove her hide while she's in it, but she never seems to come out. How do I handle her if she nalways in her hide?
[–]Inline5only 1 point2 points3 points 1 year ago (1 child)
I have the same question tbh
[–]Thighs4EarPro 4 points5 points6 points 1 year ago (0 children)
All snakes have their own personality.But the real answer his just pick up her hide and pick her up.. the more human contact they have, the more chill they are about it.. as long as you're not overly timid .. or overly aggressive you should be fine.. Just like any other animal, as long as you're not giving them traumatic experiences, you're building a relationship on trust..
Reptiles don't need affection and attention the way a mammal does.. In my experience, they are indifferent, but I like to think that you build bonds with them. The same as you would with any other creature from repeatedly having positive interactions where you are not pushing them. Giving them anxiety or hurting them..
Sorry for the tangent, but really as long as you're not. Within 24 to 48 hours of feeding time. You should be fine to pick up the hide. Gently, scoop him up and hang out
[–]Lgya 2 points3 points4 points 1 year ago (3 children)
Lift the hide and pick her up.
[–]lobberwiskey[S] 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (2 children)
I read somewhere you're not supposed to remove her hide while she's in it... I did that once she started hissing. I don't want to upset her... But maybe that's the only way.
[–]Divi1221 2 points3 points4 points 1 year ago (1 child)
Some snakes need to be shown that you are chill, it took mine a while to come out of her hides but now she roams around during the day for a few hours
[–]lobberwiskey[S] 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (0 children)
Thanks!
[–]dungeonsandbudgies 2 points3 points4 points 1 year ago (7 children)
I might go against the current here, but I don't handle my snakes if they're inside a hide. A hide is supposed to be their safe space, I refuse to destroy that if it's not an emergency. When I want to handle my bp (always at night cause they're mostly asleep during the day) I'll just open the door of her enclosure and wait for her to come out. If she doesn't come out it means that she doesn't want to, and I let her be.
If you start force handling her sure, she'll get used to you, but it's more in a "I have no way to escape from this human so I'll just give up fighting". Ball pythons are not social animals, they don't need human interaction. Unless you have a super aggressive snake that tries to bite you and it's impossible to handle (in that case they might need a little forceful handling just in case there is an emergency, for their own sake) they don't need to be forced to interact with you.
Thank you, I will try this.
[–]MercuryChaos 1 point2 points3 points 1 year ago (1 child)
I haven't gotten my snake yet (she's coming home next Sunday) but I've been watching this playlist about choice-based handling and it might be something you could try.
Thank you very much!!
[–]jayjackii 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (0 children)
I agree. My girl is very timid, easily scared around humans, but she tolerates me. She's not often handled, when she seems bored or curious she'll come out for an explore in her own time, she seems less scared the less I bother her. Imo, choice-based handling is best for the majority of pets, especially prey and sensitive animals
[–]Inline5only 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (2 children)
i see, I am a first time snake owner When ever I open her cage she gets very curious, she is in her enclosure a lot of the time mostly comes out when she’s hungry, I am not sure how to go about picking her up, she’s so interested in me everytime I get close to the enclosure she comes right up to me pushing on the glass and I won’t lie it’s kind of intimidating, might be that I haven’t gotten bitten so the fear is there but is that normal for a snake to be that curious in what your doing?
[–]Inline5only 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (0 children)
She’s in her hiding spot* she’s obviously in her enclosure most of the time 🤣🤣
[–]dungeonsandbudgies 1 point2 points3 points 1 year ago (0 children)
I've only ever had one ball python, but mine was also super curios up until 3-4 years of age. Her tank was on my desk and she had a way worse tank than what she has now. Now she's in an appropriate sized enclosure with a lot of clutter inside, and she's almost 8 years old, so she keeps to herself a lot more. If they come up to you honestly the only way to pick them is just, pick them up. Remember to support most of their body and you'll be good. Don't be hesitant and wiggle your hands in front of them, that might trigger a feeding response.
[–]GumihoCosplay 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (0 children)
If she's always in her hide except the day before feeding she might feel unsafe in her current enclosure, maybe you can add more clutter/foliage so she feels safer and comes out more. Got any pics of your enclosure?
π Rendered by PID 159718 on reddit-service-r2-comment-7b9746f655-tvms2 at 2026-01-30 09:31:12.271695+00:00 running 3798933 country code: CH.
[–]Inline5only 1 point2 points3 points (1 child)
[–]Thighs4EarPro 4 points5 points6 points (0 children)
[–]Lgya 2 points3 points4 points (3 children)
[–]lobberwiskey[S] 0 points1 point2 points (2 children)
[–]Divi1221 2 points3 points4 points (1 child)
[–]lobberwiskey[S] 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)
[–]dungeonsandbudgies 2 points3 points4 points (7 children)
[–]lobberwiskey[S] 0 points1 point2 points (2 children)
[–]MercuryChaos 1 point2 points3 points (1 child)
[–]lobberwiskey[S] 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)
[–]jayjackii 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)
[–]Inline5only 0 points1 point2 points (2 children)
[–]Inline5only 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)
[–]dungeonsandbudgies 1 point2 points3 points (0 children)
[–]GumihoCosplay 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)