New BP - struck out and hissed

We picked up my son's new BP today, She is beautiful. She was however meant to be a he and a baby - however she is about 2.5 ft long and probably a year old. He's really happy with her but has nagged me to hold her. I told him he shouldnt, but we agreed that he could get her out for 5 minutes. He handled her fine in the shop and transporting her. She hissed and then after about a minute in his hands struck out at me who was stood away from her. She's been exploring her environment tonight (possibly to find a way into my bed to eat me lol).

I think she was stressed and spooked, and not surprisingly. He didnt drop her which I was pleased with, just put her back in the vivarium. I've told him not to touch her now and to let her rest and adjust. We've decided to feed her monday (if she plays ball) and then handle her in short bursts from wednesday onwards. It doesnt help that she was also shedding abit today.

Am I right to not be overly concerned at the moment?

It's best to leave new snakes alone to adjust and being eating successfully before handling, I usually wait until they have eaten a few consecutive meals to take them out. Shedding a bit as in it's in pieces? They should shed off in one complete piece and it is normal for them to be a bit grumpy while in the shed cycle.

Shedding cycles, new enviornment and acclimating, taking them out of their hide and hunger are probably a few times a ball python may strike out. Other times could include harboring injury and or illness. Nah, I wouldn't really be concerned at this stage.

Generally best not to handle them until they take at least one meal for you. Some people say only after two or three meals, but it's hard not to hold a new pet LOL.

Also, being such a little snake, everything is a potential predator. They mellow out when they're bigger (not necessarily age-related).

Welcome to the forum TG. :welcome:

Rule of thumb is do not handle for an entire week. You can even skip that weeks meal. Leave her alone. Then the next week, offer her a meal. If she takes it, leave her alone for the rest of the week. Offer her a meal on the next weeks feeding day. If she takes it, leave her alone lone for the rest of the week. Offer her a meal on the next weeks feeding day, and if she takes it, wait 48 hours and then you can start holding her for 5 to 10 minutes at a time and work up from there. (Basically, leave her alone except for spot cleaning and water changes until she's had 3 successful feeds in a row.) I know it's not easy, but it's best for the snake.
If you offer her a meal and she refuses, wait 5 to 7 days before offering again.

Thanks everyone! I'm glad I wasn't too far off the mark! Apart from being completely paranoid she was going to escape in the night. I've been in my sons room this morning. The vivarium is abit misted up but this can be the norm with new ones I believe she's outside the hide (again normal I believe until she's truly adjusted) and cwtched up (curled up - sorry the Welsh in me). So I'll take that as progress!

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

It's best to leave new snakes alone to adjust and being eating successfully before handling, I usually wait until they have eaten a few consecutive meals to take them out. Shedding a bit as in it's in pieces? They should shed off in one complete piece and it is normal for them to be a bit grumpy while in the shed cycle.

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The seller said they thought she was - she had a teeny bit on her back (like left over) and foggy eyes. Her eyes are now clear

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Originally Posted by Taffygirl78

The seller said they thought she was - she had a teeny bit on her back (like left over) and foggy eyes. Her eyes are now clear

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I guess the seller had poor husbandry and she had stuck shed. If her eyes were hazy blue for a few days and are now clear again, it means she will shed soon/hasn't shed yet... Make sure her humidity is at least around 60~70% for the next couple days. They shed within a couple hours and in one piece, not bit by bit.