handling my new ball python

Question
QUESTION: "I purchased a cbb ball python (about 6 months old) 10 days ago. I left it undisturbed and untouched for a full week except for changing the water.I don't know if it is a male or female.I fed it after 1 week in a different cage than i am housing it in(i put it back in its regular cage around 30 minutes after feeding). After waiting a couple days i tried handling it so it would get comfortable with me.As soon as i took it out of its cage it started snapping several times as if it wanted to bite me.It was during the day and i took it from its hide(i lifted the half log from on top of him very slowly).I was wondering if i am doing anything wrong or if i should give it more time before handling it. I appreciate all your expertise, and thank you very much"

ANSWER: Hi Gabe,
  Each snake is different and I do not think that you are doing anything wrong. Is this your first snake? I suggest you pick up some cheap gardening gloves and practice handling your new snake. Do not be afraid of getting bitten. It doesn't hurt too bad and your snake is still pretty small. You seem to be very cautious (and that is good)! Keep at it. Don't handle a day or two after feeding. Just keep doing what you are doing and your snake will be tame in no time. Please let me know if I can be of further help.

Regards,

Kevin L. Ogle

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the quick response.Yes it is my first snake.Is it a problem taking it from its hide to handle it(i lift the half log off of it and then wait a couple minutes)?If i were gloves does it have to get used to my scent? Thanks again Kevin

Answer
Yes. I would take the log off and let the snake chill for a few minutes. I am not sure how much scent has to do with it. I do believe that snakes can "smell" fear. Be confident when you handle your snake. Your snake is very young and just needs some TLC. Soon, he / she will be curled up around your neck watching TV. Have you been bitten yet? Resign yourself to one thing... If you own a snake, you will be bitten. If you have ever been nipped by a small puppy or cat, it is 10X worse (meaning that the snake bite is 1/10th as bad; glad I proof read that...). I have 2 Royal Pythons myself, Piper and Pandora. Piper in a non-biter and Pandora is a bite-a-holic. They are both good girls though and I have enjoyed raising them from hatchlings. I am sure your snake will be calm in 2 to 3 months with a lot of handling. One last tip... Learn to recognize when your snake is about to strike. Royal Pythons will recoil into an "S" shape in most cases. Disarm this by learning to touch the snake on the back 1/3 of the body. Be gentle. If you can get the snake to wander, let her / him explore a little, then retain him / her to your lap. Keep the snake away from your face until she / he stops biting. When you do get bitten, do not jerk away. This will rip your skin and cause the snake to lose some teeth. Just hang out and be still. The snake will let go in a few seconds. If he / she doesn't, gently grab the snake behind the head (like you see on the Discovery channel), gently push the snake toward the bite point, then gently pull off once the snake has released you. The have recurved teeth and you have to go toward the bite before you pull away.

Let me know if I can be of further help. You can email me directly if you'd like: lasher9@gmail.com.

Regards,

Kevin L. Ogle