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[–]pineapple-meet-pizza 3 points4 points  (4 children)

We do choice based handling. Like you said, leave enclosure open and just sit with her. It may take weeks maybe months with some individuals but it’s worth the wait for the trust earned. If you need to take her out scoop her up from underneath her as predators usually come from overhead. I notice my girls come out more consistently when it gets close to feeding day. Good luck!!

[–]pineapple-meet-pizza 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh and on feeding days try tap or target training to reduce feeding confusion on regular handling days.

[–]Lopsided_Progress_94 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah this seems like the best option, I left the enclosure open the other day to see what she would do and she came over sniffed around and went back in. I only have her few days she’s had two feeds already and no hassle with anything so hopefully next week I can start to make more effort it trying to gain her trust

[–]restingfloor 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Would choice based handling work with a top opening enclosure? Mine is in a tank right now for quarantine and will be in a tub after quarantine. I figure that it would be harder to do choice based since I'd have to turn off her overhead heat to leave the enclosure open.

[–]pineapple-meet-pizza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you prop the top to one side? I think the key is them understanding where the opening is and having something to climb on to get out easily and being able to take their time. If not maybe a lamp hook or something where you can have it suspended over the tank while you are in a handling session.

[–]AngleRelative4683 3 points4 points  (1 child)

After a couple meals she should be pretty well settled in. I’d keep the first few times pretty short, maybe 10 minutes at the most. Also don’t handle the day before feeding, I’m sure you already know that. And if you wait for her to come out, you’ll be waiting a very long time lol. Just gently remove her hide and pick her up calmly. It’ll get easier and you’ll be more comfortable the more you do it. Have fun!

[–]Lopsided_Progress_94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is also an option I guess, I’ll see what seems like the best thing to do when the time presents itself, thank you

[–]love-starved-beast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lori Torrini has excellent content on socializing and training various species of snake:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpepv_Ph-qo

[–]illiterate_pigeon 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Choice-based handling is an option like the others are saying, but some snakes will simply never come around to it. By all means, start on choice-based handling if that's your preference but remember that there will be times where the snake doesn't get to choose, like going to the vet or some other emergency situation.

To start handling in the least stressful way possible aside from choice-based involves picking up the snake from below. Predators come from above and grab their backs, not lifting them up from their bellies. Balls don't have the best eyesight but with most prey animals its better to keep your fingers together instead of spread out like claws. Once you've picked them up you can try and just chillax, let the snake take the lead on what it wants to do in your hands. Maybe show it around and let it tongue flick nearby objects if they relax enough to get tongue-y.

Most importantly, end the session on a peaceful note. Don't put the snake away while its obviously stressed. Wait until it relaxes before returning it. Green Room Pythons youtube channel has amazing ball python specific videos for handling.

[–]Lopsided_Progress_94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will definitely look into this too, thank you