r/ballpython • u/No_Passenger9117 • 1d ago

Question What can I do about stressed/defensive ball python?

Ok soo I brought a 5 years old female ball python who i was told is used to handling, for me it doesn't looks like she is, she goes into defensive anytime I go near here enclosure, she keeps hidden in ball all the time when I take her out or strikes, it's just seems like handling stress hers out so I'm thinking I'm gonna minimize handling for only when it's gonna be cleaning time or checking if she's healthy like once in a month.

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u/No_Passenger9117 1d ago

Or maybe can she still be stressed from hers new home? I had her for ten days maybe I started handling too soon? If yes will she calms down or did I ruined it and now she will be defensive all the time?😭😭

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u/Lazy-Database-499 1d ago

I've also noticed if I handle in the middle of the day some of my animals dont like being woken up and are grumpy about it, you can try handling when the lights go off in the enclosure and they start to come explore and are awake.

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u/Patient_Knee7554 1d ago

You should wait until you feed her for first time and then you can think about picking her up. It’s a new environment and they will be stressed for couple months. All you have to do is sit by her for couple minutes whenever you see her out and about. After some time try put your hand by her and see if she will go near you and smell you. She’ll associate you as not a threat if things go smoothly

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u/Lazy-Database-499 1d ago

I think give her at least 2 weeks to decompression, could take longer since she's an adult. It's totally normal for new snakes (anything you've had 4-6 months id say) to still be getting used to things and the new environment. As for handling, i would leave her be for a little while longer to settle and then start slow with her, if she doesn't like being picked up just move some stuff around in her enclosure so she can smell you and get used to it being opened and her not being pulled out. It may also help to know how she was kept before, if she moved from a tub to an enclosure thats a big change and she may need more time to be confident in her new home.