Vicious Ball Python

Hey well i got my new Ball Python a couple of days ago and i just tried feeding her and she is hissing and she struck at the mouse a few times but didn't hold on. Could someone tell me what to do here? I need some help because when ever i have opened the tank she strikes this has happened twice.So how do you tame a vicious Ball Python.



Charlie

Bump i need major help here........ Anybody?

Start by leaving her totally alone for at least a week, maybe 2. By then she should be over the stress of relocating and be ready to eat. You are unintentionally tormenting her by entering her cage so often when she is in new surroundings that she is not yet comfortable in.

Ok i've got you i'll leave her for about a week then .Plus when should i start handling? i have never had a vicious snake before and i really don't mind if she bits me just as long as i can get her to be friendly.

Don't handle her until she is feeding consistently for at least a few weeks in a row. She will probably settle right down if you leave to herself. She will begin to feel at home in her new surroundings. Read the care sheets on this site. Others will no doubt post and recommend other care sheets also. She isn't very likely vicious. Just scared to be in a unfamiliar place.

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Originally Posted by Chuck1289

Ok i've got you i'll leave her for about a week then .Plus when should i start handling? i have never had a vicious snake before and i really don't mind if she bits me just as long as i can get her to be friendly.

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Shes not vicious. Shes just scared, and striking becasue she feels threatened. Just leave her alone for at least a week, then feed her. Wait a few days after her feed, then start handling her.

Willdo !!!! Ok so i will leave for a week then feed can i refreeze the mouse or not? Thanks for the help guys!

Hey Chuck!

Your snake is not vicious, most likely stressed out.

does your snake have a place to hide for security? are you handling it often?

I would not re-freeze a mouse.

Yes i have a corn snake so yes it does have 2 hides which it is in now.And no obviously not i've only had her for 2 days.And i will throw away the mouse.

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Originally Posted by Chuck1289

Yes i have a corn snake so yes it does have 2 hides which it is in now.And no obviously not i've only had her for 2 days.And i will throw away the mouse.

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you have them together? If you do, you should split them up ASAP.

Oh no i have one on the cool and the other on the warm:)

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Originally Posted by Chuck1289

Oh no i have one on the cool and the other on the warm:)

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Not the hides, the snakes - you don't have them housed together do you?

Oh no of course not that would be insane lol

I don't know. Some BP's NEVER grow out of the "vicious" stage. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...tiles/b007.jpg

hehe...mouth perked open just a little bit in anticipation for a strike huh?

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Originally Posted by Nate

hehe...mouth perked open just a little bit in anticipation for a strike huh?

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Oh yeah. :D

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Originally Posted by SPJ

Oh yeah. :D

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I learned about that look the other day. So did my hand :)

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Originally Posted by SPJ

I don't know. Some BP's NEVER grow out of the "vicious" stage. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...tiles/b007.jpg

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Steve, it seems something in you brings that out in them ;)
My possy het albino girl from you is still that way....thanks! :P

It's funny

I got my first BP took her home. through a rat in and bang

Was pretty cool :D

now he has eaten in 5 months heh

As noted, give her time to adjust... if she's nippy, I know the general rule is 1-2 weeks... personally, I am in favor of a month or longer.

As far as feeds... since she hasn't had a smooth transition... I would consider 4 feeds to be the minimum before I would consider handling.

Rushing handling a snake that isn't acclimating well is detrimental in the long-term, so why push it? You have 20+ years to handle her. A few months is a blink.

Getting a new snake is always great, but we seen to rush the handling part. You can tame a snake out without handling.

Give it a comfortable, quiet, stress-free place to live. Make your presence known (simply by tidying up, changing the water, etc.).

Be consistent in your approach, when you are going into the enclosure. Let her know a routine and stick with it.

Do not act like a predator... large heat emitting presence coming at her from above... think like a snake that gets eaten by more things than they eat.

Read her body language and respect it. If she looks PO'd... then back off and leave her alone. If she looks like she is going to strike... then she probably will. If you only see a face hovering in the door to her hide... there is a good chance she is full on S strike mode and can hit you from over a foot away.

If she is in her hide... consider that as a "do not disturb" sign hung over her enclosure.

I have corns and BPs, and I approach them each differently. That is part of getting to know them and what works.

Congrats on the new snake and good luck.

Bruce

Thanks im planning on leaving her for a week or so then i will try to feed her once i get her feeding well i will then begin to handle her.Thanks for the advice.