I've had my ball python for about 2 yrs now. When i bought him from Petco., He was the last in the tank and they said that he would snap at the store employees from time to time. In the 2 yrs i've had him, he never once snapped at me or bit me.
Within the past month he has developed a severe attitude problem. After he finished his last shed he began snapping at me whenever i tried to hold him. he still eats fine on his regular schedule but is to the point where even if i walk past the cage or attempt to hold him he is striking at me. Im not sure what to do.
I have him in a 20 gal. tank with a climbing tree, 1/2 log and water dish inside. The temperature and humidity are the same as i have had them for the past 2 yrs. I feed him 2 mice bi-weekly and hold him for about 30 min a day. It's been about a month since i have held him and im worried that he will continue to be aggressive and that i will not be able to hold him at all. Any help is greatly appreciated
2006-11-22 04:46:59 · 7 answers · asked by Troy 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
He may be hungry therefore I would not put my arm or limbs near this thing...Or he could be ready to shed or wants a mate????
2006-11-22 04:55:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
hi there
first of all it's probably the prey is to small... always go by the girth size (the largest width of the body)... our 2 yr old is eating 1 med rat every week ..so it might be a sign that ur not feeding him enough they will get aggressive if they get to hungry ... no matter what try to handle him as much as possible even if u have to take a few bites ... the bites don't hurt much... and it cant be breeding related because they usually don't show signs till their about 3yrs old and also they stop eating during this time and through out the breeding season even if there is no female in the house hold...
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2006-11-22 16:51:21 · answer #2 · answered by urban_reptiles1 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The trouble with snakes is, when they snap once, and you back off, they learn they can bite to get what they want. What started off as probably just a bad day for your snake has escalated in to this.
The solution is very very simple: handle him. Pick him up and handle him and show him you're not afraid. He bites because he knows it gets him what he wants. If he snaps at you, do NOT put him down immediately. Carry on as if nothing happened. He'll soon learn. And don't be freaked out; I've been bitten by a BP and it barely pinched.
One other thing I would suggest though is to give him more places to hide. One half-log isn't enough. Now he is bigger than when you first got him, it may be he no longer feels comfortable with his half log. I would provide him with more places to hide; try one of those rock caves. My snakes love those. All snakes need at LEAST two hides, and it's especially important for BPs as they are very shy.
Try all this. I'm confident it will work. Good luck!
2006-11-22 06:43:05 · answer #3 · answered by Jason 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
properly, there will be countless topics. the interest caps are an glaring one yet perchance no longer the purely one. Ball pythons are properly-known for being docile. at the starting up, all pythons favor to be fed. something it really is no longer fed receives offended. 2d, you suggested you had him in a cage. A ball python should be in a pitcher or similar housing with a warmth rock or different warmth source. they don't love metallic up hostile to their bodies; it form of creeps them out. you also favor to save the snake properly watered. if you're actually not doing that it's going to act out. Ball pythons in certain are soothed by publicity to water; contained in the wild they pick to slink alongside marshy moist parts like mangroves. i'm no longer an expert yet I had a ball python once and had a gaggle of acquaintances who ran a python temple in Africa who gave me advice. What you truly favor is to do a similar element: locate some experts who truly comprehend pythons and learn instantly from them.
2016-11-29 09:12:25 · answer #4 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am guessing you probably have already had a few answers to this, but I thought i would throw one more hat your way. I don't know why he's doing that, but I do have a suggestion: Don't stop handling him. Don't overdo it, but you might try taking him out every two or three days and holding him for at least ten minutes or so. If that doesnt work after a few weeks, put something of yours in the tank, so your smell is always directly with him... good luck!
2006-11-23 18:44:19 · answer #5 · answered by Lisse 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't stop handling him. A bite from a ball python is nothing to freak out about. It isn't even real painful and the wound is so superficial it will be gone in a few days. Gently pick him up by the tail and lift him out. Just sit somewhere such as in front of the tv and just let him sit in your lap. My red tail was real aggressive but I handle him every day and he never bites.
2006-11-22 05:33:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
dont back down. if you keep on being scared, hes gonna think bahavior like that is okay. if you get bit, im sure it doesn't hurt as much as a being shot by a paintball gun.
2006-11-22 12:17:56 · answer #7 · answered by pi-man 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋