Ball python keeps biting me?

[neptunebaby]

My snake likes to come out of her tank just about everyday. She seems to really enjoy just being out and getting to explore my bed and stuff. Yesterday while I had her out she had her head resting on my arm when she suddenly bit it. I was really surprised, because she's never ever even struck me before. Even when I had to handle her while she was in blue she was as docile as could be. I was hoping she was just being a bit weird and I figured I'd leave her alone today because maybe she was feeling too stressed. Unfortunately I had to take her out to switch out her heating bulb. While the new one was warming up I let her do her thing on my bed and when she nearly fell off I picked her up and placed her on my chest. She went down my shirt, which is a thing she likes to do a lot, and then bit my stomach. I'm a little worried now. I think her husbandry is alright, and I think I'm feeding her enough. She's still young, so I'm giving her a small mouse or two (just slightly smaller than the width of the widest part of her body) every 5 days or so. I was actually feeling like I might even be overfeeding her.
She's always been a really docile, nice snake, so if anyone has any ideas why she's suddenly started biting me I'd really appreciate hearing them. I'm really worried something is wrong, or that maybe she really is very stressed when I take her out and I'm not noticing. I don't know.

[melcvt00]

How big is your snake? A small mouse or two is NOT enough for an adult, not even close.

[neptunebaby]

When I got her she was about 2 months old, and I've had her for a little over a month. So she's still very young, I think?

[Lacey]

i would think shes just testing the waters on whats food and whats not. shes a very young one and probley isnt use to heing handled like one that is alot older. could be stressed to or her way of giving kisses lol

[melcvt00]

From what others have said, juvenile balls are jerks. :-)

[Stewart_Reptiles]

My snake likes to come out of her tank just about everyday.

She is young and that is too much, young BP are defensive, you are a predator and this is why you need to limit handling.

She seems to really enjoy just being out and getting to explore my bed and stuff.

She is not YOU are, BP do not enjoy being handled they tolerate it.


Do not enjoy as much make sure your husbandry is OPTIMUM, this also play a big part in the stress level, and feed the appropriate size prey every 5 to 7 days.

[Hannahshissyfix]

That sounds like way to much handling for a 3 month old. I'd give her more alone time and not have her crawl in your clothes.

[redshepherd]

Honestly, when most ball pythons are comfortable and "happy", they just sit there and don't move much. If she is constantly moving, going down your shirt, slithering across your bed, it means she is stressed and looking for somewhere to hide. Not having fun or enjoying it.

Just avoid handling her as often, maybe only once every 2 or 3 days if you'd like, until she is a bit older. Young snakes are more skittish and afraid- they want to hide.

[cchardwick]

I had my Woma Python snap at me the other day when I had him on the couch and he is five years old. I think it was because he was away from me for several minutes and went from handling mode into feeding mode. Sort of like when you open the tub and they are in feeding mode and you have to switch them over to handling mode, for large pythons this is called 'hook training'. This really made me think more about my juvenile reticulated Python, when he gets bigger I sure don't want him switching from handling mode to feeding mode outside of his enclosure. I think the best way to keep that from happening is to constantly handle him when he is outside of the enclosure, don't let him roam while not being handled. Probably best to have frequent sessions that are short, say around 10 minutes or so. I even keep gently and slowly stroking the back and side of my snake when he is out to keep him in handling mode. My Woma practically begs to come out, I think he really likes to be handled too.

[neptunebaby]

Thank you all! I think I got some bad advice. Someone told me to handle her as much as possible and for as long as possible to get her over her fear. I do know she's stressed when she's constantly slithering around on my bed, and that's when I usually put her back, but most of the time she just likes to find a place to 'sit' and look around. That means she's relaxed if I'm reading her properly, right?
I also try to pay attention to her breathing and when I see that she's breathing heavily I always put her back. However, I know snakes can still be stressed without showing visible signs.
Honestly the last thing I want to do is stress her out so much, I was just under the impression this would get her to be less afraid faster and would be better for her in the long run, but now I see she definitely needs to be left alone more. I think I'll leave her alone completely for a week and then start trying to handle her for 10 or 15 minutes every 2 or 3 days. Does that sound alright?

Edit: Just a note for anyone new to owning BPs that come across this thread: Never trust anything a Petsmart employee tells you.