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  1. #1
    Registered User Papo's Avatar
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    Aggressive Males

    I have three racks that each hold eight bins. I have a total of 24 balls, 18 females and six males which are all mixed. Three of the males are weighing in at 400+ grams, while the other three are in the 200-300 grams range. The bigger males are becoming aggressive and tend to strike every time I open their bins, or whenever I put them in their feeding bins, while all the other snakes, big girls included, don't even flinch.

    Do males become aggressive as they get closer to sexual maturity?

    Thanks,
    Papo

  2. #2
    BPnet Senior Member Slim's Avatar
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    Re: Aggressive Males

    Quote Originally Posted by Papo View Post
    whenever I put them in their feeding bins
    I think I may see part of the problem here...
    Thomas "Slim" Whitman
    Never Met A Ball Python I Didn't Like

  3. #3
    BPnet Lifer Rob's Avatar
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    X2 especially with that many snakes, whats the upside to taking them out to feed?

  4. #4
    BPnet Veteran satomi325's Avatar
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    Re: Aggressive Males

    Quote Originally Posted by Papo View Post
    I have three racks that each hold eight bins. I have a total of 24 balls, 18 females and six males which are all mixed. Three of the males are weighing in at 400+ grams, while the other three are in the 200-300 grams range. The bigger males are becoming aggressive and tend to strike every time I open their bins, or whenever I put them in their feeding bins, while all the other snakes, big girls included, don't even flinch.

    Do males become aggressive as they get closer to sexual maturity?

    Thanks,
    Papo

    I don't think so. My boys are more mellow and laid back than my females. I have 2 girls that can be nasty just from opening their tubs.
    I say that your boys just have a strong feeding response. Do they show the same aggression while handling them out of the enclosures?(not during feeding time)

    And feeding in a separate feeding bin isn't really necessarily. I would think that is what is conditioning them to be aggressive if anything. They're saying, "Hey! It's the hand that leads to food!"

  5. #5
    Registered User travis11's Avatar
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    From my experience its usually the Females that get more aggresive. Maybe you should try feeding in their enclousure. I've noticed that it makes a big differance in the "taming" process in males when you feed in the tubs. No explanation, i couldn't tell you why. Also, i would higher the temps to about 93-95 if they are not already. The higher heat for some reason keeps the animals more docile in short time frames. 2-3 days tops.

  6. #6
    BPnet Veteran RobNJ's Avatar
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    Re: Aggressive Males

    Quote Originally Posted by travis11 View Post
    Also, i would higher the temps to about 93-95 if they are not already. The higher heat for some reason keeps the animals more docile in short time frames. 2-3 days tops.
    I don't feed in separate tubs, but I have...A LOT of times. Nothing ever occurred that would lead me to believe that feeding in a separate tub would spur any sort of extra aggression.

    Travis, I am extremely curious about this little bit of info you shared...any chance you could go into more detail?

  7. #7
    Registered User Papo's Avatar
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    Thanks for the replies, but it's not only during feeding time, it's every time I open their bins too whether it be handling or cleaning time.

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    BPnet Lifer Rob's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RobNJ View Post
    any chance you could go into more detail?
    My guess is it keeps them calm by cooking their brains.
    Last edited by Rob; 04-25-2012 at 10:04 PM.

  9. #9
    Registered User Papo's Avatar
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    Re: Aggressive Males

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob View Post
    X2 especially with that many snakes, whats the upside to taking them out to feed?
    It still fascinates me to watch them.

  10. #10
    BPnet Senior Member Slim's Avatar
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    Re: Aggressive Males

    Quote Originally Posted by travis11 View Post
    i would higher the temps to about 93-95 if they are not already. The higher heat for some reason keeps the animals more docile in short time frames. 2-3 days tops.
    I'd love to hear the story about how you stumbled on this epiphany.
    Thomas "Slim" Whitman
    Never Met A Ball Python I Didn't Like

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Slim For This Useful Post:

    Mike41793 (04-25-2012)

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