BP has suddenly become aggresive?

[txdrop]

Enclosure has UT pad/day and night lights.
Day time temps are 85-91 degrees on warm side 80-85 on cooler. Night time 80-85 -- 78-82 respectively (use lower wattage red bulb at night 12 hours day/night cycle) Have a hide for each side though they're not identical they're not too dissimilar.
Humidity 60-65% on one side of enclosure with the fogger feed. Relatively the same on the other, though iv noticed it can be drier at times. Temp and humidity regulated by a controller. She usually uses the warmer and more humid hide, though shell use the other I assume to regulate body temp/comfort every so often.
Use aspen bedding.


Snake is around 2 feet. Shed about two weeks ago. Always sheds in one to two peices, no eye caps are stuck. Not sure of age or weight assume somewhere around 8 months to a year. Eats F/T small mice healthily once every 10-14 days never turns down a meal. Maybe I need to step the size of the mice up? I dont think so, they seem quite right for her size as they are just slightly smaller than her gerthy mid section. This is my first snake since I was younger (10 years ago) and Iv never had a problem with feeding any of them in their home enclosures. And up until the last two days shes never shown any signs of aggression, no hissing, no striking, quite timid and shy. Open to handling for short periods every other day sometimes daily, remove hide and slowly approach and stroke her side. Usually quite timid like i said and stays curled up until you sit down with her and then he/she will quite willingly crawl through your hands, and around curiously. Wash my hands regularly before and after handling/feeding.

Her enclosure sits on a shelf in my room, low traffic house of adults. She normally will poke her head out every so often and observe me doing things in my room in the evening, yesterday she come out while i was tying my shoes next to the shelf and stared me down in a striking "s" pose, not taking her attention off of me... I assumed she may have been startled, so I didn't think much of it. Tried to handle her later that evening but as soon as I removed her hide she struck a rock in the enclosure, I did nothing different or out of the norm. I replaced her hide and left her be. Today I went to feed her and more of the same, but she willingly took her mouse and retreated to her cooler/drier hide until I replaced the other after letting her settle down.

Iv tried to cover all bases, all I can assume has changed her temperament is two variables:

The first is the recent addition of a crested gecko to the house hold, in a different room. Again, washing hands before and after feeding and handling of either animal. Shes fed repashy CGD. Doing quite well, beautiful dark brown and holding her tail with no nutritional problems and is actually seemingly quite playful. Willingly crawls onto you from her enclosure, leaps hand to hand, runs up and down your arms, content sitting and feeding from your fingers. (including her health and character because we take pride in our care of our animals)

The second is a week ago during a warm spell I took her outside and sat with her in the grass. I did this with my snakes when I was younger and never had issues, and the only thing she did differently is that she was fussy about coming back in side. No hissing or striking, just quick to wriggle away and about. But had her quickly back home and comfortable in her enclosure acting entirely normal and even handled her later that evening with zero problems. So possibly parasites from outdoors? If this is the case the vet is not an option home remedies will have to work, we live far out of town and Im currently on workers comp, just cant afford it. And nearest vet seems unwilling to deal with snakes in the past when I asked to just check up on her when I first purchased her. Dont know if its due to a lack in experience or a phobia (live in texas, were the only people in our area not deathly afraid of our snakes)

If her negative behavior continues and Im unable to change things Im willing to give her to a more experienced enthusiast in the area (north central texas), enclosure included. Maybe just help me with fuel cost $20? I refuse to allow her to strike me, Im not scared of the animal but if her aggressive nature continues I just wont have her. Its a comfort thing and I have a temper lol, shes not cute and cuddly so theres just not much emotional attachment other than my desire to provide a healthy environment for this beautiful animal for our enjoyment and observation.

Sorry for crappy grammar and lack of pictures, only camera in the house holds film LOL I look forward to hearing from the community soon and hope that youre able to help. Wed like to keep her, and keep her happy.

[don15681]

when you feed her, can you see a lump in her stomach when she gets the rodent ALL the way down? if not, up the size a little until you see a noticable lump. and you should be feeding her every 5 to 7 days at least at that age. she's most likely hungry and looking for food. I think the gecko or taking her outside has anything to do with it. good luck with her. don

[txdrop]

Yes there is a noticeable lump. Ill ramp up the feeding and see if that doesnt change things over the next couple weeks.

[txdrop]

One of my room mates actually snapped a pic off her camera phone while she was outside, Ill get her to take one of her enclosure when she gets home. Appears healthy and happy to me? Not the most experienced of owners but yeah...

[Tannerrrtx]

What part of texas bud?

[DG76]

I'd agree that it sounds like you need to up the prey size or at the very least feed every 5 to 7 days.
As it reaches maturity you can leave longer between feeds but while it's growing a more frequent feeding schedule is needed.

Make sure it leaves a nice lump, 10% of the snakes empty body weight is a good guide to selecting prey size.

[txdrop]

She was much better today adding/removing some soiled bedding. Guess I'm just a worry-wort .So I suppose she was just hungry and fussy, thanks for the input guys! Well finish up these last two F/T mice and try a small box of the next size. Also give her another feeding Friday and start going 5-7 days rather than 10!

Also, her enlcosure: 20 gal. Heating rocks not plugged in just had it from before and using it for show, but would it be an alternative to the UTP? Iv placed the controller prob on it in the past and it doesn't get over 95 degrees, have been reluctant to use it though as Iv heard they can get too hot.

As she grows I'd like to set her up a live terrarium instead of something so simplistic. Any suggestions for live plants, bedding, hides, and such?

[arialmt]

No heat rocks, no night drops in temp, clutter up her open space a little. my two cents.

Also did I mention no heat from the rock.

[txdrop]

More plant material through the open space work? Heat rocks not on like I said, so no prob there. Iv read several places that minor drops at night were more "natural" for the animal, this not true or necessary? Ill grab the same wattage red or black bulb next time I'm in town.

[Tannerrrtx]

Hey man, she hasn't gotten back to me. Shoot her a pm with my info and to let me know in the morning. Ill be up around 8 so if I gotta go get the little dude I can