Neglected BP wants to eat me!

[Putrid186]

I've assumed responsibility of a BP that my roommate has left (now ex-roommate). I had not payed much attention to its feeding habits or methods, have not studied its mentality, but it turns out it's almost impossible to handle it. I pulled it out of its cage for the first time myself two nights ago. It must have been resting because it was not very reactive for a few moments. As it gained consciousness it was as a BP should be, curious and unaggressive. I handled it for a good 45 minutes. On two occasions when I laid it on the floor, I let it roll away for a minute and when I went to reach it, if I touched the upper 30% of it's body it would spring backwards like "OH MY GOD?!?!"

The next day I fed it. Had a frozen thawed adult mouse. The previous owner never pulled the snake out of the cage to feed in a separate container. I dropped the mouse in, and it was immediately interested. Took about 20 seconds for it to come up and snatch.

Tonight, about 18 hours after feeding now, I opened to cage to start handling as I'd like to handle more frequently, however this time it was awake (vs the first time when it seemed to be resting). It's mannerisms put me on caution and thankfully slow. It seemed way too interested in the position of my hand. I dropped my hand in hear it's tail and it sprung towards my hand mouth open. It had not problem with hands when it was outside of its cage. From what I've read up on the past month or so it sounds like it has associated the cage door opening with feeding or something very close to that practice. What can I do to tame this guy?

[mr. s]

Use a hook to take the snake out. I have found that it is usually in first taking hold of the snake that problems with biting arise. You can make one out of an old coat hanger, (no sharp edges!).
Also, with time the snake should calm down if you make it regular and learn the "do's and don't's". For instance, be careful of the head area when picking it up, this startles them.
Also, if you took a picture of the enclosure, and told us temperatures, etc, we could tell you if this snake would be benefited by a change of environment. It sounds like you are just coming into snake keeping and may appreciate a few pointers.
Good luck, snakes are great.

[A.VinczeBPs]

I'd say if you just got it...let it be for about a week. Also, I recommend not handling after feeding, at least not for the first two days after taking a meal.

After that's done, handle it with a glove and hold it for 10-15 min a day (except after feeding, and increasing the handling time every other day) and it should get used to you in no time.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Honestly with a BP a snake hook shouldnt be needed. You should never handle a snake earlier than 2 days after they eat. You can make them regurge the meal. They need time to lay on the warm side and digest. Make sure the snake has the proper tight fitting hides in its enclosure. Proper temperature. @90 degrees on the hot side and 80 cool side. Humidity at about 60%.

If the housing requirements are correct, once you get the little guy on a weekly feeding schedule he will calm down. Feed a frozen thawed rodent about the same size around as the widest part of the snake. Once a week on the same day. He may not have been fed on a schedule and may be hungry and stressed.

Just give him some time to calm down. Once enough time has passed reach in and quickly scoop him up at a part of the body farthest from the head. I promise you the striking was just a feeding response. Once he is in you hands he should not try to bite you if you do not smell like rodent. If you are nervous about it just lay a small hand towel over him and scoop him up. Trust me. Getting bitten by a BP is nothing more than a paper cut. It scares you but it doesnt hurt.

If you have any other questions just ask. We can give you the info you need to know to take care of him. Im glad you decided to take care of him. Once you get to know him you will be hooked. They are addictive even you never were very intersted before

[mr. s]

I promise you the striking was just a feeding response.

Foschi, why would you promise that this is a feeding response? Perhaps you know more about the situation than I, but as you know, that is not the only reason a bp bites....

[Mrgbb]

maybe she was still hungry?

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Foschi, why would you promise that this is a feeding response? Perhaps you know more about the situation than I, but as you know, that is not the only reason a bp bites....

Because if he was able to handle it the previous day and it was calm and inquisitive it makes sense. He went to handle it not even a day after feeding and it struck at him. Could have been stress. Could have been cranky at the thought of being bothered on a full stomach, but its more likely that it wanted more to eat. The act of digestion is more likely to keep a BP in feeding mode for a day. Most of the time a strike at you from within the enclousure is a feeding response when its a BP. Exceptions? Of course. A scared baby which strikes instead of balling up. It happens, but again, usually a feeding response from a young one. A sexually mature BP in breeding mode. Sure its possible.

There are always exceptions. Why call me out? Because I dont believe that a BP should be ever be hooked? I have snakes which do require hooking. Out of 30 BP's, some of which do not like to be handled at all, none have ever needed to be hooked. Why would you try to make matters worse for someone who has never cared for a BP and make it sound like a dangerous animal which could hurt them? Hook? Gloves?

I originally was not going to knock your advice. To tell someone to fashion a snake hook from an old coat hanger is IMO terrible advice. Especially for a BP. I welcome others opinions.

As for the OP. Do keep us updated.

Check out this recent thread on what its like to be bitten by a BP and how to overcome any nervousness..

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...d.php?t=115431

And here is a caresheet on BP's for everything you need to know about their care..

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

[Kaorte]

I don't consider ball pythons to ever be aggressive. They almost always have a reason for striking or biting. Either they are exhibiting a strong feeding response (not being fed enough, close to feeding day) or they are terrified (big gigantic monster coming to pick me up). You would be scared too!

The best thing you can do is let the snake have some alone time and take it out for short 10-15 minute handling sessions. Over handling can stress it out.

Also, cage aggression is not a problem with this species. They are very shy, nervous snakes. As long as you go in the cage one other time during the week (lets say to clean or take the snake out) no association between "hand and food" will be made. If you feed outside the enclosure, your chance of getting bit goes up drastically. The more times you put your hand into the feeding process, the more opportunities your snake has to bite. I feed all my snakes in their home enclosures and I have never been bit (knock on wood!!). I never handle my snake on feeding day or two days after to allow for a digestion period. I don't handle my snakes when they are hungry. As long as you feed your snake enough and handle him a couple times a week, he should never associate your hand with being fed.

Not to mention being fed outside the home enclosure can become stressful for some ball pythons. Eating is a vulnerable time for them and they would prefer to be in an area they knew was safe rather then an empty plastic tub or bucket...

[mr. s]

Foschi, no reason to get defensive. This is a forum where each person can express their opinions. I still stand by my advice for a hook, and I have no problem with you suggesting otherwise, that is why I did not mention anything previously, but if you are interested in my thinking, I am happy to elaborate. I remember the first snakes I kept, which were in tanks that were fairly tall, (foolishly), and at first I felt better taking my snakes out with a hook, including my bp. It helped me get used to things and feel comfortable with handling. Just recently, several years later, I got myself a very aggressive large female, which I don't use a hook for and with whom I have no trouble, because I have much more experience. I am not scared to recommend a hook to a new keeper who wants to get the hang of things, especially when I don't know the snakes situation. The owner will get more knowhow eventually as I did, learn to calm a snake down and not need a hook. I am sure that both you or I would have no trouble picking this little guy up ourselves, but I don't know Putrid. I never rejected your hook advice because I think I understand where you are coming from and to each their own. Either way is fine in the end.
As for the biting, you have already agreed that the snake may be in feeding mode, or there may be another cause, such as neglect or stress. My advice is not dependent on if the new keeper is scared of what I say, but on the truth. 'Mrgbb' put it well that MAYBE, it is still hungry. I agree with that fully, or, as you mentioned in your second post, maybe it is an array of different reasons. I just wondered why you were promising things instead of speculating, (which may be my science side coming out).
Please do not feel personally attacked, there is no hostility being directed at you whatsoever and I apologize that I may have been responsible of making you feel that way.
Yes, Putrid, keep us posted on how things are going.

[rockhardchick666]

Putrid186, I had a lot of trouble handling it when it was nippy cause I was nervous. Once I got past the nervousness of the new guy - the snake seemed to be less nervous too and in turn stopped tagging me.
I have no idea if this is actually something snakes can pick up. But mine does much better when I'm not anxious about handling it.

Why would you try to make matters worse for someone who has never cared for a BP and make it sound like a dangerous animal which could hurt them? Hook? Gloves?

I don't see anything wrong with gloves?
I got tagged everyday getting the water dish for the first three weeks with my guy.
Then I got gloves.
I know they're never big cuts, but I've never been really comfortable with an animal breaking my skin.