BP getting slightly aggressive

[Walkingdragon]

So I've had my ball python for about a year and when I bought him he was between 8mo-1yo and since I've had him he's been the sweetest little guy, explorative, curious, social and very calm. I've always fed him in his tank (30 gal breeder), I usually feed him anywhere between 2 large or 4 hopper mice or until I see a bulge in his abdomen as I've been recommended doing by the guy who bred at our local pet store. My problem is that there are days I'll go to remove his hide and I touch him, he looks at my hand the same way he does a mouse, when he does this I mist him to attempt to get him to ball up (usually works), but there are times he will instead of looking at my hand, just strike at a moments notice.

His tank consists of two hides, one with a waterbowl in it, a heating pad (with regulator) and some fake plants that are stuck to the glass, I also cover the top, rear and sides with a towel as to make him feel more secure.

[PitOnTheProwl]

4 hopper mice? How often and what is his weight?
At a year he should be on small rats or several large mice.

[Walkingdragon]

4 hopper mice? How often and what is his weight?
At a year he should be on small rats or several large mice.

Not sure on his weight (don't have a scale), he's his almost 3 feet and about as round as a 50 cent piece so he's still just barely too small for rats (that and I've still got surplus mice to get rid of lol). 4 Hopper mice is about the same size of a full grown mouse and as I said I usually watch for the bulge to know if he's filled up.

I feed him once every 7 days (each Friday around when I start cooking dinner)

[PitOnTheProwl]

Small rats would be no problem if he makes the change.

[JoshSloane]

Definitely up the prey size. As far as the defensive/aggressive behavior, he is likely beginning to associate you with the food items. Although it is mostly used with larger snakes, I would go ahead and start some hook training. Basically all you have to do is use a paper towel roll, or any non hard object, and gently rub the snake with it before you handle him. However, when you go to feed the snake, do not touch the snake with anything, just introduce the food item and leave. This way the snake will begin to associate the paper towel roll with handling, and will effectively turn off the feeding response.

I have done this with my burm and it has worked well so far. Not many people do it with BPs, as their bite isnt really a big deal, but it can be useful just so you dont have to deal with an aggressive animal.

[Tsanford]

The first time your Snake struck at you could have been for many of reasons, and I wouldn't worry about it.

But..if every time you go in there and spray him, he may not like that. Meaning he would associate you / the sprayer with fear. Fear = defensive bites.

A nicer, I mean less stressful way, would be a dry wash cloth or towel placed over his head before picking him up. Once in your hands he should calm down.

Another thing about approaching , is not to go straight for his head. I always grab mine from behind and not near their faces.

Like everyone else said, you should try switching his feed. *attempt* a rat the size of the thickest part of his body. A small should be right. You would also save yourself a little money by switching from multiple mice to a single rat.

[Naraku]

Don't spray him like that could be seen as aggressive and dominant behavior. Grab the hide from side to side if he's in it to take it out. Use cooking tongs to easily move him if he isn't. Cooking tongs work wonders as a moving object that won't hury them if you don't squeeze hard. Always handle a snake first from the back. Your sudden appearance could suddenly startle him and he'll strike by instinct.

[tembii]

I feel so bad when I mist Louie's house and I don't see his head poking out from his hide and I accidentally spray him a little and he ducks back inside quickly lol I'm like "sorry buddy!!" I feel like spraying isn't the best option it probably spooks em out and puts them off. I just rub his back by his tail to let him know I'm there then pick him up by his lower back so he doesn't get protective of his face. Louie's only half a year old and he's on small rats with fur and everything. I was surprised to find out that bps eat rats so young but he loves em! He's eating them at 35-42 grams a piece. I buy the rats frozen in a small amount from my local snake guy and so I weigh each rat out so he eats the smaller ones going on up to the larger ones. Its suuuuper important to get a scale! I have a 20 dollar food scale from walmart that works like a charm. I just put plastic wrap over it when I weigh the rats to keep it clean, not that I use the scale for any human food purposes at all, but the less rat germs on anything the better lol. Good luck friend!!!

[Miko]

Up the pray to the appropriate size and feed on a regular schedule, around every 7 days. It is best to do one large meal instead of multiple small meals. If you feed more than you handle Louie he is going to think it's always time for food. I had a somewhat aggressive ball python and occasionally if she looked as though she was going to strike me I wore a glove and rubbed her side to let her know I wasn't going to hurt her. Then I took the glove off and picked her up. Now she never associates my hand with food or a predator and she is very friendly!

Don't spray Louie or he will become scared of you which may cause him to become more defensive. I also find that tanks that open in the front instead of above the snake are less intimidating for them.

[tembii]

Up the pray to the appropriate size and feed on a regular schedule, around every 7 days. It is best to do one large meal instead of multiple small meals. If you feed more than you handle Louie he is going to think it's always time for food. I had a somewhat aggressive ball python and occasionally if she looked as though she was going to strike me I wore a glove and rubbed her side to let her know I wasn't going to hurt her. Then I took the glove off and picked her up. Now she never associates my hand with food or a predator and she is very friendly!

Don't spray Louie or he will become scared of you which may cause him to become more defensive. I also find that tanks that open in the front instead of above the snake are less intimidating for them.

Haha Louie is all good!! I think you got me mixed up with OP and his snake I never spray him and he eats a big meal and is very friendly with me!