Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 669

2 members and 667 guests
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,905
Threads: 249,106
Posts: 2,572,115
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, Pattyhud
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 21
  1. #1
    Registered User nfigueroa18's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-01-2009
    Location
    Fairfield-the place to meditate!
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    So i just got a ball python. I didn't get it from a breeder. I got it from a friend that owns about 10 ball pythons, 4 which are very young. She gave me one of the younger ones, the smalls one to be exact. It is about 3 years old. I've had him for about a month already. For the first two weeks he was find...until one night made the mistake of handling "Leroy" after eating some chicken...lol... Not a smart move but i was completely unaware. I had him around my neck like many times before and in seconds bit me near the eye...did not get the eye itse;f but was very close. it took me awhile to get him off since he wouldnt let go. After that i keep handling him after the fact thinking that it can calm him n i. It didn't work!...He bit me two more times...Once on my top lip and another on my finger. So by this time i got the picture to give him some space. So i did but i also started to feel insecure. I gave him two days n started to handle him again. I had him in my hands a bit relaxed but also aware if he would strike again. Which he did. This was the 4th time he bit me.
    So now i am unsure of what to do. I was told that if i don't feed him for some time like a month or more he will never bit people again(me)...the thing is i dont care if he bits me here n there but i use sleep with this little guy throughout the night with no problem n now he's bittting...so im bit confused. Don't know what to do or how to handle the little beast!..lol

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran dracovolans's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-25-2007
    Location
    Puerto Rico
    Posts
    286
    Thanks
    109
    Thanked 31 Times in 26 Posts
    Images: 3

    Re: hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    I think that if you tell us some info about your husbandry it can help to ID your problem. Also if it is a 3 yrs old snake and wasn't hold usually maybe she is not use to handling.

    Saludos!

  3. #3
    BPnet Veteran Wh00h0069's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-30-2007
    Location
    Middletown, OH
    Posts
    4,349
    Thanks
    915
    Thanked 832 Times in 736 Posts
    Images: 8

    Re: hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    First off, it is never recommended to put a snake around your neck. This increases your chance of being bit in the face. Second, you should always wash your hands before handling a snake. If you have the sent of another animal on you, they may strike. Do not stop feeding him. That is just silly. If you don't feed him for a month, that will increase your chance of being bit. He will be hungry...

    He is likely striking because he is stressed out. What type of enclosure do you have him in? How big? How are you heating it? Are you controling the heat? Are there hides in the enclosure?
    Eddie Strong, Jr.

  4. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Wh00h0069 For This Useful Post:

    BountyHunter (05-03-2009),Spaniard (05-01-2009)

  5. #4
    Registered User nfigueroa18's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-01-2009
    Location
    Fairfield-the place to meditate!
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Re: hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    Thanks for your time!...
    Well, i currently have a 1.5ft x 2ft plastic made terrarium. I bought it from walmart. I am using paper towels for my substrate. I have a hiding spot for him, nice size bowl for the water..and some fake leaves. I have a heat mat underneath. I also have a humidity and temp meter. Some rocks too. I clean the bowl every day n the terrarium every week or two weeks. I have him in my dorm room which is pretty funny. because i am not allow too..but anyways..i use to take him out everyday from the day i got him and it seem find given that he didnt seem irritated in anyways, atleast from my perspective. I try to keep the cool side around low 80s and the hot side around high 80s and low 90s.
    Live in LOVE, LOVE every moment and give LOVE within every chance available!

  6. #5
    Registered User nfigueroa18's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-01-2009
    Location
    Fairfield-the place to meditate!
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Re: hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    Yea not feeding him is kinda extreme and i dont feel comfortable doing that.
    Live in LOVE, LOVE every moment and give LOVE within every chance available!

  7. #6
    BPnet Veteran Wh00h0069's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-30-2007
    Location
    Middletown, OH
    Posts
    4,349
    Thanks
    915
    Thanked 832 Times in 736 Posts
    Images: 8

    Re: hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    It sounds like he should be fairly comfortable in his enclosure. The only thing that I can suggest is covering both sides and back of the enclosure with something to make the enclosure darker. Most ball pythons do not do well in enclosures with all open sides. It makes them feel insecure. Also give him a week to settle down before handling him again. Always wait at least two days after a meal to handle him, so that he has time to digest his food. I also suggest short handlings; such as, fifteen minute intervals until he seems more comfortable with it.

    Hope this helps.
    Eddie Strong, Jr.

  8. #7
    Registered User nfigueroa18's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-01-2009
    Location
    Fairfield-the place to meditate!
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Re: hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    Thank you it definitely helps. After reading up on this issue everything u said makes sense and it is what ive found. besides that covering the sides is something new to me. I didnt not think it makes a great deal. i feel much better now because i got the advise directly form someone with experience.So thank you for the help and time. : )
    Live in LOVE, LOVE every moment and give LOVE within every chance available!

  9. #8
    BPnet Veteran Dave763's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-08-2008
    Location
    Fairport NY
    Posts
    604
    Thanks
    45
    Thanked 109 Times in 78 Posts
    Images: 4

    Re: hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    I have a couple that strike at me when I open tubs. Thats 2 out of 30+ ball pythons.
    They are ok once I get them in my hands.
    I guess the're just scared.
    One is a male pastel and the really nippy one is a het pied male.

    I would advise you ask for advice.

  10. #9
    BPnet Veteran Wh00h0069's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-30-2007
    Location
    Middletown, OH
    Posts
    4,349
    Thanks
    915
    Thanked 832 Times in 736 Posts
    Images: 8

    Re: hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    Quote Originally Posted by nfigueroa18 View Post
    Thank you it definitely helps. After reading up on this issue everything u said makes sense and it is what ive found. besides that covering the sides is something new to me. I didnt not think it makes a great deal. i feel much better now because i got the advise directly form someone with experience.So thank you for the help and time. : )
    You're welcome. Keep us updated on his progress.
    Eddie Strong, Jr.

  11. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-30-2009
    Posts
    423
    Thanks
    157
    Thanked 43 Times in 41 Posts

    Re: hello, I got bit 4 times. Need some advise.

    Quote Originally Posted by nfigueroa18 View Post
    So i just got a ball python. I didn't get it from a breeder. I got it from a friend that owns about 10 ball pythons, 4 which are very young. She gave me one of the younger ones, the smalls one to be exact. It is about 3 years old. I've had him for about a month already. For the first two weeks he was find...until one night made the mistake of handling "Leroy" after eating some chicken...lol... Not a smart move but i was completely unaware. I had him around my neck like many times before and in seconds bit me near the eye...did not get the eye itse;f but was very close. it took me awhile to get him off since he wouldnt let go. After that i keep handling him after the fact thinking that it can calm him n i. It didn't work!...He bit me two more times...Once on my top lip and another on my finger. So by this time i got the picture to give him some space. So i did but i also started to feel insecure. I gave him two days n started to handle him again. I had him in my hands a bit relaxed but also aware if he would strike again. Which he did. This was the 4th time he bit me.
    So now i am unsure of what to do. I was told that if i don't feed him for some time like a month or more he will never bit people again(me)...the thing is i dont care if he bits me here n there but i use sleep with this little guy throughout the night with no problem n now he's bittting...so im bit confused. Don't know what to do or how to handle the little beast!..lol
    chicken + snake + hunger = bit 4 times.

    feed the bugger. he's hungry.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1