they do have "tempers" but they are all bluff. Mine has never bit me...my six year old daughter holds it all the time. Their "tempers" are part of their charm. they will get up in strike pose and hiss and "rattle" their tails, really quite cool. they usually close their mouths when striking anyhow, and if it did get you it doesn't have the teeth of a python. they also calm right down when you pick them up....and then get crazy as hell right when you set them back down...awesome snakes. Mine is from some breeder called the serpentarium. Not sure, some kid just didn't want it so I got it for 20 bucks. by far my favorite snake "personality" wise though.