Ball Python Help

[Celeste22]

I've tried many other forums and sites and can't seem to really get an answer out of anyone...

I recently purchased a ball python, it was about 3 weeks ago, not sure how old he is but was told they were fairly young. This is the second BP that i've owned so i'm familiar with what to expect as far as an "adjustment period" between environments and whatnot. He has refused to eat since i brought him home but thats not my concern...

The previous BP that i had i acquired from someone that had to part with it due to moving and took him in when he was about a year old... he had been tamed and was easily handled and a healthy eater. I eventually had to part with him for the same reason as his previous owner but thats off topic...

with the one that i just bought i get a little leary when i go to handle him only because i can feel him tense up and get a little skittish... i hold him only for short periods at a time due to me trying to avoid getting bitten.

my question is simply this... does anyone think or know whether or not i am more likely to get bitten since its been about 3 to 4 weeks since he has eaten? he shows no signs of starting to shed and is active inside his enclosure. i just worry a little when i'm getting him out and his head and neck go into that infamous "Z" shape and wonder if he has finally decided to eat... my hand. i've been bitten many times before and its not a fear of mine i'm just wondering if my chances are higher given the circumstances...

thanks in advance

[Bettachris]

never hada snake, and i am sure someone how knows way more than i do will come along soon, so just be patient and stick around.

But i dont think that he would bite u in a food responce. if memory serves me right, they can go for awhile without food(not sure if it is adults only) but as you probably know, it may bite due to a defence mode. if you see it really getting threatened than obviously let him be.

of course you are at risk of getting bite when handling a new animal but remember it is a good way to build trust with the animal by hands on touching, and giving any new relationship time is an important issue. and use ur best judgement.

as far as feeding i know with fish, increasing the temp will boost the metabolism rate making the animal hungry, so it might work with the snake.
not sure if that helps.

[Jonergin]

Your little one is still learning about the big world around him, he is prone to getting frightened and will often be confused about food. It is very important to never feed him (or offer him food) in his cage. Invest in a cloth sack or make a food tub out of an empty butter container with air holes cut in the top. Remove him from his cage and place him and the food in the sack or tub, put it back in the cage so that he doesn't get cold. Leave him there for a while, he should eat. Its best to use already dead food at such an early stage in life, you don't want him getting hurt.
If you are strict about never feeding him in his cage then he will never associate your hand with food. Be sure to wash your hands if you have been handling his food, he'll smell it.

As for handling him, think first about why he is getting scared. A python's main predator is a hawk or other predatory bird. That danger comes from above. If you are reaching into his cage from above him then bingo, that's why he's scared. Try approaching at a low angle to him until he learns that you are not a threat. Since he is so young you've got a good chance at taming him down. Handle him every day with these exceptions: Give him 2 days of no touch time after he successfully sheds (also no touching while he's shedding) and don't handle him the day before and the day after he eats (other than to move him, obviously).

Let us know how things progress.

[I_Love_Iggy]

We feed our snakes in their tub.As long as we use newspaper or something of the sort Especially our larger snakes. Once the snake is in the container they are in feeding mode. and especially with giants its extremely dangerous to handle them while their that way. The way you want to feed them is your choice. But if your worried about being bitten because he thinks your food. You can feed them in their cage,get say a stick or newspaper and nudge him gently, or stroke him with is when hes full grown so he knows that its not feeding time. This method is used by alot of giant owners. Ball pythons are however really small and it doesent really matter. Ive never had any of my snakes come out of there cage rearing to bite for food. Its probably out of fear that hes rearing up like this in defence. they do the S stance also when their in defence mode. Its normal for babys to be nippy. With alot of handling hell calm down. You can try stoking him under the chin. that can help alot. we used this method to get two or three biters to tame down.

However. if you own rodents or anything of the sort he might be smelling it. Wash your hands before handling your snake to take any smells off them.

hope this helps

Also i would like to add that i have only been bitten 3 times. and we feed everyone inside their cages. They know the difference between feeding time and handling time very well.

One of the bites was just a defence bite by our yellow ratsnake. She bites daily lol.

one was a feeding bite by my boa because i was stupid enough to put my hand in when he released a mouse to dangle it and he thought my hand was food(This was when we first rescued him and having him eat was EXTREMELY important since he was imaciated)

and another was while handling my kingsnake without washing my hands since i had handled another snake before. He then smelled it off me(Their canibalistic) and thought i was food so he bit my finger.

[eviiL_beaR]

i have a baLL pyth0n...her name iis EvE... i got her when she was a couple weekz oLd.. she`z biiq n0w... i feed her twice a week... but now i only feed her once every 2 weekz... BP`s can go months and months without eating..she gets fed in her cage.. i havent encountered with a hunger strike before... but if u do get bitten.. theres not he can do to you... just put your hand under cold water n he should let go or hard liquorwhere he`z biting you.. that should work..snak bites dont hurt at all it`z just the shock part. ;]]