Tips on making a baby ball python less shy?

[Ky-]

I'm a new owner to ball pythons and have already noticed their differences in behaviour compared to other snakes. I am used to corns and noticed how shy ball pythons are. I have a young ball python, I am unsure of the age and sex, but the ball can curl in my palm and fit like the size of a baseball. I bought him from a breeder a few days ago, and have set up a tank and such for him/her. (I am going to assume the ball is female for now, until properly sexed) I wanna help her get used to me, and being held. She's head-shy as well, but I've used a soft cotton swab to rub her head, and she's fine, unless I put my finger near her head, then she pulls back. I hold her about every day, and she tenses up on occasion. I was just wondering if there are any tips to helping her get more comfortable with me.

[jadab123]

I have always been told that you need to give your snake a minimum of one week to get acclimated to their new home. This means no handling and minimum disturbance of the cage (maybe to change out the water, and that's it). Sounds like you're handling her too soon after you got her and she might just be overly stressed about it. This might make her take longer to get used to you, and also longer before she eats.

[Ky-]

Ah! Okay! I'll try to give her some time before I handle her again, so she can get comfortable with her new home first. She is a beauty, I'll have to control the urge to want to hold her for a bit. :)

[Smarion0006]

I made the same mistake with my ball. I gave him 3 days and expected him to be super comfortable... needless to say it didn't happen. I gave him a few more days ( a week total ) and then started messing with him. He warmed right up to me. I hope your little maybe lady warms up to you quickly. Do you have any pics?

[Ky-]

I've taken quite a few, I don't know what morph she is either. I plan to take her to a friend who is a breeder to properly probe her, so I can know the sex, since I do not want to attempt that on my own, even if I was shown how. I've named her Venus, even if she turns out to be male, I'll keep the name since I can see it being a unisex name.

She is quite small, if there is anyone who could predict her age that would be great!

[Smarion0006]

I like the name. Your baby is really cute. Looks like a pretty normal to me, but I'm new to this as well. Don't quote me on it lol.

[Lady mkrj58]

Cute Baby why does the Breeder not know what morph the Baby is? And what age it is . If I was a Breeder I would certainly know the lineage and age of my babies.

Sent from my SGH-T999

[Viol8r]

This isn't going to be a popular answer to your question but we handle all of ours right out of the box. The only way we have noticed their shyness going away is by holding them and letting them get a feel for us. The only time we don't handle our snakes are feeding days, (before and at least 36 hrs after) and during sheds. We have not had any feeding, behavior, or other issues due to it. They all eat weekly, and most will come out of their hides and wait at the front of their tubs for us to get them out. The others just poke their heads out and watch us...lol

[The Golem]

I've taken quite a few, I don't know what morph she is either. I plan to take her to a friend who is a breeder to properly probe her, so I can know the sex, since I do not want to attempt that on my own, even if I was shown how. I've named her Venus, even if she turns out to be male, I'll keep the name since I can see it being a unisex name.

Ball pythons are nocturnal predators from Africa. They are instinctively and physiologically hard-wired to sleep during the light and heat of day, and be active in the cool dark evenings and dawns and avoid large open areas.
Maybe if you want it be less shy and feel secure you could accommodate its natural inclinations.

[Ky-]

Thanks guys for all the feedback! The breeder was pretty ready to get the snake off his hands. He didn't give me much info on the snake, considering I did find him off craigslist. But I have made the tank less out in the open, by covering all sides but one with paper. I also covered her a bit and have noticed her peeking her head out more often from her hide. I'll give her a few days to get comfortable in her tank, and then I'll start trying to hold her more. She eats fine, which is good.