New to Ball Pythons need some input, thanks!

[Andrew_a]

Hi everyone I'm new to this forum, looking forward to becoming a part of the community. I just recently purchased a lemon pastel ball python female and had a few questions.

I'm used to my girlfriend's ball pythons and they're all very nice so this is new to me. I received her in the mail on Wednesday morning and immediately put her in her enclosure. She just stayed wrapped up in a ball and didn't try striking at me once. Then she started moving around and getting a little comfortable so I left her alone. The next day I opened her cage to change out her water dish and she struck at me when I put the dish back in and then once again she struck at me through the glass while i was putting the top back on her tank. I had to spot clean her cage today so I had to pick her up and move her up and move her away from the area that I had to clean. She struck at me once again while in my hands and then again when I put her in her cage. She's roughly 12-16 inches long and I'd say about 2 months old. I haven't really tried handling her yet because I know she's not that comfortable yet, I'm just lost on how I'm supposed to tame her when she strikes at me anytime I get close to her? Has anyone had a similar incident? If anyone has some input on how to tame her that'd be amazing, thank you so much! And one more question, I've only had her for about 3 days, and she's still acting like this, should I even try to feed her or should I wait until she calms down?

[Drake Moonslayer]

You generally want to give a week or 2 on very minimal handeling. Spot cleaning and water only. Let her get adjusted and calm down. Then try feeding her and leave her be for 24 - 48 hours to digest. from there you can start handeling her for short periods at a time 5 to 10 mins per day for a week or so and gradually increase the time that you are handling her. This is what I had to do with my Spider. She did the same thing hissing and striking everytime I changed out the water or did the cleaning.

[Andrew_a]

Thanks Drake! How did you deal with her striking while in your hands? Or did she eventually calm down enough for you to pick her up? I'm just nervous of her striking me while I'm trying to get her used to me handling her. Hopefully she gets more comfortable because when I walk by the cage I can see her following me kind of giving me the "I'm gonna strike you" look, lol, so I think it'd even be difficult to pick her up to handle her. And I should wait to feed her for a week or 2, okay thanks!

[martin82531]

She will calm down, just need to give a couple weeks or so to allow her to get use to her new environment. My Albino was a little snippy when I first brought him home but over time he calmed down. You will be ok waiting a week or 2 to feed if you want.

[Drake Moonslayer]

She struck at me one time when in my hand and after a while calmed down and now she is cool with me picking her up. The way it has been explained to me is to look from the snakes perspective. A giant picks you up and hands you off to another giant. You are then put in a new location and you are trying to figure out wether you are going to be eaten while you have this giant poking at you.

[Ronin]

Hello there, I am pretty new to keeping BP as well. My girl was pretty pissy when I first got her. She struck at me a few times as well and then I learned (from awesome people here) that you just need to let her be for a while. I learned that she was just very hungry because she didn't eat for at least 14 days. After I fed her the first time she chilled right out and is already starting to turn into a puppy dog. Probably another month or so and she'll be tame as can be. Do you know when the last time she ate?

[Andrew_a]

Thanks everyone! The last time she ate was last wednesday so its been about a week and a half. I didnt want to feed her because she's so nippy and don't want her to regurgitate her food. I've heard of BPs being nervous at first but I didn't think it'd be as bad as to not even being able to put my hand in her cage. Tbh I'm scared to get bit lol.

[MootWorm]

Don't be scared! The little ones don't pack much of a punch. Honestly it's best to get the first bite over with quickly, then you won't have to get yourself all worked up over how 'bad' it will hurt. It's usually just a quick little nip. The scariest part is how fast the little buggers are lol.


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[Andrew_a]

Yeah I think that's what gets me is how fast she is lol. I've got some learning to do