How do I tame my ball python?

Question

How do I tame my ball python?

Answer 1

He is probably still getting used to you. To tame any reptile you first need to let it adjust. Then when it does not strike, try touching him. Once you can touch him properly, start grabbing him.(Ball Pythons are known to be very nice, so he might be sick. I would get him a check up.) Once you can hold him for a little while, hold him for 15 min. a day for 2 weeks. Then he should be fine... If not continue holding him with the same routine.

I forgot to mention that Do not be afraid! Snakes sense fear.

Answer 2

He will never be "tamed" but you can make him get used to being held. Snakes DO NOT Sense fear. They do sense heat and can see when your hesitating. the movements resemble a nervous mouse. Just commit to it and pick the snake up. Once you do that youll see why the call them "Ball Pythons". They will curl into a ball. Its kinda funny to see. If his eyes were glossed over he is probably getting ready to shed. Most snakes go into a protective mode when shedding due to not being able to see. Either way your going to have to pick him up. Hell warm up to you eventualy.

Answer 3

It is likely that he is getting ready to shed. So give him a little space for a few days and see. You will see that he is not as shiny and his eyes will look glossy. You did not say how long you have had him. However if he is new then just give him a few weeks then start to work with him. Now about him biting you. This may not sound nice but let him bite you. You will see that it does not hurt as bad as what you are thinking and it will take the fear away from you. This is what I had to do when I worked with snakes. Make sure you have a large bowl filled with warm water in his cage. This will help him to go to the bathroom and help with shedding time. If you just got him you will need to find out the last time that he ate. If to much time go's by you may need to take him to some one who knows how to force feed him. The stores have to do this allot with snakes that come in. (baby's) Me myself I never did feed my snake in another cage. However I never picked him up after feeding him. I would wait for 48 hrs. She always seem to know. But if you have a fear of getting bit you may want to look into feeding him in the bath tub if you do not have any other cage. You will have to sit near just in case the mouse goes to jump out. This way the snake will learn that when your hand is in the cage that you are not feeding. I would say to go and look up and read as much information that you can on snakes. Because like all other animals if you can imitate there natural ability's you will find it easier to work with them. I would give it a week and if he is still hiding and has not shed or ate then take him to a vet to have him looked at. They can get bugs and all types of things can go wrong with them. Some times if they get bit by a mouse they will stop eating for a while. Okay I hope I was able to help you some. Please let us all know how things work out.

Answer 4

Sounds like you are either startling him or he is becoming agitated. Let him rest in the false grass if he chooses to do. He feels safe, comfortable and secure there. When you enter your snake's tank, let him be aware your presence. Never just go in and snatch him up out of his hide. It would be like pulling a sleeping person right out of bed by their leg or arm. That sleeping person is going to retaliate and be a little pissed. When your snake goes into shed, he will use his hide to curl up in during the duration. Feed your snake every 5-7 days while he is still young and go to 7-10 days once he gets about to be about 3-4 ft.. Feed him mice that are equal in size to his mid-section at it's widest point.You can use a small stick or snake hook, (one that will not injure him in any way), to slowly raise him up when you get ready to handle him. By doing so, he will be more focused on riding the stick or hook rather than attempting to strike. Then, just guide him into your hand. This kind of snake conditioning works most of the time over a period of time. You do not need to be afraid. In time you will get used to him and become confident. Give your snake his space and privacy. This is important to ball pythons and to all other species of snakes.

Answer 5

Hey may be hiding because he is not getting enough heat still. Ball Pythons need a warm spot of about 90 degrees F, with a cool end of their cage of about 75 degrees F. They need at least two hides to cross this temperature gradient. What are you using for heating? If you are just using a heat bulb, you will need to add an under tank heater to supplement the heat on the warm side of the tank. You may also want to consider aspen or cypress mulch as a substrate instead of just carpet so you can spot clean when necessary.



He is probably being aggressive because he is feeling insecure. This is the most common reason for biting: Fear. Give him more hides and stop pulling him out of them. Wait until he ventures out on his own to pull him out of the cage. Support his full body weight when you pick him up, and spend some time handling him while sitting down. Let him roam around you at his own pace. This way he will associate being held with quiet exploratory time instead of being drug out of his favorite warm spot.



Don't hold him the day you feed him and for at least one day after you feed him. Make sure your hands are clean and dry without any lotions to irritate his skin or sense of smell.

Answer 6

Make sure not to feed him in his enclosure, as he will begin to associate your hand and the cage opening immediately with food. Make sure you aren't coming at his head when attempting to handle him, Bps are very head shy. Sounds like he may be stressed and just needing to relax. It takes at least a week of no handling for a younger snake to acclimate and could take as much as 4 weeks or more. As said before, don't fear, just make sure you are calm and relaxed. BP bites don't hurt, they feel like a little pinch, so that's nothing to be worried about.

Answer 7

I have 2 ball pythons, one being my sisters and one is mine. I have had mine for about 2 weeks and she just got hers 2 days ago. The minute I got mine he was adventurous and very friendly. loves going through my ponytail, wrapping around my wrist and chills there as long as I want him to. He is so friendly I couldn't ask for a better snake! My sisters on the other hand, is much like yours! He hides 24/7 doesn't like being touched or held and he bit her already. She tried feeding him and he didn't eat. She is dealing with the same situation. We moved their tank around and added different things in there and now he is coming around and moving and actually likes being held. I'm not to sure on what else to say, but I socialize mine a lot and hold him at least 2 times a day. He loves getting out and being held oddly enough! I would say to just keep trying on holding him and being slow and gentle around him. Fast movements will scare him (my sister was bit when she was moving the substrate around the cage and moved her hand past his cave.) Just keep trying! I know he will grow to love you!! :)

Answer 8

I wonder if he was wild caught. Did the last owner say? BPs that are wild caught can be a nightmare to feed, and probably shouldn't be bought by first time snake owners.



Its very strange to have a ball python become aggressive (if bred in captivity) They are generally very docile. You are either doing something very wrong, or the snake is sick. Or maybe he just wasn't handled enough by his past owner to get tame.



The trouble with snakes is, when they snap once, and you back off, they learn they can bite to get what they want. If he does snap at you or bite you, don't back down. Pick him up and handle him and show him you're not afraid. He bites because he knows it gets him what he wants. If he snaps at you, do NOT put him down immediately. Carry on as if nothing happened. He'll soon learn. And don't be freaked out; it barely pinches.



The amount of feeding has absolutely nothing to do with his temperment, so get that outta your head.



I would also suggest putting two hides in the tank... one near the heat, and one on the other side of the tank on the cool side. Ball pythons are very very shy, and they'll ignore their basic heating needs in favor of feeling 'safe.' Try different things like introducing him to the hide by moving his head into the hole and seeing if he's interested. Move the hides around, and switch to a different type of hide (make sure they're refundable.... otherwise this could get expensive. Or make one out of a plant pot turned upside down with a hole cut into the side. They like small spaces.)



The best thing you could possibly do for your snake right now is learn more about it. It's going to suck, but go on google and look up 'ball python husbandry' and read every single article on that page, until you're so sick of it you're about to yank your eyeballs out.



You'll figure out what you're doing wrong eventually. None of us on Y!A can really tell you, because we arent there. The main thing though is handling your snake no matter what.. remember... show no fear or this will escalate. Don't let the snake boss you around. If he isn't tame, you have to do this to tame him.



Good luck.