There's nothing complicated about this, just be sure your hands do not smell like it's prey, so wash your hands first before picking your ball python up. After washing, make sure your ball python hasn't recently just eaten, or is in shed. I recommend leaving your Ball python alone to digest for 1-2 days, then start handling again. If it's all clear, you just go ahead and pick him up. If this is your first ball python and you have never picked him up, don't think about it and just do it. The longer you delay, the more you'll get scared (if you are scared), and you'll probably back out.
The only time you will get bit is if your ball python is really stressed out, or afraid. Most bites happen while picking them up, once you get them on your hands, the chance that your ball python will bite is greatly lessened. If you really are afraid, you could buy a snake hook, or use gloves.
Here's a video on how to handle your ball python
First of all, ignore what this "expert" said about Ball pythons and fangs. It's not true. Take a look at this Ball Python picture and tell me if you see any fangs. Doesn't take an expert to see that there are none...
But the "expert" was right about one thing, Ball Pythons are constrictors, good job expert! Too bad our expert doesn't know that constrictors, our ball pythons, don't have fangs, just regular teeth, which are small and needle like to help slide in dead prey into their mouth after constricting."Snakes like to be held" Ball pythons, and other snakes, dont really enjoy being handled, they just tolerate it. And the thing she said about holding them on a frequent basis to keep them tame will vary depending on your Ball Python's personality. I've had a male ball python I hold only once a month, still docile, never struck at me, or bit me.
Remember not to handle your ball pythons TOO much, especially if he or she is a new snake, start out with 10-15 minute handling session, then work your way up so your snake won't get stressed.
14 comments:
The expert was right they do have fangs they just come out when they bite into something.
No, they don't.
You'll see if you ever have to force feed a dying snake. It's all tiny little teeth.
Even if they did have recurved fangs, which it sounds like your suggesting like a pit viper, you would still be able to see them or the sheath that holds them. Besides the skeletal structure of a ball python does not show any trace of fangs. The only boid that I'm aware that has enlarged teeth are the tree boas.
Hey, Nice post, I got my first Ball pythin yesterday from a Breeder, I handled him instore and he sat on my hand fine, and he then fed him to show me he was a good feeder and could strike fine. I am very happy with the snake, and really like there docile behaviour, I have a corn that is really skittish and goes for me even changing the water dish, but the Ball just seems to lay there, doesn't flinch at all, great snakes, I'm going to leave him a week before handling this will give him time to digest food and get settled in, I'll make another post after I attempt to handle.
they do have fands they heve like 50 on the top row and like 20 on the bottom
I'll be sure to look at your vids.
And anon, those aren't fangs, they're teeth.
it just impresses me on how many complete morons we have living on earth. So many of these morons go on believing they are always right even though there is so much evidence that points to them being wrong. Venomous (not poisonous-poison is inhaled or ingested...venom is injected) snakes are the only snakes to have fangs. Google ball python skeleton and you will find that pythons do not have "fangs"...period. Stop trying to argue with snake owners, we know our information and facts. Your idiotic one liners won't get you far...so before you attempt to start some shit online, know your facts. -Mia
i really like that picture!
but iv'e been told that ball pythons do have sorta small fangs that blend in with the other teeth.
ours only has one eye!but hes really nice until he bit me this morning
well i'll just take him to the vet
Taking him to the vet cause he bit you?
And you gotta get bit sometime. Bet it didn't even hurt did it lol
It's called fangs if it's a snake!!
fangs are defined as being enlarged teeth that do a separate job to all the other teeth e.g sliceing though flesh , injecting venom, Since ball python teeth do niether, they are just TEETH!!!!!
Hmmm lol I must have a broken snake seeing that he has NO FANGS! He does have lots of little cute teeth though
My ball python is so calm but shys awa sometimes when i change the water. I haven't got bitten yet but i plan on it haha. They do not have fangs thougj, just teeth
I have owned Ball pythons for six years now. I love them and am a snake lover myself. I can promise you because i am speaking from experience that they do in fact have fangs. Two on top jaw that i know for sure. They are retractable and clear, they look a bit like plastic. I know this because i've had marks in my hand from a bite (a new snake that was a bit temperamental) and another time when the same snake's fangs got caught on the wire of her enclosure. So to sum it up, they don't appear to have fangs because they are retractable, clear and don't show themselves until they are caught on something. These snakes do have many rows of small tooth like barbs throughout their mouth but they do also have fangs. that catch their prey and hang on to them while they are killing it. The smaller teeth help the snake to swallow the prey, therefore the fangs do perform a different task than the other "teeth".
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