Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
I bought a ball python about 2 weeks ago, he is 4 months old and had been handled. We have fed him twice without incident but he has attacked us 3 times and my 10yo son and I are both warey of him. I realise he is scared and we are too and he senses that.
I really need some advice and encouragement to try and work through this - its the speed that is scarey and i find it difficult to overcome my natural reactions to withdraw
thanks
Sara

When did he strike at you - what was going on? I am going to assume that his set up is optimal and not causing additional stress?

Try leaving him a lone for a while - let him de-stress and get used to his new home. When you do handle him take him out and just sit with him in your hand or on your lap - let him explore you. Limit any movement around him - move slowly if you have to and don't keep him out too long - put him back in his hide. Let him get to know you and get used to the fact that you are not going to eat him and will return him to the safety of his cave.

Good luck!
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Tosha
JET Pythons

He is not really attacking you, you didnt say what you where keeping him in and what age he is, you just need to give him some time to acclimate , and dont try to handle him for aliitle while once he settles in and starts to feed on a regular basis than you can handle him more , I have several baby females who will strike out they do because they are still small and this is the only defense they have and they are not sure of what you are once they have been acclimated and start to grow more they want be scared at all , they want bite the hand that feeds them once they get to this point just be patient and give him some privacy do not handle him for a couple of weeks .

Thanks, I know that we all need time to get to know each other and perhaps putting him in a quieter spot might help. Will let you know how I get on
Sara

Don't handle him when hes eating.

Other than that, I would recommend handeling him more to get him used to it. The ones I have that are aggressive, I pik up and once they are handeled for awhile they calm down.

Use gloves to pick him up initially and keep him away from your face. Once youve had him out, and handle him for awhile take the gloves off and he will respond to the warmth of your hands, I guarantee he will seem like a different snake after a few sessions of this.

He is being defensive, not aggressive, IMHO.