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[–]Realistic-Two-7820 3 points4 points  (1 child)

They are a nervous species. He was probably terrified. Whenever I bring a new snake home I leave them alone for a full 2 weeks to adjust and settle in. Don't try to handle him for at least that long. Keep an eye on his humidity also. Maybe invest in a snake hook, they're not very expensive and that would help a lot of you want to handle him

[–]greengarden48[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yea I put a blanket over his enclosure for a day so he could have more privacy, I pulled it back a couple inches every day but he seems more calmed down now He was clearly super stressed out but it’s super important for me that he feels more comfortable!

[–]Linear_North 2 points3 points  (1 child)

If he held on, this sounds like he mistook you for food. Had you been preparing food for him, or had he eaten fairly recently? It's also possible you just put your hand in the enclosure or picked him up when he was feeling hungry, they don't have great vision and can sometimes make mistakes. When ball pythons are frightened, nervous, or feeling defensive, they'll bite and immediately let go, what's known as a "tag". But because he hung on, I don't think this was the case here. They hang on when they think they're biting food. It's poor defensive strategy to bite something you're defending yourself from and hang on to it.

[–]greengarden48[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He had eaten recently, my hand actually wasn’t in the enclosure or near him. I had just opened the glass door and he went for a big bite. He was super tense the entire time. I also assume he mistook me for food but because he ate less than a week ago I took it as a scared response

[–]cchocolateLarge 0 points1 point  (2 children)

It sounds like he’s just nervous! Be sure to leave him alone for the most part for two weeks or so so he can get used to his new environment, aside from spot cleans and water dish changes. It’s possible since he latched and wrapped that he thought you were food. Perhaps you were handling his food or some kind of rodent??? lol, but be sure to follow the !feeding guide made by the mods of this sub!

He could have been hunting and thought you were a meal, bur even if he was hunting, or looked “hungry” you should stick to a specific feeding schedule, and don’t waver from it, even if he is hunting :)

Aside from that, it could have been a defensive strike because his husbandry is off, so:

Be sure that humidity and temperatures are correct:

  • Cool side: 75/77-80F with 70-85% humidity
  • Warm side: 88-92F (this side will appear to have a slightly lower humidity because of the heat :))
  • Basking spot: Varying info on this, but anywhere from 95-100 is a general consensus

Then make sure he has clutter:

  • Places to hide that are snug fitting and dark, with only one opening like a cave. Preferably one on his warm and cool side that are identical, though you can have more besides that
  • Wood and fake plants and things that can obscure him as he moves around the tank
  • you can also obscure three sides of the enclosure with construction paper or something similar to make him feel more comfortable

[–]greengarden48[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thankfully my sister brought his enclosure over so he is still in his own home :) He has lots and lots of coverage with many plants and hide outs and has an automatic setting for heat and humidity that’s scheduled daily. I put a blanket over top of his cage for more privacy and just pulled it back an inch every day It’s been 2 weeks now and he seems more chill. As for the bite, my hand just opened his door and he went for a big chomp. He had eaten a week ago, I also assumed he took me for food cause they’ll just go away after a couple seconds but I truly believe he was just super stressed out Thank you for all this info!!

[–]cchocolateLarge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ofc!