Bitey baby

I just got a new ball python today, hatched on August 3rd, and so far she's tried to bite a couple of times. I was just wondering if theres any way I can stop this? I figure she'll get used to the handling after a while, but other than not handling her, is there a way to avoid this, or do I just have to get used to it?

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ghlight=taming

This helped me a lot. You also want to make sure to do minimal handling (pretty much just taking out of the tank and putting in a temp container for cleaning) until she has eaten at least three times for you. My snake is a lot less defensive now and I've only had him a little over a month.

Graphic content warning! Contains images of a vicious snake attack.

Biting happens. My usually tame yearling was moody today when I took him out to weigh him. This is the aftermath.

http://i62.tinypic.com/ddi4bo.jpg

Don't be afraid of the bite. It will surprise you more than it actually hurts.

She actually bit my sister. My sister wanted to get bitten for some reason, and it happened while she was holding her. She said it didn't feel like much, but the baby hatched on August 3rd, so I'm assuming she can't do much damage. I'm more worried about being surprised by it and accidentally jerking my hand. I've got a 2-3 year old female, but she's never bitten, and is generally calm. I'm just concerned with getting the baby used to handling.

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Originally Posted by OuterScience

She actually bit my sister. My sister wanted to get bitten for some reason, and it happened while she was holding her. She said it didn't feel like much, but the baby hatched on August 3rd, so I'm assuming she can't do much damage. I'm more worried about being surprised by it and accidentally jerking my hand. I've got a 2-3 year old female, but she's never bitten, and is generally calm. I'm just concerned with getting the baby used to handling.

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It happens so fast you probably won't flinch until after she has already retreated from the strike. I've been bit twice and at first I wasn't sure he had actually bit me until I saw the pricks. Mine didn't even bleed. Their fangs don't ever get big enough to do any real damage. They pull back immediately from defensive strikes. If she tries to wrap your finger or hand that's food response. Babies are really defensive because they think everyone is trying to eat them. She'll grow out of it :)

it just comes with the territory, some babies are nippier then others, you are a big predator that is going to eat them until you gain their trust and prove otherwise. Most babies will calm down after a couple weeks, you can use a something to get them out of their defensive posture when you go to take them out; the cardboard roll from the center of paper towels works well. Keep the interactions short and positive and put them back in their enclosure once they have calmed down. Try to avoid putting them back if they bite you or seem defensive, it could reinforce the wrong behavior and take longer for them to calm down if they know that they can bite you and you will leave them alone. I would switch up the days you handle them so they don't get use to a set "schedule" and get used to whenever you decide you want handle them. Once they calm down they usually stay that way even when you don't handle them on a regular basis. I hatched out a couple really pissy babies the beginning of August and they have all calmed down to the point that I can have my 6 year old take them out of their tubs without getting bit(not that it hurts at all anyway, lol).

u just got the baby BP today? stop playing with it, it's sounds stressed. let it adjust to it's new home for a few days, then maybe u can handle it for brief amounts of time.

Part of me feels like it would be better to just have her bite me. Just to see what it feels like. I'm less concerned with it hurting me. Just concerned I'll jerk and hurt her.

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If I pick her up over the next couple of days, it'll probably just be to remove anything in the tank, I.E fecal matter.

Just woke up and checked on the baby. Still getting struck at every couple of second. Was going to try and do a daily handling but with that much striking, it seems almost impossible.

As already covered a couple times, you need to let her settle in and get eating, get comfortable before starting handling. Baby snakes are scared and defensive, going into a new home is a big change. Not uncommon at all for a newly added snake to be striking and biting out of stress. Once she's gotten a few meals in start handling a couple times per week for short periods, you won't even hardly feel a bite so don't worry about it and she will calm down with time.

The top of the lid of her tub is dripping with water, I'm guessing from humidity. Is there any way I can fix this? There's holes in the tub, more than enough for her to get air, but it doesn't seem to be letting too much moisture out.

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Originally Posted by OuterScience

The top of the lid of her tub is dripping with water, I'm guessing from humidity. Is there any way I can fix this? There's holes in the tub, more than enough for her to get air, but it doesn't seem to be letting too much moisture out.

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How big of a water bowl and how much water is in it? What substrate are you using? Have you sprayed down the tank recently? All of these factors and more could be contributing.

Also, I'm assuming from the visual description that you don't have any sort of hygrometer, but correct me if I'm wrong. If not, definitely get one of those. Walmart sells a cheap thermometer/hygrometer, the brand is AcuRite.

Her water bowl is the smallest I could find, maybe a palms size, but it's not completely filled, maybe only halfway. She has coconut husk bedding, because the only place that sells aspen is 40 minutes away. No, the tank hasn't been sprayed down, it's a small tub.

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Originally Posted by OuterScience

Her water bowl is the smallest I could find, maybe a palms size, but it's not completely filled, maybe only halfway. She has coconut husk bedding, because the only place that sells aspen is 40 minutes away. No, the tank hasn't been sprayed down, it's a small tub.

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Well you're doing a lot right, it must be that you live somewhere with very high humidity. My first night with my tub setup got the humidity to reach 100% too so I understand that. What helped was putting way more holes in the sides. I can't remember what size tub I have, but I think I put at least 8 holes on each short side, more on the longer sides obviously. That made an immediate difference when I dried and fanned it out. It dropped to... I believe the mid 60s within just a very short time once I put more holes in it. The temperature didn't change all that much either. I hope that helps.

I live in Florida, so the humidity is usually pretty high. My other BP is in a tank with a mesh top, and we have issues actually keeping her humidity up. I'll try putting some more holes in the side when I take her out to handle her, after giving her another day or so to get used to it. She strikes at pretty much anything.

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Originally Posted by OuterScience

I live in Florida, so the humidity is usually pretty high. My other BP is in a tank with a mesh top, and we have issues actually keeping her humidity up. I'll try putting some more holes in the side when I take her out to handle her, after giving her another day or so to get used to it. She strikes at pretty much anything.

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Have you tried picking her up in a pillowcase (or reptile bag if you have one) and then inverting it as you scoop her up so that she's covered? My BP is not shy at all about handling but knowing how much BPs like to be hidden and physically covered, I'd think that might help. That way you can also just tie it up securely and have her be in darkness while she's out of her tub, which may make her feel less anxious about being moved. Also it will keep her from biting you. Just a suggestion, not 100% sure if it will work since my baby is pretty bold and I don't have experience with timid BPs.

I'd like to be able to handle her like I do my other BP, who is pretty docile and will tolerate the kids holding and petting her. But she's been handled her whole life, so I have a long way to go with the baby. She's tried biting at our faces a couple of times.

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Originally Posted by OuterScience

I'd like to be able to handle her like I do my other BP, who is pretty docile and will tolerate the kids holding and petting her. But she's been handled her whole life, so I have a long way to go with the baby. She's tried biting at our faces a couple of times.

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Well the pillowcase thing would just be until she's acclimated to her new home and has grown out of her baby "scared of everything" phase. Remember how young they are; even though they're reptiles they still need security and stability before they can become a well-adjusted and docile pet. Some will need more patience than others, as in your baby's case :P

While shes in the pillowcase, is there anything specific I can do to try and calm her down? I doubt she'll be docile for a while, but it's worth trying to get her cooled down a bit.

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Originally Posted by OuterScience

While shes in the pillowcase, is there anything specific I can do to try and calm her down? I doubt she'll be docile for a while, but it's worth trying to get her cooled down a bit.

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I'd say the best thing to do is leave her completely alone until it's absolutely necessary to move her back into her tub. She may even be cranky sometimes if she's woken up from a nap/sleep. It can be hard to tell if they're sleeping (or trying to) so I would just let her be still and don't have anything moving or noisy around her that may keep her awake.

Should I set the pillowcase in a specific spot, or is it more so I'm able to hold her without getting bitten?

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Originally Posted by OuterScience

Should I set the pillowcase in a specific spot, or is it more so I'm able to hold her without getting bitten?

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Just put it somewhere safe while you put more holes in the tub. She doesn't want to be held yet, you may have to wait a couple weeks for that. She's just a baby.