help to tame a ball python

I recently got a ball python male. He is a pet so, i would like to take him out once in a while to "play"
But he is super shy and tries to bite me or something moving. even by his cage.
His temperature is fine.
90 hot spot with a hide spot. 80 on the cool side with ambient 81. I have no air conditioning. His humidity is at 60%. in a 28 quart tub.
I mean, i have only gotten bit once by him. he strikes from fear so he never held onto me.
I was just wondering, should i continue holding him for 5 min every other day to help calm him? he is a baby, around 300 grams. do not know his birthday.
Please help :tears:

Just try to take him out for small amounts of time at first. Do not put him down when he bites you because that will reinforce the idea that you will put him down when he bites. Ball pythons are head shy by nature so most of them will not want to be touched on or near the head (yes there are exceptions but he doesn't sound like one). husbandry sounds good, how often are you feeding him?

sudden movements also aren't their favorite

Have you let the snake have any time to settle in and learn to feel secure in its new home? If not, try leaving it completely alone for a week or two, except to feed, water, and clean if necessary. Keep handling to a minimum.

When you do handle the snake, keep sessions short until it seems to feel more comfortable with the idea. Don't mess with its head. Don't let your hand or fingers hover around in front of its face. (Or any body part, if you can help it. :P ) Don't hesitate when you do go to pick it up...just reach in and gently scoop it up. A hovering, hesitating hand is very frightening to a young ball python...or perhaps enticing to an older one. ;)

First off you can't tame a snake. Sometimes you can let them sit and leave them to get comfortable with their surroundings or do what was stated above.

Also don't pick your BP up from above. come from the side.

If you get a chance take a look at the new video jkobylka put up today on his youtube channel. He goes through dealing with snippy hatchlings. Honestly his advice is spot on so its worth a look. Its best to take charge of the situation not allow some fear snapping worry you much. Just be glad that you got him early and not at 2000g with an attitude problem.

Good Luck

http://youtu.be/S7DQssbM0uk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ezekiel285

Just try to take him out for small amounts of time at first. Do not put him down when he bites you because that will reinforce the idea that you will put him down when he bites. Ball pythons are head shy by nature so most of them will not want to be touched on or near the head (yes there are exceptions but he doesn't sound like one). husbandry sounds good, how often are you feeding him?

sudden movements also aren't their favorite

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I feed him once a week. A small medium rat. Something to make him fat. :>
Thank you. Guess that means i should still take him out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLC

Have you let the snake have any time to settle in and learn to feel secure in its new home? If not, try leaving it completely alone for a week or two, except to feed, water, and clean if necessary. Keep handling to a minimum.

When you do handle the snake, keep sessions short until it seems to feel more comfortable with the idea. Don't mess with its head. Don't let your hand or fingers hover around in front of its face. (Or any body part, if you can help it. :P ) Don't hesitate when you do go to pick it up...just reach in and gently scoop it up. A hovering, hesitating hand is very frightening to a young ball python...or perhaps enticing to an older one. ;)

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Yeah, he was left alone for a week and some change. :tears:
He is a little booger.

Thank you for the advice!

Just give home some time, he needs time to get acclimated to the new environment. He'll get used to it just give em some time :)

I like them when they're a little nippy....usually means a really good feeding response!
At 300 grams, he should be growing out of it soon; just as was said before, give him time to get used to the new home, then hold him as much as you like. He will let you know when he's getting tired of it!:gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HerpIsAhobby

If you get a chance take a look at the new video jkobylka put up today on his youtube channel. He goes through dealing with snippy hatchlings. Honestly his advice is spot on so its worth a look. Its best to take charge of the situation not allow some fear snapping worry you much. Just be glad that you got him early and not at 2000g with an attitude problem.

Good Luck

http://youtu.be/S7DQssbM0uk

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Thank you. Though the video says not for regular handling or timid pythons. :/ hmm
You are right. Glad i got him now ahah

You can also try this. Each night, before you go to bed, take the shirt that you wore that day, or maybe a t-shirt that you wore for a few hours, lay it across his tub or next to his tub, and leave it for the night. That way he can get accustomed to your scent...

And, :welcome: to BP.net

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

You can also try this. Each night, before you go to bed, take the shirt that you wore that day, or maybe a t-shirt that you wore for a few hours, lay it across his tub or next to his tub, and leave it for the night. That way he can get accustomed to your scent...

And, :welcome: to BP.net

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Oh good idea! what about in his hide?
Thank you!! :] glad to be here!

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Originally Posted by lunapoo

Oh good idea! what about in his hide?
Thank you!! :] glad to be here!

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If you want to, I guess you can, but it might freak him out when you try to stuff a shirt into his hide. And he might decide to leave a smelly present hidden in your shirt for you to unwrap...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

If you want to, I guess you can, but it might freak him out when you try to stuff a shirt into his hide. And he might decide to leave a smelly present hidden in your shirt for you to unwrap...

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D: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW! I just took him out and he began to slither around. then i notice he had a mite under his scale.

.......Yeah..i am sure that is what is doing the problem now too.
:[
poor bumblebee. Hard to tell since he had black markings. :tears:
Ima bad mama for not noticing till 3 weeks later.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lunapoo

D: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW! I just took him out and he began to slither around. then i notice he had a mite under his scale.

.......Yeah..i am sure that is what is doing the problem now too.
:[
poor bumblebee. Hard to tell since he had black markings. :tears:
Ima bad mama for not noticing till 3 weeks later.

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If you are sure that he has mites, then I would recommend ordering some Provent-A-Mite. It is highly effective at getting rid of them.

http://www.pro-products.com/