New Baby Ball Python Owner. Behavior problems

Just got a baby ball python today and he was curled up into a ball for a long time but then came out and started slithering around his tank and seemed to get more comfortable. Then pretty much every time I open his or her cage they strike at me very hard. I move my hand because of course I do not want to get bit.

My snake seemed so friendly at first now I'm considering returning it.

Any help?


Thank you
:banana:

Hi
What kind of enclosure do you have for your python? What are his/her temps on the hot side and cool side? How many Hides do you have set up? This info is important to help you to determine why your snake is so defensive.

he is probably pretty stressed out and getting used to its new enviroment, make sure you have all the required stuff to make him feel safe.

Hello

I am also a new ball python owner and the best thing to do is leave your snake alone for a week or so.

Let him/her get relaxed in his new environment and make sure he eats once before you try to handle

Hope this helps
dave

Well, you say he is a baby. Babies tend to be more defensive and scared than thier adult counter parts. The striking may fade when he gets older and/or gets settled in. Also, a bite from a baby is nothing to be scared of :)

You need to let the little guy alone for at least a week, so that he can acclimate to his new invironment

BP are wild animals and when they feel threaten they sometimes strike.

While it is not common it can happen and if you are considering returning your BP because of it, this might suggest that you are not entirely ready to own a snake yet.

Owning a snake and expecting him not to strike or bite is like owning a puppy and expect him to never have an accident on the carpet……………….not realistic ;)

Give him time he need to adjust to his new surrounding, leave him alone for a week or more (NO HANDLING) than offer food, than if you are successful handle him every other day in moderation.

In the mean time make sure that your husbandry is optimum http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mckittie

My snake seemed so friendly at first now I'm considering returning it.

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If by returning it you mean you got it from a pet store, then I, with my limited experience, would suggest you do just that.

Find a local breeder or find a local reptile show that has breeders and get yourself a different snake. I would suggest you do some reading about BP's in general and their care.

Life's too short. Good luck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mckittie

Just got a baby ball python today and he was curled up into a ball for a long time but then came out and started slithering around his tank and seemed to get more comfortable. Then pretty much every time I open his or her cage they strike at me very hard. I move my hand because of course I do not want to get bit.

My snake seemed so friendly at first now I'm considering returning it.

Any help?


Thank you
:banana:

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-Smiles.- I just picked up an 08 het. albino female from Adam Wysocki(8BallPythons). I was terribly impatient, and I opened her box just to see her. She struck at me right out of the box, but you know what? After coming home, getting used to her enclosure for a couple weeks, feeding three times already(I've had her three weeks), and shedding, she's been really great for me. She's almost cuddly like my big female. You've just got to give your snake the time to calm down, get used to their environment, and generally chill from the stressful move.

Do you have pictures of your enclosure? Temps? Humidity? Pictures of the snake(if possible), where you got him/her from? We want to help. You've just got to give us more information.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

If by returning it you mean you got it from a pet store, then I, with my limited experience, would suggest you do just that.

Find a local breeder or find a local reptile show that has breeders and get yourself a different snake. I would suggest you do some reading about BP's in general and their care.

Life's too short. Good luck.

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Why? If the animal is just stressed out right now, why would you suggest returning it? The OP has had it what 1/2 a day and you are advising that they should return it?

The animal has not even had a chance to acclimate to its enclosure and the OP is already reaching into a baby that sees them as a predator while it doesn't even know its enclosure yet to know where it can hide.

I don't agree with that mentality at all - just my $.02