Can 2 year old "bitey" BPs still be tamed?

[muzikfreakah]

A friend of mine wants to sell me his entire collection which comprises of:
1. Jungle Pastel Dad
2. Normal Breeding Mom
3. 4 almost two year old, unsexed, children of the above which some are bitey if not all.

The reason being they were handled as much.

I plan to keep mom and dad to keep breeding them and 1 of the kids if there is a female. If not, I will sell the 4 kids and wait for the next female pastel to breed with my spider for a future project.

[zues]

Yes you just have to be willing to take a few bites.

[angllady2]

Well, a lot depends on their setups.

Does this person have each snake in it's own enclosure ? Or are the babies all lumped together ?

Balls in general are docile snakes, so I think most will come around in time. I'm sure there are some out there who are just bad tempered, but I think they are few and far between.

Patience is key. That and not being afraid if getting bitten.

Gale

[darkbloodwyvern]

I think it can be done. They may be tempermentally inclined to nip (To me, nipping seems more appropriate of a term, if they don't bite hard or latch on. If they try to eat your hand, than they are BITING XDD).

But that can be worked on with gentle CALM handling. Are they all healthy? Good feeders, etc? If they are nippy AND poor eaters, it may be more work. I've held plenty "biters" with no problems just be being chill and not poking them or tossing them around. If they can be convinced you are going to harm them and are paying attention to how they are acting, you may be able to avoid bites altogether.

Good luck and get pics when they are settled down!

[Kingofspades]

I've had some bitey snakes. When I first got my mojave, she was a spitfire.




After about a month of just reaching in her tub and picking her up like it was no big thing, she stopped. Now she coils, gives me the evil eye...but doesn't strike.

[Jessicamarie]

wow Kingofspades! some great photos you got! WOW

I agree with previous post that you can help them to get used to being handled

[Redneck_Crow]

Are they snappish all of the time or just when someone reaches in their cage to pick them up?

I use a cage hook to pull out the ones that snap when you take them out of the cage. I've only ever had one that kept biting after a month or so of using a cage hook and getting used to be lifted out, and that wasn't a ball python, it was a disgusting yellow rat snake who never could be trusted.

[Kymberli]

My previously neglected 4yr old male was very "nippy" when I took him in because he hadn't been handled (literally) in years. Now, he's still a bit jumpy but doesn't hiss or strike anymore. My point is, if a four year old could be "tamed", as you put it, then there's no doubt in my mind a 2yr old can. Like has been said, you can't be afraid to take a couple tags.