My Snake NEVER Comes Out of His Hide! How am I supposed to work with him???

[@Allendavid79]

Would love a video of how you interact with your adult snakes!

[@BlueLotus084]

I adopted a yearling female BP that was surrendered by someone who was afraid of it. Apparently, it bit her during feeding and that scared the previous owner. It's also possible this person also stopped handling her and just pushed her around roughly during attempts to clean the cage. So now, she is super skittish, wants very little to do with people. Can't blame her. I'm at the stage where I clean the enclosure and she'll poke her head out to see what's going on, and if no food comes she'll pop back inside. If I put my hand close, she'll tongue flick a bit. I have taken her out and let her climb around my computer desk while I'm watching something. She did end up getting into the printer once, but I managed to get her out, wasn't fun for her or me. But I do try to be very gentle and kind with her given her previous experience. It broke my heart hearing her story, so I knew I'd take her in. I already have an adult female BP that's been with me for over a year. Still continuing to learn about them, and want the best for both. Thanks for this video, really hit the mark for where I'm at with the little one.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm glad this was helpful. It sounds like that snake is in the right home now :-)

[@lfloyd4034]

I've figured out a trick to get two of mine (both rat snakes) out of "tense, defensive mode" while on my hand/arm and into "interested tongue flicks/exploring mode". First, I give them a couple of minutes to do it themselves, which they often do. If that doesn't work then I just slowly turn my whole body or tip my arm in a different direction so that the snake has to concentrate just slightly on balance and noticing the new view in front of them. It seems to snap them out of their frozen state and get their brains working. It's simple, really effective, and helps me keep the handling session moving in a positive direction.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's a great technique

[@josephclark9079]

Would love a video on interacting with shy adult ball pythons! I failed to socialize mine from a young age and now she’s afraid to leave her hide when I’m around. Thanks for so much helpful content!

[@marimdr26554]

Up

[@heavymetaljess_]

My snake has always been what I call "tentatively curious." She wants to explore, but she usually grips something with her tail while her body and head do all the exploring. She'd also rather I didn't hold her, but seems to enjoy being out around me. She's always fine with sitting on my lap or laying across my shoulders. She has also always preferred longer, less frequent handling over frequent, short sessions. Once she's out, she wants to be out for awhile and will often push against the doors to try and get out if I put her back before she's "done."

[@zach7384]

I know you've said this in a previous video (sorry if it was said here and I missed it) but your snake is becoming more familiar with you every time you go into their enclosure. Changing water, checking/cleaning up waste, rearranging, adding moisture, etc etc. They can smell you, even if you aren't directly in front of them. When your scent becomes familiar & you aren't doing them any harm, they become less and less afraid of you. Obviously careful handling helps a bunch, but don't think they NEED to be handled to become familiar. My first BP was super social from the start, bought her from Petco. My second was purchased from a breeder & was extremely shy, would hiss everytime I picked him up. Now, he's just as comfortable around me as my female. I haven't handled him a ton, but by being active in his enclosure I was surprised how quickly he came around. Great video!

[@raekorb3081]

Neither of my corn snakes are choice-based handling, but I do some of the things you talked about to increase the neutral and positive interactions and reduce the number of negative interactions. Seeing the moments when they realize, "Okay, I guess I'm not being eaten", and "Oh, I want to stop and smell the new smells instead of run" are pretty awesome, especially for a new keeper.

[@cherivoth9917]

This process is very similar to Kevin McCurley's "Threads of trust" philosophy. I used many of these methods when I first started handling my boy, Sir Waffles. I usually have use the "yoink" method to get him out of his hide, but he's very confident and social. One thing i did in the beginning was if something startled him during handling, I'd wait a moment for him to relax again before putting him back. He also looks for me now if I have to be out of town for a few days. My employees send me pics of him "looking for Mom"

[@finnyoak]

This helped me realize that I'm doing pretty well with my new baby boy, Obanai. I just got him about a week ago, but I've been doing research on snakes (BPs and hognoses specifically) for years. I've been trying to get him used to me without stressing him out too much. This definitely encouraged me and boosted my confidence in my approach to socializing/handling. He's definitely shy, but he seems to like exploring when I hold him and gives me lots of long tongue flicks! ❤️ I love my little guy so much.

[@BadBlood0710]

I brought our (very fearful and defensive) 4 mo old female ball python home from an expo 1 month ago, and when I’ve handled her over the past two days, she’s been immediately loosening up and exploring my arms/body very bravely. Your content has so majorly helped me with socializing her and caring for her. Many thanks to you!

[@MostlyHarmless68]

Hiya Bob! Since you asked, my first snake I handled almost every day. He was super chill (a baby corn snake) The next one was more active but also very confident. The third was an adult corn and super easy to handle. The 4th was much more flighty but has settled down. The 5th (baby rat corn) was very defensive and bitey, but has settled down as she's grown. All that said, I don't handle my snakes all that often, especially as I've gotten more of them. But when I'm in the mood to, they're pretty chill about it.

[@thesnowroach]

My 4yo Tessera spent his first 2 years maintenance fed, never handled by the breeder, even after 2 years with me he's very rarely out of his hide, he's extremely shy and defensive. I've always done the open and scoop routine, nowadays he's a lot calmer he doesn't bite or thrash around like he did the first year. He's on a proper diet and put some weight on. My other two snakes are incredibly active and curious. Though I use the scoop method, it's barely a 10 minute session, when I put them back they have the choice to come back to my hand to stay out longer. If they're sleeping out in the open on their hammocks, I don't bother them at all, just spot clean or change the water. This way they're confident they can sit out in the open without being afraid. I admit I don't have the patience for choice handling, but they do have a calm short routine and are very keen on target training sessions

[@gamer8622]

My Ball was amazing from the start. She's always very chill and rarely startled. She loves to periscope around while sitting on my neck

[@kitippets]

I just got my first two snakes at Tinley. My ball python is shy and I'm happy that I've been approaching him just as you described in your video. I hope one day he'll have confidence and want to choose to be handled. My hognose snake is just a few months old and nothing phases her. She loves to explore and she eats like a champ. It's so funny how different they are from each other.

[@alyssafox5249]

My retic is the most social snake. She loves to come out and hang out. She'll be all over the glass and climb right on your hand when you open the door. I got really lucky with her. My boa is super super shy.... hes very tame and gentle, he just doesnt move much unless its really late at night. If i want to handle him, i have to take him out of his hide. Lucky hes okay with it. Once hes supported well, he relaxes and just sits on my shoulder's. I got both snakes when they were 6-8 months and both well socialized. I cant recommend a good breeder enough!

[@MichaelBullen-u2p]

Bob love your video. Yes I have 7 bps and all have different personalities. Yes each one likes different things. I have 2 that won't even loose contact with me. One that wants to go check everything out. One that won't even eat if I touched it. All are loved for being themselves and I would not give them up for anything. Thanks again for your video

[@alexandrapottier5969]

please do a video on adult/subadult handling! Could use some tips on that, i have only one snake (normal ball) and he’s i would guess around 3-4 and rarely leaves his hide. love your vids❤

[@DW-kr6iw]

Yes, please, to the video of you interacting with your snakes. My retic is on the shy side….I do a lot of just being present without taking her out. She has come a long way. Baby boa was bold and handled from day one. I have a bp that insists on coming out every night. He loves to curl up in a fuzzy blankie. The other two bps are very socialized and enjoy coming out as well. Great vid.

[@ShinjiAndHikari4ever]

My very first snake, a hognose snake, was a "typical hognose" level of defensive at first but calmed right down within a few weeks of me having her despite me probably doing things wrong... by now, even if i startle her and she gets hissy, the moment she smells me shes like "oh okay just you" and stops. But you are raising some really good points in regards to how i interact with my second snake, a mexican kingsnake (San Luis Potosi, not MBK) - that one is quite shy and even though i try to only start interactions when they are already outside a hide, i think my set-up for them (a top-opening bin i have to lift down from a shelf first, with additional clamps to prevent escape attempts, that make noise/move the bin when being removed) is probably starting us off negatively for every interaction... You gave me some food for thought, thank you :)

[@hberio]

Hi Bob, I’d really love to see how you work with shy adult snakes. We rescued an 8 yr old corn snake who was loving on poor conditions and she is overweight!! My twin girls and I are new to snake keeping but we are committed to providing the care our animals need❤

[@annmariewilso3016]

Each snake is an individual, and they are all wired a little bit differently. I find some of my snakes are very outgoing and very curious. Others are like the world is scary and full of monsters , OMG! So, I have to be gentle and take a different approach. I think that allowing them to make choices is very cool and more like the natural world. I am going to take that approach more. Thanks for the insight.

[@amandablythe6515]

My male hatchling is just a curious little guy. He doesn't panic too much. When I come in the room to check on him, he always pops his head and neck out and watches me. When I hold him he gives nice long tongue flicks and he eats very well for me. I adore him so much❤

[@BjornWithASlash]

My BP Jöri (never checked, but I am like 70% sure is male) is fine with literally anything ever. He always wants out. He genuinely seems to enjoy being on me specifically. He will let you do whatever you want. My Bredli Python Bindi (Female) is super inquisitive and curious, but still lightly nervous. Once she is out she might try to get away for a second, but she chills out within about 30 seconds max. The problem is once she is comfy: she wants to move around anyway. I’m very warm and there’s a lot of me she gotta see it all.

[@luvmybabies05]

We got a baby and he was couple months old. He was fine at first to be handled, and then I upgraded his enclosure. The breeder recommended. We give him two weeks to adjust and then start off slowly handling him again. He is now just a little ever a year and is great at being handled.

[@her0isms]

pleaseeeee release a subadult / adult handling video! i bought my 5 year old boy Vegas a year and a half ago at an expo, and he is just the shyest little dude. i rarely see him out of his hide except right before bed when he goes to do his nightly exploring, but even going to open his enclosure to see if he'd like to come out, he just stops 😭 id really love to have him out more often but i dont want to scare him either 😅

[@katbrechtel499]

Pip looks *so much* like a boaedon capensis at distance that I was convinced for a good thirty seconds you'd gotten a housie on the sly! Thank you for this video. Our girl was a super-shy baby and she's a moderately shy subadult, but we keep working with her and I think she's slowly improving. I'd love to see a vid on how you interact with your adults/subadults, too!

[@klarakubler9763]

We have a corn snake since two weeks. He is so cute and curious and me and my kids love him. I wanted a ball python but my son fell in love with him and he was probably right. This brave little corn snake chooses to come out of his vivarium to explore very often and so the kids can interact a bit and get to know him. Maybe i get to own a ball python one day, when my kids are older...

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

My bp has been extremely easy. She relaxes very quickly and really likes to explore. She has yet to fail to take a meal as well.

[@dwannarenae]

My baby ball python is super chill. With being handled. She doesn’t mind a bit has never has struck or doesn’t seem like she gets stressed out ever she’s pretty perfect

[@phaedra2281]

My baby (African house snake) is a shy one. She's ALWAYS buried or hiding, but i take her out a couple times a week and just let her crawl all over my hand/arm (and sometimes glasses!) while I doom scroll or watch TV. I never keep her out for long, though. Thank you for the extra tips!!

[@kaleesamson1229]

My first BP Seline was super great at handling from day one. We had to work on her being in food mode at times when I would be cleaning her enclosure. Now we both have a great mutual trust. My second Eve was and is still so skiddish. We work on it and this video helped a lot

[@justinhill9915]

Thank for this. I had a full grown ball years ago that i got from a friend who needed to re-home him and he was wonderful, full grown and very interactive. After being out of the BP game for about ten years I just purchased a little 115g noodle (YB, Pastel) on 10/12/24 and he is such an enigma. Some days he's super active and inquisitive. He interacts with me great but then he will go into his hide for 3, 4, 5 days and want nothing to do with the world. He has only eaten one meal so far. I had to give him a live mouse, because he just struck at (would not latch and wrap) the frozen thawed rat pup and then would have nothing to do with it. He's very chill when he let's me handle him but it's few and far between. Very frustrating. However, your videos have been a wonderful and entertaining for of research and education for me. Thanks again Bob!

[@ettinakitten5047]

13:16 This is also one of the important things to remember for a human with a phobia, too. Phobia therapy involves an acceptable level of stress, not overwhelming stress.

[@scidia9745]

My Rosy Boa is given choice based handling roughly 80% of the time. If it's time to clean her enclosure, or to do a health check, she doesn't really get a choice. However the rest of the time I wait for her to climb out onto me, and usually if she is out roaming her enclosure already she takes the chance to get some time outside of her home to exercise. Heck, there are times where I'll find her at the door waiting to come out. But it definitely took a lot of work over 2 years to get her trust to this point, and a lot of what you said to do with shy snakes was stuff I did with mine when she was a baby.

[@bryannasummer]

I lucked out with a very chill ball python. Especially because about 50% of the time when I get him out I think I scare the bejezus out of him and I may or may not have accidentally dropped him (from like 2 inches up) a few times lol. But once he’s out he’s crawling all over me and exploring and falls asleep around my neck. We both had to go through a learning curve with each other for the first few months because he was an unexpected gift…but I’ve had him for a year now and we’ve got it figured out. ❤

[@bryannasummer]

Also adding since he was a surprise pet I didn’t have time to do all my research before getting him. So I had to and still am trying to learn as much as I can to be the best snake owner as I can. Like I said lucky for me he is chill and has tolerated my goofiness.

[@marimdr26554]

Amazing video, please do the video about the handling of adults too ❤

[@kimt80]

3:27 Yes please!! I'm at that stage now since my 9 are growing out of baby and majority leaning into adult/ subadult

[@Kellz58]

Really needed this video, #7 & 8 BPs are coming this week, and are the youngest for me. I'm 6 mos in Bob, and 3 are out partying at night living the dream lol . The other 3 BPs are just now starting to peek out and being curious. Pls do the other video, and ty again. ❤

[@lizardkeeper100]

I agree with you on hooks being a less stressful way to handle snakes and that is why I use that or a stick to move any wild snakes I find and need to move. I do sometimes move them from the hook to my hand if it is not venomous and would be easier for me to control so they don't fall.

[@charlsief]

Getting my first ball python this week! He's a rehome from a friend of a friend and he'a such a gorgeous boy! (My friend who doesn't know anything about snakes said he was an albino but really he's a Yellow Belly Mojave Fire Banana!!!) Thanks for all your guides. I can't wait to be his forever home!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Congrats!

[@cathyb1273]

Pip is so lovely. I like big snakes, like the Burmese python particular, because, I dont know, they have a little additional ”je ne sais quoi”. But a petite snake like this is very cute. I don’t have a snake myself, because in France the rules for a non venomous snake are too complicated : training, accreditation, registration, microship.... So for a ”venomous” one and I am talking hognose not cobra or Gaboon viper, it’s even worse. I like that your enclosures are clear. Thx for the video it was very interesting.

[@michaelgilsdorf1123]

I got two female 5 mth old ball pythons they both are good with being handled so far I got them from a buddy who had babies and I think his daughters probably handled them since hatch because they don't mind being out I only bring them out 3 or 4 days a wk usually about 15-20 mins usually my wife holds one I haven't owned one in about 20 yrs definitely enjoying your videos

[@michaelgilsdorf1123]

Even tho there the same clutch one I've had 2 mths and it's been a good eater right away my buddy said the other I've only had 3 wks he held it back to get it eating and it ate 5 meals in a row for him and has ate twice for me so far the one we had first Cassandra nova was 409 grams last time I weighed her and the little one rubby Joann is only 108 grams she's starting to gain she ate Saturday so I'm sure she will weight more nxt time I check

[@zyephenz8466]

I have 2 BCIs. My younger guy has never struck at me, but I can tell he's a bit more nervous than my female. I got her younger and started handling her more initially I think. My little male is more squirmy and flighty when I get him out though. I try to do passive handling so just let him go where he wants but he just mostly just wants to get away. I have had success with target training both of them though. They will happily come to their target out of their hides or enclosures.

[@lindslovessnakes]

I have a yearling Black Milk. He's very shy. I actually think he's getting more timid as time goes on. He definitely tries to evade my attempts to get him out of his enclosure. Because he's on the shyer side, I actually only do this once a week, MAYBE twice. Once he's out he's pretty good - curious, exploring, lots of tongue flicks, etc. But yeah. I love him to death but I do miss my slow moving ball pythons, lol

[@rebeccaguild1925]

Funny how you say they are all different. We got a surprise clutch when mom came to us gravid without us knowing. We got 2 beautiful babies from the clutch, and they have had the exact same experience since hatching and one is super chill and doesn't mind being handled and seems to like exploring new enrichment, but the other one is scared of everything to the point it took several weeks to eat its first meal because it would only defensively strike at the mouse. This little guy needs more work, but I'm trying your tips here to see if we can get him to calm down before adopting him out to a forever home. So thank you for this info!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Best of luck with him!

[@AngelosLH]

My lil ball python is almost a year old, I've had him for 3 months and he isnt defensive, but I've not had much luck handling him. He was with the breeder for 9 months because he's just a normal and nobody was interested, so he's kinda having a bunch of rapid life experiences all at once under my care. When he was in his quarantine tub it was easy enough to remove the hides and get him out - he was tense but very curious, trying to look around the room and periscoping a little while I was holding him, but very jumpy when I would speak or move. When I moved him up to his 4x2x2 I had one good session where I held him and just kinda let him flick at my houseplants, but when he went back in he chose a different hide which is way harder to lift up ( it's very heavy and in an awkward spot behind clutter/heat lamps, i'm surprised he even fits in it because its kinda low but he loooves it ) so I've not been able to touch him at all. I hang out in his room a bunch and speak to him when I see him, and sometimes I catch him spying on me while I sit on the couch - he also comes out of his hide looking excited when I get closer, hoping for a rat - which is very cute - and he isn't bothered by me speaking to him anymore, but for any handling interaction It's now choice based as heck because I can't get him out of his hide. He's started to stick his neck out pretty far and flick recently, but then he gets spooked by something I can't see/hear and retreats. I have been putting my hand in for him to flick in the past week, which he seems chill about, so I guess I'll just continue to do that!

[@KerryMaePhotography]

I'd love to see how you interact with your adult snakes. I adopted a 3 yr old boa this past July and a 12 yr old ball python in September. It's interesting how different it is to work through interpreting the individual behavior of adult snakes.

[@caughtafaygo]

man thank you for that stance. im not 100% choice based either and id say after i get them out and they realize they get to go outside its a lot more fun than sittin in their hide lol (boas) i do have some that will come out to me like my IMG male and my orangasm hypo jungle from frank martin. hes a sweetheart.

[@forestgreen2500]

I'd definitely would love a video of interacting with adults and sub-adults. My snakes have different personalities. One is super chill and doesn't seem to care when I handled him, the other is always slightly more stressed but has grown confident with age. I don't really get the impression that they *like* to interact with me, though. It's more than they tolerate it, but given the choice, which I do give them, they'd both rather explore the room away from me 😅

[@bradenselkirk4930]

I have one shy snake, honestly ive never had trouble removing them from their hide, small hisses at first, but nowadays shes very tolerant of handling and eats well. As long as its bo more than once a week its a good way to gwt them started being handled

[@leesreptilesandaquatics6368]

Maybe you should see if it will come out for Kent . I just got a baby okeetee corn snake and it loves to come out and loves being held

[@nifferscritters]

I have two hognoses that were chill and fine with being handled right from the beginning, although the female does go through periods when she just wants to be left alone, or prefers our interactions to be visual rather than physical, and I respect that and have worked on figuring out how to gauge her mood before even trying to handle her. My other two hoggies aren’t great with handling yet, one of them seems to enjoy interacting through the glass and the other basically doesn’t care that I exist as long as I don’t bother him (lol). They’re both babies and I handle them enough to know that I can if need be, but I have plenty of other animals I can handle and I would prefer to respect their limits and have a happy snake. My albino african house snake baby is great with handling but sometimes he would rather not come out of his cork tube so I mostly let him decide by putting the cork on the coffee table and letting him come out to explore if he wants. My baby african file snake is more skittish but getting better as time goes on, I’ve been basically doing the things you have suggested in this video and it’s great to see progress! My new subadult black african house snakes are doing great, the female is really calm and does really well with handling but the male is more skittish so I’m taking it slow with him. I was told the female is kinda like a cat - great with some people, not with others, and she chooses her people, so I’m happy she seems to think I’m a good one. 🖤🥰 My spotted python is also really great with handling, her enclosure is on the floor so it’s hard to do choice based with her but once I find something to put her enclosure up on, I think she’ll be a great candidate to start trying choice based more often.

[@christhomas472]

I have 6 snakes, all BP. My first one was confident from day one, by day 3 I was getting him out and handling him, I had intended on waiting around a week but he was out and about so I just opened his tub and he came right out on my hand. My others have been either shy or defensive but no bites as of yet. I just keep working with them and in time I see progress but I know if I want to just chill with a snake and have no problems then my first is my go to.

[@pennyronyson1158]

We have 5 Ball Pythons... Each of them have their own personality and preferences. Whiskey, (Mahogany Het Albino) is my oldest. She prefers to be handled once a week and when she window surfs, I know she wants to come out. I do pick her up once more throughout the week. Drogo, ( pastel, Orange Dream, Pied Het MJ Axanthic) is two years old. He doesn't mind coming out anytime. He gets picked up 3x a week and goes outside with me as well. Khalessie, (Enchi, Pied Het MJ Axanhic) does not like to be held hardly ever. She's over a year old and came from KINOVA. A very slow grower and a little spicey to handle most of the time. I still take her out 2-3 times a week. Her nickname is Sassy Pants. Stryker, (Pastel, OD, Het Clown) is the most social snake I've ever seen. He will wave at you until you notice him. When you open his tank, he comes directly out. He loves to sit around your neck and plop his head on your head or slumped on my nose. He comes out around 5 times a week and sometimes more if he insists. Luna (lesser Clown) also likes to come out and sit on your arm. She took a couple of weeks of slow handling before she trusted us. We bought Luna from a vendor but we believe we rescued her because she had 3 sheds stuck to her face. She looked a little ill but my daughter insisted on taking her home. She's been a complete little darling. If I'm in the room, she will watch me intently and sometimes window surf.

[@El-ng7mb]

I don't do choice based handling but my ball sometimes chooses to come out anyway!! Love the lil guy

[@El-ng7mb]

Oh yeah I wanted to add - my snake was really shy when we got him initially but I tried short non- choice based sessions as well as keeping him in a room where he could see us and we just sit with him. Now he literally comes out of his hides when he wishes, and doesn't care that much when we pick him out. He's super social with new people too. He reminds me of Garrett's SDs honestly all curious and going on people . My dude was never a flee-r but he did flee a handful of times when he was really startled (unexpected company or some mishap in the house). He's so interested and curious that sometimes as he's growing it's kinda hard to handle him and his exploration ways and lack of understanding of gravity. His coils are loose when he explodes around so I gotta manage his body LOL😊

[@ghxstfce7290]

my second ball python comes in tomorrow, super excited

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Congrats!

[@momakajean]

Good "class" Bob. Little Han will be fine. He just didn't get to have his "cuddle puddle". Plus he's really cute!they

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Mom!

[@gangewifre]

Solo! What a great little dude, it's so cool to get to see the process behind acclimating him to your presence. Pip is an excellent stunt baby.

[@StephanieNorris0503]

My first ball python was Athena my wobble girl, got her at 9 months, she came around pretty quickly surprisingly, my second was Teddy at 2.5months, he was shy and struck 1 time and did hiss but with working with him , he turned into a sweet boy and started to pick to come out. Gizmo was my youngest I got him before he was 2 months and right out of the container he was all about exploring and being handled and he’s still the sweetest, my 3 year old boy was great from the start but I would have to go pick him up at first and then I started catching him out and he also picked to come out no problem. Now waiting to get my last ball which is a female blue eyed Lucy so we will see how that goes soon!

[@jrepp74]

You have a phenomenal beard my man!!!! Love your funny side and all the information.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks so much!

[@NicoleMenchio]

I have a 13 month old boa, and she loves to be in her hides. Usually I do have to remove the hide and gently tap her with a hook to make sure she’s not thinking of food and I scoop her on up. She’s very curious when she’s out and loves to climb on my head and around the back of my neck. Usually if she gets too fidgety or flings herself up on my shoulder I give her a minute and get her put away. But 90% of the time I go to put her back and she refuses to go in. Sometimes I have to help guide her back inside. But if I ever pull her out and she immediately freaks out, I usually let her back in as from what I’ve noticed, it’s the starting stage of shed. She’s an albino sun glow so it’s hard to tell sometimes. I’m obsessed with her!

[@deannacorey5650]

Tremendous informative video!!!!!! Best one ever!!! So much great info here!!!! Thank you!!!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Glad you liked it!

[@pencildragon1961]

I've had a total of 6 snakes since the early 1990's. I currently have 3 snakes, and they are all "working" snakes as I used them for photographic work. I have them all trained, 3 strokes with the snake hook means it's handling time. They all do well with flash photography. UNLIKE smartphones and some digital video cameras which use infrared light for autofocus, my dSLR uses ultrasound so they don't get blasted by a heat signature. 1) Lucille Ball Python (btw, scientifically proven to be the most perfect name for a blue-eyed leucistic ball python) - she is the chillest of my snakes... she'll come out and explore every night, but during daytime handling she is very slow and deliberate. 2) Lou the Leucistic (Ball Python) - he's a weirdo, he is quite literally bonded with my wife. I feed and handle him most, and yet my wife is absolutely his favorite human. when she enters the room and he smells her, he will come up to the glass, day or night, and upon open the enclosure he will slide up onto her arm and hang with her for hours. He has the most "personality" in photos. 3) Iris the Brazilian Rainbow Boa - she is reluctant to come out of her enclosure, but settles down after about a minute. She is very comfortable in modeling situations and handling sessions... but she snaps if she is stressed, so I watch for that. She is absolutely unhandleable at night. I started trying a little choice based with her at night, but she is always in food mode at night, and no amount of hook training has broken her of that... as soon as she senses a heat source she's all teeth.

[@Jean-GuyRubberboot]

My female BP, just over a year old, sometimes comes out with her hot hide. I put it down and let her come out on her own. Within a few mins, she's exploring the room.

[@jakes8444]

i do 70% choice base. if i open the door and my snek pops his head out ill grab him out of there. if my snake is in his hide or climbing on his stick I never take him out. It seems to work out for me. The only time were i dont get to handle him is basically when he just ate or is shedding which isnt a good time to handle ur snake anyway. Usually when i get off of work he wants to be handled most days and im very lucky on how chill he is and the times where he wants to explore

[@AquaticMoose]

Awesome topic! I was just wondering what your take is on this topic, between all the different approaches. It's not always an option for people to handle 'a different snake' when they only have a few. Thanks Mr. Bob.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Tarras.Snake.Treasures]

Another fabulous video with much needed information for all. Love it!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Tarra!

[@phuntsokdolma]

Yes please make that video!

[@denisevnbrdw]

This is the video I really needed. Last year I came across a baby python during an event and kinda fell in love. I kept in touch with the breeder and this spring the little one was still up for sale. As last year was unstable for me, I left. So in spring I talked to the breeder and prepared the next month for the baby. He is very shy though... He will peek out at times but retreat if I do stuff in his enclosure. A few times he wanted to go out and explore. He looked kinda unsure, but not frightened. I leave him space, because handling him every few days didn't help at all. Leaving him space and waiting for him, doesn't help either though... So I am at a loss.

[@denisevnbrdw]

I really need to get a small hook.

[@zach7384]

He probably just needs more time! My male was very difficult in the beginning, through normal upkeep of his enclosure & feedings, he finally came around. Especially when they're like that, don't force handling, just make yourself familiar. He will figure out you aren't a predator and start relaxing when you're around. Idk if it helps, but snakes are most vulnerable when they're eating...I typically watch while they eat, making sure they can see that I'm there (from a few feet away). I think this also helps with trust dramatically, once they know you won't attack while they're vulnerable, you aren't seen as a threat. Took my male about a month & he went from hissing and fleeing, to crawling up my arm as soon as I open his enclosure. Good luck!

[@denisevnbrdw]

@@zach7384 it's been like half a year here... So I really don't think he needs more time. I know, I make alot of mistakes, like moving to fast, reaching somewhere and then my shadow falls on them... Maybe I am just to clumsy for snakes.

[@zach7384]

@@denisevnbrdw Every snake is different, maybe yours has an attitude, lol. It's possible something is making it uncomfortable, if your snake is unhappy you won't have positive interactions with it. Check your temps, humidity, make sure fresh water is available at all times in a dish large enough for it to soak if it chooses to. Make sure you're feeding quality rodents that are the correct size for your snake.

[@zach7384]

@@denisevnbrdw beyond all of that, what type of enclosure is it in? Glass, wood, pvc? top or front opening? if everything is in order, it may not like the bedding you're using. BPs are picky as hell, some more than others. If everything is within range of what's acceptable, try changing some things like decor, hides, bedding.

[@KevinDarbyshire-Bryant]

Really appreciate the video Bob, very helpful as they always are.

[@crazyaboutreptiles8833]

I really like your videos teaching me a lot I know a lot anyway but no one is expert we all are always learning I have 24 snakes but good stuff thank you we missed your brother? 😅

[@coalblooded]

I was wanting to ask this question into the internet void a week or so ago, but specifically about my adult male BP that I got a month or so ago. He's at least 8, and the lady that I got him from had gotten him from a rescue about five years ago, and she said she used to take him to all of her educational events and stuff, so he was very used to being handled a lot by different people. Part of the reason she was rehoming him was because she hadn't been able to give him enough of that one-on-one attention and handling that he was used to, and as a result he'd gotten a little snippy or something I think. So that was perfect for me, because I wanted a snake that was already used to handling instead of a hatchling that would just stay in its hide 24/7 for the first long while. Anyway, my question, specifically in this scenario, is do I not try to handle him at all, so that he can get used to me and my presence? But at the same time, it seems like that could make his disposition worse, if he's needing that interaction to get back to his normal self, ya know? Or do I just start doing short handling sessions that are more routine, like a few minutes a few times a week, so that he gets used to it again and also realizes that I'm not a threat and each handling is gentle? (I don't mean removing him from his hide each time or anything, but just like if he happens to come out while I'm nearby.) Ideally, I'd love to be able to just open his enclosure and let him come out and explore on his own, getting used to me and the surroundings, but 1) my room is messy, 2) idk how to safely cover up the baseboard heaters, and 3) I've got a dog (who weirdly doesn't seem to register the snakes' existence whatsoever, but still, I don't want him to get bit in his clumsiness). Anyway, I'm not sure if you'll see this rambling comment, but if so, what would you suggest for this particular situation, where he's needing the one-on-one attention he used to be getting, but giving him space and letting him come to me might end up being counterproductive (or would it?)? I did end up holding him this past week for about ten minutes, I think it was after watching a Lori Torrini video where she mentioned more routine but short handling sessions being beneficial, and since then he seems to be more comfortable in his enclosure, wandering around more when I'm awake, and just kind of watching what I'm doing in the evenings. He's also watched me hold and interact with my two other snakes, and I'd like to think that he's watching that and thinking, "Okay, that big food-having stick-monster seems to be legit and nonthreatening with those other snakes, so I guess he's cool," but idk, maybe he's just staring off into the abyss. Anyway, I'm done rambling. Thanks for another great vid :)

[@GreenRoomPythons]

You can treat that snake the same as you would for a baby snake. They don't see very well so he's probably not watching you hold other snakes

[@coalblooded]

@GreenRoomPythons Yeah, I figure he'll get there in time, I just want to make sure I'm not inadvertently impeding the process one way or the other. Thanks so much!

[@animatedexotics]

Nice Video! My Girl has been a bit of a difficult case in the sense where she spends pretty much all day partially or fully hidden until very late at night, usually between 11:30 and 1:00. This is when I am able to let her out for a combination of free roaming and handling, and she took to it pretty well. The only issue being she enjoys free roaming so much that she'd stay out for hours at a time, refusing to go back into her enclosure, which is a bit of a problem when it's the middle of the night and I have school in the morning. I'd end up having to force her back in when I got too tired to work with her for any longer, then she'd spend the rest of the night pushing on the glass wanting out again! It's been tricky trying to balance my sleep schedule with her socialization demands, but I've got it fairly consistent to at least once a week for a bit over an hour!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Double check her temps to make sure it's not too warm in her cage. Sometimes snakes push when they're too warm

[@animatedexotics]

@GreenRoomPythons Thank you! At night I let her warm hide go down to 24°C (75°F), and I regularly check that that's working ok. During the day I keep her warm hide at 30°C, though because I'm using a deep heat projector for heat (it's a wooden vivarium so under tank heaters aren't really viable), the top surface of her hide will reach 40°C. She doesn't bask during the day and I haven't noticed any of that pushing behaviour at those times, but do you think that's dangerous? I'm currently working on upgrading her enclosure to a 4x2x2 (she's currently in a 3x1.5x1.5) to see if it satisfies her space demands, and I think I'll be able to fix the heating issue in those dimensions. She's due an upgrade anyway since she's grown to about 3 foot.

[@joyglocker8318]

OMG....exactly my problem with Fred, my 1 year old ball. He got better since he was a baby, but still hides most of the time. When I take him out, he is 'unballing' himself quite quickly these days, but he only leaves his hide in the middle of the night. I definitely try the hook. Does it make a difference to warm up my hands before handling? I often have cold hands. I am making him a big bag with toys for enrichment and he already has a 3 tier hanging thing where I put different things on from time to time...he loves it. Thanks for your tips. Greetings from Germany.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Warming your hands probably won't make much of a difference unless the snake is sitting on the warm side and is significantly warmer than your hands are. Snakes are oftentimes cooler than we are though

[@joshualandry3160]

My VBB is really nervous. She will try to scoot given any opportunity, but she never even threatens to bite. I recently was able to pull her hide and pick her up as a ball. She calmed right down. Funny enough, I think she objects to not being fully supported. I might need to try the hook.

[@annmariewilso3016]

So, they all have different personalities. I never thought I would say that, but they do.

[@fredenglish9431]

Great info thanks for sharing Bob 👍

[@ren2704]

I don't handle my boa much maybe twice a month at best, so when I do, the first 30 sec or a minute he is a bit scarred wondering what going on and then when he realises it's me he calms down very fast and use me as a warm tree, he doesnt slither away, even reaching my face to tongue flick it and after a little while he climbs on my shoulder and start to sleep on the warm monkey ;)

[@calemkalos]

Great video thanks!

[@skyediona1781]

Thank you for doing this video, Bob! I have a 7 month old male bp. I decided to go full-on choice based handling because Cosmo is painfully shy. He never came out of his hides. So I ended up purchasing a baby cam to watch his behaviors. Best thing I ever did! He would come out if it was dark and quiet. I would then sneak into the room and just sit with him. At first, he would immediately go into a hide when he saw me. After a couple of weeks, he would stay out in his viv and check me out. Fast forward to today, my patience has paid off! He is so much more confident now. I got him at 10 wks old, and I think he just needed to grow up a little bit 💜

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's great, sounds like it worked perfectly!

[@Only1Sosa.]

Good morning from 🇬🇧 kind soul 🤗

[@heatherwarner865]

I've found mine want out more since I've been free roaming them. They don't want to go back in the enclosure and fight me over it. Now to just get my one to stop peeing/pooping when she's out. It's not a startle response but it never fails if she's out for more than 30 minutes she poops and goes back to exploring.

[@paytonklesitz1840]

Mine does that too 😂

[@heatherwarner865]

@@paytonklesitz1840 My local reptile store owner told me it means she feels comfortable with me. I think it's because she's a poop-head who just wants to scent everything I own. Nature's Miracle is just what it says and gets rid of the odor.

[@rchippie508]

Yes on the sub adult/adult plz!

[@JesseDanLee]

Thank goodness I work nights/evenings, because my snake only wants to come out after 2am 😅

[@pjm204]

I do my best to practice choice-based handling but I will remove my snake from her enclosure on occasion, like when I am fully cleaning her enclosure. Sometimes I have to do that on my schedule, not hers.

[@Dmart91]

They come out at night. Mine always wondering around 11pm

[@scarletontiveros9276]

I have a children’s python and he is really active at night and I want to interact with him more but it I turn on the light he just starts trying to seep again

[@jacklarue592]

So I kind of got a 2-3 year old ball python basically dropped on me and the person that had it before has a single half log aspen bedding a little tree thing a very small water bowl and a red heat lamp. Since I got him a couple weeks ago I have bought some dollar store plants, another half log, a normal heat bulb, and a bigger water dish. I'm moving on thanksgiving 2024 which is in 5 days. I bought coconut husk substrate but I haven't been able to put it in yet since he is currently in shed and I am about to move 12 hours away. I need to get a couple actual hides but I haven't had the money to yet but I'm going to as soon as I get the money. I'm using just about all of my spare money on this guy because I love him so much. I've always wanted a snake as long as I've known about them and now I finally have a chance and I really don't want to mess this up. Any advice would help especially with the moving process.

[@BioBoas]

Hey Bob!! I was wondering where you got your snake perches from?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Those are custom made by The Reptile Perch

[@kitty4you676]

Thank you so much!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

That's pretty common. Snakes like to curl up wherever they're comfortable and oftentimes it's behind their hide. As long as you provide them with a hide they'll use it however they want

[@tracyisom3600]

Not sure if this message will reach you or not I hope it does I love your videos I have recently in in the hospital for about a year and I watched you and snake discovery while I was in there to help pass time please reach out if you get this and have time

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Hi Tracy, I'm glad you've been enjoying the channel!

[@tracyisom3600]

@ it’s great if I’m ever out that way I’d love to meet you and a few of your snakes. I’m from Arkansas so not out that way often. My wife aggravates me when I watch your videos she says you’re the bad guy on Alvin and the Chipmunks you was kidnapping the chipmunks to feed to your snakes I just laugh and tell her to go on!

[@Historybuff_769]

My ball python apollo comes out every night and periscopes for about 30-40 minutes its so adorable

[@AUPharmDiva]

Maya is in the background pounding her imaginary snake fists against the glass. Let me out! Bob let her out for a little while.

[@emersonb5764]

Any advice for a BP that seems to be”stuck” in feeding mode? Like almost 24/7 for many months now, with occasional breaks where he’ll hide a while. He used to rarely eat, until I figured out that he always eats them backwards which makes it more difficult, and then he’ll refuse for 1-3 months. I started giving him smaller rats which he can eat backwards easier and now he eats every week. Hasn’t missed a meal since, in nearly a year. But as soon as I figured that out and he enjoys eating now, he’s always displaying feed mode body language. I have to think it’s stressful for him, to be on alert like that most of the time. I don’t think it’s defensive behavior at all, he’s always been super calm and well socialized. But now I have to “disarm” him with a hook so he knows it’s handling time, not feeding time, or he’s striking first and asking questions later. He’s a 1200g boy, was a bit of a runt cus he would only eat a handful of times a year, but now he’s making up for lost time. Lol

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Some snakes are just like that. They are opportunistic feeders, but it also might not be food mode all the time. Tense body language like that doesn't always mean food mode... I don't know what size meals you're giving him, but at 1200g I would be feeding him one small rat every two weeks. Even if he eats it backwards, it will be no problem for him to get that down

[@emersonb5764]

Thanks! It’s just so much different from his behavior prior to me figuring out how to keep him eating regularly. Before I didn’t hesitate to let my kids open the cage and get him out (I taught them how to properly approach him, they do really well without making him defensive), he was so chill. Now I insist that I get him out and hand him to them. He is eating small rats now because they go down easy, even backwards it only takes him a few mins to gulp it down. It’s been every week cus he was fairly skinny and small for his age back when he was a finnicky eater. But he’s getting properly thick now so I think I will drop down to every other week as you suggest. He can get a smaller medium down easy too as long as it’s nose first. But if it goes backwards then he struggles a while and is then discouraged from eating for a long time. Now he sits halfway out of his hide, strike ready, and actively moves toward anything that moves. Anyway, thanks for the advice! Love that Calico! And Pip is fricking awesome.

[@emersonb5764]

Oh btw I do have a blue eyed Lucy that had always been that way. Strongest feeding response I’ve ever seen in a ball python. We expect that out of her and act accordingly, but our sweet pied boy must be in a hungry moody teenager stage or something. Lol

[@GreenRoomPythons]

@@emersonb5764 All my adult males get fed 1 small rat every 14 days. Adult males don't need food items larger than that, so that feed schedule is good for the rest of his life. Tap training would be good to help with the food response.

[@Doorkicker1970]

Green room can you please setup a discord server for the community

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Our Discord community has been going strong for quite some time now - come join! discord.gg/eJsc2G7B

[@Doorkicker1970]

@ thank you

[@loribreitbarth2215]

Snakes can be agoraphobic too. 😂. Han needs time and pretty soon he will be more friendly ❤. Pip is very cute 🥰

[@Zphixa]

Hi bob i have a question i got a 6 month old ball python and ending up getting a 70 gallon enclosure (it was on sale i didnt want to pass it up) but im scared its to big for her do you think she will be okay if i put alot of clutter in there?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

They are usually fine in larger enclosures as long as they have plenty of hiding spots but if she doesn't eat, you'll need to move her to a smaller enclosure

[@KimSpurre104]

I think she’ll like clutter; Lori Torrini uses it in her enclosures and the snakes do very well.

[@michaelhaines-uo3wd]

I have a false water cobra we got from Snake Discovery a couple years back and no matter what time of day or night I try to hold him he has never chose to be held and he will strike at anyone other than me and I assume that’s because I’m the one to work with him more then anyone else but is there anyway I can help him warm up to others or get him to want interactions?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

You won't be able to get him to where he "wants" an interaction because snakes aren't social like that. We use socialization techniques to get them to be tolerant of interactions. I have a number of videos on the channel that talk about different ways to socialize a snake, which might help in this case. Also, changing up his enclosure and making sure he has a ton of spots to hide will make him feel more secure

[@michaelhaines-uo3wd]

@ thanks for your reply and sorry I’m getting back to you so late but I honestly didn’t think you’d reply. I’ve tried most of the techniques I’ve seen on your channel and from SD but nothing seems to work but we’re about to upgrade his in closure to a bigger one with bigger hides. He has 2 atm and lots of enrichment but I think he might just be one of those snakes that doesn’t care to be bothered which is understandable since I feel the same way sometimes. Thanks for your help and advice, keep up the good work!

[@DoorsToHideBehind156]

If you stop handling an adult ball python do they revert back to their behavior in the wild and become defensive again? I feel like I essentially have to start the taming process all over again. She hisses at me when I try to get her out

[@GreenRoomPythons]

They don't become "wild snakes" but if they aren't used to being handled, they will become less tolerant of it

[@yootoobrube]

I have 5 snakes and they all hate me. I expected it from my Emerald Boa and GTP, to a nearly equal extent from my Jungle Carpet Python, but I had much higher hopes for my spotted python and my Brazilian Rainbow Boa. I give them all a lot of space, both personal space and enclosure size. That could be the problem, but I’ve just come to terms with the fact that I probably won’t be interacting much with any of them.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

There are some very effective ways to socialize a snake without holding them. Generally no interaction at all will create a snake that you're not able to handle, regardless of the species.