Nippy Baby?

I have noticed that my newest addition, a 2 month old female is much nippier than my little male was when I first got him. The male was 1 month old when I brought him home and although he was a bit jumpy for a while, he never struck. Now he's super laid back and doesn't really care what you do with him.

This little girl on the other hand, takes forever to finally un-ball herself when I hold her. Once she finally does start to explore, she's pretty feisty and always on the defense. She strikes even if you don't move. She'll be slithering along all adorable, will bump herself into your hand or arm and then bites like your the one who touched her. She's definitely a pistol.

I have read on a few other threads that hatchlings are typically spunkier than older snakes. Is this also true for BPs? Do they tend to grow out of it and will handling her more help or just make it worse?

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Originally Posted by onthefritz

I have noticed that my newest addition, a 2 month old female is much nippier than my little male was when I first got him. The male was 1 month old when I brought him home and although he was a bit jumpy for a while, he never struck. Now he's super laid back and doesn't really care what you do with him.

This little girl on the other hand, takes forever to finally un-ball herself when I hold her. Once she finally does start to explore, she's pretty feisty and always on the defense. She strikes even if you don't move. She'll be slithering along all adorable, will bump herself into your hand or arm and then bites like your the one who touched her. She's definitely a pistol.

I have read on a few other threads that hatchlings are typically spunkier than older snakes. Is this also true for BPs? Do they tend to grow out of it and will handling her more help or just make it worse?

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Yes. BP's do go through something that my girlfriend lovingly refers to as, "Teenage Years." While your snake seems too young to be going through this, it may simply be that this is your snake's personality. It sounds like she's snipping at you for defense though, and snakes do go through a learning period where they learn what they're able to defend themselves against, and what they're unable to defend themselves against. Basically, she'll grow out of it.

Its definitely not something that I want to encourage by any means but it's kinda funny to watch her now. She thinks she's Billy Badass. I probably won't find it near as amusing once shes grown into a big gal. Plus, the less my fiance has to complain about them, the better off we'll be ha.

Here's to hoping she'll grow out of it :gj:

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Originally Posted by onthefritz

Its definitely not something that I want to encourage by any means but it's kinda funny to watch her now. She thinks she's Billy Badass. I probably won't find it near as amusing once shes grown into a big gal. Plus, the less my fiance has to complain about them, the better off we'll be ha.

Here's to hoping she'll grow out of it :gj:

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Meh even a "big" bp bite won't do real damage. But yeah more then likely it will be outgrown, baby's can tend to be nippy. I usually just let the little boogers bite me, most of the time they see it gets no reaction they eventually stop.

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Originally Posted by Rob

Meh even a "big" bp bite won't do real damage. But yeah more then likely it will be outgrown, baby's can tend to be nippy. I usually just let the little boogers bite me, most of the time they see it gets no reaction they eventually stop.

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This. Just keep handling her and she'll learn there's no reason to be defensive and will eventually stop.

How long have you had her.

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Originally Posted by Tigerhawk

How long have you had her.

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Almost 3 weeks

I have mostly babies right now.

I have found many of them to be pretty moody. A lot of nippers. Some days are significantly better than others for many of them. I have two that are always really unfriendly.

Between being shipped and being so small and defenseless, I think they're just naturally more nervous, and frighten easily.

Most of my nasty babies have grown out of it, between chilling with age and getting used to being handled. I try to handle them a bit more frequently, if they get too upset I will put them back and try again another day. It's not abnormal, and your baby will probably learn to chill.

Also, they do definitely have distinct personalities, in terms of how they tolerate handling, being laid back or nervous, aggressive, moodiness, etc. Sometimes you just get one that is temperamental.

But more than likely she will grow out of it, especially if you work with her.

I have a little normal female and she is a little pisser! Yesterday I had her out and she hissed at me and proceeded to strike also. I just held her very calmly and she then she calmed down and explored. It is very important to not put them back in the enclosure when they act like this. She strikes at me while she is still in her tub too. I have to admit though, I love the feisty side of her because she is an awesome feeder for me.

For nippy babies, I'll also do a little snake hook training with them. They often strike when startled or when something warm (like a hand) enters the cage. So I'll use a little snake hook and touch on them a little to wake them up and then begin to lift them a little bit. Then I'm usually good to reach in and pick them up.

I don't mind the bites because they don't hurt, but I don't want them in the habit of striking every time I reach in, so I try to avoid it as much as possible and they tend to settle down quickly.

Much more quickly than a couple young boas I had in the past. :)

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Originally Posted by ballpythonluvr

I have a little normal female and she is a little pisser! Yesterday I had her out and she hissed at me and proceeded to strike also. I just held her very calmly and she then she calmed down and explored. It is very important to not put them back in the enclosure when they act like this. She strikes at me while she is still in her tub too. I have to admit though, I love the feisty side of her because she is an awesome feeder for me.

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My two most feisty/nippy/hissy/constantly PMSing snakes are also picky annoying eaters. Go figure.

Just got three new babies today and my female is a spitfire! My experience is same as above, the babies are jumpier due to thinking everything is trying to eat them. I use the hook to get her out, fully support her once out and stay calm and quiet. Have fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7DQssbM0uk

a lot start nippy, but almost all of them grow out of it.

All of mine have been nippy when I first got them but have been great eaters and have calmed with age and handeling

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Originally Posted by albinos_rule

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7DQssbM0uk

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^^^^

That's a great video - be sure and watch it.

And I'm dying laughing at those 4 balls in the beginning. What a little bunch of meanies, lol.

my girl hasn't had any trouble eating yet. Shes actually pretty ambitious about dinner time. Almost too ambitious at times.

She went into her first shed since I've had her at the beginning of the week. So now shes even crabbier than normal. Can't walk into the room without her coiling up and daring you to enter her snake lair. What a little jerk haha.

I'm pretty sure she's convinced that shes an 18ft anaconda.