Handling advice

[u/Concept_Natural]

Hi everyone! I recently got this little guy/girl from someone who was looking to rehome them and give them a better life. I’m a first-time snake owner, so I’m still learning!
Today was actually my first time handling them since I got them. I had been giving them some space because of shedding and feeding. Overall, handling went pretty well, but I definitely realized I’m not as confident as I’d like to be yet

At one point they started getting pretty close to my face, and it freaked me out enough that I decided to put them back in their enclosure. I’m assuming they were probably just curious/exploring, but since I don’t really know how to read snake body language yet, I got nervous.

Does anyone have recommendations for good YouTubers, creators, or other resources that teach snake body language and handling? I’d especially like to learn how to tell the difference between curiosity/exploring, stress, defensiveness, feeding responses, etc.

[u/ConsequenceFeisty252]

Flicking out their tongue is a sign of being calm and curious so if they're doing that they're likely sniffing you

[u/Concept_Natural → u/ConsequenceFeisty252]

He was flicking his tongue when he started to climb my shirt, but stopped and started to just stare at me. I wish I could post videos. He does seem like the sweetest boy ever.

I’m just nervous what my reaction would be if he striked me, i don’t want to hurt the little guy or have a reaction that scares him

[u/0b3l1sk → u/Concept_Natural]

Thats good, and honestly my girl does the same thing when I bring her out. As a person who has owned a snake for 2 years after spending almost 20 years scared of them (bad childhood experience) you just gotta remember to breathe and be deliberate. Don't handle if you've been holding rats until you wash your hands, if your scared of being bit initially picking them up I'd suggest grabbing them from behind cause most seem to chill out once picked up but also if your still too nervous then I'd say buy a snake hook.

My ex who talked me into buying a Ball Python had me watching a lot of Snake Discovery on YouTube and it helped me understand my snake on a better level than what I was when I got them

If you do get bit try your best not to jerk your hand or arm back (may be hard due to reflexes) but this will help prevent the loss of teeth as if they bite and latch on and then you rip your arm/hand away your more than likely gonna rip teeth out which won't be good for them or you

Here's my snake for snake tax