Regarding myself around my new defensive snake

So I'm new to the forum (if you couldn't tell) as well as ball pythons. I bought mine about four days ago. I know about tank setup, humidity, feeding, etc. That's not the problem. Now a bit about the background of the snake. I bought him from a previous owner, family of three, with the snake well taken care of for two years. Upon initially handing him, the snake was overall calm, but then again so was I having been handed to me. He is about a yard and took to feeding easily which was actually what I was the most worried about. Now the process of handling...

I understand that the snake is not the one with the problem. Its me. One of us has to get over his fear of the other and its not going to be my lil' guy anytime soon. What I want to know is just how am I supposed to get over my fear of handling him. I've looked online, and most of the time its an aggressive baby, which seem easier to 'tame'. This guy has reach though. He's about a yard long. Even when he tenses, I flinch. When he hisses, I flinch. I'm not going to give up on this snake, but is there anyway to make this easier besides being desensitized to his defensiveness? Whens a good time to put him down? Should I try holding him in the tank, let him climb up my arm, let him bite me and get it over with? What? Or was my biggest mistake buying a snake that wasn't juvenile? How do I conquer my fear? Is there a simple way of preventing him from striking? Advice would be grealty appreciated...

Leather gloves, or just let him have a taste. Then you both know whats up.

I have a ball python like this he is highly defensive and I have had him for 6 months, I usually let him engage in his "Im going to bite you now stance" and I tap him in the head with the snake hook (not hard but enough to break his concentration) then I take him out and he usually balls up. When he does that I cup him i my hands to dominate him so to speak. I think alot of the problem with the snake and yourself is acclimation to one another, he was use to a certain thing with he previous owner, So my advice would be, to be consistent with what time you approach and become methodical about how you handle him until trust is gained on both parts. Then hopefully you can enjoy him fully.

If you've only had him for four days, he's probably a bit stressed over the move. A few days of alone time to get let him get acclimated to his new home might help the situation.

use a roll of paper towels to block his head while you reach in

The more scared you are and the more you flinch and wiffle waffle back and forth when picking up a snake the more likely you are to get bit. reach in from the back side of his head( head facing away from your hand ) and just grab securely and lift him right up. and keep in mind even a full grown bp bite doesn't hurt that bad. you could definitely pinch yourself and cause more pain then a bite will give you.

I agree with letting him get accustomed to his new home. A move is very stressful.
If he's still nippy after I suggest leather gloves to give you a bit of confidence

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The move is stressful - give him a week to relax before handling. Don't handle within 2 days of feeding.

As mentioned, if he kind of rears up at you then definitely use an empty paper towel roll to just touch him on the head - it will put him from strike mode into ball mode. Never reach straight at its head. Grab the snake from behind and very gently. If he just hisses or puffs up when you touch him it's fine. If he whips his head around toward you, use the paper towel roll again. Be calm and relaxed and so will he. The bites honestly don't hurt, they're just startling. Just be prepared for it and if it happens you'll see that everything is still fine.

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Originally Posted by MrLang

The move is stressful - give him a week to relax before handling. Don't handle within 2 days of feeding.As mentioned, if he kind of rears up at you then definitely use an empty paper towel roll to just touch him on the head - it will put him from strike mode into ball mode. Never reach straight at its head. Grab the snake from behind and very gently. If he just hisses or puffs up when you touch him it's fine. If he whips his head around toward you, use the paper towel roll again. Be calm and relaxed and so will he. The bites honestly don't hurt, they're just startling. Just be prepared for it and if it happens you'll see that everything is still fine.

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Why did my post not show up under the quote, grrrrrrr. Let me try this again, bummer and it was a long one too :( OK I am way to new to BP to give you any useful advise but I will tell you what my breeder told me. He said to never pick up by the head, always touch the snake on the back first just to let him know you are there, then gently pick him up. Now for me I always wash my hands before and after I handle my guy and for some reason I stated to wash my hands with cold water and soap before I pick him up, I guess my theory on that is that he will not sense the heat with his vent and mistake me for prey LOL. So far my guy is super gentle and Im very lucky. I hope your guy comes around for you, and I also agree to give him some time to adjust.

If you've only had him a few days I wouldn't bother him, other than to clean out any messes and give fresh water, for another 10-14 days. Give him time to acclimate to his new home.

On the hissing... I have several that hiss. They fuss but they don't bite, and once you have them out of their tubs they relax. OTOH my one incredibly defensive/nippy female doesn't hiss at all but her body language screams "I AM SO GONNA MESS YOU UP!!!". Classic S-shape neck, tale lashing, etc - she's 1000 grams and growing since she's also a chow hound. She never relaxes while being held, and will often strike out at any movement even while in hand. She's nailed me twice, neither time was a big deal. To move her we have to let her strike a roll of paper towels a few times, then once she gives up and turns her head away we can pick her up.