Son's new ball hates me!

[tsy72001]

The first ball is so sweet so we let our youngest son get a ball. Well he hates me and only me. Struck at me when I got him out on feeding day, so do not get him out any longer. The next week my son put him in his feeding tub, he knows what that is, when I walked past he cake out of the tub and struck at me. He only does this to me and it freaks me out!

[DooLittle]

Leave him in his tank to eat.

[Rob]

Leave him in his tank to eat.

X 2 There is no point in taking him out To eat anyway. Win win.

[Slim]

Leave him in his tank to eat.

x3. There is no good reason for taking him out of his enclosure to eat.

If he's a younger BP, there is a very good chance he will grow out of the striking.

[satomi325]

Yup. I also suggest leaving him in his enclosure to eat. He won't develop cage aggression. And the chances are that he stops striking at you. Taking a ball out to a separate feeding bin may cause stress, which seems to be what your little guy is exhibiting.

And is there an off chance that you smell like prey or some other animal when you try and reach for him? Quick movements may startle snakes as well.

[AK907]

Make that another for feeding in his enclosure.

[brock lesser]

Make that another for feeding in his enclosure.

and another

[MJT_23]

Yup. I also suggest leaving him in his enclosure to eat. He won't develop cage aggression. And the chances are that he stops striking at you. Taking a ball out to a separate feeding bin may cause stress, which seems to be what your little guy is exhibiting.

And is there an off chance that you smell like prey or some other animal when you try and reach for him? Quick movements may startle snakes as well.

Can I feed in his enclosure if I use Eco earth? Like if a little of the Eco earth got on the f/t mouse would it do any damage?

[Rob]

Can I feed in his enclosure if I use Eco earth? Like if a little of the Eco earth got on the f/t mouse would it do any damage?

Nope a little substrate won't hurt.

[angllady2]

Just so you know, they can't "hate" you. They respond to environment mainly, and instinct.

If he strikes at you, it's because he's:

1.stressed

2.hungry

3.scared

Stress can be caused by new surroundings and/or poor husbandry.

He could just be hungry, if you aren't feeding large enough prey or aren't feeding often enough.

Being scared is normal for a hatchling, after all he's at the bottom of the food chain, and he knows it. As he gets older and has more experience he'll relax and not be so jumpy about everything.

Be gentle, consistent, and patient and he'll come around.

Gale