Dealing With A Devilish Hatchling

[mattchibi]

Recently picked up a lesser hatchling, I thought she would calm down after a week or two but she's still really grumpy and bitey. She's been fed a few times already. She had a really bad stuck shed for the first two weeks but I managed to get almost all of it off, except for a tiny bit under her chin. Everytime I walk by she is following me around her tub and she instantly "S"'s up as soon as I open her tub. She throws defensive strikes all the time when I have her tub open.. Im starting to think she doesnt like me

Husbandry is: 79-81 on cool side, 89-92 on hot side. Its been between 60-70% humidity since shes been here. She has one hide on the hot side and a small water bowl on the cool side.

During one of her soaks, I heard a little whistling sound. Just the other day when I was attempting to handle her briefly, I heard a hissing noise that sounded almost like a whistle, but Ive been trying to monitor her a few times a day to see if I can hear any whistling but I can never hear anything. Her nostrils are clear, but I havent gotten around to opening her mouth because shes so angry. It may be possible that she's grumpy because she's sick with an RI? I don't know if its possible because I got her from a good breeder.

So my question is: What can I do to "tame" her down a bit? Should I start handling daily for 5 minutes or so (minus feeding & digesting days)? And is it adviseable to always bring new pickups to the vet? I am getting two more ball pythons pretty soon, and I have no idea what to do about QT.

[akjadlnfkjfdkladf]

Im starting to think she doesnt like me

you are correct!

all snakes are different. some are born completely tame, some have to get used to you, some will always be aggressive because that's just thier dispostion

the best thing you could do is convince the snake that you are not trying to eat it. try taking him out 3-4 times a week for 5-15 minutes at a time, and see if he starts to calm down. don't put him away if he's striking, because he will learn that striking will get you away from him. do your best to wait for him to calm down before putting him back.

and let us know how this comes along whatever you decide to do!


...and if you don't have the room to properly manage more snakes please do not buy them, you should always be ready to quarantine when adding to your collection

[Redneck_Crow]

Recently picked up a lesser hatchling, I thought she would calm down after a week or two but she's still really grumpy and bitey. She's been fed a few times already. She had a really bad stuck shed for the first two weeks but I managed to get almost all of it off, except for a tiny bit under her chin. Everytime I walk by she is following me around her tub and she instantly "S"'s up as soon as I open her tub. She throws defensive strikes all the time when I have her tub open.. Im starting to think she doesnt like me

Husbandry is: 79-81 on cool side, 89-92 on hot side. Its been between 60-70% humidity since shes been here. She has one hide on the hot side and a small water bowl on the cool side.

During one of her soaks, I heard a little whistling sound. Just the other day when I was attempting to handle her briefly, I heard a hissing noise that sounded almost like a whistle, but Ive been trying to monitor her a few times a day to see if I can hear any whistling but I can never hear anything. Her nostrils are clear, but I havent gotten around to opening her mouth because shes so angry. It may be possible that she's grumpy because she's sick with an RI? I don't know if its possible because I got her from a good breeder.

So my question is: What can I do to "tame" her down a bit? Should I start handling daily for 5 minutes or so (minus feeding & digesting days)? And is it adviseable to always bring new pickups to the vet? I am getting two more ball pythons pretty soon, and I have no idea what to do about QT.

Almost every ball python will grow out of nippy baby behavior. Your girl sounds exactly like how my Minnie acted, and now she lets first time snake holders handle her without even a hiss. Some desensitize to the threat of human contact more quickly than others. While she's still showing a lot of fear/aggression, don't bring her close to your face. They may not be very bright but they seem to know what might happen when they're brought too close to a mouth.

With quarrantine, do the best that you can. Best would be different rooms on different levels of your house. Best that you can might be keeping their cages on opposites of the room with their own husbandry equipment and washing up good and changing clothes between handling. With me what worked out easiest was to do the established snakes when I first got up and the "cootie cage" later in the day.

Opinion varies as to how long you need to quarrantine. Read up on it and use your judgement.

[jsmorphs2]

Both SkYyame and Redneck_Crow gave good advice. As far as taking a new pick up to the vet, I would if there is any reason to question the health of the snake (signs of RI, strange bowel movements, not eating and losing weigh fast, dehydration etc.). That's the main purpose of QT, being able to monitor new additions for signs of sickness with out endangering the health of you current collection.

Good luck with the little nipper, and just have patience and be calm when handling her. If you notice the whistle becomes gurglie at all maybe a vet visit would be worth it. But your husbandry sounds spot on. I have a boy that has always had a "whistle" and it has never turned into anything. Might just be a slight piece of shed in the nostril yo can't see.

[armison89]

im having the same problem but with the 700 gram normal i just got 2 weeks ago.