Why do some people return their ball pythons?

[Bogertophis]

I was about to say something similar. From what I've heard so far, getting bit by a bp sounds like getting scratched by a cat--relatively minor and largely inevitable if you're around that type of animal for any length of time. It doesn't mean the animal hates you or is aggressive, they just have sharp things on their bodies that they use instinctively.

Choose a non-venomous snake bite every time, they have FAR fewer germs than cats do. I've never had a snake bite get infected, but sure can't say that about cat scratches.

If you fail to read what your snake is thinking & get tagged (sooner or later it's bound to happen), definitely don't take it personal. It's an honest mistake on their part, either they're fearful or mistaking you for incoming prey. Nearly all bites are preventable by us, just by paying attention, & giving your snake clues they can relate to about what is coming toward them. Give them your scent by blowing air across your hand in their direction, or by dangling an empty sleeve you've worn near them, or use the sleeve or a snake hook to gently touch them, & give them a moment for their perceptions to "sink in". Everyone's happier that way- they don't enjoy fearing the unknown any more than we would. Never forget that snakes mostly do NOT identify us or anything else just by using their vision -as we generally do!