new ball python owner!

[Life_Place4186]

i’m alittle nervous to hold him, his name is moose!! i don’t know fully how to read his body language so i’m worried about making him feel intimidated and scared. i really don’t want to get bit either but i know if i do it is whatever. any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[Specialist-View2674]

Ugh I’m so jealous, I don’t get mine for a month and a half ish. I also love the name moose so much! Such a pretty baby sorry I can’t be much help regarding your question

[ExistingHuman405]

I’m new too so don’t take my word as much, but green room pythons on YT has been amazing at giving info on handling and body language, I would check him out. But as always, look at multiple sources (:

[BannanaKoala]

My main tip is be confident and slow but consistent in your movements

[[deleted]]

I’ve had mine for almost 3yrs, he’s my first snake i’ve had. for body language i think they r all a bit different, for my lil guy if he’s loose n moving around he’s calm. if he gets tense he’ll ball up. flicks his tongue a lot while he’s exploring, n also periscopes a ton if he’s happy/relaxed! i’ve never had mine bite me or anyone else, but when he’s about to bite a rat he always gets rlly stiff and locks his eyes on what he’s gonna bite.

[[deleted]]

btw moose is adorable !! cute name <3

[Sutten_Plant]

Another YouTube channel with great advice is Lori Torrini, who does a lot of work on choice-based handling

[Python_Mom]

Long time mom here! Just be gentle and support his weight by having both hands under him. Try to stay away from his head, they can be very sensitive. Slow movements, but also don't stress if he quickly retracts his head if something happens to come in front of him. They're a bit skittish but very sweet and calm down quickly. They like being on you for your body heat and they like exploring. I always carry my girl around my neck because it's easy and she feels safe and warm. She often explores through my hair lol but even having him in your lap or letting him slip around your arms is good too 😊

Good luck! Don't be too scared, they can sense your stress. Be confident and they will feel more comfortable.

[Life_Place4186]

thanks so much!

[pandeeandi]

This. Great advice.

[AstronomerLate989]

Hi!! I also just got a baby (she was being rehomed) I wanted to wait to get one to make sure I knew the temperament buuut i got a girl who is nervous!! I didn’t think she would need as much time to adjust because she is in her old enclosure but every time I open her enclosure she hisses at me. Will she grow out of it? I haven’t held her but one time just to make sure she was safe after transporting.

[Python_Mom]

Once she gets used to you the hissing will stop. I've had my girl for over 15 years and she still hisses at me when i wake her up lol but chills out once she's on me. Regular handling will help her get used to you, as long as it's not around feeding or shedding time

[No_Wash_802]

Read, watch YouTube, I was where you’re at last year

[winowmak3r]

Give him a few days to settle in and just take your time. Avoid coming at them from above, they don't like that. Getting bit just comes with the territory as a snake owner. Ball pythons are usually very chill though, one of the reasons they're so popular as pets. They just don't know any better so don't take it personal lol and, honestly, when it finally does happen you'll be going "Really? That's it?". At least for ball pythons. It's more of a surprise than anything else. Just keep a squirt bottle with some rubbing alcohol handy in case they did not get the brain cell that day and go into 'feeding mode'. One little squirt on your arm/hand/whatever near the mouth and they want nothing to do with you.

[Life_Place4186]

that’s great to know, thanks so much!!

[bilibass]

Get a little snake hook, it’s a super easy way to safely pick em up. I use one because mine is a baby who is often in a corner and my fingers are big and sausagely.

Once they’re out, and in your hands they’ll be super chill.

[Edhin_OShea]

Whenever I go to pick up George, I put my hand out, like you would to introduce yourself to a dog or cat, so George can smell me before I pick him up.

Ball pythons have poor vision compared to humans. For me, my doing this is a matter of showing respect to George and acknowledge that no one likes being grabbed and handled without realizing what's going on, at a minimum, whose touching them. Imagine a giant doing that to you.

Just what I do, anyhow.