Marshall bit me!

[gameonpython]

Well I never imagined it would happen, but my sweet little Marshall took a chomp at my finger. Pretty sure he thought I was food... I was fooling around in his cage, adjusting stuff and what not, when he jumped out of his cave, but my finger(hardly) and as quick as he bit me he let go and was back in his cave. To be honest, the whole experience was hilarious. Silly little snake! The bite didn't draw blood and didn't hurt, it was a cute little baby bite

Anyways, he is obviously hungry. Should I offer him two rats next time? He just got fed Tuesday, and is scheduled for another feeding Sunday.


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[Sauzo]

Probably need to up his food size. One appropriate sized feeder is better than 2 small feeders unless of course you have no choice. Then any food is better than no food.

[ajmreptiles]

that was a defensive strike, he wouldn't have released so quick if it was a food response bite

[Albert Clark]

Typical hatchling and young ball python behavior. Probably thought he was under attack and became defensive. Did you by any chance have the smell of rodents, cat or any type of bp food on your hands? I think the smell of a cat or dog on your hands can trigger a defensive bite or even a misinterpreted food strike especially in younger bp's.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Babies are always hungry! Stick to your feeding schedule

[C2tcardin]

LOL too funny, what is his weight? You may need to up his feeder size, if possible.

[Lizardlicks]

Yup, a defensive bite. Only time I've ever been struck at by one of the girls is because I opened up the tub and started messing with stuff using quick movements without giving her any warning. Serket didn't even come close to hitting me, but I stopped moving and left my hand in sniff range until she figured out it was me and calmed down. If I had actually got tagged it would have been my fault for not thinking and scaring her.

[DVirginiana]

Yup, defensive strike. If they really think you're food, they'll hang on for awhile trying to kill and eat you.

[bcr229]

Yeah that was a "go away I don't like you" bite. Food bites are grab and hold, or grab and wrap... or in the case of my foody boa, it was bite, hold, wrap, let go... wait it's still moving I'll bite it again!

[gameonpython]

You think it was defensive? I mean, this is marshall were talking about. He lets me touch his head all over and comes out to see what's going on every time I enter the room.

Come to think of it, I probably did smell a bit rodent like, as I was playing with the sugar gliders minutes before the incident. Go figure.

He weighs around 160 grams, and is eating 20-30 gram weaned ASF.

My hand was completely still when he did strike, which is another reason that makes me think it was hunger, not fear. After he struck and went in his cave, he came out again and his little tongue was flicking a lot.


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