Reptile & Amphibian Forums

G'day

I got a ball python a few months ago, and he's really agressive. He's healthy and happy, but as soon as you stick your hand in the cage, he goes crazy. I havent been bitten yet (i'm actually kind of freaked, even though he's small, he's really fast and it's kinda scary) and i don't really want to, so I have 2 questions:
1) What does a BP bite feel like? Does it hurt or is it really nothing to worry about?

2) Do you guys have any handling techinques that might stop it biting, or that are easier on the snake?

Thanks in advanced, jack

Hi Jack,

I myself have a royal (ball- as you guys call them) python, he's not aggressive but if i smell of food he will strike. The answer to your first question is no, it doesn't hurt in the slightest. My girlfriend is a little scared because she thinks it will hury so just to prove to her i rubbed the back of my hand with a mouse and he struck, it bled a little but it felt nothing more than a pin prick.

On handling, i would suggest you just go right in there and pick him up, DO NOT hesitate as this shows him you're scared and he'll be able to sense it. If you just go in and gently pick him up, stroke him a little then put him back. This will start to build trust between you and show him your not a threat. Do it a few times and over the course of a week or so you'll notice a big difference. Just put yourself in his 'shoes'. Something comes into your territory and when you threaten it backs off.... this puts him in charge. Also try washing your hands first, if you've touched any other animal that naturally he knows to be afraid of like cats, dogs etc, he'll be able to smell them.

So no it doesn't hurt and to make him stop with the attitude just remember not to hesitate and just go ahead and pick him up. If you show your scared this will encourage him to keep on threatening you. As long as your gentle he'll start to trust you and see you're no threat.

good luck, Hope this helps

Steve.

Bites hurt...The real question is: Do you care? The bigger the Ball the more you will feel it. But it is really no big deal...

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

yeah its not that bad i have a ball my self...worst case a tooth will break of and it will hurt for about 5-10mins

Depends on the person, and yeah, the size of the snake but its never hurt me. Just a scratch really but then again my ball is only 2ft long.

The biggest snake that I've been bitten by was a 15 foot burmese that was trying to eat my cat who jumped in the cage during feeding time. He coiled up and swollowed my arm up to the elbow before giving up. All and all I'd perfer snake bite over any other kind of animal bite. The worse bite, other then the time I got bit by a copperhead, was 3 and half foot tegu that felt like a pair of plyers were being applied to my thumb. Tegu's aren't considered venomous, but they should be, even though they haven't got venom, they have a lethal mixture of bacteria that will cause a serious infection every time. Anyway, your snake sounds like he is food aggressive. There are two causes for this. One, when you feed him do you drop the food in the cage? this can make him expect food when ever the top opens. Take the snake out first and add the food to the cage while he is out, this will erase the association. Two, How often do you feed him? Ball Pythons that are that aggressive are generally under fed. Feed him every week, or feed him more when you do feed him, that will mellow him out.

are you sure it is a ball python?

thats really odd behavior for that species.....ball pythons arent fast or agressive (99.8% of the time)....unless it is after a mouse
and i have kept a few over the years and never came close to gettin bitten.......never even been struck at.....that includes imports

i would double check its species

as far as bites....it will cut a bit if it is a larger snake...(larger snake...larger teeth) usually geel like someone takin a piece of sand paper and swiping you with it quickly

keith
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I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.

Have to weigh in on the NIPPY issue. I have seen some w/c's that weren't shy about biting (though it is not the usual situation).

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Yeah, I've seen a couple of nippy Ball Pythons. I don't really understand what the big deal is, though....you can hurt yourself worse collecting butterflies...you know those big pins you use to stick them to the board? Those can be as dangerous as a Ball Python...

You could also get a paper cut folding paper airplanes.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have been bitten by both captive born and wild caught Ball Pythons, and they weren't feeding accidents. Some ball pythons just bite!
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Chris Harrison

I guess all species have their bad apples......

just have never seen one myself.......like i said.....i've never came close to gettin bit or even struck at....

other than their self induced fast.....i have suggested them as one of the best beginner/youngster snake easiest to keep

keith
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I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.

sorry about lying, but it's not actually a ball python. It's a spotted python (antaresia maculosa). I come from Australia, and we can only keep native snakes, we can't keep balls. You guys are all American, and a spotted python is basically the same as a ball, so I just said ball, rather than explain everything.

Thanks for your help, jack

no biggie.....

sounded odd for a ball/royal pythons behavior

anyway, gettin bit is just part of dealing with snakes.....my 2 year old got bit for his first time while holding a hatchling black rat....never even noticed it lol

a bit of soap and water and maybe a bandaid will be worse case scenario

keith

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I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.