HELP, Ball is attacking

[jhuepenbeck]

Hello all,

I received a new ball about 1 month ago. It has feed everytime I gave it food for the past 4 weeks. It also shed perfectly once. Anyways, I cannot handl this particular snake. It goes on the attack as soon as I try to pick it up. I do not know what could be wrong or why it is attacking like this. It is a baby that was born in September, but still, I have never seen a ball attack this much. It even hisses!!!! Anyways, any suggestions would be great. The only thing I can think of, is that I have feed it in its enclosure and maybe I will start feeding it in some other enclosure. Again, any help would be appreciated.

Regards,
jhuepenbeck

[Pythonian]

yea, feed it in a different enclosure... if it is not captive bred take it to the vet for a check up (i take them even if they are captive bred) make sure it has water.. the temps are ok... it has plenty of hides if all that checks out ignore it.. a baby ball bite really isn't bad.. they think hey 10 feet long but they aren't, and some snakes can be tempermental.! ... if all else fails.. bite back.

Mike

[jhuepenbeck]

It is a captive bred baby. I have it in a 10 gal. aquarium. It is 2 hides one on the hot side which is 90-92 degrees and one on the cold side which is 80 degrees. It also has a water dish that has new water put into it every day. It eats really really well. My vet checked it out ok as well. Anyways, I guess I can try feeding it in another enclosure. Should I go ahead and pick it up, even if it bites me? It will bite if I put my hand on it. I have never been bitten before so I am a little hesitant. Anyways, any advice would be appreciated.

Regards

[asphyxia]

One way is to Go in fast, and just graber, what also worked for me was using a snake hook to get her out, then handling

anyway good luck I am sure she will be fine she just thinks she is the boss right now

Brian

[Pythonian]

when it bites u DO NOT PULL BACK!!!! .. bite ur lip and keep ur hand still .. if u pull back u will break the snakes teeth and injur it bad.

Mike

[CJN2216]

Originally posted by Pythonian
when it bites u DO NOT PULL BACK!!!! .. bite ur lip and keep ur hand still .. if u pull back u will break the snakes teeth and injur it bad.

Mike

I dunno if I could do that if my Ball ever striked:eek: Natural instict to jerk away but if he nails me hopefully I will not freak out!! The damn hopper nailed me the other day and I jerked so hard he flew 20ft. in the air;)

[Zoe]

Some babies are just nippy CJ, frequent and gentle handing will calm them down. Try getting a pair of snake gloves. You will feel safer, and it is safer for the snake. Just take him out, and he should calm down after a few strikes. Just sit and watch tv or something for 10 minutes or whatever. If you are gentle, and do it daily, you should notice a change in tempermant soon!

Goodluck :]
Zoe

[CJN2216]

Snake Gloves? Sounds like that would be great for me! Where do you get sucha thing?

[Zoe]

Reptile stores :] or:
http://www.tongs.com/shop/index.php?GrID=62

http://lllreptile.com/v2/content/catalog/?section_string=care-supplies&category_string=snake-husbandry&product_string=professional-handling-gloves

http://www.crittercontrol.com/catalog/enter.html?target=Animal_Handling_Equipment.html

http://www.ketch-all.com/kother.htm#catgrasp

Unforunately, the ones that are made specially to handle snakes tend to be quite expensive! You can just use normal gloves, really. They aren't as safe for the snake, but if you feel like you won't pull back with the gloves on, then it should be fine!

[sparkon16]

I'm sorry but all this over a baby ball biting. Take it like the tiny bite it is and just try to tame him down everyday by handling.
The feeding in a different enclosure idea is prolly the best way to go.

Deuce

[Zoe]

the only thing, i think, he's worried about is yanking back and hurting the snake if it bites. It's a reflex that only goes away with time.

But yeah, definitely feed in a different enclosure, so he wont think that anything that comes in his tank is food!
Zoe

[CJN2216]

I love my Ball! Enjoyed him every minute so far that I've had him. I am just still skitish about handling him....lol. To look at me you wouldn't think so as I was a Linebacker in College (6ft. 215 pounds) but hey... if this is how I build up my courage to handle him with nothing on then this is how it has to be.

[chappy]

Hey you can ask snakedude_03 he has some nice gloves for balls I saw him wearing them in a pic

:p

j/p Kevin lol

[jhuepenbeck]

Thanks for the replys guys.

This little ball will actually attack my finger if I put it in front of its aquarium. I think it must be a food response. Anyways, I am going to feed it in another container and use some gardening gloves in the mean time. I have been bite before and it isn't a big deal, but this little devil will bit and bit and bit some more. So I will need to use them for now.

[Linds]

Originally posted by ZoeStevens
You can just use normal gloves, really. They aren't as safe for the snake, but if you feel like you won't pull back with the gloves on, then it should be fine!

Yikes! I strongly recommend avoiding the use of any gloves not designed for handling snakes. These can easily cause inury to the snakes teeth and jaws. :eek: A bite from a baby ball won't hurt, but if you are nervous, try removing your snake from his enclosure with a snake hook. This is easier on both parties.

Baby snakes commonly strike at everything until they get used to everything and learn that you are not a predator. Though because balls have a different defense mechanism than most snakes, they typically aren't included in that number, but it isn't unheard of. Regular, patient handling sessions will solve this problem. Some other reasons a ball may become agressive are stress or discomfort. If an animal has an advanced case of mites, or has an injury/illness that is causing it pain, it may become agressive. If the animal is stressed out it also may become agressive. Some factors that may cause a snake to become stressed are a feeling of insecurity (such as a glass tank with not enough hides or being located in a high-traffic area of the house) or excessive handling.

Good luck with your little guy, once you find out the cause of his agression you will be bale to solve it in no time. As I already mentioned, a snake hook is probably your best way to go ;)

[jhuepenbeck]

It is in a 10 gal. aquarium that has wood on three sides. It also has 2 hides and a water dish. I think it just must be a young snake that doesn't know better yet. Anyways, I will try the snake hook from now on.

[raebug2000]

ok, well think of it from his point of view...yer really big compared to him he is really small, of course he feels threatened................... lots of handling and talking while yer holding him is what i suggest.....

[Them and Us]

my especially nippy BCI calmed down after handling and what seemed to help was putting a recently worn, unwashed t-shirt in the enclosure after a while my boa got used to the scent I believe and recognized it as security . i suppose as the shirt with my smell on it was in her enclosure and posed no threat. but yeah also do as others said and use a snake hook. i did that too. can't find one...use a bent hanger just make sure you cover the rough end with some electrical tape or something of the sort.

[Linds]

Originally posted by raebug2000
lots of handling and talking while yer holding him is what i suggest

Snakes aren't equipped with outer ears which makes them practically deaf. They can *barely* hear very low pitches, but that's about it, much lower than we speak in. I talk to my snakes ALL the time, but really, that's me talking for myself...lol...they can't hear a word I'm saying ;)

As for handling him alot while holding him, I suggest just letting him explore you on his own, not jostling him around, that could further frighten him. Its best to let him get accustomed to you on his terms, not yours, gentleness and patience is key ;)

[condro python]

Take my advice on this...first thing tomorow morning(or whenever you have a few minutes) remove your snake, place it in a 4L ice cream jug that has a cover with holes on it, empty the whole aquarium..replace the substrate and water dish and any climbing branches or rocks, now carefully examine the size of your hideboxes keep in mind that its nice to have 2 hideboxes in a cage but if the hideboxes are too large for the snake in question ...you might as well throw the hides in the garbage. now think...when you go to bed at night...do you want to have the blankets snug against you or floating in the air? once you answer this question..think about what your python wants. a hidebox that is snug against him(to the point where he could feel all the extremeties) and have a sense of security or just a little cave that you buy at a pet store because when he goes in those hides and doesnt feel anything..he might as well sleep in a corner where you can see him. If its not snug...it will most likely result in stress..reason being, a hidebox is to shield out the outside world..and when it is snug he feels movement that happens around the box. but when its not he cant detect movement coming from behind therefor he doesnt feel safe. once youve figured out the hidebox sizes, place them in properly (one on the hot and one on the cold) and find a way to cover 3 out of 4 sides of his enclosure from any kind of visible action so he only sees what happens in front of him. when you have guests over..cover that 4th side for the time being till you notice improvement.

now remember that 4L ice cream jug? thats what your gonna feed him in till he gets too big for it. plus that, you will have to dedicate yourself for at least 30min-1hour of handling. take the bites like a man. remember that pulling will cause poor damage than good to your animal. and if you cannot do any of the above, i reccomend you write to a classified and not a forum to sell your python because ball pythons are one of the most laid back snakes to handle and care for(although with some exeptions) and you may be one of those exeptions. do what you feel is best. all the best of luck to yah. i hope any of this information be helpful.

P.S make another appointment with the vet and bring stool samples to get him checked out for any internal parasites, even if he is captive bread.

Condro Python

[Lisa]

i find my viper boas will bite me if i grasp them. if i let them rest on my hand they are calm.