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My male ball python is still a bit nervous/thinks he's intimidating, and I've been leaving him alone for a few days now as he's been quite snappish.

First off...ball pythons = mood swings? Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this...

Secondly, whenever he feels threatened/like he needs to intimidate me, he exhales sharply, his whole body with a "Hiss" its short, but it gets the point across "Don't touch me"

Is this natural? Am I going insane?
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In my experience with my two BPs, they hiss when they want to be left alone, and I have only experienced this once or twice and only during shed. It is said that BPs (relative to other species) are rather timid and lack the luster to strike. This would make sense for them 'Hissing' and forming their distinctive 'Balls' as their main defense mechanisms. Handle your ball frequently (once a day) for a reasonable length of time each chance you get.

It is kind of cool though... you have a snake who says "Hiss" (Leave me alone or I will strike you!). I wish my Rainbow Boa gave me the opportunity to save myself...

HAHA.
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-Iman

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I am rather glad he takes the time to warn me Thank you for the reply.
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I have one that hisses alot, hence her name is Hiss. She hasn't been hissing as much since I have started handling her more, I am not sure how much her owner of 9 years handled her which might be the reason she hisses. She is very nice and doesn't ever seem agressive, she just has a loud "bark".
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Misty

6 ball pythons and adding...
Marilyn (A.K.A. garbage gut)-male
Lil Girl-female
Hiss-female
Skiddish-male
no name-female
Big Bucks-male albino

Thank you, my boy doesn't seem aggressive at all, just a bit timid still since his move to my house a few weeks ago. I'll make sure to handle him each day now, and hopefully he'll become a happy BP.
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