Biting!

[Amber Mathews]

My baby BP won't stop hissing and trying to bite we have had him for 3 weeks as of last Thursday. And every time we have tried to handle him this week he's been really hissy and today he bit my husband. I left him alone for the first 2 weeks and he's ate 2 meals so I don't think we rushed him. Don't know what to do. Hope he doesn't continue to be mean. Temps are 91 hot side and 80 on the cool side. He weighs 105 grams and eats small-med mice. Any ideas?

[Bill T]

3 weeks isnt alot of time. Handle him for a short time (like 5 min) a few times a week then in a week or 2 move to ten. next week 15-20 etc. He should calm down a bit.

[ewaldrep]

you can search for a video, I can't remember who did it, but basically had a video of how to take care of a baby ball that strikes a lot. He pretty much held it in one hand and then covered it up with the other and "man handled" the snake to kind of show it who is dominant. Just think as the hissing and biting as a protective response by the snake because you, are a large ape and natural predator of little snakes. You just have to show it that hissing and biting is not going to work to make you leave it alone and that you are going to handle it without hurting it. Best of luck

[Daybreaker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7DQssbM0uk

Also my own tip for handling any defensive (smaller) snake: if you have them out and they're hissing up a storm or trying to bite DO NOT put them away right away. I keep them out until they settle down and stop with the defensive behavior. If you put them away every time they act up they'll continue to act that way (I do believe they "learn" that that's the way to act to get out of being handled).

[Amber Mathews]

I can't get him to calm down outside of the cage, because I can't even get him out of the cage to start with lol!

[devildog_dk]

Then you're being too skittish, just reach in a pick him up gently but firmly. The worst that could happen is you get about 6 drops of blood and a bite that feels more like an annoying itch than anything.

[weslan]

My ball python is doing the same thing. she wants to bite everytime i reach in to pick her up. i just fed her again today so i am gonna wait for a few days before i try again. she is also climping up the sie of the cage. i tink i might have to get a stick of some sort>

[snakesRkewl]

If you are afraid of a tiny baby ball bite then don't own a kitten, or a puppy, they bite worse, lol.

Just grab up the snake and don't give it a choice to bite or not.
They key in on your being scared and will continue to bite if you act scared and don't handle it.

Ball pythons are not mean, they get scared and protective if you don't teach them you mean no harm to them.

[LLLReptile]

Patience is key. 3 weeks can seem like a long time, but to a baby ball python that's nothing! What is your set up like for him? Sometimes when they do not feel secure enough within their enclosure, they can have bad attitudes even out of it.

If you do handle him, keep it brief, and put him away when he's good. I wouldn't worry too much to be honest; most of my babies hatch out super cranky (it's actually a running joke in the store - is it mean? probably one of Jen's babies!) but outgrow that phase within a couple months. I don't mind it, personally, as the cranky ones always eat the best! And like I said, they do outgrow it quite quickly.

Give it time, feed it real well, and be calm and confident when you go in the cage.

-Jen

[Amber Mathews]

Daybreaker,
I followed the guys advice in the YouTube video and it worked thank you!

Jen,
I have a showcase cage, 89-91 on warm side and 80 on cool side. I just misted so his humidity is at 76%. Here's a pic of his cage. He has 4 hides (hot, cool and 2 small ones in neutral spots) and lots of plants to hide in.

Left side (warm hide)


Right side (cool hide)