I think my BP hates me He Bites me, A LOT! :-(

[Kathuzada]

Now I realize a lot of people say that they are not capable of feeling anything towards one human or another, but I think mine is different! Ever since I got Vasuki, right as a 9 inch baby, we have handled him just about every day (leaving a day or two after feeding) and feed him regularly. I have always been told that his level of "happiness" in his tank would be told by his sheds. He has shed LOTS of times (he is 2 now) and it has never, except for 1 time back about 1.5 years ago, been in anymore than a perfect piece. Up until 5 months ago, he has never even acted as though he wanted to strike at anyone.

The first time Vasuki ever struck was at me, I will admit, it was my fault...I rushed to get him out of his tank when I was really excited wanting to show him off and take a picture. Everyone says that a BP bite isn't bad....WRONG!

It may not have taken my finger off, but he left at least 20 puncture wounds and I was bleeding for the better part of 2 hours! It bruised up for the next 3 weeks. Since then, I have tried to take him out of his tank plenty of times, but he gets VERY defensive so I have my husband do it instead and there are NEVER any issues. I still handle him every day, realizing, this is a part of owning a "wild" creature.

Tonight, after my 5th time getting bit, I am almost ready to get rid of him and give him to someone else. Tonight my husband took him out and handed him slowly over to me like always (letting him slither onto me on his own free will). He balled up in my hand, like he always does and typically will stay there for a couple hours. Well tonight he decided it would be a fun thing to SUDDENLY strike at me.

This was different than anything I have ever heard of from a BP! Instead of biting my hand or arm or even anything remotely coming near him, he bit me right on the chin. At this point I was doing nothing other than stroking him with the hand I was holding him in, which was nearly fully extended away from me at the time. He left at least 20 wounds again and it is already bruising and itching like crazy!

I did all things to wash it and have no fear of infection, I am just thinking about my 6 year old daughter. He just before this was absolutely fine letting her pet him right on his head (he has never even winced from her).
Please don't tell me not to let her pet him or hold him, because this is not going to happen...that would be like asking someone to not let their kid pet their dog because it may bite.

I am the only person to ever get bit by him, and I am not sure that I can take any more with him being this aggressive towards me. What could be causing this? I am a dog groomer so I constantly smell like dog, but that never bothered him before a few months ago. Nothing has changed for him as far as environment either. Any suggestions? I really do love my Vasuki.....I am just VERY tired of getting bit!

[TheWinWizard]

Do you wear perfume? Did you change deodorant, body wash, or something that may make you smell differently? Think about it.

[DellaF]

I really can't give you any advice on this one. It will be interesting to see what others have to say. Sorry this is happening to you. I wouldn't like being bit all the time either.

[Kathuzada]

I always take a shower after work, and I make my own body wash and shampoo and have for about 7 years now, and have not changed ingredients at all. As far as perfumes I hardly wear any unless going out, but that doesn't seen to affect him. Deodorant is still the same as well. I did think of all those, but then again, I can't guarantee that the product didn't change chemically to what I had a couple years ago.

Tonight was off because I was in my velour robe (which he normally LOVES) and had just taken a shower and had no chemicals on me at all and it was the most (in my mind) vicious bite yet.

[Keyboard Warrior]

Like winwizard pointed out, different and new smells may set them off. I just read on a recent post, that someone noticed different behavior in their BP when they changed soap brands, because he washed his hands before handling him. Your demeanor around him can cause him to strike. Animals are good at telling when we're nervous. You're nervousness makes him nervous. Be as relaxed as possible, and don't make sudden movements, and make sure he's aware of your presence.

I'm sorry he's doing that. It's hard when you take care of something, and love it, and they don't show it right back. But its likely he/she doesn't hate you, he/she just doesn'tlike something that your doing.

[Atrax]

I think that your BP can sense your anxiety and thus bites you, while your husband is probably not concerned about being bitten.
Snakes can sense nervousness in ppl very well. You should try to relax before handling and when you approach your BP don't think about being bitten.
Well that would be my advice, but I'm no expert on BP's in any way.

Good luck with him, and I hope you won't have to give him away.


P.S.: I saw Keyboard Warrior's post just after I posted mine. I agree with you Key. Warrior.

[dragonboy4578]

I have to agree with a few of the other posts. Your anxiety could easily be causing your snake to strike. I know with all my snakes that if I am nervous they act nervous. This is also the reason that I don't allow anyone to handle my snakes if they seem nervous.

[angllady2]

My take on this is that you are stressing your ball out, and thus getting bitten.

Firstly, snakes are not puppies nor are they kittens and do not need to be held every day, nor do most appreciate it. I handle mine an average of three times per week, and then only for 15 or 20 minutes at a time. If they start to act restless, they get put back.

Secondly, they can and do react to your anxiety level. If you are uptight, worried about a bite, that is almost a guarantee of getting one. My husband is proof of that. He received a minor bite from a big female a few years back, now he's phobic about getting bitten.
I can handle any of my snakes without fear, even when they are in blue. But let him pick one up and instantly they are tensed up and ready to strike. If I take it from him, instant calm.

I've had a few strikers in my time. One male in particular was a face striker. He always, and I mean always came at my face. I learned really quick to read his body language, because they always give warnings before they strike. When I noticed that telltale attitude, I would hold him away from my face and let him do his strike. After a week of unsuccessful attempts to re-arrange my face, he eventually gave up. Shortly after that, when he finally got it through his head I was not scared of him, nor would striking me make me leave him alone, he gave up striking at me unless he was in blue and crabby.

Now I know it's all well and good for me to say these things, but putting them into practice with your snake is a different matter. If you don't think you will be able to overcome your anxiety of being bitten, then yes you are probably going to have to rehome him. If you think that given a little time and some effort on your part you can conquer your fear, then do try. Start with less frequent handling, try every three days for now. Limit it to short sessions to start, say 5 to 10 minutes. If holding him is a little too hard for now, get him out, lay down on your bed and just let him be near you. Gently stroke his side now and then. Do watch his head and neck. If at any point he "S" curves with his face towards you back up a bit in case he strikes. If he does strike at you, ignore it. Don't freak out and DON'T put him back!

It will take time and a lot of effort on your part, but you can turn this around if you really try. Best wishes to you.

Gale

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Good news your BP does not hate you, they do not have this type of emotion.

Aggressive behavior in BP is often husbandry related, find what stresses him make changes and he will start acting like any other BP

So far what I see you doing wrong is handling, you are handling this BP way too often, and over time it could have become a stress factor right now stop any handling.

Now here are some questions try to answer them all as precisely as possible.

How big is your BP?
How big is his enclosure?
What are your temps? Where and how do you measure them? (type of thermometer used)
How many hides do you provides? Are they tight with all sides touching his body?
What is your humidity?
How often and what size prey do you feed your BP?
Any major change in the past 5 months?