Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are baby ball's usually snappy? I got a baby ball python from a friend last week and he is really snappy. I only try to handle him about 15 minutes per day (just to get him used to me), and I left him alone for 3 days when I first got him.

He doesn't really snap at me when I have him out of the tank (although I keep his head facing away from me), but right when I put him back in his tank, he'll snap at me through the glass a few times before going into his hide.

Is this normal for babies? He is not even a month old yet. Will he grow out of this stage? Oh, and does the bite hurt?

usually balls are pretty docile,but,sometimes there are aggressive ones,just like mostanimals.he may grow out of it with time and careful handling.as far as the bite hurting,not terribly since he is a baby,it will when he grows up though. good luck
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Lee

It is my experience that they are just defending themselves.
I have kept about 30 babies and about 1/2 of them were tigers when they were hatched, they all have calmed down. I don't handle my snakes as much as I did years ago, I have not noticed any difference in how the snakes act when I do hold them. As for their bite. It is startling but it doesn't hurt. Quick little devils (ment with love) aren't they? If you have to reach into the front of your little tiger. A technique I have used in the past. Put your fingers together like you are signaling STOP. And just move your hand toward your snake. They will most often tuck their heads. Sometimes they might strike, but it does nothing. If they bit the end of your finger it might prick it. But the palm of your hand streched out, no damage. Hope that helps. Claude

They will usually grow out of it. Either way the bites don't really hurt(adult or babies IMO) unless they really get you. Most of the time they just snap at you and only catch you with a few teeth.
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John Vandegrift

Out of 30 babies, I have only had one that was "nippy". She struck at every movement anywhere near her. She stopped after about 10 months and has been as docile as the rest ever since.