woa

well i had my snake out handling him just now and he was crawling around on my shirt kinda close to the bottom of it around my stomach...and i looked down and i saw his little head looking at me about a foot away...and his mouth slowly started to open and i was thinking..."what is he doing..is he gonna yawn?" and the BANG...he struck at me.....what is up with that? He didn't bite me...but it was sure close. it scared the hell out of me.

Maybe he wanted a kiss, or smelled food. Got any cats?

Dont think I wouldnt be letting him get to awfully close to my face if I was you. A BP with a behavior dis-order, snake with an attitude.... How long have you had him?

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Originally Posted by BallKingdom

Got any cats?

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At my other house...but i havn't been there in over a week.

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Originally Posted by Ironhead

How long have you had him?

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Just over a month.

All my bp's are little angels-except one. MAN I can't tell you how many times that little bugger has tryed to get me, but man is he determined. I don't know why, I think its just one with an attitude. I wouldn't too much as long as you have everything right in his enclosure (temps, humidity, hides, handling time, etc.), since something could be stressing him out.

Plus, you've only had him for about a month, how long did you wait before starting to handle him after you got him? Some need extra time. I usually wait about 4-7 days before I touch them. Good luck with the little one :)

Monty has tried eating my cat, that'd why I asked.

I actually find snippy bp's a joy. It's nice having tame snakes, but it gets too....normal. Throw in a nippy one and you get excitement. Makes them unique, and sets them aside. I would like to have at least one who'd strike at me every other handling, just for excitement.

Sounds like he felt threatened for whatever reason. Maybe he wasn't expecting you to turn and face him, or maybe you just gave him a bad snakey vibe. No way to know for sure. Don't get discouraged. Maybe cut down on the handling for a little while, and make sure he isn't stressed.

I'm still yet to be bit by a ball python, but the only advice I can give you when it comes to being bitten by a nonvenomous snake... Don't be afraid of it and it won't try to hurt you.