You're video is spot on. I'm a first time ball python owner, and I read/approach him exactly how you've described, and it's been fun trying to figure out what's on his mind. One thing that was hard to learn was when he's in explore mode vs looking for a hiding spot/ready to go back to the cage mode.
We have just gotten a Ruthveni Kingsnake she is 8 years old and has a great calm personality she is often stretched out in her tank or just roaming around. We haven’t handled her too much yet as she is new here so I’m looking forward to that !
Thanks Lori! For anyone reading who wants to learn more - definitely check out Lori’s channel, she has SO much information about body language and behavior.... this video barely scratches the surface!
I just got my first snake yesterday. He’s a baby hognose. He’s been really relaxed with me so far. He’ll either sit on me and rest or slowly move around like your snake was. He likes to get in my face and tries burrowing into my shirt or chest. I think he’s comfortable! :) Maybe he feels the adoration I have for him lol
Great advice. Boas have a way of always being in strike pose which I find hard to gage. I get by it with a snake hook and stroke him so I know he's not in feeding mode.
Holding a snake is a weird mix of moving like water and being gentle while also being rigid enough for them to have confidence to move over you. I love my python and I've only had him a couple days, new enclosure had him nervous and he tagged me. I hope people don't treat them like a dog where they might boop them back. Snakes don't operate like that. Please be patient with them they are noodles with heads put yourself in their shoes! They deserve as much respect as other animals
Great video! I have a blizzard corn snake that is around 10 years old and mostly blind. He didn't used to be blind so his body language has changed quite a bit. He has always been a little nippy, but now if you want to get him out you better start with the hook. He bites wildly as soon as he feels something warm. Once he's out and in my hands he is back to his old self.
I recently got my first Hognose and my first corn snake 🐍🐍 I named my Toffee Glow Hoggie Truffle, and my Ghost Sunkissed boy Pan. They are both very sweet. I am curious about Pan's behavior - he's already really nice but he does seem super nervous. He keeps trying to burrow into my sweatshirt, my arm pit, hide in my hair, etc. And he only seems active around dusk. Would love some tips and info on young corn snake handling and understanding their behavior / how to help them feel comfy.
Love your video. I actually learn a lot about my baby corn snake after watching your video. I guess I am lucky that my new baby snake is eating right away and really relaxing, normal tongue flick. Thank you so much for the info🥰
Great video! I know that my snakes are upset or mad when they flick their tongue slowly or just hold it out. My boas will rest in the "S" shape but that is typical for almost all boas. This did cause some confusion for me and my parents when we first got them but we would just pay attention to the rest of their bodies, and how tight their muscles were, like you said in the video, to know what was going on.
I’ve noticed with my sd/d retics that they all seem to tilt their head back slightly and get in that s posture when in food mode or hunt mode. I know from observing and working with my animals that if they aren’t tilting their head back I know they are comfortable and ok to handle. At least for the majority of mine.
Yes I would have to say the same about my SD retic! Although I don’t see him as often in the same “ambush” position as the Morelia. They seem to do it just about every night, he will only get that way if there’s a food smell around. He appears to be more of an active hunter - looking around different parts of his cage.
I notice my boa every time I open his tub he does the “S” pattern and looks at me intently. It makes me wonder if he is just curious or being somewhat defensive. I always tap him with a hook and rub him a little with it and I never reach in toward his face. He doesn’t hiss or strike but I find his behavior to be initially confusing Also young flicks seem ok. Once I have a hold of him he flicks his tongue out long and flicks kinda lazy like (flapping) while he kinda moves around my arms.
Hey Greg I just got my boa about a week ago & it's my first time owning a snake in general & he does the exact same things you described. Is this something I should worry about him stressed or is it normal behavior from a boa?
Great video, Summer. I just picked up a 2 year old ball python as a rehome. I was not prepared to take on a 3rd ball python so I had to keep him/her in an enclosure that was way undersized until I could get a new one. I got him/her out frequently to let him stretch out. It was not socialized so I got bit 7-10 times the first day. First time I have ever been bitten. The next day he was huffing up and breathing/growling when being picked up and he pee'd on me. a lot. lol. The next day was a slight huffing and then chilled out. I finally got him in an appropriate enclosure and now he stays mostly out of his hide and telescopes when people walk by. lot's of long tongue flicks so I think he is on his way to being a very social snake. His personality is starting to come through, I hope he ends up being as friendly as he seems to be.
Thanks Robert! I am glad that your new snake is beginning to settle in. It sounds like you’re doing a great job of getting him habituated and he will be on his way to being a very secure, calm snake soon enough. :) good luck!
I have a very unusual ball python female 1,5 years old. In the beginning she bit at everything, but confident Grab solved that. What it didn’t solve was that she still was stressed in a way and when I took her out, she bit at light and heat sources. So I started hook training and she immediately changed. So she doesn’t strike anymore, only when to much is going on in front of her enclosure. Now she’s alert and sometimes curious when I take her out. But after she gets comfortable, she always moves away from me. I don’t know really how to solve that. Is this a trait of her personality and I should accept that? When I take her out her muscles are totally relaxed to the point she would fall if I drop her. I think that’s a good sign. What also helped is reducing handling time to every four days.
My Snake has one spot where it feels comfortable been in the spot for days and I picked him up from there and put him back now he has a different spot, does he not like to be handled?
If you're calm they are calm and they sent your mood as well trust me I've had a couple ball pythons in my time and yes they can be intelligent most people doesn't think that but I have seen it and it has happened to me the funny part is the exact evening I had gotten my little girl she asked me and her own little way for a mouse eat
What does it mean if he comes straight towards me quickly as soon as I open the enclosure. I close the lid and press my face on the glass to see what he will do and he does the same and licks the glass. What would this mean as I don’t know if it’s him just being curious and comfortable or wanting to bite me 😂
If he comes out very quickly he might think that there is food. This is one of the reasons I like to implement tap training and target training to help the snake distinguish when it’s feeding time and when it’s not. When those methods are employed the snakes learn very quickly to differentiate and to stop and “think” before just zooming out and trying to eat whatever’s in sight lol.
There's always the ones that can turn on a dime! One of my Bredl's pythons is similar... keeps things interesting. I had to learn how to predict his unpredictability lol.
Thanks for watching! What body language cues have you picked up on from observing your snakes?
You're video is spot on. I'm a first time ball python owner, and I read/approach him exactly how you've described, and it's been fun trying to figure out what's on his mind. One thing that was hard to learn was when he's in explore mode vs looking for a hiding spot/ready to go back to the cage mode.
@@Dokosatchii thank you! Glad you are enjoying your ball python. It’s so fun to watch them and learn.
I have the same snake and my is 2 Years old Bredla python
We have just gotten a Ruthveni Kingsnake she is 8 years old and has a great calm personality she is often stretched out in her tank or just roaming around. We haven’t handled her too much yet as she is new here so I’m looking forward to that !
I got my first snake a few days ago and I'm still learning how to understand it. Thanks for this.
That turned out really well. It’s very good that you emphasized considering the totality of circumstance, that’s so important!
Thanks Lori!
For anyone reading who wants to learn more - definitely check out Lori’s channel, she has SO much information about body language and behavior.... this video barely scratches the surface!
Thanks for directing me over here Lori, good stuff
I just got my first snake yesterday. He’s a baby hognose. He’s been really relaxed with me so far. He’ll either sit on me and rest or slowly move around like your snake was. He likes to get in my face and tries burrowing into my shirt or chest. I think he’s comfortable! :) Maybe he feels the adoration I have for him lol
Great advice. Boas have a way of always being in strike pose which I find hard to gage. I get by it with a snake hook and stroke him so I know he's not in feeding mode.
Holding a snake is a weird mix of moving like water and being gentle while also being rigid enough for them to have confidence to move over you.
I love my python and I've only had him a couple days, new enclosure had him nervous and he tagged me. I hope people don't treat them like a dog where they might boop them back. Snakes don't operate like that. Please be patient with them they are noodles with heads put yourself in their shoes! They deserve as much respect as other animals
Hello. This was one of the best videos to learn about snake behaviors I have seen so far and I've watched a lot. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed, thanks for watching!
Love this! Body language is so important! Thank you for the tips!
Thanks!
Great video! I have a blizzard corn snake that is around 10 years old and mostly blind. He didn't used to be blind so his body language has changed quite a bit. He has always been a little nippy, but now if you want to get him out you better start with the hook. He bites wildly as soon as he feels something warm. Once he's out and in my hands he is back to his old self.
That’s interesting! I’m curious how it would differ for a snake that has heat receptors and whether they would still be so touch-sensitive.
I recently got my first Hognose and my first corn snake 🐍🐍 I named my Toffee Glow Hoggie Truffle, and my Ghost Sunkissed boy Pan. They are both very sweet.
I am curious about Pan's behavior - he's already really nice but he does seem super nervous. He keeps trying to burrow into my sweatshirt, my arm pit, hide in my hair, etc. And he only seems active around dusk. Would love some tips and info on young corn snake handling and understanding their behavior / how to help them feel comfy.
Love your video. I actually learn a lot about my baby corn snake after watching your video. I guess I am lucky that my new baby snake is eating right away and really relaxing, normal tongue flick. Thank you so much for the info🥰
So glad to hear!! Good luck with your baby :)
Great video! I know that my snakes are upset or mad when they flick their tongue slowly or just hold it out. My boas will rest in the "S" shape but that is typical for almost all boas. This did cause some confusion for me and my parents when we first got them but we would just pay attention to the rest of their bodies, and how tight their muscles were, like you said in the video, to know what was going on.
My Morelia species are very similar - as you can see in this video Sera is often in a “s” shape, but not a defensive one. Just how they move and sit.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that noticed this
Awesome content summer, and thank you to Lori for directing me to your channel. Well done
I’ve noticed with my sd/d retics that they all seem to tilt their head back slightly and get in that s posture when in food mode or hunt mode. I know from observing and working with my animals that if they aren’t tilting their head back I know they are comfortable and ok to handle. At least for the majority of mine.
Yes I would have to say the same about my SD retic! Although I don’t see him as often in the same “ambush” position as the Morelia. They seem to do it just about every night, he will only get that way if there’s a food smell around. He appears to be more of an active hunter - looking around different parts of his cage.
Really great, informative video 😊
Thanks Chantelle!
I notice my boa every time I open his tub he does the “S” pattern and looks at me intently. It makes me wonder if he is just curious or being somewhat defensive. I always tap him with a hook and rub him a little with it and I never reach in toward his face. He doesn’t hiss or strike but I find his behavior to be initially confusing
Also young flicks seem ok. Once I have a hold of him he flicks his tongue out long and flicks kinda lazy like (flapping) while he kinda moves around my arms.
Hey Greg I just got my boa about a week ago & it's my first time owning a snake in general & he does the exact same things you described. Is this something I should worry about him stressed or is it normal behavior from a boa?
Thank you for this great information!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video, Summer. I just picked up a 2 year old ball python as a rehome. I was not prepared to take on a 3rd ball python so I had to keep him/her in an enclosure that was way undersized until I could get a new one. I got him/her out frequently to let him stretch out. It was not socialized so I got bit 7-10 times the first day. First time I have ever been bitten. The next day he was huffing up and breathing/growling when being picked up and he pee'd on me. a lot. lol. The next day was a slight huffing and then chilled out. I finally got him in an appropriate enclosure and now he stays mostly out of his hide and telescopes when people walk by. lot's of long tongue flicks so I think he is on his way to being a very social snake. His personality is starting to come through, I hope he ends up being as friendly as he seems to be.
Thanks Robert! I am glad that your new snake is beginning to settle in. It sounds like you’re doing a great job of getting him habituated and he will be on his way to being a very secure, calm snake soon enough. :) good luck!
I have a very unusual ball python female 1,5 years old. In the beginning she bit at everything, but confident Grab solved that. What it didn’t solve was that she still was stressed in a way and when I took her out, she bit at light and heat sources. So I started hook training and she immediately changed. So she doesn’t strike anymore, only when to much is going on in front of her enclosure. Now she’s alert and sometimes curious when I take her out. But after she gets comfortable, she always moves away from me. I don’t know really how to solve that. Is this a trait of her personality and I should accept that? When I take her out her muscles are totally relaxed to the point she would fall if I drop her. I think that’s a good sign. What also helped is reducing handling time to every four days.
My Snake has one spot where it feels comfortable been in the spot for days and I picked him up from there and put him back now he has a different spot, does he not like to be handled?
If you're calm they are calm and they sent your mood as well trust me I've had a couple ball pythons in my time and yes they can be intelligent most people doesn't think that but I have seen it and it has happened to me the funny part is the exact evening I had gotten my little girl she asked me and her own little way for a mouse eat
Great video! Lots of dialed in topics being discussed.
Thanks for watching - appreciate the support!
What does it mean if he comes straight towards me quickly as soon as I open the enclosure. I close the lid and press my face on the glass to see what he will do and he does the same and licks the glass. What would this mean as I don’t know if it’s him just being curious and comfortable or wanting to bite me 😂
If he comes out very quickly he might think that there is food. This is one of the reasons I like to implement tap training and target training to help the snake distinguish when it’s feeding time and when it’s not. When those methods are employed the snakes learn very quickly to differentiate and to stop and “think” before just zooming out and trying to eat whatever’s in sight lol.
I don’t even have a snake. I’m just watching this because I have a D&D character that’s a lamia and I wanna portray her right
This is all well and good until you get a crazy hognose who looks cute and curious and then suddenly hisses and strikes. Lol.
There's always the ones that can turn on a dime! One of my Bredl's pythons is similar... keeps things interesting. I had to learn how to predict his unpredictability lol.
Attitudes of most colubrids.... not all but a good handful of certain species.