Adult Ball Python?

Question

I have had my python for about 5 years but for the last three years it has been at my sisters house(about two hours away) and I havn't been around him. About two weeks ago I brought him to my home and gave him a few days to settle. Here's the thing- when i left him he was tame and used to me handling him, yesterday i tried to reach in and pick him up and he quickly moved to the back corner of his cage. Today he curled his neck and slightly raised his head indicating that he might strike. I don't think my sister handled him at all but I was assured that he was fed regularly. How do I get him back to how he was before without getting bit or struck at? And just in case anyone is wondering-his cage is 4 ft tall -3 ft wide- and 3 1/2 ft. long.

Answer 1

I have a ball python and

a king snake and this has

happened to me with both

of them before.

The only way it will get used

to being held again is to start

holding the snake daily.

When getting the snake out,

try not to be scared, it does

nothing but make the snake more

nervous [more of a chance to strike]

Reach your arm in slowing and grab

around the middle of the body but

don't jump or anything, act confident.

Answer 2

Dont reach in for the time being. If the snake was not handled often at your sisters house then the snake will only recognize the opening of the cage as feeding time. Now, at your home just open the cage and let your snake come out at its own pace. Once its out and about slowly introduce your touch back into your snakes life. Simple touch at first, nothing too aggresive, eventually the snake will recognize you again and hopefully be friendly and social.

Answer 3

I would take a small towel and throw it over his head and pick him up that way. Once you have him up take it off and handle him. I had to do that with my red tail. He would strike if you just tried to pick him up like normal but once we got him out he was great. Once you hold him a few time and he gets more confident then try to touch his head. I have 12 balls and all of mine you can walk up to them and just grab their head and they dont do anything.

Answer 4

u cant.

Answer 5

Ok, when you own a snake there will ALWAYS be a risk of getting bitten by them. And for the most part...most snake owners had been bitten by a snake at least once in their lifetime. I thought that I would never get bittten but I did. It doesn't hurt that much at all....truthfully I can't even remember how much it hurt(and that happen 3 days ago)

I don't think he will bite you because ball pythons aren't the type of snake that would bit. They would rather curl up into a ball more then anything. And there is a low chance you would be bitten by him too. Ball pythons warns you before they bit, so they would curl up into a ball, hiss loudly for a while, and if you're stupid enough to still proceed on trying to pick him while he is hissing then he would only strike you and miss on purpose. And if you're even stupidier and still proceed on picking him up even when he had strike, then he would bite you.

I would first give him 2 weeks to settle. Then try picking him up after the 2 weeks. If he looks at your hand just don't freak out. My ball pythons does that to my hand all the time and had never bitten me. But my red tail boas had(they aren't as nice to show signs like the ball pythons are) You will know when he is truly pissed off at you. You just have to be confident. Don't show signs of fear because your snake is probably more scare of you then you are of them. If you do get bit(most likely not) then just letting you know...it doesn't hurt. It's lile walking through a rose bush(ok that might hurt some people) but it doesn't hurt as bad as a pinch..for me anyways.

Hope this could help you! And if you need any more info just email me! =] Good luck!

Answer 6

odds are your gonna get bit. but if you love the snake, you will take the hit. you just have to handle him every day and start from the beginning :(