i need some big time pointers on how to calm a SUPER pissy bp. i got this young (about 400-500 grams) female about three weeks ago from a guy who lives in my apartment complex and she is just a pistol. supposedly she was sweet and nice and never bit anyone, but whatever, that is not so much the case right now. i pull her tub out from the rack and it's on. she hisses like the devil and immediately goes into defense mode. she will strike at anything--not just warning bumps with her nose, but mouth all the way open hits.

she is a bit on the thin side as well but so far she hasn't eaten for me. when i start to lower a rat (f/t) into her tub she freaks, striking it repeatedly and hissing and then retreating backward while continuing to hiss.

i'm really not quite sure what to make of her behavior. is she is terrified of me or pissed at me or both? there is no way that i could even begin to attempt to handle her right now, and i really don't want to handle her at all until she has gotten several good meals in her. i wouldn't be near as concerned about her behavior if she was eating--not that 3 weeks is a long time to go without eating but she is thin and i can't imagine she will eat at all as long as she is in the state of frenzy she is in right now.

does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?