Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a ball python a little less than a month ago. I assume he's fairly young... He's a little over a foot long. There's a couple of things i want to ask to anyone who'd answer them...
- Every so often, I'll be holding my python to try to get him used to me...like i've read, i don't make quick movements or anything to startle the snake, but it every so often, he'll be sitting calmly, and snap at a finger even if my finger is sitting still. Once he bit my chest, right around my heart...I assumed he saw my heartbeat and thought it was food. Does this biting mean he's hungry, or just ornary?

second question ... I've read ballpythons are typically very picky eaters...but since i've gotten the snake, I've fed him one feeder mouse just about every 5 days (a day or two after he bites me while im holding him). Is this over feeding him?

Thanks.
Rich

well on the first question im assuming you have had him for a while to be holding him .bitting occurs for 2 reasons.1 he thinks you are food 2 he thinks you going to hurt him.he is probly very scared.i have actualy only been bitten by my ball once and that was a feeding error.let him get used to your smell so that he knows your not gana hurt him or cook him for dinner.try leaving a shirt you have worn all day in his tank that will give him your smell regularly with out having him out.another thing you can do is put him in a pillow case and lay him on your lap so he will smell you and feel you but still be secure.

second question for a juvinilea small mouse evey 5 days is fine .i dont know if you are or not and this is not agreed on by everyone but it is a good idea to feed outside the cage so that he doesent associate you hand with food.

well good luck

josh

Thanks a lot for your input. And yes, i have been feeding him outside his cage. Ive been listening to advice i heard - Not to feed your BP anything larger than the widest diameter of your snake... the mice are just about the same diameter.. i hope thats not too big.

I got a ball about 3 months ago, he was a baby when I got him. I started hadling him after about a month and he kept trying to bite me, after about a month of holding him he calmed down and now I have no fears of him biting me. I also have a baby who I got about a month ago, and whenever I hold him he still acts like he wants to bite me, he has struck once. From what I was told, just hold him and don't put the snake down just because it is biting at you. He is probably just afraid of you and is snapping to get you to put him down, once he figures out that this doesn't work, he'll stop doing it. With the feeding, balls are rumored to be picky eaters, but both of my guys have eaten with absolutely no problem and I also feed them once every 5 days. The picky eaters tend to be the wild caught balls...
Good luck
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Steve
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