The Basics of Snake Behavior

[@redbeard23]

I legitimately do not understand how you don’t have a million subscribers. It’s because of your videos and teaching that I felt comfortable enough to get a ball python!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that! It's still a really new channel (just 2 years) but I'm happy with the growth that it's had so far :-)

[@redmist6630]

honestly it's because of him that I realized Im prob not in a position to own one. Great youtuber

[@lexid6943]

I have a feeling this channel will do the same thing snake discovery did, and just blow up over the course of a few months. I hope so at least!

[@GangstarComputerGod]

My teenage daughter begged for a ball python for months before I gave in. She’s a great keeper but I also know I’ll inherit the snake so I’ve watched a ton of your videos. In the last few months I’ve had a custom built enclosure upgrade and do most of the feedings and major enclosure cleanings. I adore our sweet ball python and come back to your videos all the time. Thank you so much for sharing your guidance!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's great that you are so involved in the care of the snake as well. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel

[@lunartreat]

I couldn't agree more! My teen daughter has been working on my for about 4 years to get a snake. She finally got me to agree, and your videos are a big part of the reason. I have actually moved from being reluctant to excited!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

@@lunartreat That's fantastic, glad to hear it!

[@justinkline1294]

Your point about snakes only being touched in the wild if they are being attacked seemed spot on. I've had several snakes for their entire lives and, to me, that always meant only handle when necessary. But because of your videos, I've learned that snakes can learn that being touched doesn't mean imminent death and will at least "tolerate" it based on positive (or even neutral) interactions. The smarter that I think these creatures are, the more interesting to keep they become. Thanks (again).

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm fascinated with trying to figure out what their capacities are for learning and for tolerating us :-)

[@loriw2661]

I love this channel so much! And Kent…your corner is magnificent. I would never try and remove you from it. It’s your safe place. Where, like a Ball Python, you can curl up and feel safe. 🐍❤️🐍

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's a really good analogy Lori. The corner is basically Kent's hide 😄

[@greenbean882]

@@GreenRoomPythonsGet Kent to look at this comment! I’d love to see what he says!

[@jesusbeloved3953]

Funny story: Last evening I noticed Doodle shed, but still had some stuck on the last quarter of her body and her head. Being a helpful snake mom, I put her and her log in some warm water. Now, Doodle is still a juvenile. She’s newer to me and not quite sure she won’t be hurt. I took her from the water and started to roll the shed down to her tail. She was very good with this. About 15 minutes later she was she’d free on her bottom. She was not as comfortable with her head being touched, but allowed me to not only get the shed from her head, but gently run my finger wet finger over her eyes to make sure the caps had come off. I noticed she still had some shed hanging by her vent. I gently rolled it off and she decided it was a great time to pee and then poop all over my lap! Boy, I’d forgotten how badly reptile poop smelled! I put her back in her enclosure and thought I saw a little snaky smirk on her face before she went in her hide!

[@acaciaballpythons]

You definitely didnt see your snake smirk

[@GreenRoomPythons]

The combination of the shed happening as well as being placed in water will definitely get things moving ;-)

[@jesusbeloved3953]

@@GreenRoomPythons So I found out! I really should have remembered. My Dad’s ball python had shedding issues. I did the same thing with him, but he pooped on the table so it didn’t have quite the same impact!

[@datboi6026]

@@acaciaballpythons It's true, my snake smirks at me. After he finishes a good sized rat, I'll usually be eating while he's eating, and afterwards I'll hit a bit of kush. Well, he usually is drawn to the scent (he likes it, as you can tell by his tongue flicks) and I'll always give him the option of hitting a bit of that grass along with me. He has the option to say no, but he always comes over and takes a long draw of that reefer and exhales it out his snake nose slowly with a long second hit on the pot a second time. Once he's done with the ganja he usually nods at me a couple times and smirks a bit before he goes back to his hide for the night. So I know they can smirk, as my little baby (His name is Naga, I call him My Naga) always does after he's got his mary jane

[@acaciaballpythons]

@@datboi6026 very funny

[@jasondavid6792]

You describing the tongue movement made my day.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Aw thanks!

[@biblicallyaccuratecockroach]

🎶 Kent, Kent, Kent of the Corner, Watch out for that snake! 🎶

[@GreenRoomPythons]

YES!

[@alexiswilson4186]

Would love to see a video about desensitizing snakes to head and tail touches, especially new or younger snakes! Your videos are very helpful!!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's a good idea, I might do a short about that

[@alexiswilson4186]

@@GreenRoomPythons thank you!! I’ve had my ball python for a week and I’d like to start the process sooner rather than later but Valentine (his/her name) is probably the most curious ball python I’ve ever seen so I’m hoping for great results

[@heatherharrison264]

Years ago, I had colubrids in addition to a python. Though colubrids are very different snakes, they exhibit many of the same behaviors. When stressed, however, they have an additional behavior that I never saw in the python. Being nimble and fast-moving snakes, they can go into a panic mode in which they squirm and dart around rapidly, trying to flee from whatever is upsetting them, and they might deliver a defensive nip if the opportunity presents itself. I know they can also musk, but luckily, I never had that happen. I would rather get bitten. They are extremely hard to manage in this state, and if a snake escapes while in a panic, it can be a challenge to recapture it. The best thing to do is to try to get the snake back into its enclosure or into another good hiding place where it can calm down. In my experience, they usually recover rapidly once they are safely hidden, and it is best to leave them alone for a couple days afterwards. Even a colubrid that is normally calm and accustomed to handling can get triggered suddenly, so it is good to be prepared.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yeah colubrids can be super darty

[@ladysudaandthegoddessmorri3217]

I have 2 Cornsnakes and yes, they can be fast

[@DoorsToHideBehind156]

I have a kingsnake and he hasn't really exhibited the fast rapid getting away from me, however my baby corn snake would do that when I first picked her up, and would also rattle her tail until she would kind of freeze, and then have slow movements. Sadly I lost her after only having her less than 2 months (she was shipped to me January 12th, lost her mid February, it's March 10th) it was completely my fault, I did not have her in a secure enough enclosure and she's still loose in my apartment somewhere. I have slim hopes of finding her, but still put water out for her and have empty hides in the floor of my room hoping maybe some day she will use them when I have an opportunity to catch her.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

@@DoorsToHideBehind156 Best of luck finding her. Many of people find their snakes months later after they get lost

[@DoorsToHideBehind156]

@@GreenRoomPythons that's what I'm hoping for, she is just a baby though was still on pinkies so realistically I'm not sure how many months she would last without food. But I don't think she can get into my vents and she can't go under my front door. She's probably just hunkered down somewhere ridiculously tight and hard to access

[@leekestner1554]

My ex-BIL had a ball python in the 1980's who liked to listen to the Boston Pops that aired on PBS on Sundays. I was over at his mom's house for dinner one Sunday and she turned on the show while we were putting supper together. My BIL had his snake out of its enclosure on his bed while he was completing some homework. She told me, "Now watch." Moments later the snake came slinking down the hall into the living room and came around the couch to periscope in front of the TV. He stayed there the whole hour periscoping until the show was finished.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's crazy!

[@dwaynealcala6010]

I been enjoying ya videos ever since I got my bumblebee ball python I learned a lot from you

[@Southerly93]

I have a Boa that is terrified of everything, but is never defensive. She's also V E R Y food driven, so this video helped me understand when She's comfortable

[@oneinamalonereads]

the YAWN I love it when my snake Amelia yawns it's too cute

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Snakes are such sleepy buggers

[@SpookyRecoil]

I just purchased a snake a few days ago so I'm very new to your channel. I love the fact that you hand write all your supporters names, instead of simply copying them into a 2-3 second slide like a lot of other creators

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That has since changed. Once I got over 300 names, I had to go to a digital scroll. But I hand wrote them for a very long time!

[@VirgoVirgo2234]

These videos are helping me immensely with my new ball python! All of these things I wasn’t aware of, and now I’m able to correlate them to something!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm glad the videos are helping!

[@matthewtracy8744]

I was confused when you pulled out Ben. I thought he looked way to familiar to be new. He looks so much like tiger lily! Very stunning!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yeah he's been on the channel before. I've shown him a few times over the last several months. But he also looks a lot like Tiger Lily :-)

[@CozyCoyote]

Hearing about The Inspector stop what he was doing and back up, JUST to bump you away with as much force as he could got me to actually laugh. Ahhh man that would've been so neat to see on video lol.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yeah I wish I was recording when he did it.

[@venomhead7001]

Hey bro! Just came across your channel to learn more about snakes to better care for my new ball python. You’re great! Love your videos! ❤

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thank you, welcome!

[@fallonneurauter753]

I’m getting a ball python and these videos are so much help to a first time reptile keeper but long time researcher and admirer

[@coryblowes1438]

Medusa loves to do that every time I come in the room she comes out right away like “there’s dad hi dad can I come out please “ lol

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I've got a few of those too. Very on top of whether I'm in the room or not

[@keithharper9595]

Only one of ours does that - Ambassador Noodle. It is very endearing!😀

[@amandapogge6945]

We recently added a ball python to our reptile family and we're going back and watching all the videos! 😁👍🐍

[@RoughStoneRollingLapidary]

13:19 I’ve noticed my corn snake will glass surf I think you called it when she’s hungry. It’s often a good reminder for me that she’s hungry if she gets super active moving around the cage.

[@-cMc-]

That's hilarious the bumping

[@vanessaduty1574]

I lost my voice last week but Kent still made me laugh out loud 😄

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm glad, and I hope you get your voice back soon!

[@Kellz58]

I'm constantly rewatching your video's Bob, my memory isn't great. I'm glad I do because I was curious about those tongue flicks, this totally gave me more confidence as I've been watching when I hold mine. It's almost getting a report card from him, seems he's growing more comfortable with this rude lady who wants to hold him lol ❤

[@3ebfan00]

My daughter and I just both got Ball pythons and I named mine Frejya (she named hers Thor so..)! Didn't realized after watching a lot of your videos that you had one named that as well. We have both learned a lot from you. Thank you for all the wonderful content!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Those are great names! I'm glad you're enjoying the content

[@LaneyLia]

Aww that’s adorable! I got one but my mom’s not quite there yet 😂 Fingers crossed.

[@bbstaraimee]

I just recently bought a ball python and am learning how to read her body language. Thank you so much for this video!

[@Mesk871]

Awesome video. Awesome channel. I don't own a snake. I simply stumbled upon your videos. You have a wonderful personality.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thank you so much!

[@bethanycoultrup6549]

I’m picking up my Lavender Albino Mojave BP in a few days. I’m so excited and it’s been so fun to watch your videos to help me prepare. Thanks for what you do!

[@petra9923]

I promise you…. If we fed our yellow lab as soon as he was ”hungry” he would probably blow up eventually 🤪 To be serious, he needs us humans to controll his earing, otherwise he wouldn’t do very well I think, he would most definitely be VERY overweight! Unfortunately he has bad hips (despite me checking up his parents etc) and keeping the weight as low as possible is kind of good for him. He wouldn’t necessarily agreee though….. 🤦‍♀️😅. He still gets fed twice a day and Dobby every 3:rd week, so I guess the dog is glad he isn’t a snake….. 😀 Great video as usual!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's true, we need to control our mammal pets food intake as well!

[@Cool_Story_Bruh]

Ooo fun fact, a Labradors' trainability in retrieving and other jobs is genetically tied to a gene mutation that makes them always hungry, and when they tried to breed out that gene those dogs lost that easy trainability with food motivation.

[@petra9923]

@@Cool_Story_Bruh I have heard that before! He really is a lab through and through…. Open, eager to please, kind, always hungry and he has NEVER shown any kind of aggression or being tense.

[@kevinthegrizzly5074]

Another slice of fried gold edutainment West Coast G.O.A.T. Thanks for responding to my wife's question regarding body language on FB messenger. Take care, buddy.👊🏾🪖🦅🇺🇸

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Happy to help! I'm curious who the East coast G.O.A.T. is :-)

[@chibipeach1981]

Thank you for this..very informative..My dude curls up sooo fast....poor dude but we now have a front opening enclosure and are FINALLY starting to get to know each other without the overhead claw of doom hovering over him

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I think front opening is such an improvement over a tank. I'm sure you're a snake appreciates it as well

[@dacisky]

Years ago I had a delightful experience with a hatchling green smooth snake I found in the house. I picked it up and put it in my hand. As I stepped on the porch,it coiled up and perascoped. I stopped moving and we both just watched each other. The snake was as calm as a cucumber and stayed in that position as I went down the steps. I put my hand down near the ferns and it ever so casually meandered out of my hand. Experiences like this are so seldom and always appreciated.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Wow, that's so cool!

[@Kellz58]

Snakes may not know how to love, but Bob you sure have a hell of a bond with yours. Truly beautiful. ❤

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thank you so much!

[@kountesskorvinae666]

I also feel like if your snake "wants" to be pet, they just don't move and let you pet them. Mine ask me to do many things. But usually not for pets like a dog. Its usually the opposite like "hold still so I can nap on your warm shoulders" or "I want to check this out" or "give me some space".

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Those are three legitimate things that snakes can communicate!

[@danisaur_roar]

I love The Inspector's sass.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Me too ;-)

[@snakemannn1744]

Well done bro ,,,,, I did enjoy ,,,, Keep Rollin '

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks!

[@jantje155]

Such an awesome and helpful channel you have! I've been binging your video's non-stop! Very useful when I ultimately get my first Ball Python!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks so much, I'm glad you're enjoying the channel!

[@jantje155]

@@GreenRoomPythons You're welcome sir! I'm gonna be having a conversation with my girl sometime soon... haha!

[@kaylas7157]

I was definitely curious as to why my Python goes “why is my coffee maker making all that noise?” All makes sense now

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Glad I could clear that up for you! 😉

[@Cillathefish]

Thank you so much for this video I feel so more relaxed ! With my ball puthon. I moved him from his hatchling box to the Viv and have been s worried I think he is a little nervous but sweet a sugar I hope he eat this Friday ! Xxx

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm glad the video helped. Your snake probably is nervous but that's just a snake being a snake ;-)

[@jamesvest9906]

Great video as always, thanks!!! 😁

[@jenniferbrook1720]

kents corner be having be crackin up .lol

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Glad you like it 😉

[@essie1360]

i just got my first snake! it’s a joint pet so i don’t see her a whole lot, she’s at my partners house. the very first day we got her i was too excited and pushed her boundaries, and she struck at me. soo very grateful for videos like this so i can do better and make her more comfortable in the future!

[@tevyelamplighter487]

My rough greens Basil and Sage periscope, and now I know what to call it!

[@tayloralexis282]

4:00 I was listening to you talk about The Inspector and then you said “The Plumber” and I thought I missed the spicy banana boy getting a new job title 🤦‍♀️

[@tayloralexis282]

Did I listen to this video twice? Maybe 😏

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's actually a great name for a snake! And it makes me smile that you watch this video twice

[@kaialarson7612]

Your videos are awesome! I appreciate your snake first, empathetic approach. They are definitely not like cats and dogs and it's important that we think about what their behavior means.

[@kaialarson7612]

I just got home from a week away for Xmas and checked on my ball python. She came out of her hide and started moving around the enclosure. I was talking to her and looking and her and decided to open the door. She came around and started shaking her tail and then striked at me. I left her alone after that. Do I need to do anything to repair things? Will this pass? I'm planning to feed her tomorrow.

[@tayloralexis282]

Okay I have so much to say about this video! This is one of my favorite videos on your channel (I have a list for sure of my favorites haha) A lot of these I have learned from you as well as the horde but it is so nice to have a video going into detail about it! I can relate to so many of these with my boy, even though he has one braincell and is a bit “broken” in his peculiar behaviors 😅 Also Lucille’s periscoping is the best 🤍🤍

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Taylor! It's nice to hear that you liked this one... I agree, Lucille is a great pariscoper :-)

[@momakajean]

Very informative video Bob. Plus I enjoyed seeing my grandsnakes. Love Ben's new name too. Kent, you're falling down on your job. No content today? Kent of the Corner...

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Glad you liked it Mom! And I'm happy that you enjoy your grand-snakes so much ;-)

[@KieuBear]

Fantastic video Bob! This is the video I always wish existed to answer a lot of my specific inquiries. VERY detailed and it’s amazing. ❤❤

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks so much, I'm glad you liked it!

[@matthewtracy8744]

I also joined patreon today. 😁

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks so much, welcome to the Hoard!

[@amybentley1291]

My snake LOVES getting pets!! Just kidding, she hates it, and me. There's SO much going on in this video! I can't decide if my favorite part was distracted Bob, the total rebranding of Kent's Corner, the angry outbursts from the coffee maker, or just the knowledge that all of your snakes are so well socialized that it's hard to catch some behaviors on camera. At any rate, this is such a great basic guide to basic snake behaviors. I wish I'd found something like this back when I first brought my big girl home.

[@amybentley1291]

Also, Lucille is the CUTEST periscope, and Maya looking directly up at you from the floor is the most adorable thing I've ever seen.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Amy, you're really good at noticing the details. I'm glad you like this one so much. I agree, Lucille is the best periscoper and I love when Maya looks straight up at me. Once she's in her upgraded big enclosure, I doubt I'll see that behavior from her as much but I'm sure I'll see all kinds of other things.

[@amybentley1291]

@Green Room Pythons I was thinking, it's a good thing Bob caught Maya looking up at him on camera, because that's probably not going to happen anymore after she's upgraded into her new home.

[@MiniFoxTV]

i recently got my very first ball python. she is a leopard pied

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Sounds like you're doing well, congrats on your new snake!

[@RobertBarracloughRoyalBalls]

Wow, another video where I would add or take away nothing from what you said. We're on a roll! Great video Bob. I'm enjoying these. I liked the last one you did on adaptive (learned) vs innate (instinctive) behavior as well. If you get chance, I just did a 4 part mini series dealing specifically with hatchlings where you'll see illustrated just about every one of the behaviours and "modes" you talked about. A bit long perhaps for the casual viewer, but reinforcement if needed. The last part (part 4) shows hatchlings free roaming and might be of more specific interest to you. There is one thing, now you mention it. You covered hatchlings fear response and balling up, hiding the head etc. You also covered bucking or shrugging. Older snakes do this. Hatchlings do that ripple tensing thing if you rub against them. I've never seen a hatchling bucking, but they might. I digress. One thing you did not talk about is a snakes preference to "feel pressure" around it when it sleeps or even when it moves. They like to feel "sides" or a "roof" actually touching them to feel secure. It's the reason we use hides in our enclosures and why snakes always seem to cram themselves into the tightest space they can fit when they sleep. They also move along edges or walls when they move from place to place. They prefer to move along walls more than they move across open spaces. Open spaces often make them a bit nervous or insecure. Snakes are very vulnerable to any sort of predation if they are caught in the open, so their natural innate behaviour is to move to pressure (move towards and follow or hug a wall or an edge or a tree trunk). Sometimes a hatchling will loosely ball up, but it has its head poking out of the bottom and it will be tongue flicking. I feel that sometimes this is them just hugging themselves like we would hug a pillow. Obviously defensive, but not full on panic freaking out mode. Positive thigmotaxis I think the scientific term is.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Hey Rob I'm glad you enjoyed this one! You made a good point that I didn't think to mention. Hatchlings don't buck in my experience at least, and it sounds like yours as well. My guess is they're too small and vulnerable to just try to push something off of them rather than doing some sort of actual defensive behavior. I've talked about their need to feel the sides of something against them in some other videos and it probably would have gone well in this one too. That's a good thing for people to understand, why we give them hides and why they actually enjoy small spaces rather than large open spaces that we would give to our mammals. When I free roam my snakes, they will wander about for a bit and then find the smallest spot that they can cram themselves into to curl up and fall asleep. The ones that are more familiar and comfortable with the room will be bold enough to just wander across the room diagonally, away from the walls. But it's only the snakes that are very experienced in roaming around that room that ever do that. A snake new to free roaming is always going to try hug the walls until they find a hiding spot. I have a video on free roaming, and I think I mentioned that It's important to have lots of things for them to hide in or behind in the space that the snake free roams because they're going to feel very uncomfortable in just a big open room. Thanks for your comment Rob, I always appreciate your thoughts and input!

[@Erica-PlaneSnakes]

I learned something new! Lol. I didn't know that the skull being mis-shaped is the cause for neurological disorders. But, I guess it makes sense. I also learned recently from Rob at Royal Balls that bucking is also used by males to assert dominance over other male BP's.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yes male snakes of many different species will battle by bumping one another like that. Spider ball pythons don't have a neurological disorder even though that's how it's been described for years. It's actually a slight internal deformity that messes with their inner ear.

[@Erica-PlaneSnakes]

@@GreenRoomPythons Interesting... you learn something new every day. Thanks!

[@ErikNonIdle]

Thanks as always, Bob! I really liked this video. Very informative!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Glad you liked it Erik!

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

13:59 I've seen a giant retic do that bump thing in Dav Kaufman's video with Kevin from NERD.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yes retics do that a lot and they have much more body to do it with

[@-cMc-]

The parascoping snake was the cutest 😍. And that makes sense if a ball python feels comfortable lifting their body off the ground. That's a comfortable ball.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yes that is the opposite of scared behavior :-)

[@adamkrauss303]

This was such a useful vid - thanks! Somewhat new to your channel (now a sub), but plowing through all your great content (informative and comedic). Do you have a vid that discusses deciding on a male or female ball python, assuming not interested in breeding?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. I don't have a video on that because there's no difference as a pet really. Females are slightly larger but a lot of that has to do with how much you feed them. Breeder females are larger because they need to be fed more to produce eggs. There's no difference really in their personality though.

[@LaneyLia]

Poor Freya’s like, “Damn Bob, did you just call me fat?”

[@GreenRoomPythons]

She might take that as a compliment though 😄

[@natalysofia1832]

I love your videos! I just got a ball python 4 days ago and I’m so excited to finally start interacting with him but I’m nervous too 🥹🥹

[@cozymonk]

14:55 I wouldn't say that *I've* experienced any snake wanting to seek interaction from a human, but Analise at The All Canadian Reptile Girl has a pretty convincing stance that her Macklot's Python, Hobbes, genuinely seeks out human interaction and prefers her father most of all. Hobbes has figured out where the latches on his enclosure are and will rattle them when he wants to be let out or pick up a stick with his tail and bang it around. Then, she says about half the time, he doesn't even want to leave the enclosure fully, he just wants them to sit there so he can rest his head in their lap. She says he will follow her and her family around the yard, like a dog. Likewise, she swears one of her Demeril's also seeks specific people for interaction. Apparently she will move from one person to the next when they watch a movie on the couch, eventually settling on her favorite person, Analise's mom, and settling down. Maybe it's not the same kind of enjoyment that humans get from loving their snakes, but I do believe it's possible for snakes to genuinely enjoy interacting with humans and spending time near them, even if they have to really be taught to enjoy it. I also think that some species might be more social than we have traditionally thought. Her Macklot's seek each out out, even when not mating season and she cohabs her Demeril's, saying that that get agitated when they're not housed together and spend their time just laying alongside each other when they're together. So, I also think it's possible for snakes to have the mechanism for social interaction, heavily dependent on the species. Many species of snakes will brumate in groups, hognose have recently been shown to live together with their siblings if they never separate (but maybe eat non-related hognose), and obviously garter snakes.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yes, there are many species of snake that are very social, like the garter snake and a number of others. Even snakes like pythons that we consider solitary creatures have been found to be more social than we once thought. We still have a ton more to learn about them.

[@night_time_exotics]

I've literally only kept ball pythons till this year when I got my boa girl named Medusa and by golly are the behaviors wildly different she is constantly s'd up but she rarely strikes its been very interesting to learn to read a new animals behavior

[@avaogara]

I love when they periscope so cute !was that Lucille or bear?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That was Lucille :-)

[@-cMc-]

This is very helpful 🙂

[@jasmineking5032]

Could you do a video of a buying guide and set up for a black box cages enclosure?? I need to upgrade my ball pythons home and want to make sure I'm getting the right things.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I have a list of products in the description of this video that might help you out

[@chrisd4590]

Hey as usual another great video keep up the good work also when I handle my bp he periscopes all the time. Do yours do that as well while handling

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's not super common but Id say your snake is very comfortable being held if they'll periscope in your hands

[@LeperMessiah2]

My 8 year Coastal comes crawling on to my arm whenever I put my hand in a certain place in the vivarium

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Sounds like you've got a well socialized snake :-)

[@matg919]

Great video

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks!

[@acaciaballpythons]

Awesome ty. Great stuff as usual

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@robertwarren4734]

Kent of the Corner! My next RPG character has a name!!!!!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Nice!

[@ooopsyyep3215]

After watching this video i just realized how outgoing my little owo is. I got him for a month as my first pet. I chose him in the store as he was glass surfing and acting goofy. I locked eyes with him, took him out to handle. He didn’t ball up like other juveniles I tried handling. Instead, he was instantly all over my hand 😂 He is really calm during our midnight outdoor session, sometimes extremely curious about the tree and flowers. He periscope multiple times a day on my hand or shoulder. He came out after I finished installing his sky hide and was all over it in several minutes. He likes to do long bleps on my face and nose when I put him in the air jail position lol. And he really got those sassy nudges when I checked him in his humid hide before shedding 🥹🥹🥹 The bebe is only 6 months old now. I really look forward to the years ahead ❤

[@Oneway_JJ21]

The way Ben yawned was so cute I can’t wait for my dad to pick up our 1st ball python any tips?

[@kingjammm3500]

Snakes can’t yawn..

[@jotsu3689]

Can you make a video about basic morphs and abut wobble? Yesterday I got heavly downvoted on reddit because people thought my Pastel Desert Ghosts that fallen down while eating (but got up in like 1sec) is apperntly a spider morph with severe wobble (he is not). I think it would be usefull to make people know basic morphs and their health problems too

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm sorry that happened, Reddit is a cesspool sometimes. I try to stay out of that side of the internet 😉

[@jotsu3689]

@@GreenRoomPythons I think its funny that my post is the top controversial post in this week because of that. I still think that it would be a cool video to make if you haven't already😄 Many people don't know but spiders are not the only morph with issues. BEL's, Ghosts, Super Blacks and many more can have diffrent issues then just wobble and not everyone knows about it and even if they do they often can't identify how those morphs look

[@BennHavinn10]

Bob you are literally the best and main educator I’ve been watching prior to and while I’m on week 3 of owning my Pastel Ivory ball python named Draco Malfoy. Now I did wait the week and had a successful feed but even when I hold him now I only get about 5 minutes of good handling time then he wants to poo over me… I noticed when handling he doesn’t ball up but wants to explore I believe? I say this as I try to put him back in his tank he tries to resist… any tips or advice?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you're enjoying the channel. If your snake is regularly pooping and peeing on you when you pull them out, that is a stress response so I would work with some other socialization techniques that don't involve as much handling. I have some videos on how to tame/socialize snakes which cover some of that

[@kountesskorvinae666]

You can actually see ball pythons dream if you let them fall asleep on you. Well I guess it's just rapid eye movement and we don't know if they're dreaming but its cool

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Their eyes are really interesting!

[@fullonsociopath]

Whenever my daughter's bp periscopes, we always salute him back. Dumb, I know, but it's our thing.

[@keithharper9595]

An entertaining and informative video as always - thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Please let D.I. Rorschach know that we think he makes a very handsome thumbnail subject!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Keith, I'll let him know!

[@shanabanana1]

I need some help. I adopted a older snake that normally ate live rats but I feed thawed. He has not ate. Any advice

[@GreenRoomPythons]

You need to feed him live so that he'll start eating and then begin to transition him to frozen thawed

[@shanabanana1]

Thank you so much

[@annmctaggart8854]

Are you experienced with Boas? If so can you do a video like this for boas

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Boa behavior is very similar :-)

[@ilovemybabysmsmsmsm]

I have a question :D! Riot,my BP won't go outside whenever im there. LIke out his cave and roam around,he used to do this when he was younger but now he's 7 years old and stopped doing that,is it normal?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That is normal. Ball pythons typically hide most of the time.

[@ilovemybabysmsmsmsm]

@@GreenRoomPythons okay! tysm! he also just ate rn.. hes hungry 24/7 😂

[@M0on_115]

We need an advanced behavior 😅😹 thoughts on snake sliding on silk blanket? Good or bad sign

[@GreenRoomPythons]

They're trying to get a grip on something and when they start moving faster they're freaking out a little bit. It's like if you were trying to walk and couldn't get anywhere, you wouldn't know what was going on. It's better to keep them off slippery surfaces.

[@poweringrowth9610]

Gah these videos have been so helpful that you! I have 3 ball pythons I’ve been taking care of for a friend for a few months now. I’ve been noting that they seem to want to escape the cage together and are spiraling around each other. I do feel like I’m still in the process of getting my temps right and I’m feeling like they’re stressed. Curious your thoughts if you see this!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

It sounds like they're in the same cage. Ball python should not be cohabitated and if they are showing signs of stress there's a good chance that's why. I would definitely separate them into their own cages as soon as you can. Watch my ball python care guide so you can see how to set them up.

[@zoeykennedy8277]

Question, I just got my snake like 2 weeks ago. The guy said she was due to eat that day, she wouldn't eat. She hasn't eaten in 2 weeks. Anytime food is shown to her she trys to leave the area. I'm real confused cause my dad got his the same day and she ate quickly.

[@jessicas.4552]

my baby loves being held and pet🥺🤍

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's great!

[@azza809]

Hello Bob! Love the video as usual!! I've been watching loads of your videos on KZbin and over the last month or so I've asked a few questions in the comments which you've answered which I really appreciate!! Me and my partner got new Ball Python recently and have been pretty much been relying on your videos for help and guidance! I just wanted to ask your opinion on something as we're abit stressed out by it each week.. when we feed her she has no hesitation or issues come out of her hide and approach her rat they we usually offer via tongs, the last two times she has stuck and latched onto the rat but then within a minute or two of sitting there still with it in her mouth she will let go of it, even when see seems to have decent aim and is over the head? She lets go and starts scanning the rat as if to change her angle or something but both times she has done this she has got herself lost? Looking for it again? Like the last time is got to the point where she had moved around so much that She started moving away from it entirely.. I have intervened both times and managed to pick the rat back up and re-offered it to her.. she Never strikes it the second time though, she literally just come up to it and opens her mouth and pretty much eats it off the tongs.. she has managed to eat it both times we re offered it to her but seems abit odd why she keeps letting go if it and seemingly loosing it entirely?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's pretty common, especially for young snakes. It's less common for them to just start eating it off the tongs but that's cool that she does that. When one of my snakes gives up looking for the head, I reheat the rodent and offer it to them again. They usually strike and start the process over.

[@azza809]

@@GreenRoomPythons the first time she let it go she did after a while find it's head again and eat it from the floor which we were thankfull for! The second time it went 10+ minutes with her looking around for it again and just started heading back to her hide and I picked it back up with the tongs and she took it straight from them! I seen in some of your videos that you don't just let the rodent go straight away and you pull it slightly before letting go and walking away.. should I do this as if to show some sort of struggle and not just letting go? Thankyou for taking the time to reply!!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

@@azza809 You don't have to but it gets them to wrap tighter and it might help with their food response a little bit

[@brandontaylor5939]

My wife absolutely LOVES freya! What morph is she? I thought maybe a red stripe calico? We would love to know!❤️

[@GreenRoomPythons]

She is an orange dream extreme gene calico.

[@RubeBojo]

I got my snake wilbur, after volunteering at a nature center for a year or two. You definitely can learn the body language of snakes, and when handling a snake people forget that snakes know no personal space its funny to see peoples reactions to that! I just wanted to say that this video is great, and i wanted to ask if there are anything specific i can do to get wilby more used to me picking/ handling him. I do it often, and i know its not harmful but im always looking for a way to improve!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I have a few videos on socializing snakes that might help. One way of doing it is just allowing your snake to see you near the cage without being handled. You can offer your hand for them to just tongue-flick on and then pull away slowly without messing with them. It establishes your hands as not a threat.

[@RubeBojo]

@@GreenRoomPythons that makes a lot of sense thank you!

[@ladysudaandthegoddessmorri3217]

Pris my Royal Python semi scopes, not a full scope ... I'd love to see her do a full scope. She is a sweetheart

[@GreenRoomPythons]

She probably will at some point :-)

[@ladysudaandthegoddessmorri3217]

@@GreenRoomPythons Yes, hopefully! 🙂🐍

[@briand5436]

Lol Kent of the Corner sounds like a union for street walkers lol

[@GreenRoomPythons]

😄😄

[@aneta.m395]

Hi! I have a behavioral question I hope you can help me with. I watched all your “snake behavior” videoes couple of times before I got my snake, and it really helped me a lot in understanding and responding to my snake. I have had her for a bit over a week and handled her only two times for short periods. Yesterday I had her out and I observed her. She is not very shy, but also not super confident. She is 9 months, but pretty small still (220g). I saw her exploring and I saw her “statueing”, but she also did a thing where she after about 15 minutes of handeling (she was mostly just exploring my lap), she kind of stretched half of her body on my lap, and stopped tongue flicking for about 7 minutes. I did not move, I wasn’t sure what she was doing. She wasn’t tense, as she is when she is statueing, but she wasn’t tongue flicking. Could she have been sleeping? Can a snake that is in new environment with a new person just fall asleep in their lap?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yep, she probably just fell asleep for a bit. They are sleepy buggers :-)

[@heathersowers9219]

Just got a baby ball two days ago which was normally feeding day at the pet store but he hasn’t eaten for me yet. Dude at the pet store just scooped him on up and he was chill, I held him and so did my son. Since we put him in his enclosure he has been staying in the top of his vines up high. Is that normal? And do baby snakes bite a lot or is he just shy?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Individual snakes are different but most ball pythons don't bite as a first defense. Make sure to let your snake settle into the cage for at least a week before trying to offer food. It's normal for them to explore their new surroundings when you bring a snake home

[@denisevnbrdw]

Ben is adorable! He does indeed look like a tiger cub. 🐯🥺 Hope to see him again in a video. I really like giving them nicknames to their actual names. They can't tell, but I call my lady Lucy while her name is Venera. She shed last week - it was bad... 😔

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Glad you like him! He's been in several videos before and I'm sure he will continue to make appearances.

[@d.5432]

I love that you added footage for each behaviour! Periscoping is just darn cute. Question though, what about sounds? About 3 months ago, my BP started to occasionally put his snout against the air "vent"/mesh thing for ventilation of an enclosure) and huff. Like one big huff then nothing, he just stays with his face pressed against the vent. I took him to the vet to check if it's not RI and he even got antibiotics just in case. For husbandry and handling I follow all of your guides and should be on point. He behaves absolutely normally 98% of the time, it's just that weird huff every other day (sometimes he doesn't do that for weeks) that he does ONLY when he presses his snout against that one specific vent. When he is in his hide or moving around the enclosure he never makes a sound and doesn't show any distress.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I don't know if the vent would have anything to do with it but snakes do sneeze and they will try to blow stuff out of their nose if they get substrate in there. My retics sometimes will do that if they've been burrowing in their substrate.

[@ingeniouspixie]

I believe the technical term is, "blelelelele". 🧐 😂

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yes, that's the term!

[@emyleebott2640]

Your videos are helping me so much. I just got my first ball python this week. I've never been terrified of snakes, but I never would have pursued them either. I held a friend's new albino python this last week on a dare. And I immediately fell in love. I haven't held mine yet I've just been putting my hand in the tank as a fist and gauging his demeanor. I touched him lightly a few times yesterday and he didn't come towards me and was totally relaxed. I know he's used to human touch because the workers at the pet place were able to reach in and grab him (he was hungry when they did too because it was feeding day) but I appreciate your videos. I am waiting to grab him and pick him up until this upcoming Monday. Is it a good idea to slowly put my hand in the tank and let him get used to my scent and touch him without picking him up, before I just reach in there and pick him up? I figured him being in a new environment and everything, that it would be wise to take it slow as not to stress him out. I also don't want to take too long though because I want him to be used to being handled.

[@MAGICMESHROOM]

6:25 I thought you were actually hold a baby cobra for a second 😂

[@pavelrak8906]

I thing ou ball p. is curious, so like to be taken out and explore 😊. Sometimes seems enjoy warm hands, than start exploring. What I am surprized is how nice is. Only ones she hiss and never bite, even do not try. Maybe also because when is hungry i never try touch - she is in rension like spring 😂.

[@stewartmeddaugh2571]

I am a new snake owner to be honest, and have been following your videos cause its very useful knowledge as has helped a ton so thank you. I do have a behavioral question. My ball python tends to when handling rub the top of his head on me a lot, even to the point at times to pariscope up then turn to rub his head against my upper arm or shoulder/ face area.. 1st time i thought because it was close to feeding day he was gonna strike at me but has happened several times in the past month, and hes also not in shed so curious if thats a normal behavior? 8/10 times he follows the rubbing his head against me with a yawn lol.. thanks in advance for any info

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I wouldn't say that's normal behavior but he may just be comfortable doing that, or it's helping him to adjust his mouth maybe if he's doing the yawn right afterwards

[@alisaurus8254]

Sorry random question..is it true the spider gene can cause neurological problems?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

It's not a neurological problem but it is a problem with their equilibrium because of a issue with their skull internally. It causes them to have a wobble and it does affect all spider morph ball pythons but in varying degrees

[@alisaurus8254]

@@GreenRoomPythons oh okay good to know thank you 💯🐍❤️

[@lanedj801]

Just like balling up if your snake hisses, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gonna bite you. It just might be cranky because you woke it up while sleeping and it isnt ready to be interacted with. Once you pick them up they usually get over it. But if it starts tracking you and positioning itself for “strike pose” or bucks it’s body at you in a way of saying “knock it off I don’t want to be touched.” you may need to remove it from its enclosure completely to get it out of that mode. Ball pythons are nocturnal and you are waking them up in the middle of sleep. Snakes are typically more defensive in their environment and want to protect their home. Just like taking your dog away from its possessions it soon realizes that it has no reason to fight over something. Just be calm and don’t be jumping or swinging your arms around. Be a tree and stay calm and support them and take them out of their environment and soon after their posturing and “aggression” goes away. Thinking mode or long tongue flicks while extending themselves out or relaxing the body into putty is the goal posturing.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

All true!

[@lanedj801]

Not to repeat what you say in the video as my own ideas but just to give confidence in the new keeper. You can do it. Commit and do it daily. Buy gloves and a hook if that’s what it takes. The only way to learn a new language is to just keep trying and get over the hump.