Just bought my first snake, a baby ball python. I have photos and a question.
Monday night I bought a baby ball python from the local pet store. I bought a basic set up for him that night and added a larger water dish and a hide the following day. The night I got him, as I was taking him out of his box to put him in his tank he struck at me...I wasn’t surprised considering the long car ride plus the time spent in the box while I set up the tank. But the following day as I was adding a bit of substrate he popped out of his hide and struck me. Again I’m not surprised he had barely just gone into his new hide and is still getting used to his new tank.
However my concern is that he has established my scent as something worth striking at. Do I simply wait a full week or two before attempting to hold him and go from there? Or should I put a sock or shirt in the tank to establish my scent as neither prey nor predator. Ultimately I want to nip this in the bud before he decides to always nip at me haha.
Any advice is greatly appreciated, I’m new to snake keeping and looking forward to having this BP around. Just don’t want him to develop any undesirable behavior.
Here is his current tank set up, 10g is small I know but he is a baby and I will be upgrading his tank as soon as I figure out this biting behavior.
http://i.imgur.com/chwPx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KUtcJ.jpg
Re: Just bought my first snake, a baby ball python. I have photos and a question.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DavidMundy
Not sure I like this guys angle...a snake is not a dog...you cannot "dominate" or train them to be submissive :confused:...I see this as just stressing out a hatchling that should be just left alone. A hatchling knows its vulnerable, so they can choose to be more strikey.
but this is just IMO
Re: Just bought my first snake, a baby ball python. I have photos and a question.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mues155
Not sure I like this guys angle...a snake is not a dog...you cannot "dominate" or train them :confused:...I see this as just stressing out a hatchling that should be just left alone. A hatchling knows its vulnerable, so they can choose to be more strikey.
but this is just IMO
I've personally tried this and for me it worked 100% I got a baby pastel ball python (bought for my brother) about a month ago, he was very nippy at first but I did this about 5 consecutive times and he never struck at me again, it totally tamed him out.
Re: Just bought my first snake, a baby ball python. I have photos and a question.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DavidMundy
I've personally tried this and for me it worked 100% I got a baby pastel ball python (bought for my brother) about a month ago, he was very nippy at first but I did this about 5 consecutive times and he never struck at me again, it totally tamed him out.
Well thats great then if that works out!I personally wouldnt choose the phrase that I "dominated" the snake in any way.
I believe they tolerate being handled, but thats a little different then an animal being submissive. again just IMO.
I'm glad if the method works though!
Re: Just bought my first snake, a baby ball python. I have photos and a question.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mues155
Well thats great then if that works out!I personally wouldnt choose the phrase that I "dominated" the snake in any way.
I believe they tolerate being handled, but thats a little different then an animal being submissive. again just IMO.
I'm glad if the method works though!
Yea I completely understand where your coming from, I was just showing him a technique that worked for me and it might or might not work for him if he wishes to try it.