I bought him 2 weeks ago from a local reptile store who said he got him from a guy who captive breeds them. After Ifed him the first night I went to put more water in bowl and he struck at me. I didnt handle him after that for 10 days so he could get familiar with new home. I have fed him again and he eats just fine. He strikes at me a lot though...at the glass,at the screen, and at my hands after he eats or when i handle him. I pick him up and handle him anyways everyday for like 10-15 minutes with gloves on. I never see him go into the "ball" everyone talks about. He just goes into defense stance and strikes. Whats up? is this a lost cause or can I get him to stop after some handling? I thought ball pythons were pretty calm. Not this one! got any advice??
2007-02-18 07:56:05 · 10 answers · asked by naptwn7581 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Stop picking him up everyday. Make sure he has plenty to eat, and you are feeding him OUTSIDE his cage. A bucket with holes drilled in the lid works well, or any container you can latch shut with plenty of breathing holes. The only time my Ball Python started striking for "no reason" was when he outgrew his food ration and was hungry. I doubled his food and the "random" aggressiveness went away. There should be a noticeable lump after your snake eats.
Part of this could easily have been caused by his breeder being too lazy to feed each snake outside their cage to keep striking to a minimum. Snakes aren't that stupid. If his first owner only opened his cage to feed him why should he suddenly think your hand doesn't have food. He would have been taught that hands mean food. He wouldn't be afraid he'd be expecting a meal.
As a previous person said get a hook and only try to handle him once he is out of the cage, keep using the gloves, but cut handling down to maybe once a week. Preferably a few days after he's been fed. He might always be snippy in the cage, but you should be able to get him to calm down once outside.
2007-02-18 10:47:35 · answer #1 · answered by M W 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First off it all depends on the age of the snake. Neonates and juvies are always a bit nippy. Another thing is to check the conditions of the tank. What are the temps? What is the humidity level? Temp should be in the mid 80's and humidity should be at about 50-60%. Does he have a hide? Snakes are shy creatures and they need someplace to crawl into to feel more secure. Are you taking him out after he eats? Dont. It is recommended to wait at least 24-36 hours after feeding before you handle the reptile as handling after eating can cause the snake to regurgitate. Another thing you may want to find out is if the breeder is breeding them cb or cbb. if you take 2 wild caughts and breed them they are captive bred. However the offspring will have much of the wild caught tendencies of the parents. Now if you take 2 snakes that were captive bred and breed them those children are now captive born AND bred (cbb). CBB herps are the more calmer of the breed types.
Anyway, instead of handling him everyday why not just put him on your bed and let him relax as you go about your daily rituals in your room? Or you can try the "tshirt trick" (email me for info on this).
one thing ive learned is, whether you feed the snake in its tank or out of it, if it wants to bite you it will.
2007-02-18 12:19:39 · answer #2 · answered by useless_knowledged_1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't try to handle him right after he eats; he's all excited about the food. Feed him in a separate container from his cage so he doesn't think that every intrusion into his cage means food. Feed him frozen mice. He will be naturally less aggressive when he doesn't have to hunt down and attack his prey. Simply thaw out the mouse with a hair dryer or a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. Dangle the mouse within his reach with a pair of long, plastic tongs. Try to ease him from the container into his cage by tipping the container into his cage. Some snakes feel vulnerabe when they are housed in tanks that open from the top. Try to either get your hands on a side-opening cage or turn your tank so that it is on it's side. Make sure the "lid" has lots of locks on it to prevent him from pushing outward on it and escaping. Keep handling him frequently.
2007-02-18 16:34:31 · answer #3 · answered by Amy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
after feeding it is always good to let the snake settle for 2 hours before you go and try to change his water even better yet wait 48 hours that way hes fully digested and isnt in hunt mode hunt mode after being fed can last from 10 mins to 2 hours also on the being nippy part only time ive seen nippy ball pytons are when they were wild caught or captive hatched. if it was a truly captive bred python then it wouldnt be nippy give it some time and he will calm down and also when you notice him going into shed pink belly then his eyes will "blue" over dont handle or try and feed him at all.
2007-02-18 15:05:59 · answer #4 · answered by Christopher C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My boa constrictor imperator did that for a month when we just brought him home, especially when they go into shed. Limit your handling time to maybe 2-3 times a week as it might be getting stressed out. Get a snake hook (or a sturdy clothes hanger) to get the snake out of the cage. It seems like a lot of snakes are nippy when they are in the cage, but fine out of it. Also try wearing a t-shirt overnight and then putting it in its cage so it can get used to your scent.
2007-02-18 08:43:34 · answer #5 · answered by Cave Canem 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
your not suppose to put your hands any where near them after their done eating or eating because their so hyped up about eating wait at least 10 min or maybe he's stressed about his new enviorment give him a little while k he'll stop after a while don't let this expeirience put a damper on having snakes as pets their very placid as they get older and very cute !!!!!!
good luck thats how i got mine to stop!!!!!!!!!!
2007-02-18 12:40:50 · answer #6 · answered by emmi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he is trying to educate you. Snakes do not make good pets, and every now and then they do kill their owners. This one is trying to warn you. Give him time to grow up and you're in big trouble. You should take him back where you got him. There is something about you that he just doesn't like.
2007-02-18 08:05:27 · answer #7 · answered by Lola 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋
tipickle of ballpythons thats why i perfer milk or king snakes
2007-02-19 11:56:11 · answer #8 · answered by josh h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's a snake. What did you not understand?
I can't believe how many people think it is a good idea to try to domesticate a wild animal.
2007-02-18 08:13:36 · answer #9 · answered by J.R. 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
He could of been mistreated.
2007-02-18 11:40:27 · answer #10 · answered by Jesse E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋