Rookie need advice

[Rc916]

So after a few months of research I decided to give a ball python a try got a little female pastel lesser. Had here for about a week let her get used to her new tank for a few days now I’d like to start handling her but as soon as I walk in the room she starts striking at the air even starts shaking her tail like a rattler. I have her in a 30g glass tank with a hide. I just recently got out of the cichlids hobby so I have tanks from 10g up to 250g. Is her attitude normal or I’m I doing something wrong? Do I just push through and start handling her? Any advice is appreciated..

[EL-Ziggy]

Welcome to the forum RC. I'd suggest holding off on handling her at all until she's had a little more time to settle in and eaten 2-3 times consecutively. I'm not sure how old or large she is but new snakes can sometimes be a bit shy and defensive for the first couple or few months. You said she's in a 30g with one hide. I'd have 2-4 hides in there along with some floor coverings. How are you heating your enclosure and what are your temps like? Once your husbandry is dialed in accurately and she's eaten a few times the rest is pretty easy.

[Rc916]

Ok thanks!! I’ve got it pretty dialed in I think? hot side about 92 and the other side about 80 I bought a thermostat and ceramic heater humidity about 50%. I believe she’s really young she’s probably about 15”. Coconut fiber water dish and some logs. I was supper excited to start this new hobby and I’m just frustrated she’s so aggressive. My buddy bought one at the Same time same place pretty exact set up and his is mellow.. thank you so much for the help!

[Rc916]

Thanks everyone I have the sides and the back of the tank painted black.. always did this with my fish.. I’ll get a tub in a heart beat if that’s best but I also made a plexiglass top with only about 5 inches of screen on one end to try to keep moisture but also so it could breath.. I thought I did my research but there is something to be said for real life experience.

[Rc916]

Also probably goes without saying but she won’t eat. The breeder I got her from said she was taking f/t and gave me a couple packs of what she was eating when should I offer her food again?

[walzon1]

I have lots of fish tanks as well, but they are not really appropriate for ball python. Balls hate open space they want to be completely hidden in a dark place. Fish tanks are too open the snake feels vulnerable and will strike. This scenario will likely cause the snake not to eat. Don't handle until a few feedings. Get a tub , or puts tons of cover and hides.

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[Turningstar]

Thats pretty normal. The bp I got in November took over a month to stop defensive striking whenever anyone so much as walked by. Make sure your temps and humidity are dialed in, as well as plenty of hides so he/she can choose what thermogradient they need.

I placed my tank in the quietest room, my bedroom, where there wouldnt be a ton of commotion, but he could see me coming and going without bothering him. It helped him to stop seeing me as a threat. He is now very quiet and tame around everyone.

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[Bogertophis]

Nothing wrong with covering the sides, back & underneath a tank with scenery & then material behind that to also insulate the tank, providing the privacy desired
+ enhanced energy efficiency too. More than one way to house a snake... And to help contain the humidity, you only need to cover most of the screen top with
any material that air doesn't go thru, thus mimicking the greatly reduced air-flow in the professionally-made plastic enclosures that many swear by. As long as you
end up in the same "ball park" with respect to the right temps., humidity, & appropriate furnishings (especially hides that feel cozy to the snake), you'll be fine.

I'd keep the highest temp. at 90* or below, just in case the reading is a little off...you don't want to over-heat a snake, they can get neurological damage as well as "burns".

Snakes do have their own personalities: usually patient handling will overcome all but the feistiest. But first, patience while they settle in...eating a few times first before any handling is the best way to go, because handling causes them stress & stress can be an appetite-killer. Snake that refuse to eat are not fun.

[Bogertophis]

Also, they seldom will accept prey if they are cruising around their enclosure, out in the open. So you're better off waiting until they feel 'secure' enough (in their
hide, peeking out) before you offer.

Snakes also get stressed out if we keep offering repeatedly, so if you think she's ready but for some reason she doesn't take it, don't panic...just wait a few days
before you try again. Remember snakes have evolved to go for periods of time without eating...they're not like us, they won't starve. Questions?

[Zincubus]

Also, they seldom will accept prey if they are cruising around their enclosure, out in the open. So you're better off waiting until they feel 'secure' enough (in their
hide, peeking out) before you offer.

Snakes also get stressed out if we keep offering repeatedly, so if you think she's ready but for some reason she doesn't take it, don't panic...just wait a few days
before you try again. Remember snakes have evolved to go for periods of time without eating...they're not like us, they won't starve. Questions?

^ This^

Wait until it’s been settled under a hide for a while then give the mouse a good blast with a hairdryer and dangle in front of the hide entrance !!


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