Can someone help me with questions about a ball python?

Question

My son has wanted a snake for 2 years now. He just turned 11 and wanted a snake for his birthday a little over a week ago. I bought him one with 20 gallon long tank (comfortable habitat), correct temp etc. He's at his dads for the summer & only with me every other weekend. I fed it a live hopper Wednesday which she ate & swallowed no problem. I think she may need a pinky next time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0DgDpZkumo
I've tried to pick her up and handle her (waited over 48 hrs since the feeding) but I've always had a fear of snakes and I guess seeing her strike that thing as fast as she did and from watching youtubes seeing people's fingers get bit and what to do coupled with last night watching shows about snakes and gator boys and call of the wildman on Animal Planet, I didn't get her out yesterday to pet her. I thought I would handle her a few minutes before I went to work this morning.

I have anxiety anyway and there has been something that I've always feared of snakes. Since I bought her I've had dreams of her getting away and stuff like that but I have a bunch of animals and my leopard gecko is 6 and had no problems with her. I hadn't taken my anti-anxiety meds yet this morning and to get her out I did as usual, I moved her half log stroked her back and picked her up out of the cage for a few minutes. She was coiled and I lifted her up. I held her for a minute stroking her gently avoiding the head then put her on my son's bed and just for some reason I guess I freaked her out so I picked her back up and the head moved really fast around. It startled me, I freaked & dropped her on the carpet. She was on her back and so I reached back away from her head and picked the tail and body up & took her to put her in her cage & she did the head thing again and I dropped her again & she fell on her back in the cage so she went in another hiding place than her usual log. She has never bitten me yet but I saw her yawn last night and she has some little needle teeth in that mouth. And I absolutely know nothing about these things except the guy at my pet store said the ball python is not aggressive and would be the best option for my 11 year old son. She is about 18" long or so and her head is as big as my thumb I guess. I was intending on looking for a king snake but he talked me into it saying they won't bite & the most docile snake & she does seem quite gentle (except for that hopper mouse) which I have since bought her a separate tub to put her in to feed. It seems as though since I've fed her I have noticed the strike "S" position she always seems to be in since I fed her.

IS THIS NORMAL? SHOULD I FEED HER FROZEN FOOD? (she was eating live hoppers at the pet store)
IS THERE A WAY TO GET OVER ANXIETY OF SNAKES? WOULD HANDLING HER EVERYDAY MAKE IT WORSE OR BETTER FOR THE SNAKE? I am thinking since she explores around in the tree and towards the top of the cage around 8PM then maybe I should wait to try to handle her in the evenings?

And my main question would be this:
DO SNAKES REMEMBER WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS TO THEM AND WILL IT BE MORE AGGRESSIVE WHEN I TRY TO PICK HER UP NEXT TIME I TRY AND BITE ME?

Biting me or my son & getting out somewhere in the house where I have cats and dogs and aquariums are my main concerns. And I tried the "popping thing" I saw on youtube and this one looks like a girl if I did it right. If anyone has been through a similar experience as this and could give me suggestions and/or knows a real good reptile/snake forum that I could ask this same question on any help will be appreciated.

Answer 1

First of all, let me recommend a good reptile forum for you:



http://www.redtailboa.net



Don't let the name throw you. This is a general forum devoted to all reptiles and amphibians, though it started out as a boa forum, hence the name.



On to the issues with your new pet. There is no need to feed the snake in a separate enclosure. This is an old, outdated practice that seems to have a hard time going away. This practice actually increases stress for the snake and the possibility of you being bitten. Snakes stay in "hunt mode" for some time after a feeding. The warmth of your hand coupled with the rodent smell in the air (their sense of smell is way better than ours) is all it takes. As long as you routinely handle the snake, it will not associate the opening of its tank with feeding.



I also suggest a small, collapsible snake hook that can be found at most pet stores. You can alert the snake to your presence and intentions with the hook (with your fingers safely out of range). Only let the snake see and feel the hook when you don't intend to feed it. This will further reinforce the separation of feeding and handling activities.



The snake may remember the negative experience, it may not. Consistent, confident handling from here on out will supplant that memory if it does exist. You want the snake to become accustomed to being handled and learn that you are not a threat.



Also, please transition to frozen feeders. This is more humane for the feeder and much easier for you. You can safely leave a frozen feeder in the cage and walk away...something you should never do with a live feeder. Many snakes eventually become accustomed to being fed in this manner and don't even strike at their feeders. They simply investigate / smell / identify the feeder and begin swallowing. You also avoid potential injury to the snake and the possibility of parasites being passed from a live feeder to your snake. The freezing process kills any parasites that may be present.



The only way to get past your anxiety over handling the snake is face it and do your best to confidently and gently handle the snake. If you are "nervous and jerky", as the saying goes, the snake will also be nervous. Ball Pythons, are indeed, known for being quite docile, so there is really no better snake to learn safe and confident handling with, in my opinion. My "ambassador snake" is a Ball Python. I use this snake to introduce others to handling and to the reptile hobby because of the "laid back" nature of these snakes. My daughter used to wear this snake like jewelry and walk around town with it...they are that docile.



I am also willing to help in any way I can via email through Answers.

Answer 2

The thing with snakes is they like to fool you. Switching to frozen wont help. Some of my corn snakes have there heads in the s position, but never come at me. Youll know when hes gonna bite, when you open the tank and he looks up and waits for your hand. One thing about handling is you must show no fear. You have to.let him know whos boss. And no they dont remember these things. And btw dont switch to pinkies, there too small, all baby bps should be on pinkie rats or hopper mice. (Theres a differenr between rat pups and mice pups). Just keep holding her everyday confidently. The guy at the store was right. Shes not mean, your just reading.her body language wrong. You cant be scared everytime her head moves towards you.

Answer 3

Definitely feed her frozen! If she is in the strike position, then yes, she is going to bite, animals can sense fear and clearly you have it radiating off of your body. Dont feed her live, it is cruel for the mouse and for the snake if the mouse rips it apart like that one poor snake in Thailand.