Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a female BP from the classifieds, farm raised in africa. I know I know CB is ideal, but the price was right, she's already about 3 feet, and was told she was perfectly tame.

Well, she's extremely shy. Granted, I've only had her for a week, but I figured she would come out of her shell a little bit at least. She just stays tightly coiled in the corner all the time, if I get her out and hold her she just tucks her head and hides it. Never hisses or snaps, just really scared. I even tried to feed her a F/T rat last night, and she was scared of it too, and went to the other side of the cage. Can I expect her to warm up to me after time? Am I expecting too much to soon considering she was shipped and placed in a new home?

Thanks
Neal

It is still early in your relationship, she may warm up and it may take a while, she's still under stress from moving, give her time. I have had some that never come around and although they aren't sociable, they aren't mean either, they just prefer to be left alone. Only time will tell.
-----
Tosha

8.10.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
7.9.5 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

might be best to leave her alone for a few weeks so she can settle into her new home then you can start the taming process. Make sure she has two nice tight hides that can help her feel more comfortable.
-----
Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

They don't farm-raise snakes in Africa, they hatch and sell babies. If you got a 3' python just in from Africa is it wild-caught. There is plenty of information around about trying to acclimate wild-caught ball pythons. You can search the forum archives or just do a search in google. But you should know that you signed up for a long-haul and it may not end up good.

Good luck,
Laura

Hmm...I guess I am rather disappointed then if it was in fact just a wild caught, when I was specifically told it was farm raised. I may need to contact the seller then?