Help!

I recently had a Ball and after it died a freind of mine had one that was about the same age. Her son did not want it anymore so I told her I would be glad to take it off her hands, to replace my son's that died. The snake hasn't been handled much and now when I try it stays in a ball and his head seems to get in a strike position. he hasn't bit me yet, but I am not sure that he won't. I am trying on a daily basis to handle him, increasing the time as I go. My question is this: Is there anything I can do to help this new snake adapt to me and become more comfortable, or Am I destand to give it back to her? He is a lovely snake and I would hate to think of that. But I can't have a snake here that might bite. he stays curled up most of the time and hides under the substrate. HELP :taz: spiritbear857

Any snake might bite, that's part of being a snake?

Be patient and just handle it for very short periods once a day or less. Let it stay in a ball and uncurl and explore at its own pace.

And make sure you rectify whatever happened to the first one, if it was husbandry related.

A good idea with a new ball python is to just leave it completly alone for a couple weeks and see if its feeding OK. when you start to see the BP cruising around exploring its new home then its time for brief handling sessions. ;)

He hides Under the substrate? I might fear thermal burns if the heating pad underneath is too hot without a substrate under it. I would suggest newspaper, weighted down with the cage accesories (water bowl in middle, hides on either side.) What are you using as hides; they might not be secure enough.
Welcome to the forum by the way :)

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Originally Posted by spiritbear857

But I can't have a snake here that might bite.

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All snakes can and may bite.

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Originally Posted by spiritbear857

he stays curled up most of the time and hides under the substrate. HELP

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That's what bp's do. They like to hide. It makes them feel safe. :)

I agree with everyone else...I have a couple that are snap happy while the rest have never hissed or tried to bite at me.

Make sure to read up on this site and insure your temps...set up..humidity etc. are right on...then let the lil guy just rest and get used to his new home :)