Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have this aggresive female pastel hatchling. She would normlly lunge t the side of her rack as I walked by. I have not handled her, but I would open her rack and just look at her. Now she has stopped lunging, but I still think she will bite. I petted her just for her to feel a human touch and she seemed a little nervous, but did not bite. I left her alone. Is this a step forward or should I be handling her to get the aggression out completely. I figure that I can do this for a little mroe time ans the begin handling her in a month or so. I do transport her between racks when cleanings. Other than that she is left alone. Thanks

If you have had her for a good bit of time, and she is settled in and feeding and everything, get around to handling her. Not all ball pythons come right out of their eggs with such a laid back attitude in them, a good amount of babies can be a little uppity in my opinion, as I see plenty of them around here, though most do come out of their eggs with a good attitude, there are those few who just take a bit longer to adjust to any kind of real handling and interaction. They are just being a normal baby snake, unsure of anything bigger coming at them when they are so small until they learn better.
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-Amelia
ES Tropicals

Keep in mind this is an animal. You cannot reason with it like some humans. They are designed to survive and will do what it takes to do so.
Although Balls are generally docile, they are still snakes, keep that in mind. This way you will not be surprised when ti does strike or even bite you.
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Brian Oakley
Phoenix, Arizona
BrianOakley@qwest.net

Work your way up. I have a yellow belly male that used to be the same way. I use a snake hook to pick him up. I then carefully pet him, then hold him. Then take the hook away. After a few min, he is fine. He is getting used to me now. She will calm down eventually, just keep working with her. Good luck, and hope this helps.

When I'm shopping for ball pythons and one of them bites me, I usually buy it and never handle it. It makes for a great feeder!