new ball python is hissing any help or tips please

Hi I've recently got my first ball python he is 3 month old and I've had him for 8 days he has been left alone with no handling to let him settle into his new home apart from when he had his first meal which was a success with no problems it's been 3 days since he ate. Now I think it's time to start handling him but when I'm going to pick him up he's hissing at me. Before I bought him he was fine when I was handling him in the shop but now he's hissing and has tried striking at me any ideas or tips to help me try tame him down please.

Some more info on your setup would be helpful. He's probably just stressed.

That's what I think it is as he was fine in the shop I have a 3ft wooden vivarium with a glass front I'm using a ceramic heat bulb with the hot side between 85/90 and the cold side is always around 78 the humidity is at 55 and he has two hides one on each side a big water bowl and has plants and vines that he climbs across when he's out is there anymore info that you need and thanks for your reply

I would put him in something smaller. That sounds way too big for a 3 month old. You can fill it up with stuff but that only goes so far. I would go way smaller with 2 hides and a water bowl. I think it's best to start them out as simple as possible until they are well adjusted.

Right ok I was told that it should be fine as that's what size he was in in the shop but he was with 4 females so obviously not as crowded now suppose I could put a partition in the tank to make it smaller instead of buying a smaller vivarium do you think I should go for 2ft instead of 3ft

It can be a few thing from stress to just a more than usual vocal animal, it happens over the years I have had 2 or 3 individuals that just like to be heard even as adults.

Bottom line it's a snake and snake hiss, just like dogs bark ;)

Chances are your snake will grow out of it you only had him for 8 days out of the 30+ years you are about to spend with him, just give it time.

Yeh from what I've read it can take a few week for him to settle like I said he was fine in the shop think I will give him another week and if no improvement I'll try shortening hus vivarium thanks for your advice I'm trying to upload some images onto my profile now see what you think

My little guy was pretty anxious when I first attempted to handle him.

It'll sound silly, but what worked for me is instead of reaching in with a warm scary hand, I first used a small snake hook (a wire coat hanger should work too). The snake didn't see the hook as a threat, and I was able to gently lift him out of the tub and onto my flat hand. Then I just let him sit there perfectly still until he decided it was safe to start exploring. After four or five of these sessions over a 2-3 week period, he was relaxed enough to let me pick him up barehanded. He hasn't had any issues since, and I've not taken a bite.

I have one that is somewhat nervous when I first reach into his tub. He doesn't hiss or strike but he usually balls right up and buries his head. I just try not to make any sudden moves and don't touch his head. I stoke him a bit and he starts to relax. Once I pick him up he is ok. He gets better from week to week. He will get there eventually. He is eating, shedding and pooping so I'm happy.

Thanks for all the input guys I will just persevere with him and hopefully will see a change in him over next week or two o will keep you all updated

In my case, I recently bought a 3 month old ball python. I let him settle in his new enclosure for 4 days also. It was my first ball ever so at that time, I decided to man up and handle him. He started hissing ( maybe because he was sleeping/disturbed ) so I gave him another day. The next day, I opened his enclosure. The enclosure was in good size for him (small enclo for a small snake). He started to go out of his enclosure so I handled him that time. I let him explore my hand until he gets used to it. Its been 6 months, I can safely pick him up except when he is sleeping, that's just rude! xD

Happy Keeping!

Well guys and girls we have just fed raptor his second feed and another success I also managed to pick him up before feeding to put some news paper down over his substtate without him hissing he was holding in his striking position but never struck out wich is a good sign so there is improvement with him only problem in my concern is that he let go of the meal for a bit then ate it bum first which was a bit of a struggle for him then head first but I couldn't really get him to let go I know this can be a problem with adult rats as the claws can cause problems if eaten bum first but he seems fine think I'm gonna have to give him a bath after he's digested because when he was squeezing some of its inside came out onto top of his head do you lot think he should be cleaned straight away incase of bacteria or anything like that Start to grow ?

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I would leave him unless you can wipe off his head without actually picking him up. If you pick him up he might barf and that can be deadly.

Ok thanks I will leave him for half hour or so as he has just eaten in last 10 mins them I will try wipe him down with a warm damp cloth thanks for your advice

My little guy never hissed but he did strike at me once a few weeks after I got him. I moved him from a 20 gallon tank to a 15qt tub. He calmed down a lot, and now is totally fine and calm when I handle him.

I should probably note that I also now very rarely pick him up if he's in one of his hides. I open the tub and only take him out if he starts climbing out on his own. He normally comes out of his hide on his own after I take his lid off. If he doesn't, I leave him alone, check his environment stats, adjust if necessary, and leave him alone. He seems a lot more comfortable with this combination of changes.


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Originally Posted by bumblebella

My little guy never hissed but he did strike at me once a few weeks after I got him. I moved him from a 20 gallon tank to a 15qt tub. He calmed down a lot, and now is totally fine and calm when I handle him.

I should probably note that I also now very rarely pick him up if he's in one of his hides. I open the tub and only take him out if he starts climbing out on his own. He normally comes out of his hide on his own after I take his lid off. If he doesn't, I leave him alone, check his environment stats, adjust if necessary, and leave him alone. He seems a lot more comfortable with this combination of changes.


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Thanks for your advice he has stopped hissing at me now but still goes in his striking position I've been leaving him alone when he's in his hides and when he's out i've been keeping my hands in his set up for 5 to 10 mins for him to get used to my sent then also now and again not picking him up fully but just been resting my hand on him or underneath him to get him used to been touched he does seem to be calming down slowly I'm sure he will be fine soon after repeating this method he's bit me once when I first got him but he's stopped hissing and striking out now but still holds his striking position.

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