Hand taming an aggressive ball python?

I figured I'd ask, since I've not had him or his female companion for very long. Since I've unpacked him from the box, (Which was a few months ago now) he's been very bitey and on the offensive. He'll puff up his body, hiss at me, snap at me. I can't get anywhere near him without him snapping at the side of his tub if he so much as sees me. I have a snake hook that I use to move his head away from me and move him from place to place to ensure that I don't get bitten, but are there any suggestions as to what I can do to get him to calm down?

Before anyone asks, yes his temperatures/humidty are up to par. Yes he eats good, and yes his substrate is just fine. He has a hide, and uses it often.

I would ask the seller if he was always this defensive. Most people don't think to ask sellers about the snake's personality unless it is (or could grow up to be) a BIG snake. BP's are typically bought and sold for the paint job, not the temperment.

One you have him in hand is he still nippy, or is it just when he is in his tub?

When I hold him he'll sit still and continue to hiss, and if I move my other hand he'll try to bite it. Some times he'll go into flight mode and try to get away from me, and that is when I'll put him back, because his um... -ahem- will open, threatening to void his bowels if I don't let him go.

How old is the snake?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S7DQssbM0uk. Try this.

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Originally Posted by Gerardo

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S7DQssbM0uk. Try this.

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I was going to suggest this but its a much different reaction from a hatchling>yearling

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Originally Posted by CORBIN911

I was going to suggest this but its a much different reaction from a hatchling>yearling

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Yeah she hasn't said how old he is. With a hatchling you can just let them hit your hand for a while until they figure out that biting doesn't make you go away. The same tactic with a 2000 gr breeder female... ouch...

Also OP I realize that while you really don't want him to make a mess on you, by putting him away whenever he threatens to do so you're rewarding that behavior. So, either hold him for very short periods and put him away before he gets to that point, or put on some old clothes and prepare to get stinky.

Ares is just a hatchling. I would try this technique but I want to get a pair of gloves or something before I do. I recently got bit by my most calmest snake a day or so ago, which happened because I was stupid. But the bite is a bit infected, and I kind of want to avoid another bite. ^.^

A hatchling cant really hurt you. But as long as you feel comfortable with trying it.

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Originally Posted by KayleighBrown

Ares is just a hatchling. I would try this technique but I want to get a pair of gloves or something before I do. I recently got bit by my most calmest snake a day or so ago, which happened because I was stupid. But the bite is a bit infected, and I kind of want to avoid another bite. ^.^

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Hatchlings are a bit nippy. He might be that way until he gets older. I have a female pastel that was very mean when she was a hatchling. She would strike at the tub when i walked by. U might want to cover the cage with a towel just so he wont get startled when u walk by. Eventually he nippiness will go away as he gets older. When u have to grab him the best way i found out to not get bit is put a hand in front of him far enough for him to not reach u when he strikes. And with the other hand grab him from behind. Try not to pass your hand infront of him or he will strike at it even if you are holding him

Ah, I have nine wee babies now, barely over a month old. They're all pretty defensive though I can usually pick one up without getting nipped, usually by using one hand just out of range in front of them while the other scoops them up from behind. Once in-hand I try to make a "hide" out of my hands for them, they seem to relax and settle faster. After they relax I put them back.

The suggestion to cover the enclosure so he can't see you is also a good one.

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Originally Posted by KayleighBrown

When I hold him he'll sit still and continue to hiss, and if I move my other hand he'll try to bite it. Some times he'll go into flight mode and try to get away from me, and that is when I'll put him back, because his um... -ahem- will open, threatening to void his bowels if I don't let him go.

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If a snake doesn't want to be held it will do this while you are holding it. When you put it back it teaches the snake that this works nd it will keep doin it. If you want it to stop you need to keep holding it until it calms down. Could take. Reply long time or not depending on the snake. If you want him to eventually become more handleable you need I put up with the ba behaviour. Not doin so is rewarding him for it and will keep it happening.

Should say "Could take a really long time..."
Not "Could take. Reply long time..."
But can't edit anymore.

The snake is not aggressive, he is defensive.

That is an important difference because once you grasp what it means, you can deal with the underlying problem.

Defensive snakes normally fall into two categories: (1) those who are insecure (read: feel threatened) and (2) those that are pre-disposed to "weak nerves".

If the snake if insecure, leave it alone. If it's in a clear drawer or a clear enclosure - make it darker. If it's in a high traffic area, put it in a low traffic area. If it has one hide, give it two. If it has a paper towel or similar substrate, give it something it can burrow in.

Kill the handling sessions. When changing out the water, doing assorted husbandry chores or feeding I - do it in low light. Look for clues that it's behavior is getting less defensive and then begin controlled, confident handling sessions. Right now, I would ASSume that you are a bit nervous and/or apprehensive about handling this animal. When you handle a snake you need to do so in a calm and confident manner. You need to project confidence and serenity. Any nervousness or timidity on your part will be sensed by the animal.

If the snake has a "weak" personality, then your job is to not only make it secure, but to expose it to controlled handling sessions. Do so in low natural light, without any loud noises or the presence of anyone else but you. If you are afraid of being bit, wear gloves.

Do not hesitate when reaching for the animal. Do not draw your hand back when it strikes or hisses. Support the body of the animal fully. Once the animal calms down, slowly shift your grip in a manner wherein the snake can clearly see the movement of the second hand. Hold the snake until it's defensive/nervous behavior stops. Only replace it in it's enclosure when it's calm.

^ nailed it as usual!

But the biggest reason people get bit, is the slow, timid moments! If you want alot of videos on youtube even with big breeders, they pluck them up without hesitation even aggressive ones, if you give them a little less time to feel in danger youll be off without any bites,

What Skip said.

I'm always surprised how quick people are to link off to that J. Kobylka video. It has its place, but for the most part I don't think a scared animal should be manhandled to learn to be more scared of the hand that feeds it.

I try to be as calm at all possible when handling Ares, I do know they sense fear and anxiety and other chemical changes of the human body. I haven't tried to handle him at all since I got bit by my adult female. And her bite didn't really hurt that much, it was just the shock of getting bit that caused me to become scared for a split second. So if her bite didn't hurt that bad, even though I bled like a stuck pig, I doubt Ares bites would hurt much, but her bite did leave my hand with a bit of an infection, which is why I want to avoid getting bitten again anytime soon. My finger is swollen and it's going up my hand, and I'm on antibiotics to help with the infection. So i'm not really afraid of Ares, just afraid of getting another nasty infection if I do get bit. If that makes sense. I do thank all of you for your advice, and will take any and all of it to consideration. That's what I am here for. To listen to others and to learn from them as well as my own mistakes. :)

First, take care of the infection.

Second, leave the snake alone.

Third, increase feeding. They become complacent when they're satiated.