Hello,
I have a younger ball python that does not like being handled.
A little background.
I got the ball python off a guy who was moving. He was 4 months old, and the guy said he was eating regularly for him. A day or two after we got him home it was time for him to eat. He did not eat however. I knew this was because of the stress of moving and his husbandry was not right. We got his setup better, and he did eat about a week and a half later. He has been eating great ever since (thawed frozen mice).
Spot is now 6-7 months old and he still does not like to be handled. Every time I get him out he strikes at me (except one time when he stayed in a ball). He also rarely comes out of his hide.
The husbandry seems pretty good, three hides (although he only uses one). He has a hot and cool side. Humidity seems right. I have the under the tank heater on a thermostat (I was shocked how hot that thing gets). Fresh water and he is in a room with relatively low traffic. We never handle him the day before or the day after feeding. He does not strike while picking him up, but after he is out and I am holding him.
I want to get him more comfortable with us so we can handle him. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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