Just how Docile are BP's

[Canadianmojave]

From what I hear/read Ball Pythons are one of the calmest docile snakes you can own. Is this true?

I had a yellow rat snake a few years back, and there was no way you could pick that snake up without being constantly struck at over and over again. same with a garter snake I had constantly trying too bite me.

Did I just have bad luck with those snakes...I dont know if i could handle 5 or however many BPs im going too buy always biteing me.. lol...

[MasonC2K]

BP's are exceptionally docile when raised in captivity. Even wild ones can beome docile. Mine has never struck at me. Adn from what I have read the people that do get bit are usually mistaken for food.

[littleindiangirl]

Well like any snake, they have the means to bite when threatened, or if they mistake you for food. In my small experience, my snakes have never struck or bitten at me. They roll into a tight little ball to protect their head rather than go on the offensive.

I think for anyone that is uneasy around snakes, a ball python is a great choice. They do tend to roll in a ball when nervous, or if they try to get away, the last thing on their mind is biting.

[dsirkle]

I am not the most experienced bp owner, but I have 4 and have not yet been bitten. A baby bp is more skittish and may bite out of fear. After it grows it will calm right down. I have also found that a snake kept in a rack is likely to feel invaded and ball up when you expose it and a snake kept in a pvc cage that gets to see you often while looking out of its hide to hunt will identify you as the food bringer and will appear to be glad to see you. I don't use glass tanks so I can't comment on those. Unless you happen to buy the occasional bp that has a bad temperament I don't think that you need to worry about being bitten. The natural instinct is to ball up rather than bite. Just be careful handling babies at first.

[azak323]

Babies are definitely more prone to biting, esepcially males, but it's really all out of fear. They usually outgrow it within the first year of handling (some before then or a little after). Every now and then you will run across a BP that does have a more aggressive disposition than others, but those only come along so often. I use glass tanks for my BPs, and I don't think it makes them feel any less secure than other enclosures as long as you provide the right security (Hides, fake plants, vines, background tank paper, etc). My female BP has never struck at me or anyone. My male is a little more on edge than her, but has only struck when provoked (handler smells like food, someone being rude and tapping on the glass, when there is a lot of people around, and when the dogs get a little nosy). But overall, yes, they are very docile animals!

[greghall]

my new pasel is a mean little girl ! hisses & strikes LOL bad.each snakes has its own personality!!

[DSGB]

i have had 3 balls over the years and have only been bite once. and it was my fault. hand smelt like food.

[waltah!]

I've never been bitten by a BP. My new baby yellowbelly like to hiss a lot when I go into his tank though

[Tosha_Mc]

In general balls are pretty docile - there is always an exception to every rule - there can be some mean ass balls as well. Babies tend to be a bit nippy until they get used to being handled and I've found even the most docile ball can get a bit cranky in their old age.

[frankykeno]

We've got a few BP's around and rarely get bitten or even a bite attempt. Does that mean for one instance we think we won't or that just because these are ball pythons they won't give it a go - not for a moment. These are snakes and will act like snakes. The best I can say is to learn their cues, try to avoid some of the human mistakes that trigger strikes and just accept that occasionally one of them is going to decide to take a jab at you for whatever reason it's instincts drove it to.

I get a lot of intense stares, tracking me and jabs at me that don't connect. It's just part of having the snakes and doesn't mean much really and you learn to redirect the snake or sense when it's really serious about having a taste of you.