bumblebee ball python terrified of me?

[ballpython2013]

hey all i purchased a bumblebee ball python about a month ago and he hates being handled, when i reach into his tank he either breaths really heavily or he is hissing at me im not sure which, but once he is in my hands he wont stop moving and will continually try to "slither" out of my hand and when i put him back in his tub he slithers away realllyy fast, i have been trying to handle him lots but he just wont calm down even after 10-15 min of handling. none of my other snakes do this and im wondering what i can do to help him get used to me? he eats every week and sheds fine and all his temps are right (89-92F) - (82-84F). and he has to squeeze into his hide so i dont think he is stressed from to much space. anyone have any ideas?
thanks

[Neal]

hey all i purchased a bumblebee ball python about a month ago and he hates being handled, when i reach into his tank he either breaths really heavily or he is hissing at me im not sure which, but once he is in my hands he wont stop moving and will continually try to "slither" out of my hand and when i put him back in his tub he slithers away realllyy fast, i have been trying to handle him lots but he just wont calm down even after 10-15 min of handling. none of my other snakes do this and im wondering what i can do to help him get used to me? he eats every week and sheds fine and all his temps are right (89-92F) - (82-84F). and he has to squeeze into his hide so i dont think he is stressed from to much space. anyone have any ideas?
thanks

BP's can just be like that. Snakes never really enjoy being handled, though it may seem like it and as much as we want to believe it, they really only tolerate it. One thing they do enjoy I'm sure is the heat from our body. For the most part they seem to be shy at a younger age, and once they get some size on them they generally calm down. If I take my bee out, he'll be in a ball for a few minutes, then the next thing I know he's all over the place. It all varies from snake to snake but just be patient and work with him.

[ballpython2013]

BP's can just be like that. Snakes never really enjoy being handled, though it may seem like it and as much as we want to believe it, they really only tolerate it. One thing they do enjoy I'm sure is the heat from our body. For the most part they seem to be shy at a younger age, and once they get some size on them they generally calm down. If I take my bee out, he'll be in a ball for a few minutes, then the next thing I know he's all over the place. It all varies from snake to snake but just be patient and work with him.

okay yeah he is only 1yr old so ill just try to handle him everyday to get him to calm down, thanks

[Neal]

okay yeah he is only 1yr old so ill just try to handle him everyday to get him to calm down, thanks

I wouldn't recommend everyday, but that's me. I'd say 2-3 times a week, but he may never settle down regardless of what you do. Good luck though.

[DPBallPythons]

I wouldn't recommend to handle the snake every day because of the stress factor. Try 2-3 times a week.

[ballpython2013]

I wouldn't recommend to handle the snake every day because of the stress factor. Try 2-3 times a week.

okay thanks, maybe he is doing this because of me handling him every 1-2 days?

[Neal]

okay thanks, maybe he is doing this because of me handling him every 1-2 days?

Possibly, but no way to honestly tell as none of us know exactly what they think. You could be stressing him out though.

[ballpython2013]

Possibly, but no way to honestly tell as none of us know exactly what they think. You could be stressing him out though.

okay ill cut back on the handling

[martin82531]

hey all i purchased a bumblebee ball python about a month ago and he hates being handled, when i reach into his tank he either breaths really heavily or he is hissing at me im not sure which, but once he is in my hands he wont stop moving and will continually try to "slither" out of my hand and when i put him back in his tub he slithers away realllyy fast, i have been trying to handle him lots but he just wont calm down even after 10-15 min of handling. none of my other snakes do this and im wondering what i can do to help him get used to me? he eats every week and sheds fine and all his temps are right (89-92F) - (82-84F). and he has to squeeze into his hide so i dont think he is stressed from to much space. anyone have any ideas?
thanks

I would also try and bring his cool side down just a tad if possible, aim for 79-81 degrees.

[ballpython2013]

I would also try and bring his cool side down just a tad if possible, aim for 79-81 degrees.

really? i was told/read that it should always be 80 minimum but to aim for 83-84