Ball Python with a Nasty Attitude

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

I have a ball python female who is, well... a witch!

We have nine others- and they are all sweet as can be. Now, we do intend to breed them. The witchy one is a baby, but she is a het piebald. We have a sweet and beautiful het piebald male that she will eventually be bred with.

So, sure, she has her purpose. But we like to have our snakes be pets too- all of them- and I don't like having one that tries to bite me if I even dare to change out her water bowl or clean her tank.

Advice? Will she get better with handling? She hisses, strikes... it's scary to pick her up!

Her name is Luna and she is beautiful... on the outside! lol

[frankykeno]

How old is she? How long have you had her?

[FatBoy]

Ship her to me...I will get bit for another het pied,,,LOL Handle her with gloves about once a week and make sure she has a stress free enclosure.

[Hulihzack]

It's not uncommon for babies to be nippy, one thing you can do if you don't mind is just let her gnaw on you. Eventually they learn that you're not trying to eat them and they settle down. It's worth the pin pricks IMO.

[aff19802]

Time heals all wounds... Constant handling should do... hope you dont feed in her enclosure. if so consider changing...

[Muze]

The babies are always more defensive than the older BPs. In my experience, they do get better. I have two that were always ready to strike but I handled them every time I cleaned the tubs, changed the water, etc. and they are way more relaxed now.

You might just have a feisty one, but she is probably just scared. She needs to learn that you are not going to eat her...lol. You can try gloves if it makes it easier for you. However, also from experience, their bites don't hurt much at all. I was bit by a 5 foot girl & it really wasn't that bad.

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

We have had her a couple of months. I had a baby in March, so she didn't get much beyond basic care for the last month of my pregnancy and the past month or so! I am starting to handle them all more, though (of course I wash up good after- but I was told not to touch them at all when I was pregnant! That sucked. My husband handled them then, but he didn't deal with Luna much. I am the one that handles the snappy ones).

Hmm, yeah, I think I can take a few nips. Gloves is a good idea too. She is an '08, not an '09, but I can't recall her exact DOB. Funny, the boy is such a doll, and they're from the same place. They're both gorgeous and we're very happy with them. I can't wait to have some piebald babies!!!

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

Thanks!

Yup, we do feed them all in their enclosures. We haven't ever had a problem until this one (and she snaps at us in a defensive manner- I don't think she is confusing us with her food). She is a fabulous eater!

[frankykeno]

Time heals all wounds... Constant handling should do... hope you dont feed in her enclosure. if so consider changing...

I'd have to disagree with you there. Constant handling of an already stressed and highly defensive snake is, I believe, more likely to freak it out. Regular handling sessions that are short, start and end well and follow a very consistent routine would be what I'd recommend. Also feeding in the enclosure has never been proven to cause a snake to strike at it's owner either in a defensive or feeding strike. Strikes can happen of course but feeding in the enclosure does not particularily up the chances of them. I feed 40 snakes from 3 different species in their enclosures. If your theory held true than I'd be awfully chewed up by now.

[Spaniard]

The fiesty ones always make the best feeders