Ball Python Keeps snapping at me HELP!!

[lintz69]

I just got a Ball Python at a Pet Shop. I held him for about 30 minutes at the store he was great. I got him home, and he let me take him out ok, then later that day I went to get him and he snapped at me. I moved my hand out of the way in time, but my heart was thumping. The guy I got him from said he is just getting used to his new enviroment, and is testing me. After talking to him the next day and building up my confidence for a half an hour I FINALLY picked him up, and held him for about 5 -10 minutes. Now It's time to pick him up and I am terrified again... Is this common for them to snap at me? And what can I do different? This is the first snake I have owned. Please help.

[killaclown]

Did you take him home in a box or a bag ? The ride home scares him and when it gets out the box or bag it will snap . Dont be afraid after all if someone put you in a room a shook it up and moved you into a brand new palce you would be pissed to. Every thing is OK:D Its funy the first thing my first snake did was bite me too

[lintz69]

I brought him home in a box. And he was FINE when I took him out of that. But about 4 hours later when I cam back home THAT is when he snapped at me.

[Andy_G]

It is not usually common for ball pythons to bite. This is a sign of fear and/or stress. Leave that snake alone totally for 1-2 weeks!!!! Don't feed it, don't do anything except change the water when it is needed.

Ball pythons can not be handled too often, once a day or every two days is usually ok, but these snakes get stressed out very easily, and when they are stressed they will not eat.

My suggestion would be, leave it alone for a week, offer it food. If it takes the food that's a good sign, it is acclimating to it's new environment. Offer ot food a second time 5-7 days later, if it eats again, you can probably start handling it. DO NOT hold it after it eats for at least 48 hours because it's food needs to digest, if you do, it will very likely regurgitate, which is not good.

I suggest you look at a lot of care sheets (google.ca, search for "ball python care sheet") because there is a lot to explain and I don't think it would be suitable to do it all in one post. I also say to look at a lot because there are a few out there with incorrect information. There is actually an excellent care sheet you can acess right from this website, on the main page, under navigation on the side, it has a link to care sheets.

Hope I've helped!

[Pixie]

Andy is very right on this, don't handle or touch your new snake for at the very least a week. A new snake has to be given the time to adapt to it's new home and feel safe. Make sure he has lots of hides and try not to put it in a busy area of the house.

Pixie

[killaclown]

But you have to feed it because you probably got a WC and the shop hasnt fed it yet. Is it a baby?

[ButterBall]

Yeah.....just calm down and let the new guy settle in. I don't handle my new snakes until they have eaten at least 3 times consecutively.

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Just let the guy settle in his new house! Like others have said, hides are crucial, you can find plenty of things around the house to make as hides, a shoe box with a whole cut in the top of front works every time. Make sure temps r right and everything as well. He'll be fine, mine did the same thing when I first bought her. She calmed down after a week. Congrats on geting a new BP tho! :)

[dm101081]

First thing I would do is let her bite me. :D That way I will know what to expect, and know that it is not a big deal. :P Then I wouldn't be scared to pick her up. Honestly though. You don't need to be "terrified" to pick her up. If she deos happen to tag you at some point it will not be bad at all. I've had much worse bites from my rats than my BP's. When she bites at you don't react strongly, just continue doing what you were doing before, and she will see that it doesn't work.

[lintz69]

Ok, I went home and got NEAR the cage, didn't even touch it and it snapped at me for a total of 6 times last night. It's a Captive Bred Ball Python. BEAUTIFUL snake I'll put a pic on soon. I gave him a shoe box in the day I got him so he can hide in. I have good temperature. 3 different pet stores said to start handling him within 3 days so he don't forget what it's like to be handled, and he is already eating baby rats. The guy said at the store that he always starts them on baby rats, so that they already have the taste of rats, versus giving them mice, they sometimes don't switch. I SEEN him eat the day I bought him, so I KNOW he is eating ok. I'll take you guys advice and wait a week, and try again, if not then one more week, and if he still snaps, I'll do what the guy at the pet store said, put on leather gloves to help me get over the "fear". I appreciate all you guys feedback.

[ButterBall]

Awww, come on. You don't need any gloves. Being bitten comes with the territory of havin a snake. Is it a baby? If so, you'll be lucky to break the skin. The best way to get over your fear is to just dive in (once he is eating well, of course).

[BoidKeeper]

As a rule when I take a new ball home I make sure that it has two hids and a hot spot of 90. Then I forget about it totally for two weeks with the exception of water. Then I offer it a F/T food item from hemostats. I wait until it has taken 4 meals and at least one dump before I even consider handeling it. And even then it is limited for the next couple of months. It may seem extream but I have had a number of BP's in the past two years with no problems what so ever by following this method for aclimation. I now have 2 great pairs that are 100% healthy. The two males can be picky eaters at times but it is not because they are not established they have been with me for over a year. Some times balls are just picky eaters.
Good luck,
Trevor

[unknownclown]

ya know when I got one of mine she snapped at me constantly I couldnt even walk by the cage without her getting all hissy at me. Which kinda sucked since her enclosure was right on my dresser. I put on the gloves and all that then my 2 year old daughter reached in the cage without my permission of course and got bit instantly. It drew a drop of blood but she didnt cry... then I realized what a wimp I was being ;) dont let it intimidate you ;) the bite is nothing

[Pixie]

The advice you were given by pet shops on handling her when brought home within 3 days is just wrong. Pet shops are notorious for giving false information.

I can see where some would suggest regular handling sessions to get the snake used to it and less skittish. But this must happen AFTER your snake has had a chance to settle in properly. I cannot stress this enough as a move of environment can be very stressful for a snake, especially a young one. Once it is acclimated, by all means, handle it regularly, except for 48 hours after feeding.

If you see your snake is still striking at you when you walk by or get near the tank, move the tank to a more quiet area. Try and understand that it is acting this way because of stress and most likely fear. Once the snake starts to feel "at home" and safe, it will stop striking.

Another good tip is to cover your tank with a towel or something to provide even more privacy. Many have had great success by doing this. Once your snake has calmed down, you can start slowly letting it get acclimated to the outside world of his tank.

It may be frustrating that you cannot handle your snake right away but with some time and patience, I'm sure your snake will turn out to be a sweetie.

Good luck,
Pixie

[SerpentLust]

Everyone up there is right. Leave the snake alone for at least a week. Let the poor thing get used to it's new surroundings. How would you like being carries home in a box, being put into a new and strange place and having a strang eperson picking you up twice or more times a day?

My python was nervous at first, she didn't bite, but she wasn't as docile as she is now. You just have to get to know each other. Everything will be fine.

Jenn

[ReptiZone]

This is what i do for all new arrivals:

I place a water bowl, rock, one branch, hide box like it is realy a box I get my temps ready way B4 the snake is home.
Then I tape news paper all the way around the tank so it can not se any of the outside of the cage the only interaction it gets is a fresh water bowl every 2nd day and food every friday it stays like that for like one month. Then after it eats a few meals I change the inside.

It is time to decorate but place the snake in a nice dark place for the time being do what you want to the cage but leave the paper up place you snake in the new cage 2 weeks later start removing the paper gradualy like one side a day starting with the side the is less traveld by I normaly start with the back of the tank.

Then if there is still snaping behaviore...chuck the gloves and take it like a real herper a ball python is the last of your trobles when you get bitten tell your self well it could have ben a retic and will start thanking you lucky stars trust me it realy works what ever pain was there is gone and you end up telling your snake ''Is that all you got? I know rats that do more damage then you''

Man I miss my ball python days.

[SnowFoxx]

Wow Chondro...that's a really detailed system. And there is really no puntuation anywhere in there:p Tee-hee!

- Victoria :w

[ReptiZone]

Ya my bad it was like 3 am when I wroght it the time you see ther is not acurate at all.

[fateamber]

I know what you you feel like though, once my bp striked at me and i was scared about picking him up for about 2 weeks! But now he is fine about letting me hold him.

[raebug2000]

dont be scared of the snapping......its not like he has fangs...however if he does " get you" ( i know it can be unsettling) DONT JERK BACK....YOU COULD HURT HIS TEETH. and talk to him....sometimes simple sounds, like a greeting when you walk into the room will help him understand yer not going to hurt him.......

[TardGirl]

It's ok to be scared, but it does not even hurt bad when you do get bit.My ball python has bitten me before and it hurts worse to get bitten by my rat. My kingsnake always try to bite me when i go to pick him up, but once i get him out of his cage he is so nice. The only way to overcome your fear is to just do it.

[ReptiZone]

you can talk to it all you want but it will not help you in the lest bit other then calm your self down cause you think it can hear you.

[killaclown]

I would just let him bite himself out, it will see your not a threat. Its just a baby it feel like a pinch