Why is my BP so aggressive?

[Galactic_Goose]

Super glad I found this site so I could ask advice from experienced ball python owners. I have a male BP called Akash and he is much more aggressive than what seems to be normal for the species. He's always very "excited" as if he's expecting food even days after he's been fed. He hisses at me every time I open the tank or mist it. A couple times he's even striked at the glass when someone other than myself enters my room. Awhile ago he even bit me in the face. I have no clue why he's acting like this or what I might be doing wrong. Some general info, he's about three years old, three feet long, I feed him small rats every 10 to 14 days, and this all only started about six months ago. Before that he was very docile and loving. If someone could shed light on the situation I'd be very grateful .

[JodanOrNoDan]

A little more information about the snakes enclosure would be helpful, but honestly he sounds hungry. As these guys age their feeding patterns change. Mine tend to feed in spurts, feeding heavily for a few months then nothing. Get the actual weight of your small rats. Make sure they are industry standard for small. Also bump his feeding to weekly and see if he calms down a bit.

[Bogertophis]

Agree with above post (is he too warm and thus burning calories like crazy? that would make him act this way...)

Also, have his stool checked for possible parasites...if he's sharing his food with intestinal worms, that would also make him cranky & super-hungry.

[Craiga 01453]

I agree with Jodan. Your snake sounds hungry. But that's based on the limited info at hand.

-What type/size enclosure is the snake in?
-Was he moved recently? To another enclosure or room?
-What are your temps? Humidity?
- How are you heating the enclosure?
- ARE YOUR HEAT SOURCES REGULATED BY A THERMOSTAT???
-How are you measuring temps? And where?


The more you tell us the better we can help.

[ryu80]

More information would be very helpful. Has the enclosure/environment changed recently? Have you changed substrate, heating source, handling routine, hides? Maybe moved to a different room? Change in temperature in enclosure?