ok so i am looking into getting a ball python for a pet. my ? is this. i picked out a snake at a local pet store and was holding it a few days ago and it was really tame and just sat in my hands for about 15 minutes with no problem. then today i went back to visit it (i'm waiting a week to get it so that i can get the whole tank set up and what not before i buy it) and when the worker took it out of the tank and handed me it, the snake seemed a little tense. and when the worker went to move away the snake lunged towards her, like it was going to bite. i held it for a few more minutes and it was sitting in that S position and seemed to be "breathing" really deeply. is this a normal behavior if the snake is hungry, cold. ect?? or is this something i should stay away from and find a different snake. i would like to find a snake that is gentle and enjoys being held and getting attention. if any one could tell me what behaviors to look for in a snake that would be like that i would greatly appreciate it!!
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
? about snake behavior
Replies (7)
my guess is stress,but I bet he has a good feed response.Ive seen thousands of balls and very few are buttheads at heart.
>>i would like to find a snake that is gentle and enjoys being held and getting attention.
-----
Randy
www.ball-pythons.net
.
-----
Randy
www.ball-pythons.net
>>i would like to find a snake that is gentle and enjoys being held and getting attention. -------------------
The first thing you need to understand is that no reptile "enjoys being held and getting attention." Enjoyment of human presence and attention is beyond their mental capacity. I think of it like this.....
Reptiles, and snakes in particular, classify everything around them into three categories:
1) Potential Predator
2) Potential Prey
3) Scenery
When you first get a BP, you are a Potential Predator, thus, it feels threatened, and may ball up or hiss and strike in defense. After it becomes accustomed to your scent, and you have demonstrated to it that you will not harm it, and don't want to eat it, you become Scenery. I consider this to be the highest compliment my BP's can give me, because it means that an animal that lives it's life based on instinctual responses has decided that I am not a threat.
In my opinion, BP's, and reptiles in general, are assigned human emotions and characteristics too often. They do not "enjoy" humans, they learn to tolerate humans. They may appear to enjoy you holding them, because the sit still for long periods while draped around your neck, etc. What is really happening is that they are soaking up the warmth that you are providing them, and they feel secure on their perch. Your ball python could care less if it is perched on you, or a heated manikin.
So, the behavior you have seen exhibited by this BP in the store is normal. It doesn't know you from a King Cobra, and reacts accordingly. It has also probably been handled by numerous people over the last week. Each of these potential predators was handed the BP by an employeee, so it probably thinks of the employees as threats to its safety.
Whatever snake you end up getting, let it acclimate to its new home for at least a week before you handle it or try to feed it. This will allow it to get used to its new home, and the new smells in your home, with minimal stress.
After it is used to its new home, and a couple days after it has eaten for you, then handle it for short periods every few days. You can gradually lengthen the handling sessions, as you get more comfortable with each other.
-----
Randy
www.ball-pythons.net
Great post...I totally agree. I get this question a lot from non-herpers and I always tell them that if the thought of getting struck at or being bitten is a problem to them, then don't get a snake. Like was said, very few BP's are buttheads, but you can't rule out being struck by a feeding response by even the most docile of snakes.
I had a red tail that never struck at me, but one time thought I was food and latched on and wouldn't let go. Did it upset me? No. It was my own fault, not the snake's.
As far as snakes go, a BP is one of the most docile snakes that is typically calm and doesn't strike much, but you can never rule it out.
thank you for everyone's posts. it has helped alot. i should state that i am not affraid of being bitten by the snake, as i know that it is a possible response when they are confusing me with a food item ect. my main concern was just if that was a normal behavior or something to stay away from. i am new to the whole snake world and do want to be completely informed before i bring one into my home. thanks again 
Congrats to you for doing your research! So many people get into herps without knowing how to properly care for them. You'll be very happy with a BP...good luck!
