Semi vicious Baby Ball Python

Hey guys!
I got a baby ball python who doesnt like bein touched very much. Hes a boy, his name is Clyde, at 20". I try to pick him up and he hisses. He often strikes at the cage.
I have no idea what to do!
Please help.

Handle him, they will try to act like tough guys when they are little. He will tame with age and proper handling.

Check out the caresheet on this site to make sure his setup is on-target, as well as make sure he has plenty of places to hide in his enclosure. If it's a tank, black out three sides and make sure it is in a low-traffic area. Too much visibility and movement will only stress him out more.

Once your setup is ideal, give him a few days/week to settle down, and then hold him for small amounts of time with a few days to relax in between.

Most importantly, remember that he's a baby, and if he bites you, it DOESN'T HURT. ;) So reach in calmly and just pick him up, even if he hisses. Hesitating just gives him better aim. :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Hesitating just gives him better aim. :P

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:rofl: to true I would agree just give him a little time to settle and handel him regularly. Young balls tend to be a bit nippy to start with but settle down with time

Yes. I agree with Annarose15 about husbandry.
What does your set up look like? Incorrect husbandry causes stressed out snakes. Stressed out snakes tend to be feisty.

But it could also just be a baby with an attitude. It should calm down with age and a good set up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RestlessRobie

Young balls tend to be a bit nippy to start with but settle down with time

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that's the biggest thing to take away from this. It's is 100% normal for baby's to act this way. They hiss and snap, it's just what they do, so don't be worried. ( just be sure your husbandry is down)

Hes got a 15 gallon tank with a rock on the left side, water dish on the right corner, as well as a heating pad under the rock. I usually keep his humidity ~60-70% with a temp of approx 70. I swap from daytime to night light at around 9pm.
Also, has a felt material for 'bedding'. A single sheet

Does he have 2 identical hides ? If not this would make him feel a insecure and could cause stress

With a rock? I hope you it's some sort of rock hide that he can go in and not just actually a rock.

Lol no he's got a hide rock that suits him pretty well.
Maybe i should consider a bigger cage, with two hides.

Check out what reptile basics and animal plastics has to offer.

70 temp???
That is much too low. The hot side needs to be 88-92 approximately, while the cool side closer to 80.

And having a snug hide on the cool and hot side will help.

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Hold on.. bigger does not equal better with Ball pythons.

Your temperatures are not correct and that is the most likely source of your BP's irruption.

First off does your heating pad have a thermostat regulating it? if not it can/will get hot enough to kill your snake. thermostats are not optional they are necessary.

Do not waste your money on the thermostats sold at pet stores. they are junk. here are 2 good thermostats:

The hydrofarm thermostat, sold on Amazon for $30 these are the minimum both in cost and safety. these will work but should be replaced with a better thermostat when possible.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR..._bxgy_ol_img_b

The Herpstat is the best thermostat on the market currently. They are very accurate and have multiple safety features. Starting at $99

http://spyderrobotics.com/

Your cage needs to have a hot side that is between 88-92 degrees and a cool side that is between 78-82 degrees. No part of the cage should ever be colder than 75 or hotter than 95.