hello! i could use some advice. i've looked around and gotten conflicting info about how you should deal with a nippy/scared young ball python. we got our female spider morph bp a few months ago, and she's still having trouble settling in. we have in in a 20-gallon tank, which may be the problem, but we have 2 hides, a large log, and a large plant with its pot in there, so there's not a whole lot of open space. still, she seems terrified of us, and i've been tagged twice so far trying to.....
take her out or maintain her cage. i’ve read some people recommending regular handling, but we’ve only gotten her to eat for us once, so i don’t want to stress her more and have her stop eating altogether again. today we got some decorative aquarium liner to put around the sides of her tank so that she can’t see through the glass, and we’re hoping that will help, but is there anything else you would recommend? thanks so much!
I think you are right to hold off handling her often until shes eating better. Focus on making her feel secure and comfortable in her in her enclosure..Also make sure you double check temps (including ambient temps) and humidity is correct and as it should be.
I can’t really say if it worked or not but one thing i’ve done with my rat snakes when they were younger is put an item of clothing in with them that smells of me.. (make sure if you do this you tie it to something in the tank securely and tuck the ends in because I heard of somebody trying this with a loose sock and the snake..er.. ate the sock.)
as for handling, until shes eating better keep to short (5-10 minute) infrequent sessions just when u need to for cage maintenance.. I don’t have experience with shy snappy ball pythons but i’ve always tried to pick up my snakes reasonably slowly but confidently and ignore strikes…(obviously you can only take that approach with small snakes) If the snake strikes and you snap your hand back fast not only would the sudden movement be startling but you’ll reinforce that “striking makes the big scary person go away” Also try pick her up by scooping from underneath rather than grabbing her from directly over her.
Once out try “hands off” stuff at first like just sit with her on your lap for a short while, drape an item of clothing over her so she feels secure and let her sit quietly with you. Try to end on a good note.. so when you pick her up to put her back in her cage wait til the snake is calm in your hands before putting them back.
Patience is key! Snakes live a long time so you will have plenty of time to work with getting her used to you. When she is eating better you can handle her a bit more frequently but still keep to short sessions until she seems more relaxed.
If anyone else has any tips for shy beeps please feel free to add!
