New BP is hissing at me?

Last week I brought home my first ball python. She was hatched in September 2012 so she is only 5 or 6 months old now. When I brought her home she was pretty active and seemed friendly and fine with being handled, but I know I'm supposed to leave her alone for a while to settle in so I set up her tank and left her alone for the weekend. Today I wanted to take her out for a few minutes but when I tried to pick her up she hissed at me, so I left her alone for the moment. I've watched plenty videos on how to handle ball pythons so I did what I've learned. I took up her hide slowly, and pet her away from her head to let her know I was there, she is okay when I'm just touching her but as soon as I try to pick her up she hisses at me. I'm supposed to feed her today but I'm not sure if I should leave her alone for a few more days or just pick her up anyway so she will get used to me? I'm still a little nervous since she is my first snake so I didn't pick her up, but what should I do now?

She's just defensive mine is the same way hatched 8/6/12 doesn't. Hiss at me just strikes when she wants to be left alone.. She has settled in and recognizes the space as her own.. Apparently babies are always hungry so they will go after your hand thinking its a mouse too so I would feed wait 24-36 hours then feel free to handle

Let her get adjusted and only handle for a few min at a time and pay attn to her if she's nervous or stressed she will tell u.. Just don't move too fast around her

I always give mine a week with no interaction save for water changes and then feed and wait another week to even try picking them up. It always goes smoothly and they aren't stressed out or hiss. So two weeks without handling her.

Just give her time. My little pewter hisses at me often. She is all talk though. I would leave yours alone for a week to let her settle in. You might also give her a week before feeding also since you handled her. She will be more likely to eat for you.

Mine hiss sometime even as adults. I think sometimes there sleeping. It's hard to tell w/o eyelids. Always be confident and deliberate in your movements around animals.
In the early 90's I got a wild caught Africa grey. Now that was scary! But in time bonded with me and loved me. Ball pythons are babies in comparison.
Nobody will like me saying this but let yourself get bit. You'll never have fear again. I'll take a python bite over a dog or parrot bite any day.

Mine do it specially the little ones but my carpet does it all the time it's funny it's more "I'm big and bad hear me hiss"..."dam you picked me up anyway never mind" :) don't let it scare you none first time I got bit I didn't realize it till I seen dried blood haha and my carpet at almost 7' got my wrist once so fast I was still looking at where she was before she struck after she made it back. Real sharp teeth more of a suprise than hurt just if ever seems like he's holding on dont pull your arm free do damage to both you that way

Sometimes they can be hissy, especially young bps. They like to act big and tough, but they usually knock it off with age. I have some adults that will still hiss at me if they are in shed.

I picked up a baby last weekend and I picked her up to give her a look over and i got bite :p you're just a big scary person and their a tiny baby. Give them time. They'll get over it.

I wish mine would hiss at me just once. Maybe he does and this old Metalhead just can't hear it...?! :rofl: :headbang:

I've had my baby pastel for a month now and she continues to protest when I pick her up. She'll hiss and strike, the whole package. But my lesser has never hissed or struck at me.

They all have their own personalities just like dogs.

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