Need help with mean ball python

Back in early July I got a het red axanthic female. From the day I got her she has been nasty. She strikes every time I open the tote. When I feed her she strikes in a defensive mode and will only eat if I leave the prekilled rodent in with her - she never strikes and coils the food. She is in a 27 quart sterilte tote (she weighs about 300 gm). I first had her on aspen shavings but have since changed her to newspaper as I know making changes sometimes can help. She has a hide and I leave her completely alone except for feeding time. I have changed her location in the rack, but never her tote; she has been in the same tote since she got here.

I tried contacting the seller to see if this was her behavior prior to me getting her, but no response, which makes me wonder if she has been this way all along and he failed to mention it.

If she is just nasty and there is no changing her, then I'm fine with that. However, if there is something I can do to make her more comfortable and secure, that would be ideal. A happy snake grows better than a constantly stressed snake. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Again, I'm not trying to make her my best friend, just trying to get her comfortable. Thanks.

How is she when she is not in her tub? Does she still show aggressive behavior?
Are you able to handle her? For example, have her in your lap for an hour while watching TV?

How old was she when you purchased her?

What are her temps? How often and how big of preys do you feed her? How often do you handle her?


She is young, young animal will be more defensive than older ones some longer than others.

I would put her in a 15 quarts tub and put her back on aspen, make sure she has a tight hide.

Limit your interaction with her, no handling.

Make sure the proper temperature are provided.

Feed her appropriate size prey.

Breeders cannot guarantee behavior they can only guarantee good health and live arrival.

You have to remember that this is a wild animal and that this animal sees you as a predator.

She will grow out of it you just need to be patient and likely provide something in which she feel a little more secure, they are all different and some animals need a little more security than others.

When she isn't in her tub she is still very defensive, but has not struck. When I have held her on my lap she moves very slowly and very cautiously. But, as I stated I have handled her very little as I am just trying to give her time to adjust. I do realize she is young and babies can be defensive as I have ball pythons ranging from hatchlings to full grown. However, this is not any behavior I have seen in any of my previous young BPs; this is on another level. If it was typical, I wouldn't be concerned.

Additionally, I would never expect a seller to guarantee temperament, I was just saying it would have been nice to know if she was doing this before I got her or if it is something in her current living situation that is causing the stress.

As far as temps go, I'm sure that isn't the problem as I have her on the same temps as my other 40 snakes and she is the only one with the issue.

As far as feeding goes, I feed my BPs meals that leave a very small lump. I have never been one to feed large meals. She is fed every 7 days.

I will try putting her in a smaller tote and see if that makes her more secure. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Originally Posted by RondaH

When she isn't in her tub she is still very defensive, but has not struck. When I have held her on my lap she moves very slowly and very cautiously. But, as I stated I have handled her very little as I am just trying to give her time to adjust. I do realize she is young and babies can be defensive as I have ball pythons ranging from hatchlings to full grown. However, this is not any behavior I have seen in any of my previous young BPs; this is on another level. If it was typical, I wouldn't be concerned.

Additionally, I would never expect a seller to guarantee temperament, I was just saying it would have been nice to know if she was doing this before I got her or if it is something in her current living situation that is causing the stress.

As far as temps go, I'm sure that isn't the problem as I have her on the same temps as my other 40 snakes and she is the only one with the issue.

As far as feeding goes, I feed my BPs meals that leave a very small lump. I have never been one to feed large meals. She is fed every 7 days.

I will try putting her in a smaller tote and see if that makes her more secure. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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My friend got a BP that was really nippy when he got her. She struck at me twice on the ride home. I am happy to say that she is a very tame adult. The advice I gave my friend was to setup an enclosure in a quite place with good temps and humidity. Wait 4 or 5 days without interruption and then feed. Put her on a 5 day schedule. Don't bother her the day of feeding or the day after. The other 3 days of the schedule take her out regardless of whether either of you want to. You keep snakes, you might get bit. Buckle down and take her out every day for at least a few minutes and she will get acclimated and mellow out or one of you will die trying. Now obviously you know how to keep your snake. With 40 you know more than I. I would say just buckle down and get some one on one time every day you can till the snake settles down. As long as the snake is eating I wouldn't worry about a little hissing or a strike or two.

I would just ride it out and try to handle her for 5-10 minutes a day. Sometimes they get better with short handling sessions. My male spotnose used to strike at me all the time, even if I was just sitting infront of the rack and looking in. After handling him for short periods of time each day he's much better and only strikes at food now. :)