My snake tried to bite me

[RoyalGuardian]

I keep hearing people say that Ball pythons can't feel love or affection and quite honestly I think its a whole bunch of balderdash. they may not feel "love" but they most certainly need to feel like they can trust you. Leave your new buddy completely alone ( its the hardest part of owning your ball python in my opinion) for about at least a week. As for names I always go to baby name sites for my pets!

[grim reaper in NY]

One other thing to remember when it comes to wearing gloves and so forth. if you start wearing gloves when you handle your pet, it will quickly associate the smell of those gloves with you. Should you get him or her trained to be handled with gloves and then you forget one day to put them on for wahtever reason, the different scent may provoke a defensive response from your pet and you might risk being struck at again. the key is to try to get your pet used to YOUR scent so it knows you and can relax around you. By confusing it with different scents you will have a much harder time gaining your pet's confidence and trust. Just some food for thought.

[Skiploder]

One other thing to remember when it comes to wearing gloves and so forth. if you start wearing gloves when you handle your pet, it will quickly associate the smell of those gloves with you. Should you get him or her trained to be handled with gloves and then you forget one day to put them on for wahtever reason, the different scent may provoke a defensive response from your pet and you might risk being struck at again. the key is to try to get your pet used to YOUR scent so it knows you and can relax around you. By confusing it with different scents you will have a much harder time gaining your pet's confidence and trust. Just some food for thought.

Really?

I've never had that problem and I start off handling all my new drys and my rear-fanged colubrids with gloves.

Have you personally had this issue?

[grim reaper in NY]

I had it with my Rainbow when I first got her many years ago. My Herp Vet clued me in when I asked him why she started striking at me when I ditched the gloves after using them for about 6 months when I handled her. I never thought about it until he brought it up. The gloves I wore then were the leather work gloves that had an odor completely different then my natural scent. It's the little things that we don't think about that make the difference in our pets.

[Scales]

lol. everyone here is right, i should just leave him alone for the week. Also, I don't know how to upload pics, I fed him, and I named him Scales. (Choosing of the name had NOTHING to do with my username)

[CruelHerbie]

When it comes to being bit by a ball python, the best advice I can give you is to let it happen. Don't jerk your hand away when they get you. It doesn't hurt, it is more of a shock thing. Once you get bit for the first time you'll realize its no big deal!

[Kaorte]

lol. everyone here is right, i should just leave him alone for the week. Also, I don't know how to upload pics, I fed him, and I named him Scales. (Choosing of the name had NOTHING to do with my username)

You can upload pics to your BP.net gallery by going to the gallery link at the top of the page. Then there will be another bar of links and there is one called "upload". Find the files on your computer using the browse button and press upload. It might take a little while to upload the pictures if they are big.

[Scales]

K thanks

[Jenn]

Nice job Scales! Getting them to eat is half the battle. And snakes are much less likely to strike you when they are not hungry.

[Scales]

Ahhh!!! I was misting Scales' cage when- BOOM!!!!! The light in the heater lamp exploded, almost right above him! It sounded like a big pop and then smoke started rising from the lamp. I looked at the shattered glass and a part of it was yellow. I'm guessing it was from being on the top of the cage. I called my mom and she said she would buy a 60watt and something to hold the lamp. The only thing is, Scales looks angry. And I don't mean just a , he looks like a . He is pulling back like he's about to strike. Oh, and, don't worry, i cleaned the glass out of the cage and neither of us were hurt. Either way, how long until I do anything with him? I am uploading pic now.