Ok-- This is going to sound like an absolutely dumb question but--


I just got my first ball python baby boy yesterday.

I'd been visiting this particular baby in the store for a couple of weeks now, holding him for about 45 minutes each visit. I also had my daughter hold him for a bit to see how they would interact-- and everything was great!

So I took the plunge and brought him home yesterday.

This morning, I decided to take him up for some "love" and he didn't look right... very tense, with his head standing above his body. He was staring intently at my daughter, which made me nervous so I had her leave the room.

No sooner had she turned away than he lunged at her. I got scared, so I dropped him back in the tank on the pine bedding.

My friend came over to help me put the "toys" back in the tank. While we were doing so, my baby boy lunged at ME.

After all this, my question is--
Is this normal??

He was perfectly fine in the store-- very calm and docile. Now that he's home, he's gotten aggressive...

I'm absolutely heart broken, as I fell in love with this little guy, and would hate to have to return him, but at the same time I can't handle an aggressive snake... especially with a child in the house...

Any suggestions?


Thank you!