Just bought my first snake, a baby ball python. I have photos and a question.

[SrSkisAlot]

Monday night I bought a baby ball python from the local pet store. I bought a basic set up for him that night and added a larger water dish and a hide the following day. The night I got him, as I was taking him out of his box to put him in his tank he struck at me...I wasn’t surprised considering the long car ride plus the time spent in the box while I set up the tank. But the following day as I was adding a bit of substrate he popped out of his hide and struck me. Again I’m not surprised he had barely just gone into his new hide and is still getting used to his new tank.

However my concern is that he has established my scent as something worth striking at. Do I simply wait a full week or two before attempting to hold him and go from there? Or should I put a sock or shirt in the tank to establish my scent as neither prey nor predator. Ultimately I want to nip this in the bud before he decides to always nip at me haha.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, I’m new to snake keeping and looking forward to having this BP around. Just don’t want him to develop any undesirable behavior.

Here is his current tank set up, 10g is small I know but he is a baby and I will be upgrading his tank as soon as I figure out this biting behavior.

[mues155]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the hobby of snake keeping! Were glad to have you.

As far as him striking at you...
I would say he just needs more time to acclimate to his new environment.
In addition, with him being in a fish tank the only way you come at him is from above. His instict would suggest predator. Try not to move at him very fast and try to stick your hand in the opposite end of the tank and come at him from his level, this may seem less threatening to him.
I do not belive they associate your scent something to strike it, IMO it would be the angle at which your hand is coming at him.
Just give him a few days to get used to things, and try feeding him after hes settled.

As a new snake keeper just be sure you have followed a caresheet in his husbandry setup and if everything is right you will have a happy and healthy snake!

[DavidMundy]

I would wait a few days before attempting to handle him, he is probably really stressed out. Baby ball pythons are usually aggressive but as they get older most of them lose their temper. In the mean time check out this video. http://youtu.be/S7DQssbM0uk

[The Serpent Merchant]

While the sock/shirt trick works with dogs it doesn't do anything with snakes.

I wouldn't be worried at all, at this point he is just scared and needing to be left alone for at least a week so he can settle into his new house. (I would also suggest that you wait to try and feed him until then as well)

I see that you are using aspen, but what is the other substrate in there? I would be worried about the aspen molding.

I would also move the heat lamp directly over the hide. you need to get the hot side up to at least 88 degrees, (88-92 is the ideal range for the hot side, 78-82 degrees is ideal for the cool side. What type of bulb are you using? (white, red, blue, backlight?)

You also should really have a second hide on the cool side. this lets them thermoregulate while still being able to hide.

Here is the care sheet. I suggest that you read it: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

[KatStoverReptiles]

He's probably just getting used to his new life. Plus he's young. These two factors can lead to him striking. I'd leave him alone for a week to settle in.

I'd also pick up another hide for his cool side, so he doesn't have to choose between hiding and a comfortable temperature.

I'd also aim to get that warm side up to around 90 and maybe move the thermometer farther to the cool side to get a full spectrum of the temps. Do you have a UTH? if so, is it attached to a thermostat or at least some sort of regulator?


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[KatStoverReptiles]

Once again, Aaron (among others) have beat me to it.


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[mues155]

In the mean time check out this video. http://youtu.be/S7DQssbM0uk

Not sure I like this guys angle...a snake is not a dog...you cannot "dominate" or train them to be submissive ...I see this as just stressing out a hatchling that should be just left alone. A hatchling knows its vulnerable, so they can choose to be more strikey.
but this is just IMO

[DavidMundy]

Not sure I like this guys angle...a snake is not a dog...you cannot "dominate" or train them ...I see this as just stressing out a hatchling that should be just left alone. A hatchling knows its vulnerable, so they can choose to be more strikey.
but this is just IMO

I've personally tried this and for me it worked 100% I got a baby pastel ball python (bought for my brother) about a month ago, he was very nippy at first but I did this about 5 consecutive times and he never struck at me again, it totally tamed him out.

[mues155]

I've personally tried this and for me it worked 100% I got a baby pastel ball python (bought for my brother) about a month ago, he was very nippy at first but I did this about 5 consecutive times and he never struck at me again, it totally tamed him out.

Well thats great then if that works out!I personally wouldnt choose the phrase that I "dominated" the snake in any way.
I believe they tolerate being handled, but thats a little different then an animal being submissive. again just IMO.
I'm glad if the method works though!

[DavidMundy]

Well thats great then if that works out!I personally wouldnt choose the phrase that I "dominated" the snake in any way.
I believe they tolerate being handled, but thats a little different then an animal being submissive. again just IMO.
I'm glad if the method works though!

Yea I completely understand where your coming from, I was just showing him a technique that worked for me and it might or might not work for him if he wishes to try it.