hissing :(

[bimmer]

so...the other day i was gonna take my buddy out before i fed him and when i was trying to get him out of his hide he let out a little tiny hiss... almost like i was pushing on his lungs... then today i set him on the ground (well my carpet) and then went to pick him up a second later because he was moving suprisingly fast and he let out another little his but a little louder. so i went ahead and put him back and then when i set him down in his tank he was acting kinda defrensive. i've only had him like a week and a half and he's never been mean at all. i'm really dissapointed
do any of your snakes do this type of thing? or could i actually be pushing on his lungs?

[Salem Purrs]

so...the other day i was gonna take my buddy out before i fed him and when i was trying to get him out of his hide he let out a little tiny hiss... almost like i was pushing on his lungs... then today i set him on the ground (well my carpet) and then went to pick him up a second later because he was moving suprisingly fast and he let out another little his but a little louder. so i went ahead and put him back and then when i set him down in his tank he was acting kinda defrensive. i've only had him like a week and a half and he's never been mean at all. i'm really dissapointed
do any of your snakes do this type of thing? or could i actually be pushing on his lungs?

I've only had Salem since last Tuesday, and he's hissed at me once when I went to get him out of his leaves. My friend's ball python will hiss if you wake him up and nudge too much before picking him up. *shrug* thats all I know about it.

[Mitch21]

Don't worry about it. You said you got him only a week and a half ago. So number one, hopefully you let him be for about a week period to get acclimated to his new home. Number two, if your avatar pic is of the snake that you are talking about, that is a very young/small snake! Don't worry... He's just being defensive. In no time at all, you'll be able to handle him without him getting defensive! Just give him time and honestly don't handle him too much because he is so small.

I've noticed that it takes about 2 months for my BPs to become completely comfortable with me...

Hope this helps!
Mitch

[BMorrison]

Furio has hissed twice and I just lightly touched his head. Kinda let him know everythings alright and I'm not there to hurt him. He's still jumpy sometimes but I think it's just mostly because he's a big sissy pants. It'll be all good though, just give him some time with short handling sessions.

[JayBP]

Furio has hissed twice and I just lightly touched his head. Kinda let him know everythings alright and I'm not there to hurt him. He's still jumpy sometimes but I think it's just mostly because he's a big sissy pants. It'll be all good though, just give him some time with short handling sessions.

Ball Pythons are usually head shy so touching his head would just freak him out even more. . .

[RichardA]

most of all my hatchlings hiss when I first get them out....they will usually calm down with time and handling.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Nothing to worry about.... some balls just hiss when they are startled.

[rabernet]

I'm a little confused why you're disappointed that he hissed? It's a snake - they hiss. They aren't dogs or cats that WANT to be with you, in fact, they'd rather be left alone. Handling them is a gift that they allow us. He's communicating with you in the only way he can - he can't do facial expressions, or put his tail between his legs, or even run from you. He can only hiss - or strike at you if you really scare him.

Be patient, respect that he's a snake, and not a kitten or a puppy, and take time to build trust with him. It doesn't happen overnight, it just takes time. You have 30+ years to build your relationship with him!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Dogs bark, cats meow ……… and snakes hiss

Seriously that you are disappointed about your snake hissing confuses me

This is a snake that you just acquired, he is in a new environment, surrendered by people he sees as predators pulling him out of the comfort and security of his enclosure without warning, so how do you expect him to react?

Be patient, do not handle him constantly, know when to leave your animal alone and everything will be just fine.

I still have some of mine that hiss at me from time to time and in that case I just leave them alone no big deal.

Note: Getting a snake and expecting him not to hiss or strike is like getting a puppy and expecting him not to have an accident on the carpet…………….not realistic.

[extensive]

like the posters above... come on people they are snakes! you ripped him out of his hide! wouldnt you be a little angry if a huge hand came hovering over top of you and picked you out of your nice dark hide?

also touching a snakes head to try to clam it down will only make matters worse.