New Ball Python just started hissing.

[njbassman7689]

Thank you all for the great advice. I've wanted a snake for a very long time and just wanna go what's best for him. One more question. If I go to handle him and I get a hiss should I leave him be or still continue to pick him up and handle?

[Luvyna]

If your BP is eating reliably (at least 3 times consecutively) then I'd say even if he gives you a hiss, go for it! That will probably help him learn that getting picked up by you doesn't cause him any harm, and also that hissing won't make you go away. I've also found that some BPs like to act like they're tough stuff while they're in their enclosure, but once you take them out they become sweet and docile.

[Bogertophis]

Thank you all for the great advice. I've wanted a snake for a very long time and just wanna go what's best for him. One more question. If I go to handle him and I get a hiss should I leave him be or still continue to pick him up and handle?

A little of both: years ago I took in a yearling boa (BCI) that had changed owners many times for biting/hissing at everyone before she was given to me. No way a
yearling boa is going to scare me off, LOL, but she tried. She tried hard... Initially I cuddled her with a little towel over her, so she learned my scent & touch without
seeing me (we're all big & scary "predators" to a snake that doesn't know any better!). After a month or so she learned to feel safe & quit hissing, so gradually I let her
look out & before you knew it, she was just fine, no towel. In all the years I had her, she never bit me even once, but she wanted to at first only because she was scared.
When I took her out of her cage I never rushed her though...snakes may need time (cues of scent &/or touch) to remember they do know you.

She learned I was "safe" to be with, but over the years, a few times her snakey-mind was "elsewhere" as if she forgot she knew me, & she'd give me a huge evil hisssss
when I wanted to pick her up. And by then she was big (7.5') so her teeth would have hurt...but I just pet her coils (not in her face) for a few minutes while she calmed
down (& remembered my touch), then I picked her up as usual...and she was just fine. Actually, she liked being out & cuddled so much, she often fought to avoid going
back in her cage...

See what I mean?

[Moose84]

Thank you all for the great advice. I've wanted a snake for a very long time and just wanna go what's best for him. One more question. If I go to handle him and I get a hiss should I leave him be or still continue to pick him up and handle?

I have a female who is hissy at times. I wouldn't let it bother you too much. Focus more on his posture and it if he looks like he is getting defensive. My female hisses just to hiss no other defensive behavior. My opinion would be to continue to handle even if he does get a little hissy... If he hisses and you leave him alone he will hiss knowing that you will leave him alone. If he hisses and you notice he's super stiff and in a defensive position then I might back off or cover his head.