Want to get over my fear!

XoVictoryXi

Leopard Gecko Mami
Messages
68
Location
NJ
I have a general fear of snakes. I LOVE to look at them and think they are beautiful and amazing creatures. That being sad, I am deathly afraid of them. I am scared they will bite me, strangle me, break out of their cage while we are sleeping and kill my daughter or me or my cats.
I witnessed one of my friends get bitten by one of his pet snakes, not sure what kind it was, but remember it was small and latched onto his hand and wouldnt let go! You couldnt even pull him off, his brother had to squeeze his jaws together to make him let go! and the blood leaking out- omg!!!
That being sad, my hubby loves snakes and really badly wants a ball python. Its unfair I have lizards cats turtles and he has no pets of his own, really, this is the only pet he wants and due to my fear I wont allow one in my house.
I want to get over it, so we can have a gorgeous snake as a pet and make my hubby happy!
Any advice or reassurance is welcome! :)
 

The Gecko Person

New Member
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264
Location
X
It was probably a California kingsnake that bit and would not let go. Was it black and white banded?
You are not very likely to have a ball python bite, and hold on. The worst problem you will probably have with getting one would be getting it to eat. Sometimes the hatchlings only want live mice, not f/t mice or rats.
Snakes do not constrict as a defense, only to kill something, and only if they are going to eat it, so it is extremely unlikely for a ball python to constrict anything that doesn't smell like rodents.
 

nater

New Member
Messages
62
Location
Wisconsin
I'm with you on snakes. There's something I don't like about feeding animals higher up the evolutionary ladder to animals a couple rungs down. I'd probably be ok with an insectivore, but they're no readily available and I guess are notoriously difficult to care for.

I doubt that a ball python would take a shot at your cat, but I'd still be worried about it.

If you do get one... well... here's probably the worst case scenario you're likely to see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9_6b_RZ1pg&feature=related

I don't know why it bit him. Maybe he handled a mouse just prior?
 
Last edited:

ceduke

New Member
Messages
105
Location
California
I'm chuckling at that video, I have one corn snake who will do that. She's a mellow little thing, but every now and again she slowly moves her head around toward me and slowly opens her mouth and takes a nibble. It's just a little prickle, and she generally loses interest after a minute or so.

My mom was very afraid of snakes when I was living with my folks and got my first one. I went overboard on the enclosure's security (bought a cage with two latches) and she took it very slow. She never did hold any of the snakes, but she's petted them a few times, and she let my sister get a kingsnake after I moved out, so apparently she's not as freaked out by them now.

If escape is a big concern for you, maybe your hubby could invest in a cage with a key lock so that you know nobody can open the cage without that key. A ball python would probably be a good choice for him to start with if snakes make you nervous because they are generally slow-moving, calm, and easy to handle. I know corn snakes are often touted as the ultimate starter snake, but they tend to move faster and more suddenly than pythons, which can be startling to someone who isn't used to them.
 

embrit1

New Member
Messages
35
I agree with the others :D

i have a ball python - I just returned to keeping after several years break and have previously kept a range of snakes including ball pythons, colubrids such as corns and rat snakes and a couple of gorgeous rough green snakes which are insectivores.

By far, ball pythons win hands down for me. they are very slow moving, rather docile 99% of the time, don't get to a ridiculous size, can't eat you/your cat/ your small children etc and can be a real pleasure to observe.

Do you have anyone nearby who owns snakes where you could perhaps go along and observe handling and feeding etc to help slowly build your confidence?

I have a few friends who are terrified of snakes, they won't come into the house when i am handling my ball despite him only being a CB11 and very small. they will happily observe him in his viv though as he is veery inquisitive and quite comical at times when he pretends to be a tree snake!

I find most BP's won't eat when you are about either so you probably won't have a need to see him feeding which can freak you out a little when you first see it, especially if you are slightly nervous around snakes.

I have only ever been tagged once by a ball python - it was a "oops I thought you were bringing dinner" bite, to my little finger and the second she bit me and knew I wasn't food, she moved away from me and curled up :D xx
 

XoVictoryXi

Leopard Gecko Mami
Messages
68
Location
NJ
great advice thanks guys!
Wow i didn't know they have lock and key cages. I am going to make him a deal, if he gets one of those cages that has a lock and key I am definitely okay with it in my house. I will feel more safe at night knowing it is truly locked up tight in there.
Yes @ the Gecko person. It was a black and white snake.
Do Ball pythons get huge? So everyone agrees they are sweet and docile and not interested in killing me? :)
 

embrit1

New Member
Messages
35
They don't get huge - say around 5 foot which is nowhere near big enough to kill you :D They tend to get thick bodied but remain docile and sweet though.

They are also not really known as escape artists as corns for example would be so even a viv with a suitable viv lock ( not necessarily a key ) would be fine :D xx
 

The Gecko Person

New Member
Messages
264
Location
X
Yes, about 3-5 feet. Males stay at the smaller end. You could also use a latching storage bin. They are cheaper, lighter, less likely to break, and easier to clean.
 

EverEvolvingExotics

New Member
Messages
394
Location
Arizona
No, your ball python has zero interest in killing you. If you are afraid of getting bit I'd recommend a sub adult. Something smaller so it's not intimidating (even though adults really aren't that big). Everything is a potential predator when they are hatchlings, some little ones will strike at you out of fear (not to kill you), usually they get over that once they are in that 300-500 gram range. An easy way to rule out ever getting bit is to put an old t-shirt over you snake when taking it out until you learn to completely trust it. Every ball python I've ever had is a lap dog once it's out of the cage.
 

Bones93

New Member
Messages
43
Location
CO
Honestly, if you looking at a snake to help you get over your fear I would look into Kenyan Sand Boas, they stay small and are very docile. Awesome snakes!
 
Messages
543
I heard if you treat the snake nicely, it will do the same to you. You don't have to be afraid of snakes, if you don't get a poisonous one they are sweet.
 

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