Hi, so I got my ball python a month ago, and since I got him, he has been very defensive. Sometimes to the point where he strikes when I am near the enclosure. I have successfully held him a couple of times without issue, once I have him out of the enclosure he normally calms down, however sometimes he does not and will try to strike at me while I’m holding him. I would just like to know what the best route to take is with this. Would they normally calm down with age or is he at the point where he is how he is going to be? I have heard that holding them a couple times a week can help get them used to handling, but I’ve also heard that leaving them alone for a while can help.

He is in a 10gal tank with 3 sides blocked out, water on the cool side, hide on the warm. I’m planning on upgrading the size of the tank so I am able to provide a hide on both sides. The temperature gradient is currently 91 on the warm side, 80 on the cool, with a humidity of 52%. The heating provided by a CHE with a thermostat because the UTH was unable to keep the temperatures high enough.

Is there anything else I can do to make him get used to handling more? Or is this something he will just grow out of? He’s been feeding weekly on an adult thawed mouse since the week after I got him with no problem.

Thank you and I appreciate any feedback about what I am doing because he is my first snake and I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to make him comfortable and healthy!