selecting a BP for temp.

When I select a snake, i'll probably be choosing a younger snake, and want to know if there are any 'signals' i can look out for in finding a well tempered animal?

well all snakes are different but one good sign is that it doesn't constrict u but it holds on firmly and that it flicks it's tounge alot!

Hmm...well-tempered...well, I guess listen for any hissing when you go to pick her up. Although I don't find the hissing to be a problem..its cute. Um...squirming. If you're holding a baby, and it's squirmy, that's probably a sign that it's not very used to handling. If they're actively exploring you when you're holding them, that's fine though. Of course, if it bites or strikes a lot..but that's a no-brainer, lol.

Generally when looking for a bp to choose, some healthy signs to look for are actively flicking its tongue, firm grip, curious and exploring, no wheezing or any liquids near the nostrils or mouth, no patchy skin left from a bad shed, the environment it's being kept in is clean, no scars or wounds, and if you flip it over so it's belly up, it rights itself easily. Those are all signs of a healthy bp to choose.

I'd say in general, temperment is hard to look for when buying a baby, because they're usually naturally defensive and scared. They'll probably hiss a bit when being picked up, maybe act shy and ball up, and some might be a bit strike-happy, lol. Conditioning them to have a nice temperment is all in the keeper I think. Regular handling, and good husbandry will usually ensure a happy and easy-going bp.

I don't think temperament can be determined all that well in babies... I would rather a baby act all pissy towards me, as that is its natural defense instinct and shows and should be expected from a healthy specimen. I'd actually worry if it didn't at least hiss at me when taken out of its hide; I'd have to be pretty sure that the reason was the individual's temperament and not the sign of some health problem.

I guess this might be more true in some reptile species than others. As far as handling goes, all I'm concerned about is whether it will bite me or not. Beyond that, I don't expect any reptile to be particularly cuddly or friendly towards me. The most I could hope for is that it becomes accustomed enough to my presence not to trigger the fight or flight response, but as long as it's not biting me, I'm happy. In some species, tameness may be the result of psychological subjugation resulting in stress. If your herp will be perfectly still for you, try to check its heart rate to see if it really is at ease, or is scared senseless but has learned that struggling is futile.

Anyway, I've found that ball pythons in general are pretty docile, so cherry picking one for its temperament wouldn't be of great concern to me. There are the exceptions of course, but they are just that: exceptions. Assuming you are dealing with someone reputable, in which case all the choices should be healthy (although it never hurts to double check), I would just pick a ball python by its looks.