New baby

I got an orange ghost he fed today...he strikes at me when I try to get him out...he hasnt been handled much n was hatched early Nov the breeder said....how can I help him to relax n not b so defensive...I have 2 other ball pythons no problems there...this is my first baby ball so no negativity please

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Hatchling or baby ball pythons are usually prone to striking. At that size they are doing what comes natural when a potential predator gets to close. Most grow out of it as they put on size. Just be sure that you have two hides set up if you have he/she in a tank and also cover the back and sides of the tank with construction paper or something dark to give added security.

Babies tend to be a little more defensive than adults anyways. I wouldn't worry. Your best bet is to just handle him often until you understand what kind of personality he has. My ghost never snapped out of it. He's over 2 years old and he still strikes at me every chance he gets. I can tell mine is very uncomfortable being handled so I do him (and myself) a solid and only handle him when I have to. Don't want to stress the buggers out more than I have to.

I have to agree. the more you handle him/her the better it will be. dont be suprised if it never comes around though. i have a 3 year old pastel male. He is an angry guy. i handle him every day, but he still strikes. its the name of the game. you get some good tempered ones and then some not so good tempered ones lol. im sure it will come around though. just give it some time and be patient.

Mine was very defensive at first when I got him and he still is a little feisty but but he's a lot calmer. I would just take him out and hold him in your hands or put him in your lap and let him try to relax and hopefully he should start to feel comfortable and start to explore. But you just have to keep working with him and he will eventually realize your not a threat :)


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It's important to remember that even though we breed these snakes in captivity, they don't really pop out of the egg thinking, "Sierra Hotel!, a plastic tub, no worrying about predators in here"!

They really don't get hip to the whole captivity thing for a while. They hatch programmed to act like they are the smallest things on the food chain, because in Western Africa, they are. Keep working with it, and chances are very good that your snake will calm down over time.

Though I have had the pleasure of owning one, snappy, spastic adult BPs are pretty rare.

Thanks...I'm going to let him settle since I just got him n then start working with him...

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