Aggressive baby male?

So I JUST got a new baby from a breeder and I have held him for like a hour or so then I put him in his cage, and I checked on him and he struck me. I mean, I have had snakes struck me, but not a baby. I don't know why he did it, I was calm and I just wanted to check on him. Maybe I just need to leave him alone. I mean I haven't touched him and stuff after I put him in his new cage. :/

If you just got him, he's probably stressed out and needs to adjust to his new environment. Especially if you handled him for an hour. I suggest you let him adjust (no handling and minimal bothering) for at least a week.

For starters, not to sound like a smart-a** or anything, but you JUST got the little guy, and you're already handling him for long periods of time? They need at LEAST a week or more to settle in, at any age. But as a general consensus, some baby BPs are feisty. Not all, but some. Or, the little guy might already be overwhelmed by the new setting, and he's saying, "Leave me alone!"

Give the little guy some time to settle in, no less than a week, and then you can start handling. Don't even take him out for a minute or two before that week is up, if you can help it. Just quietly and gingerly check/change his water every day, or as needed. Spot check if you can, as well. If he refuses food after a week of alone time, give him another week. He'll calm down. :)

If any snake will strike at you, it will be a neonate. Leave him alone (other than feeding) and he should calm down in a month or so.

Jim Smith

Agree - When I picked up my Fat Boy, It was hard not to leave him alone (2 kids and all) but we did it and he is sooooo mellow.

It's a baby. It's naturally afraid of something so much bigger than itself. It's also in a new and strange environment. He needs to be left alone until he eats a few times then handled with moderation. He should calm down. Don't put him back if he hisses or bites you. He will learn that it won't make you go away and give up. He'll also learn to trust you.

Its nothing odd for some babies to seem defensive

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Originally Posted by Less.pancakes

So I JUST got a new baby from a breeder and I have held him for like a hour or so then I put him in his cage, and I checked on him and he struck me. I mean, I have had snakes struck me, but not a baby. I don't know why he did it, I was calm and I just wanted to check on him. Maybe I just need to leave him alone. I mean I haven't touched him and stuff after I put him in his new cage. :/

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If you just bought this ball python it's probobly a smart thing to leave him alone for a week so he can adapt to his new home. If your pulling him out daily without letting him settle he/she will become stressed, and may not eat for you.

Like everyone else said don't take it to personal. Just give him a week or so to settle in and then feed. Check back in a couple days and you should be ok. I have a hatchling I got this year that was just very defensive would strike the side of the tub ect.. I just stuck with it and now hes great. Give some time to settle in and then start holding it small amounts of time like 10min and increase it from there.