Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently got a ball python, it is about a foot and is VERY fiesty! What's your advice on taming it? I just want it to stop striking at me. It's getting ready to shed and I heard that makes them a bit more mean, but what do you suggest?

First thing I do is fill 'em up. If they aren't hungry they won't be as snappy. Also, if it's going into shed, I don't bother mine. If it's fed and not in shed I will just pick them up slowly and gently, hold them for a minute or two and then put them back.
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2.1 Albino BP
0.4 100% Het Albino
2.1 100% het Caramel Albino BP
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alot of cornsnakes
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bunch of geckos
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1.0 Husband who puts up with all my critters.

The first thing I do when I have a fiesty one. Is give her a hide box. If there scared and can you blame them. I would be. Leave them alone for a couple of days. Is she eating? If she is eating OK, then try to handle her a little. If she isn't eating your first priority should be to get her eating. Handling can come later. They almost always calm down as they get a little bigger. Good luck.

As mentioned before, if you just got it give him some time to settle in, give him a hide box, and make sure he is feeding well. Then once you have him settled in; the more you handle him, the more he will begin to calm down. But don't stress him out either - feeding is more important then handling.

Also, if you come in fast and towards his head you will appear much more threatening than if you come slowly around him and pick him up.

Best of luck!
Congrats on your new snake!
Merry Christmas

Steven