Ball Ptyhon Hissing

Okay, so everyone has told me not to handle while he is shedding, so at the beginning when he was just pink I handled him everyday. But when his eyes went blue I didn't handle him as regularly. So last time I handled him for a full session (25-30 minutes) was November 2nd. Since then I've only taken him out twice but only for a minute or two (the 4th and second) now his eyes are less blue and he's turned a darker color (morning of the 9th) but when I tried to pick him up he hissed at me. Should I leave him until his shed is completely finished or should I attempt to pick him up even while he's hissing? I'm afraid I might get bit but more afraid he's not hand trained anymore.

I would leave him alone til shed is over. Honestly you're over handling a bit. I handle mine about twice per week and they are absolutely fine.
He is most likely hissing due to being in shed, leave him be til it's over.
If everyone has told you not to handle during shed why are you so adamant about handling?

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You're overreacting, I have a feeling you approach your snake from above, to the snake, that's a bird of prey bud. Reach down and pick him up from under his belly, he might still nip you a time or two but it is nothing in the grand scheme of things. I personally do not handle my snakes when they go into she simply because the shed cycle is an uncomfortable time for the animal.

When they start their shed cycle I only handle them when needed (if something needs to be cleaned for example).

Once they go blue, I leave them alone entirely until they are done shedding. They get water, but I don't need to move them for that.

Hmmm...

A hiss is better than a bite!
I think Physician&Snake is right about the part about your snake being scared (you aren't overreacting, in my opinion. You are just concerned).

Have your snake ever struck or bit you? I feel like this is an uncommon thing for BPs to do, based on what I've read. If not, it may not actually happen, so try not to be nervous if you can help it.

I wouldn't worry about the hissing; if you change up your approach it will (probably) stop. Try scooping from the sides with both hands, like a blob of spagetti :) This works for my (previously) aggressive corn snake, who did bite me MANY times, and draw blood.

I personally just go about the normal "routine" while my snakes are in shed. If they get flighty, I leave them be. Athough they tend to be a bit more relaxed, probably because they can't see :P
I think every snake will be different though. Some may only tolerate coming out while not in shed, some it doesn't matter. Some can only be out for a few minutes once or twice a week, some could care less how often they come out. Personally I just take them out until they get restless, which can be anywhere from 15 minutes to one or 2 hours, a few times a week.

Good luck!

I don't want to do 4 separate responses, but I tried to pick him up like I normally would, I've had him for about 3 weeks with no problem in the way he is picked up, he's not aggressive at all usually. And the reason I wanted to make sue I picked him up is someone had said if you don't handle them for over a week they might not be used to being handled and I didn't want that to happen. I was worried because it's been a week. But I'm certain he's fine. He seems to be acting normal now.

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I don't want to do 4 separate responses, but I tried to pick him up like I normally would, I've had him for about 3 weeks with no problem in the way he is picked up, he's not aggressive at all usually. And the reason I wanted to make sue I picked him up is someone had said if you don't handle them for over a week they might not be used to being handled and I didn't want that to happen. I was worried because it's been a week. But I'm certain he's fine. He seems to be acting normal now.

That is not true... do not worry so much about not handling him while in shed. It is a very uncomfortable time for them and if your snake doesn't want to be played with during that time you should respect that.
Has he eaten for you?

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Originally Posted by MyLittleViper

I don't want to do 4 separate responses, but I tried to pick him up like I normally would, I've had him for about 3 weeks with no problem in the way he is picked up, he's not aggressive at all usually. And the reason I wanted to make sue I picked him up is someone had said if you don't handle them for over a week they might not be used to being handled and I didn't want that to happen. I was worried because it's been a week. But I'm certain he's fine. He seems to be acting normal now.

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I don't want to do 4 separate responses, but I tried to pick him up like I normally would, I've had him for about 3 weeks with no problem in the way he is picked up, he's not aggressive at all usually. And the reason I wanted to make sue I picked him up is someone had said if you don't handle them for over a week they might not be used to being handled and I didn't want that to happen. I was worried because it's been a week. But I'm certain he's fine. He seems to be acting normal now.

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In my experience, it takes at least 1-3 months for a snake's established habit(s) to be completely altered after they are well conditioned. For example, if I only open the cages to feed for the next 1.5 months, then more than likely a few of my specimens are going to begin to only expect food when the cage is opened. The "scooping spaghetti" method mentioned by a previous poster is very effective for almost any small animal in my experience.

Like most people here already said, you shouldn't handle your BP while he's shedding unless you absolutely have to. In this stage most BPs are irritable and don't act like they usually do. I say most, because my Albino doesn't care about being handled during shed but my normal definitely had mood swings. So it really depends on the snake. The hissing is your BP being "thoughtful" and letting you know he's not happy right now.

On the handling part, you don't need to handle BPs much in order for them to be used to it. My advice is that you should actually limit yourself to handling your BP to a couple of times a week because excessive handling might be stressful to the little guy.

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1.0 Abino, 0.1 Normal, 0.1 Pastave Het Pied

Your snake has limited vision right now due to being in shed. It can't see to you as well. Your movement is probably a shadowed blur, so it doesn't know what you are. That's why it's hissing.
Just wait to handle your snake when it's done shedding.

Even if your snake was a regular hisser, it's really nothing to worry about. Some are just more 'talkative' than others.
None of my adults hiss, but some of them hissed a boat load when they were youngsters. It's normal for babies to hiss. They're vulnerable at that age.

And I rarely handle my snakes regularly. The only time I really handle them is to clean their enclosures. Never had to worry about them becoming not 'hand trained' because they don't really need the 'training' to begin with. They're a very tame docile species in general from the get go. (aside from the very rare exception)

Not to mention that bites from ball pythons do not hurt. They are surprising, yes. But a paper cut hurts worse, in my opinion.I've been bitten a few times and I really didn't know I was hit until I saw the blood. Didn't feel a thing.

And a ball python usually only bites out of fear or insecurity. Hardly ever from true aggression. So as long as it feels safe and you don't smell like a feeder, there is a very slim chance of you actually getting bitten.

He's actually fasting right now, hasn't eaten for almost 3 moths but he did the same thing this time last year. But he's relatively new to me (3 weeks) and he hasn't eaten for me. And he just turned 3 on the 3rd if anyone is wondering.

Neither of mine hiss or ever strike at me,since I've had them atleast.

My girl is going throug h het first shed, as well as mine qith a snake. So I have been taking her out once a day for less than. Minute just to learn/keep track of the stages. I guess they are Ll different, I have been nervous each timr I go to pick her up, but she doesn't hiss or snap. The first couplr of days she woild ball up in my hand and dig her head into her middle for a few seconds. Then pop up and tongue the air. Today is day 6 and she is almost normal behavior, just dark blue eyes and really dark skin...

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Originally Posted by MyLittleViper

He's actually fasting right now, hasn't eaten for almost 3 moths but he did the same thing this time last year. But he's relatively new to me (3 weeks) and he hasn't eaten for me. And he just turned 3 on the 3rd if anyone is wondering.

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If he has not eaten in three months I wouldn't let yourself be so bothered about handling. A lot of owners recommend to not handle until they are feeding (although I can understand that if he has refused to eat for three months, you're probably expecting this to go on a little longer especially with him moving to a new home with you relatively recently). I would echo what people have said and leave him be while he is shedding and perhaps handle a little less until you can get him to feed.

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Originally Posted by MyLittleViper

He's actually fasting right now, hasn't eaten for almost 3 moths but he did the same thing this time last year. But he's relatively new to me (3 weeks) and he hasn't eaten for me. And he just turned 3 on the 3rd if anyone is wondering.

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Did you ask how long his fast usually lasts? I would definitely keep the handling down until he eats. Handling everyday is not needed for the snake.... its the human who needs it... let him settle in. They do not forget how to be handled after a week. It sounds like he's had absolutely no time to acclimate to his new home.

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IMO, you shouldn't be handling the snake more than on a "need to" basis unless the snake is eating for you.

If he's hissing then he is scared and telling you to back off. Also if he's 3 yrs old then he probably has enough reserves to go a bit without loosing too much weight. He is stressed from the move aand going into shed. Think of it this way. You are blindfolded, and put in a strange room. There are people and things touching you that you can't see. You would be stressed too. Give him time. Make sure you keep fresh water for him, and his parameters are right. When he's done shedding, and he takes a meal or 2 then start handling him a bit. My girl had not been handled for almost 2 yrs. She started hissing at me when I went to pick her up one day. I didn't pick her up, I just gave her fresh water, and made sure her parameters were good. I didn't touch her until she got her eye caps off and she ate 1 meal. I did have to soak her to get all the stuck sheds off but that was after she could see again. She is now calm and happy.

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Originally Posted by YoshiBP

My girl is going throug h het first shed, as well as mine qith a snake. So I have been taking her out once a day for less than. Minute just to learn/keep track of the stages. I guess they are Ll different, I have been nervous each timr I go to pick her up, but she doesn't hiss or snap. The first couplr of days she woild ball up in my hand and dig her head into her middle for a few seconds. Then pop up and tongue the air. Today is day 6 and she is almost normal behavior, just dark blue eyes and really dark skin...

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

Did you ask how long his fast usually lasts? I would definitely keep the handling down until he eats. Handling everyday is not needed for the snake.... its the human who needs it... let him settle in. They do not forget how to be handled after a week. It sounds like he's had absolutely no time to acclimate to his new home.

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He said that it lasted until like march, which I think is 6-8 months, but I'm too lazy to think right now. And the previous post that you replid to isnt mine

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Originally Posted by MyLittleViper

He said that it lasted until like march, which I think is 6-8 months, but I'm too lazy to think right now. And the previous post that you replid to isnt mine

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No I was referring to your post :)

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Originally Posted by MyLittleViper

He said that it lasted until like march, which I think is 6-8 months, but I'm too lazy to think right now. And the previous post that you replid to isnt mine

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I usually handle my specimens about 2-3 days a week whether feeding or not, I have never had an issue with feeding due to this. Handling for over 30 minutes and more than 3 days a week is a bit much, particularly for babies and juveniles. I will not lie there are exceptions though, I have a Biak GTP and a normal Retic that seem to genuinely enjoy coming out of the cage. If he begins losing some considerable body mass then definitely try a live feeder like a mouse or an African Soft fur.

He's 3 years old, and I handle him from 15-30 minutes depending on how he feels that day.