ball python bite question? aggresive forever

Today while i was feeding my ball python who has no history of even stricking at me bit and held on to my finger and i was woundering cause it didnt hurt but i dont want it to happen again will she always be tring to kill me or she just mistaked my hand for food any help would be nice.

Sounds like an honest mistake on the snakes part.

How are you feeding? Are you using tongs of some sort?

Trying to kill you lol she probably bit you from a feeding response: my pastel tagged me when she was younger when she missed the rat and got my hand instead and she held on for a bit too before she figured out I wasn't the feeder. I wouldn't worry about her making a habit out of it.

i feed her frozen thaw with tongs but since i misplaced them today i did it by hand and i was making sure she would get it down as she just went from eating fuzzies to hoppers i went in to pull out some shed i had missed a few days prior from threre i think you know

If they smell a rodent, then you're in danger of getting bit from a feeding response. Snakes aren't too bright, so they can't distinguish you from a meal in that situation.

To them, they smell food, sense your heat, see movement, and think that you are their meal. Depending on how aggressive of a feeder you have, any one of those, or a combination, can cause a feeding response. Its your responsibility as an owner to understand this aspect of your pet, and to exercise the necessary precautions to not trigger a feeding response. The longer you have your snake, the more you'll learn its body language, and what triggers a feeding response.

In short: the snake isn't trying to kill you, just be more careful during feeding time.

Little bitty pythons like Balls only strike you for 2 basic reasons.

1. (a)A fear/defense response. It does pay to double check husbandry if this is the case. Temp's, high traffic insufficient hides(if your set up requires them), etc. The snake may just be "in a bad mood" and intolerant of handling at that time although, this seems pretty rare with any larger snakes. Hatchlings can be a different matter, they are tiny and lots of things see them as an easy meal so they can be defensive at this stage, by all means not all are, it is just a possibility.
1. (b) Sometimes something may just startle a snake and it will react with either a fight or flight response.

2. A mistaken feeding response. Most of us can tell you exactly what we did wrong when this is the case (although not always, that vid of the BP slowly deciding to gnaw on a thumb was both hilarious and confusing). A set of tongs that are used for only feeding is a great starting point(personally I do prefer forceps as I find them far more comfortable). Also a weight check on both the snake and prey items will help determine if the snake is being underfed(the feed schedule can also be altered to suit the individual snake, juveniles will eat more frequently than adults).

Most of the time observation and perseverance will result in you having a great relationship with what is for all intents and purposes a lovely "tame" wild animal.
Good luck and don't sweat it.

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Originally Posted by JOKERMAN

i went in to pull out some shed i had missed a few days prior from threre i think you know

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I'd leave that to another time that isn't feeding time. You'll be fine.

agreed with above poster^^^

Did you wash your hands after handling the mouse?? good chance she might have been still a little hungry and mistaked you for food because you probably still smelled like the mouse..

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Originally Posted by JOKERMAN

i feed her frozen thaw with tongs but since i misplaced them today i did it by hand

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When it struck at you,did that^^^ even cross your mind as to the whole aggression ( which actually wasn't aggression towards you at all) thing,one little bit? Please tell me it did???? cause u answered your own question above :confusd:

I'm Scared for Americas future :(

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

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When it struck at you,did that^^^ even cross your mind as to the whole aggression ( which actually wasn't aggression towards you at all) thing,one little bit? Please tell me it did???? cause u answered your own question above :confusd:

I'm Scared for Americas future :(

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No need to be nasty. Better to ask and know than not ask and be ignorant.

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

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When it struck at you,did that^^^ even cross your mind as to the whole aggression ( which actually wasn't aggression towards you at all) thing,one little bit? Please tell me it did???? cause u answered your own question above :confusd:

I'm Scared for Americas future :(

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I feel most of your responses are unnecessary if your going to be nasty to someone asking a question why do you respond?

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Originally Posted by cedor

I feel most of your responses are unnecessary if your going to be nasty to someone asking a question why do you respond?

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I agree completely

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

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When it struck at you,did that^^^ even cross your mind as to the whole aggression ( which actually wasn't aggression towards you at all) thing,one little bit? Please tell me it did???? cause u answered your own question above :confusd:

I'm Scared for Americas future :(

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You have to realize that some of the users on here are kids who have BPs as pets so you don't need to be a jacka$$ in your replies. If you don't have anything useful to contribute, don't comment.

I've seen you ask some retarded questions on here so I don't know why you think you have the right to insult other people for asking questions. Obviously others don't mind answering the OP's questions.

And in regards to America's future, I don't know why I have to decipher your spelling and punctuation in every post you write.

I don't know how the mods didn't ban you yet. I'm not the first person to call you a jacka$$ and definitely won't be the last.

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I'm sorrrryyyyyy :tears:

We need to remember we were ALL OF US in the same position as the OP. NY your comments at times to even people that have had reptiles 3 plus years when YOU have only had them a month or 2 are very inappropriate, and condescending. Please remember to THINK before you post. Not everyone goes into this hobby with a wealth of experience. When I started out I freaked about everything, from shedding, to feeding, and handling my girl.
OP your little one was reacting to the smell of rodent on your hand and the heat of your hand when you went to pull out that old shed. It's not showing aggressive tendencies toward you. Also your too big for the little one to consider food so your safe. I have a 2 yr old, and a dog and cat in the house and neither of mine show any kind of tendency to have a go at them or me except at feeding time when they really want their food. Relax and I would suggest doing the cleaning either a day before or after feeding so there are no mistakes. They get confused at times and react before processing that your hand isnt food even when it smells like food. Good luck with the little one and don't feel ashamed or bad or stupid for asking questions. Thats why this forum is here. So we can help each other. Don't let idiots keep you from asking questions you have either. There are idiots that think their experts even though they have only been in this hobby for a few months in every aspect of like. Your in good hands with most of the people on here.

OP is more than fine. it happens! I'm still a new owner and learning new things everyday. now you just know better :) also, don't feel like you can't ask questions because some people will be nasty in their answers. there are plenty of people that will help you on this website :)


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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

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When it struck at you,did that^^^ even cross your mind as to the whole aggression ( which actually wasn't aggression towards you at all) thing,one little bit? Please tell me it did???? cause u answered your own question above :confusd:

I'm Scared for Americas future :(

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My little girl gets 4 or 5 mice at each feeding. One or two of those are taken from the palm of my hand every time. Not one time have I been struck, bitten, or seen anything even remotely aggressive from her. I've never even gotten bumped with her nose. While I don't recommend EVERYONE try it, if you know your snake and know her limits, it can be done.

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Ok. Dr Del..no problem...I will be less blunt from now on. I just say what goes through my mind,not necessarily meant to be rude,just more honest than Anything. But people are sensitive and get butt hurt to easy around ,here so I'll keep it simple. Sorry to inconvenience you.

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

Ok. Dr Del..no problem...I will be less blunt from now on. I just say what goes through my mind,not necessarily meant to be rude,just more honest than Anything. But people are sensitive and get butt hurt to easy around ,here so I'll keep it simple. Sorry to inconvenience you.

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this is the worlds most passive aggressive apology ever


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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

.I'm Scared for Americas future :(

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Ironic how I get that same feeling....................................