New BP, won't stop striking

I just received my first ball python through shipping ( delivery method, not snakes ) and it will not stop striking. I know they experience an immense amount of stress during the shipping process, but he's just striking at air right now. I have him in his tub now and he's still wrapped in some of the paper towel he was shipped in, but he's still striking out every few minutes at the air. I don't plan on bothering him other then to put water in a bowl for him for at least 4-5 days to let him get settled.

Is this fairly normal for shipped BP's?

He was so angry I couldn't even get a good look at him or take delivery day pictures as I didn't want to add to his stress. :(

It's best to put them in their enclosure for about a week before handling. Then start taking them out for short sessions.
it's a hot time of year for shipping! i think he needs some alone time. Crush up some news paper etc. to give him extra hiding spots.

Thanks, that's what I was planning on doing ( not handling ) but don't think I'd ever seen one so PO'd. :O Like I said, I only plan on disturbing him to add water if needed.

How is the husbandry? Is it too hot? Too cold? Too dry? Too humid? etc. I hope the little dude mellows out for you.

Temp is about 90 ( hot spot ) to 80 ( cool spot ) with humidity at about 65%. I did just get him, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it too. Just has a bit of an attitude right now. :D

Yeah, definitely sounds that way. Is he real young?

Less then a month.

Im wondering if he has some sort of nerological issue if he is randomly just striking at the air. Not to scare you and hope it is not but sounds like a nerological thing. But I am no expert just give him a day or two and plenty of places to hide. If after a day or two I would take him to get checked out he could hurt himself if he hits the wall or pull a muscle idk just a thought

Sounds like you caught him on a bad day.. haha.. Just put him where ever he's going, he's probably just defensive striking and I'm guessing he's a baby.. Babies are very shy and defensive because they are so small.. Let the little one have some alone time hiding and start with handling sessions in a week.. Keep in mind, if this snake came from a big breeder, he probably hasn't been handled much, on top of that he was just shipped.. So as I said, give him some hiding time and only disturb to change substrate and water, monitor temps. etc.. Good luck! And remember, changing his water is still interaction with the snake so that's good as well.

Maybe the paper stuck in him is stressing him out, maybe he thinks he still in the bag traveling :P

I'm in the same boat... I got my BP last week and he's very aggressive however I have left him alone besides checking humidty, misting if it's low and changing his water every few days. He's probably stressed from the shipping. Last night when I was checking humidity his head was outside of his hideout while the rest of him was inside and struck at the glass. Just give him some time to settle in.

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Originally Posted by Danounet

Maybe the paper stuck in him is stressing him out, maybe he thinks he still in the bag traveling :P

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Maybe, but that was his 'Hide' for the shipping and he didn't want to come out of it. It was like a sideways cup that he was tucked up in. He's out and exploring his tub now, so we'll see what happens.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Just a bit frustrating as I was hoping to get a good look at him before letting him settle in. I guess he's on his own schedule right now. :)

Well at least he didnt arrive very cold and 1/2 frozen like my last arrival :(. He should be ok soon, give him some time first

Sounds to me like the guys at Fedex chose your package to be the kickball of the day. GL

Well, about 8 hours later and I can go in the room and no striking anymore. He seems to have found a spot that he's happy hiding in for now and calmed down. Still plan on leaving him alone and not trying to hold him till after he eats once or twice. Hopefully things will continue to progress and he'll be settled in in a couple days. Fingers crossed.:please:

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Originally Posted by bkelley02

Well, about 8 hours later and I can go in the room and no striking anymore. He seems to have found a spot that he's happy hiding in for now and calmed down. Still plan on leaving him alone and not trying to hold him till after he eats once or twice. Hopefully things will continue to progress and he'll be settled in in a couple days. Fingers crossed.:please:

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Hey Bkelley,

It sounds to me like your BP is starting to relax, it must have been a really traumatic experience for your little guy or girl to endure. Imagine being shipped in a cold dark box for x amount of hours.

Like others have said, just give your snake some time to acclimate and everything should work out well. :gj:

Thanks again! Leaving him alone is exactly what I plan. Now I'll know what to expect a little better too when my spiders get here.;)

Spider Balls are awesome, where do you plan to purchase yours from? I might get another normal, and then purchase a morph.

Someone named Evan Stahl out of Michigan I believe.

Interesting, how much do they run?

put some alcohol on ur hand let it bite u i promise it wont again lol

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Originally Posted by kris62901

put some alcohol on ur hand let it bite u i promise it wont again lol

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I dunno he might like it? I know I would. :D :absolut::beer::puke2:

I got a lil one too, he does nothin but bite. Babys I tell you, but he's only two weeks 5 days so i would expect that from him. Good luck on ur lil man.