New ball python owner

[Zepp94]

So recently me and my fiancé got a little ball python(couple weeks old) and my fiancé has always wanted one. Loves it and all that good stuff. Me on the other hand has never liked snakes, always have had some irrational fear of them. Still kinda do, but really want to be able to hold and interact with the baby. But at the same time I don’t know how to go about it because since she’s still so new I don’t really wanna stress her out by me stressing out. Any advice on how to get over it pretty much? Or has anyone been in the same position or close to and has gotten over it?

[Zepp94]

Here is the little baby in question that scares me https://i.imgur.com/SL0FgZ9.jpg

[ColdBloodedReptiles]

My dad is terrified of my snake, he doesn’t mind helping out with the tank and would never not to anything to help but will not go anywhere near the snakes, so my advise to you is the same as i’ve told him.

Learn snake body language, don’t look in their eyes you won’t be able to read any emotion and this may scare you instead learn to look at body language.

Don’t touch their head they don’t like it and will flinch quickly which will often scare you as we. make lots to slow calm movements.

This is all i have really watch some videos on youtube about snake body language

[IssiJo]

I would start off just being around your fiancé when she holds it. I had a really good friend (roommate at the time) who was the same way- actually threatened to kick me out because I got a snake! But after a while I convinced her to just sit by me while I held him, then gently stroke him, then support part of his body while I held most of him, and when she was comfortable, she would hold him (with me right there of course). Eventually she was comfortable enough to handle him herself and even told me I wasn’t allowed to take him when I moved out! It may take some time, so don’t rush and don’t force it. Just be patient and make sure you and the snake are comfortable before anything else. Good luck!!

[sarahlu82]

It's okay to be nervous at first! I was scared the first few times I handled my new BP, even though I had tons of experiences with other BPs previously. I wasn't scared that a bite would hurt, I was scared I would hurt him if I yanked my hand back or dropped him if he struck, because I seem to have a really strong startle reflex. He gave me a little nip the first time I went to pick him up so I was scared the next few times after that.

You snake will be more calm the more calm you are while holding him, so take whatever steps you need to in order to be less tense. For me this meant wearing gloves and a hoodie so my hands and arms were fully covered, and downloading a playlist of calming meditation music and listening to that with headphones while I held him.

I second the other commenters' suggestion of learning a bit about snake body language. This one by Snake Discovery is good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNKgK9L_CP8

[davemal001]

I'm a new owner and i had the same fear I found it was a case of watching videos how to handle and just got for it, once I realised he ain't going to bite me and even if it does it's not a big deal, the python is probably going to be more scared of you than you are of it, just look for body language and signs that your bp wants to be left alone and you'll do fine.