Aggressive, blind, and possibly senile?

[whitneymoon]

I have had my ball python, Lenny, for 12 years. He has always been very laid back, and easy to handle. However, about 2 years ago, he bit me during feeding time. At the time, I figured it was because he is blind in one eye, and mistook my hand for the rat. The bite was more traumatic than one would expect, because he hit a vein in my hand and constricted around my wrist, so it took a good five minutes to release him, and blood was squirting out every time my heart pumped. I am not squeamish, and I have been bitten by snakes before, but this was much worse than the others. Lenny seemed pretty freaked out, too.

For about a week or two, I was too nervous to handle him again, but got over it and things went back to normal. Until a month later, when he struck at me as soon as I opened his cage. After that, he started striking at the glass any time someone went to open the cage. I have been bitten several times by him, and now, there is simply no handling him. Which makes me sad. I feel like he's not the same snake anymore. Feeding time and cleaning his cage are stressful and unpleasant, and I am embarrassed to admit that find myself resenting Lenny sometimes.

Some people have told me that when snakes get older, they can become skittish and senile, and they aren't interested in being handled anymore. He was a little skittish after he lost his vision in one eye, because he couldn't get a good look at anything. But now, he is downright aggressive.

Can anyone relate? Do you have an older snake?

Also, could someone please recommend some good snake gloves? I would prefer not to spend a ridiculous amount of money on them. The only ones I have found online are $40 on the low end and $250 on the high end. Surely there is a cheaper option?

Thanks for reading.

[Homegrownscales]

I have a couple older females one js 10 and the other 15 and haven't experienced this. Also the 10 year old was a rescue and seems to be blind in one eye or had some trauma neurologically but that's beyond the point. If you need gloves to handle. I'm sure the leather cattle gloves would work great. They'll come up beyond your wrist and are heavy leather. I'm not sure how much they'll run you but I'm sure you cam get them at any farm supply store or website. Another option is trying to hook train with him. I'm not sure what is causing this but possibly it's environmental? Generally when their attitudes change dramatically it's for a reason. 12 yrs is still a very young snake he shouldn't be senile yet. Lol I know you've had him for a while but is it possible to up his feeding. Maybe he is mistaking hands for food bc of the blindness. What are you feeding him and frequency?

[darkbloodwyvern]

Snake hooks are often a good choice, with or without gloves! Have you changed his cage at all? I know you are nervous, but you do need to try to chill out when you handle him. They can sense the tension and it will automatically set them off. XC

I have a nearly blind 18-19 year old girl who doesn't see much of anything. She has a rough time striking at food if the FT aren't warm for her to see, but has only bit me once when she was shedding and I poked her face. BP's don't necessarily need to see well to eat and get along pretty well. Have you tried feeding him already dead food? He might be afraid of live after being bit by the rat....

[Wh00h0069]

It sounds to me like he is very stressed out. What type of enclosure do you have him in? Putting him in a small enclosure with tight hides may help. Also covering the sides and back of the cage, if he can see through them, may help. Once he feels more secure, he will likely calm down quickly. Good luck.

[loonunit]

I'd actually try feeding him outside his enclosure at this point? And handling him with gloves on feeding days. It kind of sounds like ordinary feeding-related cage aggression.

[Generationshell]

Snakes can live quit awhile so I'd hardly say 12 years is really old for a snake.
Since his temperament has changed so drastically I suspect something in his environment is making him like that.
So I'd do a thorough husbandry check. On everything.
If the sides and back of his tank aren't covered I would definitely suggest that to make him feel more secure.

[whitneymoon]

Thanks, everyone for your replies!

I thought the same thing when I was told that he may be senile... he seems too young for that!

He has been in the same cage for years, with a tight hiding spot. Not sure what would set him off environmentally.

I feed him a large rat every 2 weeks, sometimes he goes a month between rats. I follow his body language and when he comes out searching for prey, I offer a rat. If I offer the rat before he shows signs of hunger, he tends to ignore it.

[whitneymoon]

Okay, so I have ordered a slew of new stuff for Lenny's terrarium. New heat pad, new thermostat. I have always used an overhead red bulb, but perhaps that is keeping him too dry. New hide spots. And I am going to try paper for bedding instead of the aspen shavings I have always used. He always moves it aside anyway to lay directly on the glass. I have been covering the sides of his home now, too.

After an extensive search, I found gloves that should work perfectly until I can get Lenny back to his laid-back self. They are rose gardening gloves, and they come up to the elbow. If they can withstand rose thorns, I am sure his teeth won't be an issue.

Since the biting issue started, I have been feeding him in his cage, which may be contributing to the problem. So, I will start feeding him in a separate container like I used to.

Thanks again to everyone for your helpful suggestions. I really miss my calm, easygoing snake. Hopefully, with a little TLC and some interior decorating for his home, he will be back to his old self in no time.

[loonunit]

Don't switch everything at once--if he isn't stressed now, that will stress him. Especially the hides, because they always have a favorite. Introduce a couple items at a time, so it'll be interesting and novel, rather than alarming.

[whitneymoon]

Thanks, loonunit, I agree. I was planning to switch his bedding and heat source, then give him some time before I change his hides.