How To Bond With Your Ball Python (8 Tips For Building Trust)

What do you imagine when you think of owning a ball python?

Do you see yourself holding your pet in your arms?

Or having it climb all over you?

Well, that’s not going to happen. At least not at first. And maybe never.

But if you know how to bond with your ball python gradually, so that you slowly get it used to being with you, you increase the chances of it enjoying being held.

And that’s what we are going to cover today: how you can build trust with your new snake so that it starts to feel comfortable enough with you to let you hold it.

 

Steps To Take To Bond With Your Ball Python

Follow these steps to help your ball python become more comfortable with you and with its environment.

 

Give Your New Ball Python Time To Get Used To You

When you first get your ball python home, simply let it be. Avoid handling it too frequently. Allow your pet to get accustomed to the new environment. You can sit or stand outside its enclosure so it gets used to your presence.

You can start interacting with your ball python a week or two after bringing it home. By this time, it will be used to your presence. More so, if you have been feeding it and cleaning its enclosure.

If your ball python strikes, hisses, or shows other forms of aggression when you go to pick it up, try again after a couple of days.

 

Feed Your Ball Python On A Schedule

Your vet or breeder should have recommended a feeding schedule for your ball python based on its age, weight, etc. When you feed your ball python, do not shove the food in its face, since that could startle it.

You can use a pair of tongues to dangle the food in front of your snake. Wriggle the food a little so your snake strikes at it. After a few days, you can hold the food with your hand, if you like, so your ball python gets used to your scent.

Note: your hand may have the scent of food on it which could cause the ball python to strike at you. So please exercise caution.

 

Clean And Rearrange Its Enclosure Regularly

Clean your ball python’s enclosure regularly, because this is a great way to get your pet used to your presence. It will give your snake a chance to get familiar with your scent.

You can move its water bowl, remove droppings, discard leftover food, wipe down the enclosure’s walls, rearrange branches, etc.

Use slow movements when you do these activities. This is important to avoid scaring or startling your snake.

Note: Do not try to clean or rearrange your snake’s enclosure when it has assumed an S-shaped stance. This is an indication that it wants to strike.

 

Touch Your Snake While It is In Its Cage

Once or twice a day, gently put your hand in the cage and touch your ball python on its body from the side—never on its head or tail.

Do not make sudden movements, because that can startle your snake into thinking you are a predator. Do this once or twice a day to show that you mean no harm.

Pull your hand out slowly to make your snake feel comfortable. As time goes by, you will notice your snake is a lot calmer and relaxes when you are near.

 

Handle Your Ball Python Gently

Once your ball python is calmer around you, you can proceed to picking it up and handling it. Here are the steps to do this right:

• Wash your hands.
• Scoop up or pick up your ball python gently.
• Be confident. If you are stressed, tentative, afraid, or nervous, your ball python will sense it. Besides, handling a snake when you are nervous could also cause you to drop it or make sudden movements that could startle your snake.
• Always approach the snake to grab it from the side, never the top.
• Never hold your ball python at the neck, just behind its head. Hold its body about a third of the distance from its head with one hand and use your other hand to grab it a few feet above its tail.
• Do not touch the snake’s tail. They are extremely sensitive about this body part.
• Hold your snake close to your body—never at an arm’s length away. Try to keep as much of its body supported as you can, and let it feel the warmth of your body to it to make your ball python feel comfortable.
• Point your snake’s head slowly away from your body. This is to prevent it from striking you.

In the beginning, keep handling sessions short (3-5 minutes). Once your ball python is comfortable, you can handle it longer (about 8-10 minutes per session). This is optimal to get it to bond with you.

 

Learn To Read Your Ball Python’s Body Language

A relaxed ball python will slowly grip your hand or arm as it wraps around you. It will not squeeze too tight. The gentle gripping action indicates that your snake is comfortable with you, trusts you, and is starting to bond with you.

A relaxed snake will also flick its tongue out slowly. This is an indication that it is not too tense and is exploring its surroundings with ease. Once you have reached this stage, you can handle your ball python more often.

This article has much more on ball python body language and behavior.

 

Know When To Not Handle Your Ball Python

You should also know when your snake is not ready to be handled. Study its body language carefully and take things slow. Here are some general guidelines as to when not to handle your pet:

• Do not handle your snake when it is new and getting used to its new environment and enclosure. As mentioned above, let your ball python acclimatize for a few days before handling it.
• Do not handle your ball python right after handling its food. The smell will be on your skin, which could cause your snake to strike or bite you.
• Do not handle it just before and during shedding. During this time, your ball python is likely to be lethargic, so just let it be. Also, try to avoid handling it just after the shedding, because its new skin may be raw and sensitive.
• Do not handle a ball python for at least 2 days after it has eaten, because that is how long it could take to digest its meal.
• It is generally best not to handle your ball python when it is unhealthy, unless it is to take it to the vet.

 

Learn What Your Snake Likes

Continue observing your snake’s body language to understand what it likes. For example, some ball pythons like to wrap around your arm, while others may enjoy slithering up your body.

Some may like being held, while others may like more room to explore. Some ball pythons are nervous and tend to curl up in your clothes, while others love slithering in the grass and enjoying the fresh air outdoors.

The more you observe your snake, the better you can understand it and provide exactly what it loves. This can be an important exercise in bonding.

 

How To Bond With Your Ball Python: Final Thoughts

Bonding with your ball python requires patience, consistency, and a gentle approach. Begin by giving your new pet time to acclimate to its environment and your presence.

Establish a regular feeding schedule and handle your ball python with care, ensuring to support its body and avoid sudden movements.

Regularly clean and rearrange its enclosure to familiarize it with your scent, and gradually increase handling sessions as your snake becomes more comfortable. Pay close attention to your ball python’s body language to understand its comfort levels and preferences.

By following these steps, you will foster a trusting and positive relationship with your ball python, ensuring its well-being, and with it, your happiness as a pet owner.