I think my bp just hissed at me???

I was tickling her while she was in her hide & she made a very airy noise it sounded kind of like a hiss what could this mean?

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A snakes hide is a secure place...if it is hiding leave it alone...a hiding bp is a happy bp...also snakes dont like being "tickled" they TOLLERATE us handling them

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Okay then is it normal for him to always be in his hide?

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

Okay then is it normal for him to always be in his hide?

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Very. As the previous responder said, if they are hiding, they are happy. That's the general rule anyway. If they are always out of their hide, you should investigate.

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Yes generally if they are going to explore it will be at night time

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Since I had my Pablo I never heard him hiss. I heard him sneezed once. That was after I gave him a bath. My Pablo loves to hide in his half log and if I put in his branch log he never gets out, I have to wiggle him out. One time when it was feeding time he was in his branch log and I HAD to place his pinkies at the entrance o it but he didn't move until the pinkie went into his log. I think that was his first lazy day.

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Originally Posted by Lil_Bre&Pablo

Since I had my Pablo I never heard him hiss. I heard him sneezed once. That was after I gave him a bath. My Pablo loves to hide in his half log and if I put in his branch log he never gets out, I have to wiggle him out. One time when it was feeding time he was in his branch log and I HAD to place his pinkies at the entrance o it but he didn't move until the pinkie went into his log. I think that was his first lazy day.

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Pinkies are much to small for a ball python. Hatchlings are started on fuzzy or hoppers, may want to move up sizes.

You were tickling her!? Why? :weirdface

I'm glad some one else tickles their snake too. I tickle mine on her scutes or her back to let her know it's me, not prey. Silk tolerates it. She'll come investigate who it is, too.


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:absolut:

They do hiss and little dude probably didn't like it or ya spooked him.

Have you read on husbandry and behavior of the animal you own yet?

If not there is a plethora of information on this site to help you.

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

what could this mean?

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It means it's a snake. They're known to do this from time to time...

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Originally Posted by sho220

It means it's a snake. They're known to do this from time to time...

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Thanks smart ass I didn't think BP hissed since I've had him for months & he's never done it before

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Originally Posted by CatandDiallo

You were tickling her!? Why? :weirdface

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When I first got him that was the only way he would get out of a ball and start crawling around on my lap

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

I was tickling her while she was in her hide & she made a very airy noise it sounded kind of like a hiss what could this mean?

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Yes they hiss. It means he was probably ticked off at being disrupted in his hide/safe place. And yes, it's perfectly normal for them to hide all the time. It is what they do. They aren't good display snakes.

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

When I first got him that was the only way he would get out of a ball and start crawling around on my lap

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Probably because he was not digging being tickled (if he's balled up, he's scared) and was looking to escape.

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

Thanks smart ass I didn't think BP hissed since I've had him for months & he's never done it before

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Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer...

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Originally Posted by sho220

Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer...

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Well my apologies for thinking this was a site that I, a first time snake owner, could learn how to take care of my snake. & the best way to learn is to ask questions right? Guess not.

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

Well my apologies for thinking this was a site that I, a first time snake owner, could learn how to take care of my snake. & the best way to learn is to ask questions right? Guess not.

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This is a great place for learning. However most people do research and learn before they get the animal. Snakes hiss.

Also, this is a place where name calling isn't tolerated.

Without meaning to sound rude, but did you do any research on ball pythons before getting one ? If not I suggest you have a good read and that will solve any confusion in the future. If you didn't know they hissed then there may be other things you may not know that may benefit you and your snake.

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

Well my apologies for thinking this was a site that I, a first time snake owner, could learn how to take care of my snake. & the best way to learn is to ask questions right? Guess not.

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This is a great site for info. No question. Don't mind those that may not appreciate your situation as there are many more who will gladly help you with any question you may have. As Doolittle said, name calling is a no no here so just ignore those that you feel aren't worthy of a response.

These are very unique and odd animals (the BP's, that is) that require uncommon environments and exhibit unusual behaviors, at least to those that aren't into them as daily as we are here. Hissing either means "oh!, you surprised me" or "leave me alone". It happens occasionally. Nothing to be worried about. Just do as he says. Ha...

PS. We love pictures here and the more posts you read, the sooner you'll see how strange these little guys can behave. Ha..


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My snake was a gift for my birthday I didn't know I was getting him then right after I got him I went on leave to Cali then got transfered to Virginia I'm trying to catch up on info now

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

My snake was a gift for my birthday I didn't know I was getting him then right after I got him I went on leave to Cali then got transfered to Virginia I'm trying to catch up on info now

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I may have missed it but all this being said is your bp in a proper enclosure with correct temps etc?

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With it my husband gave me a tank that I've seen at Petco for snakes a heating pad a half log, a tiki man hide & a branch with leaves, temperature wise I'm not sure. We also use bark on the bottom & he always has fresh water

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

My snake was a gift for my birthday I didn't know I was getting him then right after I got him I went on leave to Cali then got transfered to Virginia I'm trying to catch up on info now

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Ah, in that case I would do some reading. There's loads of care sheets that are handy to make sure you're doing everything correctly.

There will be times that snakes do things that you haven't read about, one of mine for instance likes to sleep with his head hanging out side his hide. I was worrying like crazy at first, checking temps, hides, scales for anything to indicate his behaviour, but he's just my little weirdo (:
It doesn't take too much time to read through things, I'm far from an expert and have learned a lot reading different sheets and even blogs from first time snake owners.

I find myself still reading through things just for peace of mind, but I'm a worrier lol.

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

With it my husband gave me a tank that I've seen at Petco for snakes a heating pad a half log, a tiki man hide & a branch with leaves, temperature wise I'm not sure. We also use bark on the bottom & he always has fresh water

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Good place to start: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

Heating pad needs a thermostat asap as those heat pads unregulated can burn your snake: very costly vet bills. In the meantime a lamp dimmer will do the trick, but only temporarily ($10 at Home Depot)

I would give two identical snug hides (no half logs) for him: this way he doesn't favor one over the other and will thermoregulate himself instead of only staying in one.

Temperature needs to be measured for the well being of the animal: I recommend Accurite brand digital ones (those stick on ones in pet stores have never been accurate for me): also cheaply found at Walmart. You need to measure ambient temps and hot side temps: this info will be in the above caresheet.

Not sure if you've mentioned feeding but if you have issues I would clutter up the tank, black out three sides with construction paper, or simply throw a towel over him for security reasons. Sometimes when things are too open it makes little ones not want to eat.

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Originally Posted by QueenBree

With it my husband gave me a tank that I've seen at Petco for snakes a heating pad a half log, a tiki man hide & a branch with leaves, temperature wise I'm not sure. We also use bark on the bottom & he always has fresh water

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Do you have a thermostat controlling the heat mat? If not, you need one asap, as that unregulated can burn your snake. The half log hides aren't very secure and could be why he was hissing, he's not happy. Could also explain why he was defensive in your other thread when you try to take him out. You need to read a care sheet and get your temps within range, and know your temps. A heat pad alone is not going to get yoir temps where you need them. Too cold your snake can get sick, too hot on the pad, a bad burn.

Was going to get the care sheet link, but see Daybreaker beat me to it. :)

Daybreaker and doolittle gave you great advice...it sounds like you kind of got thrown into this...that being said you need to play catch up...and to bw honest take what you hear from petco and petsmart with a large grain of salt...what size enclose is the tank? What type of bedding are you using? How thick is the layer of bedding? Do you have any space below the tank and what it is resting on to allow air to flow underneath? If not an unregulated heat mat will get hot enough to crack the glass. Not trying to put you down but these are all things that need to addressed pretty quick...if you are unsure post up pictures.

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He has no trouble at all with feeding but thank you I'll get to the store asap I love this guy I don't want him to be unhappy or in pain

I just uploaded some images to my profile

Maybe I'm just missing them, but I don't see any pics.

Me either

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Just upload the pics to photobucket and post here.

I just got mine a couple of days ago, she was an absolute darling when I held her where I got her from, but when we got home and I took her out from her little bag to place her in her new home she hissed twice and tensed up, so I agree with everybody here I think that really means "please leave me alone now" or "hey you surprised me" and I was not surprised as I was expecting that she would be quiet unhappy right after travelling and everything, so straight away I just left her alone and would not try to disturb her until I am certain that she has settled in and fed a couple of times from me.

I find these forums really helpful and I also recommend some more research online, there is a lot you can learn about them on hundreds of different websites, also you could watch some videos on YouTube they are really interesting.

Good luck


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My bp hissed at me and I kinda did a double.Did you just hiss at me? You did! You caught me by surprise.


-Amber

"What could this mean?"

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Originally Posted by sho220

It means it's a snake. They're known to do this from time to time...

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Lol, this made me smile a lot, haha. Honestly the first time a ball python hissed at me I was appalled. I didn't even know they could. I mean my Burmese are like bagpipes they hiss so loud. Well, Diablo anyway. Casara isn't so bad. But seriously though it's nothing to worry about.

I have a bumblebee BP that hisses every time I touch her but I pick her up anyway. I don't let her get away with thinking if she hisses I will leave her alone. She chills out after she's out and we are both happy. I do make sure I stay away from the business end so I don't get tagged though.

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