Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just purchased an adult female ball and she was shipped to me last week. She was great when I took her out of the box and got her setup, since then she has been hissing and striking non stop. Since I'm pretty new to ball pythons, how long does it usually take for them to calm down? If they calm down at all. I'm used to dealing with boas and I'm just getting into ball pythons so I'm not used to their "personalities" yet. Sorry if this is a newbie post.

it could be something simple as checking the temps.

Thanks for the comment, I went to recheck my temps and I have my thermostat is set at 92 which gives me a hot spot at 89-90 and a cool spot at 83-85. she has been staying on the warm side since I got her.

Well,

I have only one ball out of 22 that is like that and he has never changed. I personally have never seen a ball that acts hyper and defensive for a while and then all the sudden they are chilled out. It could just be her temperament. Good luck. They say the feisty ones make better breeders. I just don't like getting attacked every time I need to check on a defensive animal.

Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Chocolate Lab

Hey if the aggressive ones make better breeders then I've struck gold! hah. I understand exactly what you mean about getting attacked when just checking on them. So far she's just a hisser and struck once, but I guess that comes with the territory of dealing with these awesome animals right? Oh well, I'm just going to have to deal with it.

Thanks all for the comments and hopefully I'll be breeding her later this year if I can get my male up to size.

Yeah,

When I think about it mine is more a hisser too. I like that the snakes have different personalities. Atleast if you get bit you won't die. Nice chatting with you and very good luck with your future breeding.

Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Chocolate Lab

Now that is has been mentioned, I have a biter too. A piebald, of course. My most expensive snake is my meanest. I know that it is actually insecurity, but it certainly comes off as just plain mean. I have tried regularly gently handling her, which stops her from biting me while I am holding her, but she will try to bite other people who walk past me. So far, no improvement. Hopefully she will be a good breeder though
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Lincoln, NE
0.1 Pastel, 1.0 Pastel het Pied, 0.1 Pied, 0.1 Cinn, 1.0 Black Pewter, 1.0 Woma (hidden gene?), 0.1 Yellowbelly
2.0 Normals, 1.0 Thayeri, 0.1 Thayeri X Alterna, 0.1 crazy cat, 1.0 husband

pull the snake out and handle it for a few minutes once a day for several weeks.

two ways to pull the snake out....

1. with an open hand place your hand over the head and body, once you do that it will coil back to cover it's head....pull it out then
2. use a hook

.....it will calm down, just be patient.

Pitoon

>>I just purchased an adult female ball and she was shipped to me last week. She was great when I took her out of the box and got her setup, since then she has been hissing and striking non stop. Since I'm pretty new to ball pythons, how long does it usually take for them to calm down? If they calm down at all. I'm used to dealing with boas and I'm just getting into ball pythons so I'm not used to their "personalities" yet. Sorry if this is a newbie post.
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Is she a wild caught female? or was she captive bred and raised? How was she like with the previous owner? It could just be a matter of her not yet being settled in her new home since you mentioned you only had her about a week. I would just give her some time to adjust to her new home for another week. Worry about getting her eating regularly then start handling her to work on calming her down.
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PHLdyPayne