Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. This is the first time I've posted here. I have had numerous pythons through the years (Balls and Carpets). I recently took in a male ball python from an old friend who was not properly caring for this snake. The snake was skrawny and underfed, and had very dry skin with obvious problems shedding in the past. This snake was also VERY SNAPPY. The only other Balls I've had are like kittens! This guy is a biter!

Since I've taken this snake, he has doubled in size (eating two or three mice a week)and his skin is much better. His eyes are bright and clear and he's actually very beautiful now.

This is my question: He seems to be less snappy. I still handle him with a snake hook, but he doesn't strike like he did at first. When I stand near the glass of his tank, he comes over and looks at me and doesn't strike like he did at first. I've been considering to handle him now (without the hook). I think his earlier behavior was from the lack of care. Now he is fat and healthy. Is he likely to become calm? handelable?

Has anyone ever had a similar experience? Any advice?

Though ball pythons in my opinion are an animal where they typically have an overall docile disposition, even with very little interaction, I would say considering how that male was when you got him that may be a big reason for his former more snappy attitude. Now that he is fat and healthy, he just needs some handling to realize that being handled by you or other people is nothing to be worked up about, it may just take a little time to get to that point.
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-Amelia
ES Tropicals

Have you ever been bit? It's not that bad, handle him. He is realizing you are doing good things for him and it less stressful. He should take to handleing pretty quick.
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If you're feeding 2-3 mice a week, definately consider moving up to a small rat. More meal for your buck!

I've seen this happen with kings and snakes with a higher metabolism - keeping them properly fed lessens the bitey behavior until it is almost nonexistant.
Sounds to me like your snake was extremely stressed, and extremely hungry, and the result was a snappy, freaked out snake.

Since he now seems to be healthy, chances are he is going to be a much less bitey snake. Calm, confident handling will result in a calm, confident snake so quick that you won't know what hit you. Handle him for very short periods at first, on an occasional basis (maybe once or twice a week) and then work your way up to longer periods or daily handling. Do your best to always end with the snake having sat or crawled around in your hands calmly without biting.

Best of luck!

~jenny
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"We call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words."
- Anna Sewell (1820-1878)

Hi ! The end of your post is part of the answer ,look to his past and find the commons and look at his currant condition and behavior and look at the commons .I would say it would be a good thing to start handling him , Me ,I would have been doing it the hole time . I operate a Reptile Rescue and I see this same thing on a daily basis & you can look at a physically recovered snake and almost always read his past by their behavior but there are exceptions to the rules . Good luck with him David

Hey! Thanks to everyone who replied! I really appreciate your experience and advice. This is a great forum!