So I bought an adult female BP

[msc8127]

Hello all,

My ball python experience started about 1 year ago when a friend was showing me some of his BP's and how cool they are to have around. Before I knew it, he was helping me build a rack system, and I was the proud owner of a male pinstripe BP, and two female pastels. They are all 3 doing great. They feed well, are extremely easy to handle, and they are from what I can tell, happy little BP's. The pinstripe male is going to be big enough to try to breed this year, however, the two pastel females are not going to be ready. So, I picked up a "proven" female normal BP that is currently at 1800 grams. I purchased her from a reputable breeder, and she hasn't missed a meal in her new home. She is in great shape, and just had a good, clean shed. I must say that even just being a normal BP, she's a beauty of an animal.

BUT, despite husbandry being in check, being well fed, and the overall great health she's in, she is one grumpy animal. I left her alone in her tub (didn't handle her) for about 5 days when she first got here, and for the past few weeks I've been trying to handle her a little bit each night. But, she is still very reactive when I get my hand underneath her to pick her up. It's quite a challenge to get her out of the tub without getting tagged, and once she's out of the tub, if I allow her even the slightest chance to perch on me, she will quickly take defensive measures. Now getting bit by her isn't the worst thing that could happen in life, but it is getting a little "old" at this point.

She did come from a large facility with a lot of snakes, so I'm sure being a normal BP she wasn't getting handled a lot as they have many "cooler" snakes to get out and show people. So I'm wondering at this point if there's much hope of changing her disposition, or if like me, she is too set in her ways to change. I do not own a snake hook, and I don't really want to get one since all I deal with are these four BP's, just i'm a bit concerned that she could injure herself biting me, and if a hook might help mitigate some of her attempts to chew my hand off, I'm happy to buy one for her benefit.

Are there any other things I need to look into for getting her to be more at ease? She is in a sterilite tub, temp and humidity are great, she does have a hide box, and again, she eats like a champ. The only thing that is off about her is the attitude.

I appreciate any advice you all are willing to share in regard to making her a little bit "happier" with her life.

Thanks!

[digizure]

I know how you feel. I just picked up a female pastel and even though she is about 100g, she would strike at me constantly. Even when she is inside the tub, she'd try and strike me. I don't know if she hurt herself or not so I put some construction paper so she cannot see the outside world at all. It's frustrating. I'm going to give it a week and then I'm gonna try and handle her, with a pair of welding gloves.

[Daybreaker]

If husbandry issues aren't making her cranky then she just may be a cranky individual. How did she act with the previous owner?

How are you approaching her when you handle her? Are you a bit nervous about getting bit and are acting accordingly (ie hesitating to reach in to get her, not actually grabbing her body but trying to "soft" handle her, etc)? If so, I would try to approach her different: just go right in there and grab her and see how she reacts.

[digizure]

I reach for the pastel the same way I do with my other pythons. I currently own 7 pythons and I've never been bit. I have no idea what it feels like. My neighbor, who also own several, said that it was painful but it seems like being bit isn't so bad after reading here on the net.

[msc8127]

If husbandry issues aren't making her cranky then she just may be a cranky individual. How did she act with the previous owner?

How are you approaching her when you handle her? Are you a bit nervous about getting bit and are acting accordingly (ie hesitating to reach in to get her, not actually grabbing her body but trying to "soft" handle her, etc)? If so, I would try to approach her different: just go right in there and grab her and see how she reacts.

I'm not sure how she acted for the previous owner. She came from BHB, so that's why I'm assuming she didn't get handled much. They have so many animals to take care of that I can't imagine a normal BP (even though she's a beauty) was handled a whole lot.

As for my demeanor handling her, I will admit to being a bit reserved about just reaching in and grabbing her as she's taken her fair share of nips at me. Sure, it isn't all that painful, and I heal quickly, but I'd be lying to say that I'm never a bit skeptical about grabbing her. The typical approach has been to put my hands in low near her belly to initiate contact, then to try to ease her up out of the tub. Tomorrow I'll just jump in and snatch her up out of the tub and see what her response is. Worse thing that can happen is that she'll nibble on me again.

Thanks for the replies so far!

[don15681]

I know how you feel. I just picked up a female pastel and even though she is about 100g, she would strike at me constantly. Even when she is inside the tub, she'd try and strike me. I don't know if she hurt herself or not so I put some construction paper so she cannot see the outside world at all. It's frustrating. I'm going to give it a week and then I'm gonna try and handle her, with a pair of welding gloves.

your snake being at the size it is will most likely grow out of striking at everything. even if you don't handle it much.

[Xeperxi]

I can understand where you are coming from, I've been bit by juvenile and adult BP's and honestly it doesn't hurt. When I first started keeping bloods I was bit by an adult female and that did hurt, although it wasn't the worst thing in the world, the shock is the worse part lol. After that I was hesitant, but one day just said screw it if I get bit I get bit. Since then I don't think much of it, especially with my ball pythons. Confidence goes a long way, if you are hesitant or nervous IMO they can sense that and in turn it makes them nervous.

Only advice I can give is to first let them know of your presence, don't just open their enclosure and go grabbing. Once they are aware of you, be slow and steady and confident (very important) and slowly place your hand under them and pick them up. Every snake is different, but you can gauge their mood to a point by observing their breathing pattern and body position and go from there.

[Daybreaker]

I'm not sure how she acted for the previous owner. She came from BHB, so that's why I'm assuming she didn't get handled much. They have so many animals to take care of that I can't imagine a normal BP (even though she's a beauty) was handled a whole lot.

As for my demeanor handling her, I will admit to being a bit reserved about just reaching in and grabbing her as she's taken her fair share of nips at me. Sure, it isn't all that painful, and I heal quickly, but I'd be lying to say that I'm never a bit skeptical about grabbing her. The typical approach has been to put my hands in low near her belly to initiate contact, then to try to ease her up out of the tub. Tomorrow I'll just jump in and snatch her up out of the tub and see what her response is. Worse thing that can happen is that she'll nibble on me again.

Thanks for the replies so far!

I'd definitely try just opening up her tub and going right in to grab her, no hesitation. You might be surprised in her response, though of course she could act the same as before. Good luck

[CD CONSTRICTORS]

Daily handlings are too much IMHO. Too much stress. I handle only when I clean their tubs- and thats plenty often enough.

I'm relatively new to handling bp's and could really care less about getting struck... my amazons do way more damage than any bp I own could. I've been cut to the bone by my Yellow Nape.

I've been fortunate... and cautious enough not to get tagged by any of my snakes.... yet. I know it will happen. I am only very cautious because I have diabetes and what you guys might constrew as a little bite could be a big issue for my immune system to handle any kind of infection. I have a few frisky hatchlings that hiss at me when I reach for them. Sometimes if they don't "strike a pose", I'll just pick them up. Other times I grab a surgical glove. Hatchlings settle down for me with a hand from above just placed over their head. They will generally ball up and be easier to handle.

Always on feeding days I wear gloves and use tongs. It's just less of a risk for me personally.

My larger bp's are more laid back. When I open their tubs they usually will just slither out after it's open for a minute. They are much easier to handle when they are ready to come out on their own terms.

[glk832]

I would image coming from a bigger breeder is the issue they probably never handled her a lot at all seeing that she was not a pet and just a breeder.. that may be something you need to remember... Dont handle her like you would your other 3 bps because they are pets... its not enjoyable for her she probably would rather be in her rack in the dark not being bothered..JMO maybe she will not be a pet for you just a breeder..I have a female normal that is the same way and we both have learned to respect each other...I dont hold her more than necessary and she doesnt bite me more than necessary LOL...