Cranky female

This is mostly a vent, but if anyone has any advice I'd love to hear it.

i have a bad ball pythons for a few years, took a break and got back into the hobby a couple of months ago. Currently have three younger balls. The largest seems to have a temper, but only with me. My husband does just fine, other then some head shy behavior. But every single time I interact with the little brat I get tagged. Every time. I've never felt the need to hook a bp, but this one I'm starting to. It's annoying!! I'm moving slow, have no fear of her, just a bit of resignation now. Secure but not too firm grip. It's not too close to feeding time and I don't smell like a rodent. She's not shedding.

Despite all all that I would have assumed I'm doing something wrong- but last night she tagged me as hubby was holding her and I just walked past them. Got the outside of my upper arm. We don't put her back when she tags, so she hasn't learned it rewards her. If I didn't know better I'd give her a human emotion and say she just doesn't like me.

I am the one who does all the tank maintenance but hubby does the feeding. live mice, started the trans to f/t. Ugh! I can just bet as she starts to refuse the f/t and gets hungrier she'll get even more feisty.

Thanks for the rant 😅

I have had several young BPs that had an attitude but that went away after a week or 2. Don't really know how much experience you have with them but most just grow out of it the bigger and more comfortable they become. Whenever I pick up a nervous hatching I do it away from its head and then place in on the palm of my hand to see the reaction. If it sits there and starts to explore a bit then we are on the right track. If it either strikes at me or balls up real tight I just put my hands together palm to palm and create a "hide". Then I just go watch tv or something. The snake will start peeking its head out and exploring when its ready. I don't have huge collection but that's what has worked for me so far.

I have one cranky female that is almost the same way except she is like that with everyone. I have no idea why (that is why her name is mystery). I have had her for around 6 months and she has not changed. She sometimes even strikes the inside of the tub when I am close by as if shes trying to get at me lol. I eventually just got a thin leather work glove and wear it on my left hand (got tired of the bite attempts). If i have to move her i use my left hand first to both warn her i am coming and to fend off the inevitable strike. Once i pick her up she is usually fine but sometimes she keeps on striking. Despite all of the strikes even before the glove i have only been bitten once and i know it doesn't hurt. Only reason i got the glove is i don't want her to surprise me while carrying her and accidentally drop her out of reflex. None of my others are like this and have never tried to strike. Haven't figured her out yet. ;)

Kind of reminds me on our boa. A boa bite sucks... I'd take form a ball python five times over before one boa bite. My husband and mother in law can hold him but I can't. What really sucks about it though is that it has made me fear him. So it has gotten worse... for me anyway. I don't think BPs understand the whole reward system so even if you put her back, I doubt she would it like a reward. My advice is to hold her, more then you husband. Bite or no bite. You have to show no fear. Getting bit sucks but it may be the only way to get her to trust you.

Sometimes they're just cranky. Not all snakes are going to like all people, after all. I had a cranky adult female that was pure hateful in her actions. She would strike at me all the time, no matter what and I did eventually just use a hook.

I've also had snakes that were sweet for me, then terrible with others. I've had animals sweet with the first owner and terrible to me. It happens.

I have a girl that's the same way. I've had her for about 2-3 months now and no matter what I do, she just has it out for me. I'm starting to believe that she is just always going to be angry at the world lol I use gloves with her now because she was getting to the point where she was striking everything in front of her face.

Maybe a scent your wearing is triggering her since your husband can work with her no problem? That's the only thing I can think of


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Oh that's a good idea about the scent! Didn't really think of that. I'll try that tonight, try using his shampoo and no scent.