my new ball python

Question
i bought a ball python yesterday and every since i put it in the tank he keeps trying to snap or bit me? i know my first one i got was really mellow and lets me hold it with out a problem. is it because the store i got it from did not give it any attention. i know the one i just got from the place was there for a month and a half. is there any way it will come down or is it going to be aggressive threwout its life. are male more aggressive or are the females more aggressive? should i keep it or should i try to bring it back to the pet store?? thank you

Answer
Hey Brandon,

Ball pythons are just like everything else. They all have their own personalities. You need to give it a month to adjust to the new surroundings. This is the typical time frame you should give a snake any snake before really handling them. Other then for feeding. If they can associate your handling them with a reward like a feeding then they will mellow out. You should never feed a pet snake in it tank. Buy a Tupperware container and feed in it. This will help you in the long run. If you do not do this the snake will associate your hand with food and will strike and bite.

If you own a snake you will get bit. It is as simple as that. There are ways to pick up a snake that better your chances of a latch on from a bite. Ease your hand over the top of the head spread out and then place it on the top of the head. Once your hand is down then you can pick it up.

Good luck,
Eric