first ball python

[punkyjen]

I bought a ball python today, have read up lots about them, so i think im ready for him

Was just wondring if anyone had any pics of the open mouth, coz they have teeth and im curious as to what they look like.

Also i imagine a bite from one of these can hurt quite a bit, would gardening gloves do the trick to start taming?

I can wait to get him wooooo hoooo

[inca]

As with most snakes royals teeth are sheathed by a thin layer of skin. They have up to 100 re curved teeth in four rows, the later two rows being in the inner mouth and are used to move the prey down the throat.
in an adult royal the teeth are about 2mm long.
I never recommend the use of gloves for handling snake as I feel they are to restrictive and you can not accurately judge the amount of pressure you may be exerting on the animal.
It is far better to stick train your new snake and slowly build up confidence.
I have no doubt you will get bit especially if it is a young individual but to be honest a defensive bite is more like a graze.
If the snake mistakes you as it's prey then that is a different matter. Some of the worse bites I have received have been this type from royals, but the prize has to go to an otherwise friendly macklot python who mistook my hand for a rat and hung on for 40 minutes.