Quote Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion View Post
Yes, there are a few species of snakes that will turn at bay and come toward you if they feel cornered--but not many. As I said. And ball pythons aren't one of them.
I can name quite a few. Of course ball pythons aren't one of them - the OP never made that claim.

MaleXMale aggression is of a completely different type--snakes engage in ritualized combat. They don't bite each other. They don't display this behavior toward humans.
That's based on your definition of aggression. Aggression exists on several levels. Some species engage in more severe ritualized combat. By definition, these are more aggressive snakes.

Female pythons defend their eggs. They bite those who come too close to them. They do not leave their eggs and rush toward intruders. This is still defensive behavior.

If someone came toward you threateningly with a weapon, and you shoved them away, and then started kicking or hitting to keep them away when they came back, but never approached them in return once they backed off, would your behavior be aggressive or defensive? I think the answer is pretty obvious.
Again, there is defensive behavior and aggressive defensive behavior. These are not made up terms - these are actual classifications of animal behavior.

A ball python may or may not bite you when you try to take her eggs. That is maternal or parental based aggressive behavior. A brown snake may not only try to bite you, but chase you away as well - this is maternal aggressive behavior on a higher scale.

If someone came towards me with a weapon and I kicked them or hit them to keep them away - that's aggressive defensive behavior. If I run away, it's purely defensive behavior. If I go on the offensive after that, that's a different type of aggression.

Ball pythons will display low levels of parental aggressive behavior, will usually not display aggressive defensive behavior and sometimes display irritation induced aggressive behavior.

Cribos can display significantly higher levels of parental aggressive behavior, will more often than not display aggressive defensive behavior and a high percentage of animals will display irritation induced aggressive behavior.

What both species have in common is that they are easily accustomed to handling through conditioning. That addresses only two types of aggressive behavior - aggressive defensive and condition based. It has little to no measurable effect on the remaining 5 defined types of animal aggression.

Bottom line: ball pythons may not be aggressive but many any other snakes are. Defining aggression by whether a snake chases you or not is not the end all.

The OP's question was flawed (no insult intended Tiffany). Just because your snake becomes acclimated to handling does not mean it's still not an aggressive animal. It only means that it does not display an aggressive defense response (aka biting) through conditioning.

It will still go after prey with the same gusto, defend it's brood with the same zeal and become ticked off if you mess with it too much. It also won't lessen the level of male to male aggression - ritualized or not.