So, I got my first ball python. My dad's had snakes since he was young and even owned a pet shop, so my pet is well taken care of. His (I use this term loosly as I do not know the snake's gender) tank is just as it should be with a couple diffrent hides, aspen bedding, a water dish, proper humidity and temperature, and it's a 20L tank.
Unfortunetly, I purchased the snake from a pet store where he wasn't handled right. As opposed to my poor snake (I've named him Julius Caesar) being picked up the proper way, the store staff would throw a towel over him and then pick him up without any regard for him.
He's very active. He comes out at around ten pm and goes back into his favorite hide (a hollow bamboo pipe) around three am. I've given him a week to adjust and am due to feed him tommorow. He's drinken from his water dish and defecated and seems generally comfortable.
Unfortunetly, I wanted him to start getting used to me. He's still a baby, only about fifteen inches and maybe half a year old. But, last night, I was petting his body. He seemed okay, until I moved just a little. He spotted my hand and struck at me, bumping my fingers and scaring the bejeezus out of me but didn't bite.
Just now I went to change his water while he was basking under his lamp, which is on the other side of the tank. I went to undo the bungee chords I use to secure the lid (as he likes playing with it) and he immediately started balling up, took a striking pose, and made several strikes at the lid of the tank.
I know this is strange behavior, as ball pythons are supposed to be docile. How can I start handeling such a violent snake? I really don't want to fear getting my fingers bit every time I get him fresh water/ change his bedding/ feed him/ want to try holding him. Any suggestions from more experienced snake keepers?
My father had no advise, as all his snakes were docile.