oddly bitey ball python help..?

[Nymeria]

I received a 3 year old female ball python about 3 weeks ago. I got her from someone on craigslist who was moving away and couldn't keep her. I wanted an adult because i heard they are more docile and gentle than baby pythons (this is my first time owning a snake). I brought her home and gave her 24 hours to adjust a little before i handled her for the first time. When i first picked her up (doing everything properly, always keeping my hands under her, not going near her head) she was fine for 10 minutes and was just exploring in my hands when she very unexpectedly bit my hand and latched on. I waited a few minutes but she just kept tightening around my hand so i released her from me as gently as i could. i fed her the next day as i assumed she was hungry, seemed more like a hunger bite than an angry bite. I tried handling her 4 days after she ate and not even 2 minutes in, bit my arm and latched on, curling around and not letting go. I poured a little vodka on her head and she let go then i put her back in her enclosure. I've been feeding her small rats every week since, not handing her and just letting her get used to her new surroundings. her enclosure is perfectly maintained, and i haven't changed anything in her tank (i was given her with her tank and everything else she needed). I keep the warm side at 85-90 and the cool side around 75, humidity is just over 60, has 2 hides and always has fresh water. i keep getting varying opinions on how i should go about making her more docile and less bitey. some of my friends (that own and have experience with ball pythons) tell me to handle her as much as i can, others tell me to just leave her alone other than feeding so she can settle in better and get used to a new environment. I've been trying the latter so far, mostly because i don't want to stress her out too much. I'm not afraid of being bitten, just concerned for her. I've never heard of another ball python bite so much in this particular way, it never really seems like she's angry, just hungry, though she's well fed. I would just like some opinions on what to do, keep giving her time, or handle her as much as possible?

p.s. I called the guy i got her from and explained how she'd been acting and he seemed genuinely concerned, she's never done anything like that before. i asked how much he handled her and said at least once or twice a week only for a couple minutes at a time. so i reckon she's not super used to being held for long periods of time, but still shouldn't be an excuse for these feeding bites. He even offered to take her back if i keep having troubles (so he defiantly cares about her) but i want to keep trying. She's so beautiful and i love her already, don't want to give up on her.

[Zombies Cry 2]

Maybe she has to get used to you. Make sure you wash your hands before handling. Oh yeah snakes don't really enjoy Vodka being poured on them.
Maybe try a handling a little bit at a time before getting her drunk.

[Nymeria]

i use unscented soap before and after i pick her up. And i looked everywhere online for the best way to get them off if they latch on and a little alcohol or Listerine in their mouth with get them off quickly. i only used a couple drops, nothing harmful. Trying to pry her off the first time defiantly seemed more uncomfortable for her than a couple drops of vodka. keep in mind she was incredibly tightly wrapped around me both times, not letting go even after 5 minutes. if you know of a better way then by all means, let me know.

[bcr229]

A bite/wrap is a food response. After you wash your hands use something like lemon-scented hand sanitizer on them, the smell will make her less likely to grab you. This is also the time of year when females start pounding the food in preparation for breeding season.

What size are these "small" rats? If you're getting the Arctic Mice brand from a pet store they are only 50 grams, so they're on the very small side of the smalls. If that's the case try feeding her two or bump her up to mediums.

[distaff]

i use unscented soap before and after i pick her up. And i looked everywhere online for the best way to get them off if they latch on and a little alcohol or Listerine in their mouth with get them off quickly. i only used a couple drops, nothing harmful. Trying to pry her off the first time defiantly seemed more uncomfortable for her than a couple drops of vodka. keep in mind she was incredibly tightly wrapped around me both times, not letting go even after 5 minutes. if you know of a better way then by all means, let me know.

Alcohol is also what I've come across. Far better she release on her own with that, than be physically pried off.
Odd that she is not apparently cage aggressive, but bites later.

I would try not using soap. Maybe something about the scent in the unscented soap is confusing her? I've heard of some people using soap to get the smell of urine off F/T mice. Maybe she has had washed mice in the past, and associates the soap smell with food?

Good luck.
I hope her behavior improves.

[se7en]

I recently bought two pied females that are about a year old

they were fine the first few hours, but then they become extremely defensive, striking at me several times


fast forward a few weeks, the one has calmed down a bit, but she's still a bit more hissy than I'd like

the other one still strikes- it makes cleaning out her tub a fun experience

temps & humidity are at appropriate levels, and they have both eaten twice (small rats)

not sure what the issue is

maybe just stressed due to new location

[AllThatInThemGenes]

i agree with larger prey and hand sanitizer. Hopefully one of those or the combination of both will help. I've had a few of my balls strike and wrap, simply walking to the sink and putting them under cold water causes them to release. Normally I just enjoy a beer while doing my daily upkeep but I like your style with the hard stuff

[Nymeria]

they are arctic mice brand, i'll but i'll try giving her 2 next time. i feed her once a week, it's what i heard to be the norm. and the hand sanitizer makes sense, i'll pick some up tomorrow. thanks for the help guys, lets hope it makes a difference

[bcr229]

How much does your female weigh, in grams?