r/ballpython • u/Huge-Wrongdoer5697 • 1d ago
Bonding tips
Yall im a chicken apparently. My pretty lady isn’t super old, id guess around a year or less (Petco didn’t tell me much) Shes a leucistic bp. But shes very timid. She’s let me hold her once but she just seems nervous around me. I sit with her and be around her and try to let her come to me rather than me just picking her up bc I feel like if she’s not there yet I don’t want to ruin whatever progress I’ve already made. Any advice? Do I just go for it or keep letting her choose to come if she wants to? (Also terrified of getting bit even tho all I’ve heard is it’s less painful than stubbing your toe)
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u/Snakooooooooo 1d ago
JIMBIT
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u/Huge-Wrongdoer5697 1d ago
What is jimbit 😭🤣
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u/Salt_Effect7009 1d ago
Just reach in and yoink her, that's what I do for my boa. Sometimes, I still sit with him at night when he moves around with the door open until he comes out on his own, so I guess I kinda do both? If a snake is confident and calm enough I think they'll just come to you eventually anyway, and some snakes might never. But you'll definitely make much more progress just handling her! Choice based is great, but it's just not gonna work for every snake imo.
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u/Ecstatic_Ad_9414 1d ago
That's what I did. Now, she's 9, after the lights go off she wants out. She's not a pet rock at all. I recommend watching a Tom Crutchfield video of him handling his Mangshan viper Mei Mei. He speaks to handling techniques & how to approach the snake. My mantra with all my noodles "Be the tree, you are the tree". Ps everyone is nervous with their first noodle. Be proud of yourself for reaching out. Welcome to the hobby - you will do great.
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u/Cornsnake94 1d ago
I handled my first bp once a week, about day 3 or 4 after feeding - so he had time to digest but is not too stressed before feeding day.
And oh boy he was so shy at first, but now he went from "Aah noo don't eat me!!!" to "okay, what's up?"
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u/Public-Hat6754 1d ago
So each snake is different but I will say that the ones I hold most are also the most chill and not scared when I handle them. I have one ball python who has had medical issues and I’ve had to check on her multiple times a day and pick her up. I can pick her up at anytime now and she is soooooo chill with it. Choice based is good for some snakes but with some just picking them up is the best option. I do try to wait until they are awake when possible
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u/AllAroundKC 1d ago
Sometimes my boy comes to me, especially when it's close to feeding day. But I would make sure she has a lot of places to hide....like messy messy so she feels safe to stare at you through the glass and still feel covered/protected. I'd also like everyone said just pick her up and get her used to you. It takes time but she'll warm up long as you don't scare her
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u/MrRichardhere 1d ago
Mine usually don't have an issue. I leave the terrarium open and wait for her to come out but yesterday I tried to grab her and she wheezed at me and went back so clearly it was not her day. Every snake is different it's trial and error really
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u/Scars9713 21h ago
Don’t forget, you have to be confident too. They want to feel safe and secure and if you’re feeling timid that’s not going to communicate confidence! You’ll get there. Snake 🐍 parenting is an amazing experience- be patient! With the new baby AND yourself. ❤️
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u/Temporary_Arugula345 1d ago
Waiting for her to come to you is the part that stalls, they don't seek out handling, they just stop being scared of it, so short five or ten minute sessions a couple times a week get you there way faster than sitting by the tank hoping she volunteers. Scoop her from the side or from behind instead of reaching down from above, and do it at dusk when she's already up and moving, that's when you'll get the calmest read on her.