Pissy Baby Balls

I have two hatchling ball pythons that have a bit of an attitude problem. I have always had very placid ball pythons, and was a bit surprised when the first one struck at me. I am handling them every second or third day, trying to get them used to being handled, and I do not back down when they act aggressive (not rewarding bad behavior). This is just new to me, and I am not sure if there is anything else I should, or should not be doing. They are both well fed, and I do not believe the striking is a food response. I know it will take time, just wondering if anyone has any tricks or suggestions.

I do not think this matters, but just in case, the two biters are the only two that I ordered and had shipped to me. It makes me wonder if the shipping process has something to do with it.

I would say they are just young and have not been handled much

I figured the same, I have just never seen, let alone owned, an aggressive ball python. I will just keep pounding the food into them, and handling them.

Even aggressive balls are easy to maneuver without getting bit. You can present one hand - just out of strike range - to hold their attention and pick up from behind with the other. They don't really do any swing around striking and these aggressive ones tend to stay tense/stiff while agitated to make it even more convenient. That said, they'll generally calm down quicker if you just let them bite you without having it adjust your routine.

Thank you. I do not shy away from them when they try to bite. I know the worst thing I can do it let them know that works!

I had the same experience with two mail order BPs from a big online breeder (my first two). Both were extremely snappy out of the box and one spent the whole week striking from inside his cage even if you entered the room. I think their fear level was pretty raised from the whole process of being bulk bred and shipped.

After moving them to smaller tubs and giving them some time (actually less handling) to fully calm down and relax in their environment, they have changed personalities 180 degrees in a month.

They still are a bit more head shy, but are much more calm and haven't taken up the defensive striking pose in weeks. Now they will actually become curious and wander around and let me pet their heads. I was pretty despondent the first couple weeks though because every time I held them it was either trying to strike or frantically trying to run away and escape my grip.

It's all typical ball python hatchling behavior. They usually are very fearful of sudden movements especially movement directed at their heads. The main reason they are "pissy" is they are babies that are fearful and need every possible husbandry tactic to make them feel secure. Including food. Once those are in place and the handling is reduced you will notice a change in them.

Can be normal, they do think everything is either trying to kill or eat them, OR both.

Sounds like typical baby behavior. One trick I've found is to watch the lighting and where your shadow falls. Not only do they strike out at movement but if you suddenly become backlit, like when you move and your shadow crosses over them, that can also cause them to strike out.

My two were both shipped to me. The boy was mellow and calm out of the box, and still is - I open the cage and he climbs onto my hand to be taken out. The female was extremely snappy and struck at me any time I got near her, until the first time I got her to eat. She's still cautious since then, but hasn't really struck except when I was holding her and gesturing with my other hand while talking to someone - and then it was a fear-strike at the hand I was waving around, and pretty half-hearted at that.