Establishing prey items is a far cry from imprinting. Considering the lack of maternal instinct once hatched and the rate at which neonates disperse out into the wild coupled with the lone mentality of ball pythons. There is no reason for nor benefit to imprinting nor affection. It has no reason to exist. They do however possess a level of curiosity otherwise they never would leave the nest but even that could be attributed to instinctual drive to eat or be alone. You are attempting to place human emotional explanation to behavior that is nothing more that instinctual or learned response. Not trying to bust your bubble but what you think you are experiencing simply is not what you think it is. At least in the way I understand your description.