Quote Originally Posted by starmom View Post
Do you put the snake back when he strikes, or leave him alone if he strikes at you from within the snake environment? If so, this could lead to a conditioned response of "I will strike so he will leave me alone."

With nippy balls (and boas!) it is helpful to allow the strike and take the snake out anyway. Once the snake has calmed down he can then be put back into the environment.
You can wear gloves for a while if it makes you feel more comfortable. Although I didn't find my bite all that painful (& it was a feed strike/constrict). Do you know what his environment was like before you adopted him?