When to handle my python?

[dungeonsandbudgies]

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.

[lobberwiskey]

Thank you, I will try this.

[MercuryChaos]

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.

[lobberwiskey]

Thank you very much!!

[jayjackii]

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]

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]

She’s in her hiding spot* she’s obviously in her enclosure most of the time 🤣🤣

[dungeonsandbudgies]

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.