Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We've had our Ball since July and she's always been such a laid back and friendly snake. The other night though, she stuck her head up to my hand opened her mouth and LIGHTLY closed her mouth around my hand. She did not penetrate and it did not hurt & she immeadiately let go. But it scared me b/c shes never done anything like that before. My boyfriend says it's normal and she's only "testing". Has anyone heard of this before? Is this okay? (She also hasn't eaten since December...having trouble with f/t) Is she that hungry?!!! Thanks for your time.

LOL, she's just tase testin' your finger . Seriously, when did you try to feed her last? It may be she's finally hungry enough to try the F/T. I really can't imagine any other reason for that kind of behavior.

Quig

We tried a week ago.

Bites happen - could be a variety of reasons why

*she's hungry and mistook your hand for food (Unlikely with just a quick strike but always possible)

* you startled her and it was just a reflex

* her way of telling you to go away

* there is something else bothering her - shes too hot, cold, uncomfortable, her favorite hid has been moved, she smells something in the air, etc.

* shes just having one of those days.

* etc
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

11.42.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

Thanks so much for the feedback. Let me explain the situation a little better...I was holding her still with one hand and part of her body was wrapped around the other arm and she slowly placed her head up to my hand (the one on the arm she was wrapped around) I looked away for a second and without moving when I looked back she was slowly closing her mouth on my hand and pretty much as soon as she did it she withdrew. So I don't think it's because I startled her in any way...she's never had a problem with me holding her before & she was no where near her cage....it looks like she's just mistaking my hand for food...I guess we'll try a frozen rat when she comes out at night (pretty much the only thing we havn't tried) & if that doesn't work we'll see if it happens again and then just break down and get her a live one???? Or maybe not handle her until she's hungry enough to take a frozen??? Again any feedback is appreciated.