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Baby Ball python strikes but doesn't ball up

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pooirod

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Hello! I just brought home my new baby ball python about a week and a half ago. I started taking her out, and am surprised by how shaky I am. She keeps striking which shocks me and I have dropped her (from very low heights onto soft surfaces) twice. I luckily wear socks on my hands, and I saw a video that says to distract the strike and cover them with a hand to have them ball up, but she stays in the striking position when I do this.
Once I have her out I sit with her for five minutes without moving (she is not in ball position but has head cocked), but when I start to move to put her back she strikes again.
Does anyone have any tips on how to calm her down?
 
Just keep handling her. Keep the sessions short as to not stress her too much. Make sure you move slowly as well so you don’t startle her. I’d also recommend trying not to grab her from above and instead try scooping her up from the side.

Eventually she should calm down once she’s used to you and doesn’t see you as a threat.
 
Snakes normally bite for two reasons. (1) for food, or (2) out of fear against a perceived threat.

You just have to wait her out till she figures out that you are neither of the above. Sometimes it takes young snakes a while to figure out their surroundings.

Of course, I have seen snakes that never seemed to figure that out. Or some just might not want to be handled by anyone at any time, and are just telling you to back off the best way they can.
 
pooirod said:
Hello! I just brought home my new baby ball python about a week and a half ago. I started taking her out, and am surprised by how shaky I am. She keeps striking which shocks me and I have dropped her (from very low heights onto soft surfaces) twice. I luckily wear socks on my hands, and I saw a video that says to distract the strike and cover them with a hand to have them ball up, but she stays in the striking position when I do this.
Once I have her out I sit with her for five minutes without moving (she is not in ball position but has head cocked), but when I start to move to put her back she strikes again. nullsbrawls.net.pl
Does anyone have any tips on how to calm her down?
Click to expand...
Handle with confidence but respect her fear. Try shorter, calmer handling sessions after she's been digesting food. Give her time to adjust to her new home.
 
the five minute sit is working - shes calming down. baby ball pythons are just defensive when theyre new. honestly your nervousness is probably adding to it - they can definitely feel when youre tense and itll keep her on guard
 
the head cocked position is probably a good sign - sounds like she's already moved past just being in constant defensive mode
 
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