I recently had a Ball and after it died a freind of mine had one that was about the same age. Her son did not want it anymore so I told her I would be glad to take it off her hands, to replace my son's that died. The snake hasn't been handled much and now when I try it stays in a ball and his head seems to get in a strike position. he hasn't bit me yet, but I am not sure that he won't. I am trying on a daily basis to handle him, increasing the time as I go. My question is this: Is there anything I can do to help this new snake adapt to me and become more comfortable, or Am I destand to give it back to her? He is a lovely snake and I would hate to think of that. But I can't have a snake here that might bite. he stays curled up most of the time and hides under the substrate. HELPspiritbear857