Why it's Essential to Tame your Ball Python Hatchling! 

I started by sitting down on the couch with my hands open on my lap and and just let him move around and learn the smell of my hands and then I noticed that he was going to my hands more. He is only five month old, and he is out all the time. Even bought a bunch of aquarium accessories and made a little jungle gym for when he is out. I've watched a lot of videos, but always enjoy your views on how you should spend time with your snakes. It makes a big difference.

I am woman of ample bosom, and I find that if I put one of my hatchlings in my bra curled up in a ball, they tend to relax really quickly. Maybe they get used to my scent, maybe they like that they're in this big safe warm valley, but they rarely bite after about 1 session the length of a movie--as you suggest, about 2 hours. You can only be scared for so long before the experience of being handled begins to feel normal.

Had my boy out for almost 45 minutes. I think we were both just afraid of each other, lol. Honestly I took the advice to heart and just went for it with him, earlier than I wanted to, and we had a good time.

Thank you so much for this video! I recently bought a baby ball python and have started spending time with her. I use a blanket for the initial pull out. Basically worked the same as putting her in a pocket. She came out when she was more relaxed and slithered around for a while before I put her back. Thank you for the extra tips!

Well I'm glad you didn't holdback Aura for her slow feeding response! She's amazing, she took her first small rat a couple days ago, so I'm letting that settle but otherwise she's been my favorite ball!

I got my second snake, a male banana piebald paradox, about a month or so after he was born. It was my first time with a young snake, and I feel like I lucked out. I was conservative with how I handled him- he had a good feeding response, so I wasn't going to just open his tub and stick my hand in his face- but he's been very mellow. He is actually less shy than my first snake, who was more like a year old when I got her from Craigslist. (I got the banana at a show.) I've been trying to work with him frequently to get him comfortable, while still giving him quiet time after he eats. He would give a little hiss at first when I picked him up, but after a moment or so he's unraveled and started exploring, and now he doesn't hiss at all anymore. I try to be consistent with how I am when I feed him or pick him up so he can know what to expect. He seems very curious and likes to explore, but at the same time sometimes he's content curled around my hand or wrist sitting still. I have some bracelets and both of my snakes like to hold onto them. If I talk to him when he is in his hide, he will usually come out. I feel like it just takes being calm and patient, and not forcing them to be ok with being touched a lot too soon, particularly around the head or tail. I think doing other minor activities while holding them helps, because then not all your attention is focused on them and they feel less nervous. I have been tagged once each by each of my snakes, and it really hasn't hurt at all. It's also been my fault both times. I spooked my banana by moving around in front of him too much to move stuff in his tub, and my other snake I wasn't thinking and put my hand in front of her when she was in feeding mode. Both times it happened as quick as I could blink, and it just felt like the snake bumped into me. I looked down and there were tiny blood pinpricks on my finger, but it didn't even sting. It was invisible within a day or two.

He’s being good for the camera 😂

Thanks Chris ... I am definitely wanting to get my first snake and want a Ball Python. Great tips for when I get one. Love your drone footage, beautiful...

Bobby was born tame ...get your facts straight buddy.

My lil guy is an absolute sweetheart. He's 4 months old and wants to come out and explore every time he sees me come home in the evening. He's super tame when he's in exploring mode, but turns into a different animal when he sees the feeding tongs!! He "bit" me once when I was taking his water bowl out... it was more of a headbutt to tell me to go away followed by a loud hiss, didn't leave a mark or hurt at all 😂

👍🏻❤️🙏 Stormy’s pretty cute. I’m sure he’ll be a great pet for somebody. That drone footage was gorgeous! Thanks for the video! Good way to start my morning!

I watched this before I got my snake and i sat with him for the 3 hours and when i offered him the chance to go back into his hide he went up my arm so i wound up holding him 12+ hours that day, the next day i put my hand in his tub and he wrapped around my wrist and started inching up my arm so i kept him out for about an hour but I was worried about over handling him before eating so i put him back in his tub and he constantly searched all over it trying to find a way back out so I decided to try a f/t rat pup and he took it as fast as i could get it a wiggle. I appreciate the advice, it was contrary to what most people recommend but it worked perfect for me. we're 36 hours in so i don't think he'll be regurgitating or anything. can i ask how the 2020 youtube advertising change has affected ya'll? The more research i've done the more i've realized i want to get into breeding on the side and you had me convinced i needed to work on learning to talk to a camera but now i'm not so sure.

I agree. Not every day but for longer periods. Great video..

Beautiful surroundings. Looks peaceful.

You think snake's remember, ive owned my ball python for 3 months now and never taken a bite, I handled it for about a half hour every night. It kinda freeks me out how crazy it takes food, no playing around that's for sure

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge, so much!

I watched your video and I started handling my baby BP a lot more because it was really defensive. It has helped so much! It's a lot more relaxed when I handle it now. I wish I could put a picture here of it now, it loves to coil around my ponytail and sleep there. No need to buy hair bands anymore 😂😂😂, until it gets bigger. They should make hair bands in the shape of a snake, it looks really cool.

It would be nice to live up there, I love the pines.

I really enjoy all of your videos!! Thanks for all the useful tips.

Really Really appreciate your videos. I don't have a snake yet and I watch your videos to learn. TY

Hi! I just wanted to thank you so much for all of your videos (and this video in particular)! I recently got a very feisty little girl and wasn't sure how to go about easing her into being handled. I have been making great progress now! I only have 3 ball pythons but I'm looking forward to getting more, as well as learning more. :)

Man, Bobby looks like a tattoo of skin breaking, so cool.

Your videos are so helpful to me my new baby ball isnt striking or anything shes just nervous i think shes pretty fast so im going to start handling her bc shes already settled in for about 2 weeks and already ate her first meal yesterday

Bobby is lookin good 😁👍

I have a clutch of 7 (banana pastel x Spider calico) and they're all a bunch of nippers 😂 all but 1 are feeding great. They're on meal 5 so I'm going to start handling them to tame them out.

Another great vid. Thanks Chris!

Yes yes yes. Our little guy Whiskers.. we handled him at specific times and he tells me when he has had enough of our love. Gets wiggly and starts to startle a smidge.. it’s time to go home. Sometimes it takes an hour, sometimes just a few minutes. He is the boss of his body and what happens to it in regards to our undying need for his presence. It’s worked so far. He wants to stay with us longer and longer and watches TV and stares down the cat like he is contemplating his demise. I figure the patience in the beginning is paying off in the long run.

Great video

very helpful friend

I got lucky. I bought a one month old, she lets me know when it's time to picked up, and when it's time to sleep. When she wants out, she starts snooping the edges of the lid, she won't leave till I hold my hand or my arm out and then she crawls right up on me and that's where she stays until it's time to go back in.

Thank you :)

You are awesome!

I can hear feeding noises in the background

I love you dad

Bought my second book , a normal boy this summer a few weeks back at around 100 grams and he was super hissy with me at first, but not anymore at 145grams last night! He’s growing and taming down! The female Mojave I’ll breed him to next year is now 1077 grams!

My new phantom is a bit of a nightmare at the moment. She’s going to take a lot of work to get her used to being handled

Wow! Where do you live?! Oh...CO. Of course. I went to Colorado College.

Haha, yeah Destroyer was a bit fiesty at first but after some holding sessions shes gotten a lot better, my daughter held her for a couple hours one day too an she was pretty well behaved

I've been nailed by my big female bp a few times and its not pleasant. When sunshine bit me when she was a hatchling, her teeth barely broke skin.

She literally will not let me pick her up she turns into sonic.

I recently bought a banana het pied BP he always tries to annihilate anyone who goes to pick him up but once he's in my hands he's totally fine

Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way.

What I read was they were born with different "temperament", just like human, everyone has a different character. Aggressive snakes will become less aggressive after frequent handling, but a docile snakes will always be docile. I was wondering, can you really tame aggressive snakes to be just like a docile snake?

I got my girl around a week ago she is now around 3-4 months old and exept for watering and feeding I haven`t bothered her so far. but do I just go in lift up the hide and pull her out? If I was a snake I would not really like this I think 😥

Just curious how much were you asking for that Coral Glow At that show Chris?? I want to spend more Handle time with mine but I be afraid he’s gone poop all on my carpet like he did a couple weeks agO!! He holds his stool until he’s out his enclosure! 🤦‍♂️ Good Vlog Chris! I was wondering what the max time of handling should be with your Ball Python! 🐍 Also, great Footage with the Drone!! I’m a motorcycle head and have my CBR in the shop right now...I love seeing you riding around on your four wheeler Chris! You look a Big Kid when on it!! Lol We need more footage of you and Quad Brother!! Have a Great Rest of your Week!!

Hey Cris thus video was great, my question is, is there a particular time of day that’s better to handle my bp.?? Night or day?? Also how do you monitor your humidity in your tubs??

What's up Chris I just bought a investment snake I thought you would like it I'm doing an unboxing video Tuesday one gene in it is the Pinstripe now I got to go so I can watch your video lol keep up the good work and you've made my daughter obsessed with keeping a snake around her neck

He's pretty

None of my ball pythons really strike at me..... Only one is my super dwarf retic some times he strikes glass. But he is always on point but once i touch his head with hook he is fine.

i got a free cinny hypo bc the family could not work the spicey out of her. now shes chill as a snowstorm

I just never get a chance to actually pick it up and take it out because its really nervous and barely comes out of the hide, and I don't wanna just reach in there and grab it, what I mean is, not just during the day, all the time, hell peek his head out, then hell see me or something else, then go back in and not come out the rest of the night

I feel like my ball responds better when held longer. Even to the point of falling asleep. So I'd assume she must be pretty comfortable. I'm just starting to get into breeding so I'm acquiring the morphs I want to start with. The first for me was my pied Memphis. She's pretty sweet. I have 2 in shipment right now male and female

Sweet vid🦍

how many days a week for handling at 2 hour intervals?

Cattle look fit.

New subscriber here! Love your videos lol I have a moody male BP lol 😆

I thought it said *name* . Bad eyes moment

I just get a baby a week ago. After 2-3days I start do hold it. Just a ball in my hand. He is not aggressive but not tame. After my snake relax I try to hold in my hands and then return to the terrarium wenn it try to escape.

Hi, how come all my hatchling from 3 clutches are not bitey and are afraid of rat pinky?

Just got my baby male Banana pastel het pied and i handle him but sometimes he can snap at me so annoying lol

Chris, Id love for you to get back to me on this. How would you go about handling a ball python but also not stress it out? For example I have a 3 month old BP and if I handle him he pretty much wont eat that week. I feel like im in-between either choosing having him eat, or 'attempting' to socialize him that week. I feel like its a vicious circle because ive just been taking the routeof not handling him because I would rather have him eat VS skip a week on food just because I took him out of his enclosure for 10 minutes. I feel like im going down a road where im going to end up with a snake that just lives in his enclosure, and I dont want that. My other two PBs are not like him at all. Thanks.

Love your videos. What's that weight

When you begin to tame an aggressive or semi-aggressive ball python, how often should you hold them and how many times? My guess is a few times a week and until they are comfortable with you when they are first picked up but not sure.

see with corn snakes you really only need to do 15 minutes at a time once per day. My first was a vary defensive corn snake, but I would handle her for 45 minutes at a time and she would tire out and calm down. I did this every day, but not on the days after a meal for 2 months. now she is no problem to be picked up. she is still a little flighty at times though, but she is doing great. My easy corn snakes I just do 15 minutes a day.

Is there a best time of the day to handle your BP? I've heard breeders say not at night because that's when they hunt and you could get bit, or anytime of the day. I know they sleep during the day and the last thing I wanna do is be disturbed when I'm having some good sleeps. I have only been holding him at night when he's out though.

can you be infected by a BP bite, like a dog or cat bite?

Hi I don’t know if you or anyone on here responds but my first ball python I just got who is 6 months hasn’t eaten yet (but hasn’t been offered either) should I be handling he’s about the size you said she needs to be to handle a lot but I don’t know if I should before feeding? 🤷‍♂️

Hey Chris!! What is your opinion about holding your new baby ball python as soon as it comes home?!?! I held Bageera for about an hour before I introduced it to its new home, it actually fed the 2nd day home which I was super excited about, and Ive waited 48 hours since then. Ive seen videos saying that you should wait one to two weeks before handling your new ball python... what do you think about this?!?! I want her to get comfortable with me right from the start and based on her relaxing during that first hour that I held her I think it might be okay. But I also dont want her to associate me with the stress of being moved either. Any opinions on this?!?!

My little Mojave superfly has been such a turd. I’m working on tryin to tame that little brat! She’s really feisty and loves to munch on my hands. Luckily, she’s a great eater :)

What’s the weight and age of the coral glow so I can know when to get my snake out it’s hard to determine when to be able to transition by just looking at him lol

Chris. When first time moms have an ovulation are they smaller than proven breeders??? My female ive been pairing. Since October is going to shed she is alot bigger than when i got her i feel folicles last time i palpated but might have missed ovulation or just didn't know what to look for there is some tail suck .. Just wondering if first time moms would be smaller?

Hi

I don't buy nto bringing a snake home, putting in the tank and not touching it for 10-14 days. What are your thoughts on this?

Oh you have MOOS TOO????? I love moo's. (They're not cows, they're moos. Sorry not sorry.) You live in a gorgeous area!

To your knowledge has anyone breed a male maker to a female maker? Would they just cancelled each other out and just like a normal clutch some of both

I have a 4 month old ball python, he was dropped a couple of times at the shop he was in and he is SUPER BITY! And I could just leave him there to keep getting dropped. He’s so traumatized he’s burrowing in his tank inside his hide. How do I handle him?

So i should handle my snake for an hour. Or two? How often

My daughter has one and just won't hold her python and only feeds her. I can't change her mind.

I have a female cinnamon albino what’s the best male to pair with her?

How far can your drone go before it's out of range ? Does it let you know when you're going to lose it ?

I am uploading videos daily now. I am doing videos on all of my animals. I would love if you would give me a shout-out. I am going to keep uploading daily about my animals

Are we able to purchase your snakes anywhere?

Someone gave me a hatchling from PetSmart was 46 g that's the smallest one I've ever seen she was like a pencil

Hello, im interested in beginning a medium breeding project in florida, could use an advice partner, how can i contact?

Can tell me about their teeth, when it starts to hurt? I got my babyboy and did some mistakes with him, cause all my 🐍 came to me so tame. I think this one haven't been handled by breeder at all. So its really defensive. And everytime it strikes, I got scared 🙈

You live in Colorado right? Are you fighting the attempted ban on and animal not native to Colorado?

That snake is alot bigger than mine

🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️

But my ball python is female and a baby

First 😈

great video