Greetings,
I am a new owner to a Ball Python that I purchased off of CL. The gentleman was very selective to whom his snake would reside with so purchased the snake and it's habitat from him. He has owned the snake since it was a baby, 2007, and when me and my fiancee' held the snake it was very docile and no issues what-so-ever. We have now had the snake for two weeks and both of us have had issues with the snake. About two weeks ago my fiancee' went to hold the snake, which she has had three BP's in the past and very familiar with this breed, and when she sat in a chair it struck her leg; luckily a blanket was on her lap. The snake held onto the blanket and curled all around it and all I heard was screams because owning three BP's in the past she has never once been struck at or bitten. I picked the blanket up and placed it into his habitat until he released it, which was about 30 minutes.

A few days ago I stroked his back and decided to hold the snake. He was not aggitated at all and picked him up after ensuring he was calm. I held him in my right hand and he curled around my arm and not in a restrictive manner then he brought his head around my wrist and bit down on the palm of my hand where the thumb is and tried to constrict onto my arm. After about a minute of unwrapping him I was able to get him to release and placed him back into his habitat. I have contacted the previous owner and he is absolutely shocked and dismayed of the snakes actions. He suggested that possibly he might be hungry; he had eaten about one month ago. On a side note, when no one is in the room with the snake he lays out longwise in the habitat and pretty much is still. When someone walks in the room he is very active with going up the side of the glass and his nose to the top of the cage the entire time someone is in there.

I do not believe that the snake was agressive what-so-ever and do not think that I was duped into the purchase. I was on the phone with the previous owner last night for over an hour and he wanted to come over to handle the snake to see what is wrong. He suggested that possilbly the habitat is not setup exactly as it was in his home and suggested to feed him a medium to large rat due to the biting could be that he is hungry. The snake has never hissed before biting or has it lunged in the air striking nor has it curled up to strike. So I'm asking to see what could be causing this situation and what I can do to resolve it. My fiancee' is horrified of the snake b/c of never had this issue before and I am trying to instill confidence again, thanks.