I recently just purchased a ball python last Saturday. Since last Saturday she has been doing nothing but striking at me.
Can anyone please give me some advice or tips?
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How old and how is the little one set up currently?
Typically you don’t want to be handling a new BP in the first week. They need time to destress and figure out the new environment. They can be very shy and even the enclosure can be an issue for some because they may not feel secure enough.
The only things you should be doing is monitoring for any health concerns , refilling the water and offering her a meal. Ideally, handling should not happen until she has eaten a few meals with you.
If she’s still striking at the window when you are passing by the enclosure then that is a very stressed or defensive BP. They may need a change of hides to feel more secure and extra clutter…or they may need a darker and more enclosed place like a tub. I have a very defensive girl that will not tolerate an enclosure with a window. She would strike at any movement. Once she was moved to a tub the behavior stopped immediately and while still defensive, she didn’t strike nearly as much. Only when overstimulated.
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Thank you for responding to me. Honestly, it helps. The man I purchased her from didn’t tell me how old she it. But right now I had to separate her from my very docile boy BP. I didn’t want him to pick up the trait. A she is currently in a carrier being monitored and she eats just fine. I fed her for the second time on Friday. She hisses and tenses up when I hold her and try to bounce her to get her strike a little slower or to distract her because a friend of mine told me to do so
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So I’ll start with a few things that need to be straightened out.
Ball pythons should not be housed together. If anything since you just got this Ball Python she needs to be quarantined a minimum of 1 month
to prevent any possible illnesses or mites from spreading to your other snake.
That is not how Ball Python behavior works, they are cute but they aren’t that smart. He won’t pick up nippyness from your other BP so don’t worry, either way they still do not need to be housed together.
Does she have access to any warmth? Water? Hides? She needs to be put in a proper enclosure soon…
I don’t think this will help in any way… I think your new BP is very stressed out from being in a new environment, being around another BP, and being handled way too much for a new arrival. She needs her own enclosure and to be left completely alone for a minimum of one week outside of water changes so she can adjust to her new home.
Once she has had some time to adjust you can start holding her for around 15 minutes a day unless she is in shed or the day before & after she has eaten. She will still be nippy, but if you consistently handle her she will improve over time.
So correct me if I’m wrong, you’ve fed her twice in one week? This is too often even for a baby Ball Python. What is it that she is eating? Depending on her weight (in grams) and age she should only be eating 10% of her body weight every 10 days.
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Thank you for all of the information. No I feed her once a week on Friday. Her house is in the process of being put together and she has warmth and water and hides and bedding. I have to reach back out to the man I purchased her from to make sure he had the same set up for her as I do.
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@cmsreptiles gave you some great advice.
I also want to leave the warning that if there is a size difference and they’re not breeding age, ball pythons are capable of cannibal behavior. Especially when one may still smell like a recent meal and they’re still in feeding mode.
The male will also reach sexual maturity before the female and they can add additional stress by beginning to initiate breeding behavior on an unready female. This can also lead to issues with the female having a dangerous situation like eggbinding because she may be bred immediately when she becomes receptive instead of a healthier size.
It’s great that you’re reaching out to the breeder for more info as well. And getting her aa private space for her as well!They may know a little more about the snake’s personality and be able to offer some advice. For handling in the future, I would avoid bouncing them personally. I like to scoop them from behind and then cup my hand over them until they calm down. It may take a bit or they may become defensive and strike again if you move your hand to soon, but over time they’ll recognize the smells and sensations and realize they’re not going to get attacked by the big hands. I would still recommend giving her time to settle in which will also help you learn her habits before you begin more handling.
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