Many snakes are nocturnal, so the best time to handle them might be during the day. At night those snakes are more active, and their natural tendency to be moving around could be mistaken for agitation.
Don't handle your snake too often or for too long.
This type of behavior only hurts the hobby. Because they're nocturnal, ball pythons are generally easier to handle during the day. You'll often find that your ball python will be more alert at night, and they'll generally be less tolerant of handling during such times.
Handle the snake when it is awake, but during the time of day that it is most lethargic. Always move slowly, and, if possible, approach from the side rather than from above.
Snakes don't need a light to be on at night. They benefit from a day and night cycle, which means they need light during the day and darkness during the night. If the light stays on during the night, the snake could become stressed, lethargic, and may stop eating.
It's also recommended that you avoid handling your snake when they're shedding, because they may be feeling extra defensive. If you've been handling your snake's food it's a good idea to wash your hands before touching them, as they might smell their meal and try to bite you.
Never try to pick up a snake, even if it is dead. A snake's reflexes can still cause the snake to strike up to an hour after it has died. If you have an encounter with a snake, give it the right-of-way. Do not attempt to kill the snake, just move out of the snake's way.
“Some snakes can see in total darkness. It would be easily explained if the snakes had a pyroelectric material in their bodies, but they do not. We realized that the principle behind the soft material we had modeled probably explains it.” Not all snakes have the ability to produce a thermal image in the dark.
Diurnal snakes sleep during the night and are active in the day, while nocturnal snakes sleep through the day and are active at night. Nocturnal snakes, such as night snakes and kingsnakes, sleep during the day, while diurnal snakes such as patch-nosed snakes, corn snakes, and garter snakes sleep at night.
Snakes are cold-blooded.
They cannot produce any body heat. If they can't find a warm spot, their bodies will revert to the ambient temperature. If that temperature is particularly cold, then the snake will likely freeze. Your snake's enclosure should have a basking spot.
Do not try to prevent a bite by holding its mouth shut. This will most definitely cause the snake to pull away and strike. If you want to prevent a nip or bite, it is best to either wait for help, or learn how to handle snakes the correct way. Avoid handling a snake that's just eaten or is about to shed.
How often should I feed my snake? That all depends on your snake's age, size, and activity level. Smaller or younger snakes usually eat twice each week, while larger, more mature snakes typically eat once every week or two. Female snakes approaching breeding season can be fed more frequently.
No, it is not safe for the snake to sleep in the same bed as a human.
Ball pythons are nocturnal snakes that sleep most of the day and are active at night. These snakes are also well equipped with specialized eyes to see at night. They use their remarkable eyesight to analyze their surroundings for movement and to hunt, which is perfect for nighttime activity.
They are a ground dwelling snake that's active mainly in the daytime. In hot weather, they can move around at night, but usually retreat to shelter. Brown Snakes shelter in hollow logs, rock crevices, unused animal burrows and under rubbish around buildings.
A sleeping snake will stay in one position for hours — though this is also the posture a snake can assume while hunting. Or you might notice that the constantly flicking snake tongue isn't engaged in its usual activity, or that they don't react when you open the top of their cage or otherwise move around the area.
Vipers, pythons and boas have holes on their faces called pit organs, which contain a membrane that can detect infrared radiation from warm bodies up to one metre away. At night, the pit organs allow snakes to 'see' an image of their predator or prey — as an infrared camera does — giving them a unique extra sense.
However, snakes mostly rely on smell and taste as their main senses to recognise prey because their eyesight is poor. Snakes are able to use these senses to identify humans, and even differentiate between them.
Snakes can hear sounds in the 80-600 Hz range, and since the human voice ranges from 85 – 255 Hz, snakes can indeed hear when you talk to them. They might even be able to differentiate between your voice and someone else's.
Strong and disrupting smells like sulfur, vinegar, cinnamon, smoke and spice, and foul, bitter, and ammonia-like scents are usually the most common and effective smells against snakes since they have a strong negative reaction to them.
Conclusion. Snakes dislike several smells, including various essential oils such as gloves and cinnamon oil, and then homemade remedies with garlic and red onions. Numerous plants, such as wormwood, lemongrass, marigold, and snake plant, can also serve as good snake repellents.
Snakes won't be receptive to your affection—they're wary animals who don't like being held, touched, petted, or passed around.