Hissing

Hi everyone:

Tonight I went to handle my baby ball and I opened his enclosure and gave him a pet to let him know I was there, and he hissed loudly...I backed off and tried again and he breathed heavily and gave another hiss..I backed off, put his hide back on him and left him alone.

A few hours later I offered him a rat fuzzy being it was his time to feed, he took it and then retreated to his hide. I was just wondering, this is this first time he has ever hissed, maybe he was hungry, or just not wanting to be bothered? I figured I did the best thing and left him alone, but wanted to ask if that was the correct thing to do?

You did the right thing, u gave him space. As far as the hissing, that's his way of letting u kno to give him space or he doesn't want to be bothered

Ah thanks, I figured it was just him having a bad day, hungry, scared, etc.

My cinny hisses at me whenever I look at her funny. It's just part of her personality... might be with yours too.

I personally don't think it's a good idea to back off from a snake that's hissing or biting, it only teaches them that the poor behavior gets them what they want.

they are usually like that when they are about to shed....

I can't speak for every one, but mine hisses occasionally, more often then not in the early morning when she is probably sleeping and being disturbed. It's always bark not bite though, since she has never bitten any one before. I just make sure to stroke her sides so she knows it's me and that I'm not gonna hurt her, then up she goes on around the neck and we walk around.

I'm no expert (far from it), but I've found that my snakes hiss when I move too quickly. After I've touched them, they generally relax.

Also, I never handle the day of feeding and for about a day after feeding.

I agree with Slash, if they hiss just keep going or they get their way and might do it more often. My pastel hisses sometimes when I pick him up but then is fine once he's out. I would also suggest not handling him on feeding day but some BPs are different and it doesn't bother them. I completely leave mine alone on feeding day so as to reduce the chance any stress that may be caused and increase my chances of them eating.

Usually it depends for me. Sometimes she will hiss and I'll still handle her and everything is fine. Other times I will handle her and she balls up or tries to hide into my shirt and then I'll leave her be.

Also mine doesn't seem to mind being handles the day of feeding.

Yeah, i think those that have problems with handling on feeding days might be the people with large collections that dont have the time to devote to one or two bp. I only have one bp, and she doesnt give two effs if i handle her 10min before feeding, she knows who i am, where shes at, and where shes going at night; its quite convenient to have a non whiney bp for a pet lol.

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