Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought my ball about a week ago, ive fed it once already and have handled it once already for an extended amount of time. Im just really scared that it will bite me, i know that they are really docile, but the way it stares at me in my face freaks me out, should i be scared? when is it a higher probability that they will bite?

Does it hiss or display any type of aggression (striking stance, etc)? Some ball pythons are easier to tame and it also depends on its history and where it was born.
-----
Sal
Geckos "R" Us

www.geckosrus.com

Most bites are going to occur at feeding time... the scenario would be that your snake confuses you for the food item.

A bite on the face would not be pleasant... just keep him away from your face. Other than that, one of the best ways to alleviate your fear of being bitten is to actually be bitten... you'll likely discover that it's not so bad after all (I've been bitten a few times- it's not such a big deal).

I bought my BP over 9mnths ago and was afraid of the same thing.

Chances are, if you are calm, collected, and steady with the animal, it will never strike. Balls in particular have 2 warnings that I have read about, and even experienced once or twice:

-Hissing: They're trying to bluff, means they're annoyed and want to be left alone.

-The 'Ball': They're scared; in reality, BPs rather hide from threats than chase them away.

So, just make sure you don't feed your snake in the cage, you don't poke its head with your fingers, and you don't play with mice and try and hold it, and you will be fine. Also, leave it alone in shed. They really are friendly animals and you don't have to worry.

9mnths down the road and I haven't been bitten yet. I plan to keep it that way forever.

I'd trust my BPs more than a dog any day.

-----------------------------------------

P.S. - I was bitten by a Rainbow Boa (bigger than my BP) a few weeks ago (first snake bite). It didn't hurt at all. It was the shock that got to me. So, don't worry, BPs are non-venomous and if it is really small (under 36" the bite is relatively painless.

Good luck. Hope I didn't scare you with that last bit.
-----
-Iman

1.1 Sugar Gliders
2.0 Balls (Spot and Speck)
0.1 Colombian BCI (Belle)
1.0 Colombian Rainbow (Rex)

Loving to Learn
Learning to Help
Helping to Love

i have over a 100 BP's both wild caught and captive bred, and have never been bitten, even by my more aggressive ones who will put on a display. as someone else mentioned the best way to get over the fear of being bitten, is to be bitten
-----
Guy
www.dbreptiles.com

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=397087,397147
-----
0.1 Pastel Col Red Tail - Phoebe
0.1 Normal Ball Python - Barbie
1.0 Normal Ball Python - Ken
0.1 Brz Rainbow Boa - Bonnie
1.0 Brz Rainbow Boa - Clyde
0.1 Green Anaconda -
0.1 Yellow Anaconda -
0.1 Yellow Head Retic - Pandora
0.1 Granite Burm Python - Bella
1.0 Normal Ball Python - Jack
1.0 Normal Ball Python - Jake
0.1 Normal Ball Python - Chrissy
0.1 African Rock Python -Sissy
1.0 100% Het Black Black Red Axanthic Ball Python - Raven
0.1 Red Axanthic Ball Python - Bourbon
1.0 Yellow Ghost Hypo Ball Python - Sunny
0.1 Normal Ball Python HUGE over 8lbs - Scarlet
1.0 100% Het Albino Ball Python - Adam
0.1 100% Het Albino Ball Python - Eve
1.0 66% Het Albino Ball Python -
2.0 66 % Het Axanthic Ball Pythons - "Twins" Ding, Dong
1.0 Albino Ball Python -
0.1 100% Het Albino Ball Python -
0.4 High Yellow Ball Pythons -
0.4 Normal w.c. Ball Pythons - Mistakes
0.1 Jungle Ball Python -
0.8 Normal Ball Pythons -

0.1 Rottweiler - Shadow
1.0 Rottweiler - Reese

It wasnt that bad. This is a 2ft bp that is a rescue. It didnt bleed just left red marks in a bite mark on his hand.So getting bit by a bp is better than being scratched by a cat..

thanks a lot for the responses from everyone. My brother said the same thing as most of you, once ive been bitten, then everything after that is just the same 'ol. I really appreciate it guys!

Alastair

get rid of snake and get a rabbit...........

(rabbits have torn my arms up with those claws......)......

......yep.....sorry.........snakes bite.......

so do horses,cows,mice,deer,sheep,goats,humans,kids,fish...etc etc etc etc........

as one of mr friends always says, dogs bite is more painful and can do more damage.