help with agressive ball python

so sunday i picked up a new patel at the las vegas reptile expo. while i was negotiating with the vendor i was holding him. he seemed fine and was beginning to start shedding. when i got home to put him in his tub, he was very snappy. hes still in the shedding process and his very snappy. is it because hes in shed or what?

Welcome to BP.net!

Yes, ball pythons can get very cranky before and during a shed. In addition, young BPs in general can be prone to strikey behavior. They are pretty small animals in a pretty big world. They grow out of it with time, proper husbandry and handling.

He is in shed, a new environment and is being pestered by a giant. Sounds perfectly normal. Leave him alone, let him shed and settle in for at least a week before attempting any handling.

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Originally Posted by AK907

He is in shed, a new environment and is being pestered by a giant. Sounds perfectly normal. Leave him alone, let him shed and settle in for at least a week before attempting any handling.

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he was supposed to eat today but hes in shed, how long after he sheds should i wait to feed him?

Most snakes are pretty hungery after they come out of shed, but since your guy is in a new environment, he might not eat right away...or, he might. Offer him food after the shed is complete. Can't hurt, might help!

A common practice is to allow a snake one week without any disturbance to acclimate to a new enclosure. Although snakes are generally hungry after sheds as Slim pointed out, assuming that he was in good health when you bought him he will easily make it through a week with no food in order to settle in to his new home.
After he's good and ready, post some pics!

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Originally Posted by BLM94

A common practice is to allow a snake one week without any disturbance to acclimate to a new enclosure. Although snakes are generally hungry after sheds as Slim pointed out, assuming that he was in good health when you bought him he will easily make it through a week with no food in order to settle in to his new home.
After he's good and ready, post some pics!

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yea hes pretty fat a week wont do any harm. i cant wait till hes done shedding he looks great while in shed lol. ill put up a pic of him in a min

Pretty much every snake is grumpy when they go into shed. My corn snake is as docile as can be but when he sheds watch out! He tail rattled and struck at me. Which I can agree with him like when his eyes go dull for a bit there im sure its pretty hard to see whats in front of you.

Have you weighed this little guy yet? :banana:

What was the vegas expo like? I live in canada so I have only gone to the expos in alberta. I have vacationed in Vegas before but never even thought they might have a reptile expo. I might try to come down next year if it is a good expo.