New Het Clown Ball Python owner

[jess43]

Six months ago I would of never dreamed of getting a snake. I met a friend named Kylie who had 3, (now 6) and I fell in love with them. Her last purchase was a female and was given a free male (het Clown ball python but looks like regular) with the purchase and he is now mine. Approximately 6 months old named Xavier(Thinking about liking Monty better???)
I adore him but lately he has been striking at the enclosure as your getting close to it, or looking like he's going too. I don't handle him much and I have him in his own room with good temp. and humidity. I have other animals but they aren't allowed in the room he is in. We had tried to feed him twice and he wouldn't eat, but we changed from a very small rat to a pinky and he ate. (I know not to handle him right after eating) But today he went potty and I wanted to change it immediately but had to wait until Kylie got there because I was a little afraid. Kylie has been bitten several times and assures me its not that bad at all, I'm just worried that my fearful reaction would cause me to drop him or something. He has a hide and he's recently shed, anyone know why he's being like this? How can I pick him up in a way which I won't be bit? Should I leave him alone until he's in his ball position? Just looking for different advice. Kylie know alot but I also want to hear from others with similar situations. What do I do???

[infernalis]

sSnakeSs.com - Rules

[drumcrush]

Hello, welcome!

[sharthun]

Hey and Welcome! Some of the Ball Python experts will chime in soon.

[RyanReptile]

Hello, welcome. I am not sure how long you have had your ball python but I would wait 3-4 more feedings before you start handling him in the mean time for cage maintenance it is always a good idea to invest in a snake hook if he is still acting defensive.

[jess43]

Thank you, sounds good, I will wait.

[Teal]

Welcome! Congratulations on your first snake (:

If it's only been a few weeks or less since he's been with you, it's possible he is still stressed out from all the uprooting. It's okay to leave him be for a week or two to settle in, before trying to feed him again.

As for him being defensive in the enclosure... a lot of young snakes can be defensive. I have two youngsters that will strike at me the second I open their enclosures, so I have started covering their heads with a towel to calm them, then I pick them up with the towel as well so if they do try to strike there is some cushion in between. I don't know if that's necessarily a recommended method, but it's worked really well for me and my little guys (:

[jess43]

Originally Posted by Teal

Welcome! Congratulations on your first snake (:

If it's only been a few weeks or less since he's been with you, it's possible he is still stressed out from all the uprooting. It's okay to leave him be for a week or two to settle in, before trying to feed him again.

As for him being defensive in the enclosure... a lot of young snakes can be defensive. I have two youngsters that will strike at me the second I open their enclosures, so I have started covering their heads with a towel to calm them, then I pick them up with the towel as well so if they do try to strike there is some cushion in between. I don't know if that's necessarily a recommended method, but it's worked really well for me and my little guys (:

Thank you so much for your advice, I think that sounds good to me. My friend told me it may have alot to do with his age, but for cage cleaning, covering his head sounds good. Thanks

[Sharlynn93]

I use a hook to pull my little guy out when he shows aggression. Once he is out though, he calms right down...

[Trent]

hi and welcome!

[Pirarucu]

Welcome aboard!