Most Docile Breed?

Hello,

I am new to snakes, and only have one so far (a corn), and she is rather fiesty, not being handled much by her previous owner for the first year+ of her life.

I am going to be getting a ball python from a national reptile expo in a couple of weeks, and am wondering if there is a "most docile" breed or morph of BP? I have heard some people say there are morphs out there that are generally easier to handle, and I know that every individual animal is different - and of course, it depends how much they are handled, what their enclosures are like, etc.

What do you think, is there a breed/morph you prefer to handle? Or does male or female make a difference? :confusd:
I am on a budget, but my #1 buying factor is HOW DOCILE IT IS! Especially after having one nippy snake already.

Thanks!

BPs are known for being pretty docile in general but just like any animal there are differences in personality between individuals. There are "aggressive" ball potions that are outside the norm just like there are docile GTPs that are not the norm. Keep in mind that hatchlings are more likely to be snappy because they're scared and very small and all animals are going to be stressed at a show. I would not say there is a difference between morphs for personality traits. Unlike dogs who are bed for temperament and well as physical traits a BP morph is simply a different paint job and it is not nearly the same thing as a different breed. A color or pattern morph is like the difference between a long-coated black and tan German shepherdand a short-coated all black German Shepherd. Same species/breed just a different appearance.

I think the OP is asking which morphs are docile or aggressive. My clown and G-stripe girls have been the most "aggressive" of my ball pythons. That being said "aggressive" for a ball python still is pretty tame. Also I don't know if particular morphs are more aggressive or if it is just those particular ones that are aggressive and happen to be those morphs.

And I'm saying that aggression is not dependent on morph but the personality of the individual. We have a pastel that some would consider aggressive for a ball python but not all pastels are aggressive. OP, I would ask the breeder about the temperament of the individual snake and would recommend getting an adult or sub adult snake and to try and avoid a hatchling which can be harder to get going in a new environment and tend to react more defensively which means they're more likely to strike out if they're startled.

I've been told by several respected breeders that darker morphs "tend" to be more aggressive, like sables.

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I don't think any morphs are more or less aggressive than others. Just ask the breeder about the temperament of whatever animal you are interested in. Chances are good you can hold him/her before you buy as well! Goo luck, make sure to post pics!

Ask the breeder - Yes, judge by holding it at the show - No. They will be cooler at the show then they will be when they are in your rack, so a docile snake at show might turn out to be more aggressive when they heat up.

My spiders the most aggressive one I've got, but he's just inquisitive and a larger fella.

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I think aggression is a trait that can be inherited like any other. For me my albinos tend to be more snappy than my other morphs. I don't believe that it's because they're albinos, many of the het or possible hets are just as snappy. I think they're snappy because they inherited that personality trait from one of the original breeders of my albino line and not because of the albino gene itself.

I think it's possible that people have been inadvertently breeding for more aggressive mutations. The ones that are more likely to bite also seem to be better feeders overall so are easier to get up to a breedable size quicker.

I think that the best way to find a more docile snake would be to actually handle it yourself before you buy and your best bet may just be a normal.

Snakes all have their own personalities. All my bps are super docile. My super pastel (who's mother was a complete YOU KNOW WHAT) is the EXACT SAME haha so I think aggression can be passed on.

I was in the same predicament as you. I wanted a ball python and I didn't really care which morph it was, I just wanted one that was docile. At a show I ended up getting 2 female BP's that were from the same clutch. At the show, one was snappy when I held her, and the other was very curious and at ease. Again these were from the same clutch. Long story short, the breeder made me a deal so I got both girls. After having them a month or so, their personalities are still the same. The one that was snappy at the show still has a bit of an attitude. She is quick to get scared, and when I reach in to get her from her cage, she hisses. But once she is out now, she does fine, no bites yet, I think handling her every week is really helping her.

Now the other female is a joy to handle. If you open the lid to her cage, she will openly climb to the top and climb out on your hand. She is not nervous at all. Very outgoing and constantly flicking her tongue. She will even let us pet her head without flinching. She is just a cool pet. Again her personality shown through at the show and she's stayed that way.

So like others have said, make sure you hold the BP you are interested in. Hopefully they will demonstrate some of their personality for you so you can make your decision. Take your time too, give them a while to move around so you can observe them and how they react to you.

Good luck.

Thanks everyone for replying!

I was just curious if anyone thought morphs mattered, I guess the conclusion is "not really" :P That's good to know. I will definitely hold the ball python I'd like to buy. Although, when I got my corn snake, she was much more calm the first time I held her (even though I'd say her environment is much better now, but she is relaxing).

Do you think the snake being male or female has anything to do with aggression? I'd think a male might be a bit more docile - if there is any difference at all.

No difference between sexes. Not that I've noticed anyways. I'd recommend a female just because if you decide you do ever want to breed, you won't have to wait on a female to get up to size.

It's not necessarily a morph, but a species. BP's are docile in general but they can get nippy or rather they can have some nippy ones. It's just a matter of individuals.

I've noticed that my males tend to be a lot more docile than my females. None of my males are aggressive at all (except my black pastel who just flat out doesn't like my boyfriend) while all but one of my females are hissy and temperamental and the one who isn't is just constantly hyper and on the go. My males are much happier to just sit and hang out where the females always have to be doing something and need a lot of handling to stay anywhere near as easy as the males. Eggs are gonna be fun....

Thanks for the advice! I'll let you all know how it goes this weekend :)