Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I took a chance on a 6 mo. old BP from one of the big pet store chains. They told me up front that the reason he was the last one they had is because he was agressive and nobody picked him from the clutch.

He seems to have calmed down a bit since I've been holding him although he took a fast strike at me once. Should I expect him to be a problem as he gets bigger or will he get gentler with more care?

I do have 15 days to return him if he stays nasty.

any snake you get has the potential to be aggresive or docile. I have a few that it depends on the day. Most bp's do grow out of it with handling but some don't. I've also had some that were the most trustworthy animals you could get and then one day turned to the complete opposite. hope this helps, Josh Hutto
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2.3 het pied (RDR, alan bosch x 2, BHB x 2)
1.1 het albino (ben siegel, gulf coast)
1.2 het citrus ghost(gulf coast line)
1.0 citrus ghost (gulf coast line)
0.1 graz pastel female
1.6 05 normal bp's
0.6 04 normal bp's
2.5 adult normal bp's (some need breeding to see if norm)
4 various corns
0.1 brazilian rainbow boa (alan bosch)
1.0 american pit bull terrior
1.1 taco dogs (ankle biters)
1.0 grey cat
1.1 bearded dragons

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrior as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!

Thanks

When you speak of the trustworthy ones that turned opposite do you mean to the point of being unmanagable?

I dont think a ball python can become "unmanagable" they dont get big enough.. If a snake is kept in the proper enviroment with proper handling they should eventually calm down.. A agressive snake is just a snake with a personality.
Jbugg

i don't think any ball python could be so aggresive to the point of being unhandlable. if it makes you feel better buy a short snake hook and use it to more the snake around for cleaning and health inspections, this will also lead to more calming interactions with you and the snake. good luck
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2.3 het pied (RDR, alan bosch x 2, BHB x 2)
1.1 het albino (ben siegel, gulf coast)
1.2 het citrus ghost(gulf coast line)
1.0 citrus ghost (gulf coast line)
0.1 graz pastel female
1.6 05 normal bp's
0.6 04 normal bp's
2.5 adult normal bp's (some need breeding to see if norm)
4 various corns
0.1 brazilian rainbow boa (alan bosch)
1.0 american pit bull terrior
1.1 taco dogs (ankle biters)
1.0 grey cat
1.1 bearded dragons

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrior as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!

np
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Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

Send it to me, I'll calm it down and send it back.

The "Snake Whisperer"

Quig

With some handling he may or may not calm down - most balls are very docile - some are aren't. 15 days really isn't enough time to tell - for starters once you bring the snake home you should not handle it until it settles into it's new home then gradually increase the amount of time that you handle it. I know easier said than done. It could be perfectly good snake but for the next 15 days it could continue striking just because it is stressed from the move and handling. My suggestion is first see if you can get that 15 day period extended due to the circumstance - then let the snake settle in for a week don't disturb it except to change water clean cage, etc. - after the first week - you can feed it and handle it for like 10 minutes a day. If it eats and you are comfortable enough to keep it go for it - if not take it back.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

Most balls have the personality of a rock.

That being said I'm heading out in a little bit to pick up a big nasty ball python from somebody. It's a local guy that I've met before. He's an oldtimer with a hot permit and some diamondbacks. Someone gave him the ball about 4 years ago because it was mean, the previous owner had fed it but never handled it once because she got scared when it hissed when she brought it home. The snake is approximately 5 years old and the guy says it feeds every week without hesitation and is about as big around as a soda can. He told me I could have it for 30 dollars.

Needless to say I'm praying it's a female.

And no I won't feel bad about the deal bc we will both be happy, one less snake for him to feed.

Cole Maas