To a ravenous snake, anything that moves is fair game, and it's in your best interest to keep fingers and hands out of striking distance. Believe me, snakebites are painful and are prone to becoming infected, requiring a visit to your human physician. Ball pythons are quite common as pets. They don't grow quickly to an unmanageable size and they are very docile. They are being bred in greater numbers in this country every year, but some imports are still offered routinely for sale.
Balls tend to be shy feeders, and do best with a dark hide box that acts as a shelter.
If your pet ball python is reluctant to eat, try feeding it at night, in the dark, as they are nocturnal creatures. Handle it as little as possible at feeding time. Imported balls may not recognize the classic white mouse as normal prey, and by substituting a brown mouse, gerbil or hamster, your snake may be more likely to eat. Don't handle your snake for a few days after feeding, to prevent regurgitation. Fresh water should be available at all times.