Do snakes like being touched/petted?

Question

My family recently got a pet ball python from Petco and I was wondering if they like being touched/ petted? Is there a certain way to handle hem? Or certain spots I should avoid? I'd like to know before I start handling it.
Thanks!

Answer 1

well I absolutly disagree with this all lol.



I have 2 royal pythons and 2 corn snakes, I have had then all since they have been babies, they are now older and ever since they were babies i used to rub them under their chin with the back of my finger, and i think youwill find they want to woder around but whnI start ticklin them they just sit there and im suree they are enjoying it. Well my vet said they wouldnt sit and let me if they didnt like it. oe of my pythons also lets me stroke down the back of his head and im sure they he isn just tolerating it, Well my vet has been a specialised reptile vet for bout 30 years so I think he nos what he is talking about x



So start rubbing under his chin, they get used to it and start liking it :) just like anything it takes time, but u learn whatt is ut own snake does or doesnt like anyway

Answer 2

I had two ball pythons for years. They don't look for affection like a cat or dog but once they get used to being handled they can be picked up and carried around with no problems. Just don't reach right for their face. If they are young or adults that have not been handled regularly they may need alot of work to get them accustomed to being handled but once they are they are very docile.

Answer 3

Ms Grad I really don't think thats what she meant and thats just sick.



As for do they like to be touched? I would say some do and some just get use to being handled.



I had a ball python that would arch it's back if you ran a finger down it's spine, kind of like a cat does when you pet it. so we named it kitty lol. I have also seen a burmese python that loved having his chin rubbed. but others more get used to being handled and don't show signs of enjoying it but they don't show signs of hating it either.



So I think it depends on the snake.

Answer 4

As one of my coworkers put it, snakes never particularly "enjoy" being handled. Over time and with frequent handling, docile species like corn snakes and ball pythons become accustomed to handling and tolerate it. It's generally a good idea to get such species used to it; it makes dealing with them a lot easier and safer, and it makes it a lot simpler to do health check-ups when necessary.



Since a snake's body is essentially an extended spine and rib cage, there is not much of a difference with areas where you touch them, with the exception of the head. Most snakes very much dislike having their heads touched or having things directly in front of them (with the exception of food, when they're hungry). They shouldn't however, be handled a couple days before or after feeding (one day before or after, at the least), as it can stress them and cause them to regurgitate their food.



Handling of the snake must be done regularly, as reptiles can become unaccustomed fairly quickly, as little as a couple weeks, if the schedule isn't kept.

Answer 5

I think they would.

if they can feel pain and discomfort why can't they feel pleasure and comfort. Also I never understood how snakes can't get attached. I mean every reason as to why snakes don't feel affection for their owner is that they aren't mammals so maybe they have affection in a different way. I think people think snakes are unaffectionate because they don't cuddle, can't show facial expressions, or aside from opening their mouth and hissing when threated can't give much body language to accompany their emotions so they assume they can't feel.

Answer 6

I had a snake for 5yr. And i notice that it all depends on how you get your reptile accustom to. If you have the time to handle your pet he'll soon get use to be touched but if you don't then he'll hiss at you when you get him. try to always have control of the head.

Answer 7

No they dont like it. They are natural predetors so you would imagine that. They will "tolerate" it but they dont "like" it. The only snake I would imagine to not "mind" it and kinda like it is the Boa or Corn snake. Maybe a Python. You could find some info here http://www.rcreptiles.com/links.html#anchor1

Answer 8

yes i have a pet ball python and there are really no spots they dont like he may yawn and scare you but they love for you to rub down there back my snake lays still the hole time.... good luck with him:)

Answer 9

I Guess, but make sure you pet it starting at the head and going down if you go the other way the scales will fall off

Answer 10

yes if he's your snake you should touch him. Don't handle him when he's about to eat or when you notice he's shedding. The more you handle your snake, the more comfortable both of you will be with each other.

Answer 11

be careful with the ball python. they are one of the quickest to bite. i have had red tails, burmesses, reticulated ,balls rosie sand, blood python emerald tree boa. multiplies of each. over all about 30 snakes and the 4 balls i had were the quickest to bite. which was real surprising to me cause i was told back then if the emerald tree does try to bite then it is sick. but had them for about 10 years and never try biting. had the balls for 2 years and was bite multiply times by then.

Answer 12

no they don't 'like' it, but some will tolerate it,

avoid the neck & head.

Answer 13

they tolerate it thats it. not like a cat or dog!

Answer 14

Believe it or not, some women have actually made love to a snake.