Strike!!!!

[pumba]

O.K. I figure I had this one comming, but I also wanted to bounce this off of some of you....

Over the last couple of months, I have been a bad B.P. Dad. I admit it. I have only held Loki once a week at best and a few times there was weeks between times. I know this is not good in fact it is bad. Well I am trying to break this cycle, however, tonight, when I went in to get him, he almost got me. Realizing that this was not a good sign, however, also not wanting to give up I put on a glove and went for it. He struck me 4 or 5 times before stopping. At that time he didn't ball up or anything, but just chilled. I then was able to pick him up for a bit.

Is my assumption correct that this was probably caused by him getting used to being fed when the tank is opened and not used to any other contact due to my admitted shortcommings. Or shoud I be concerned. I figured if this was his way of saying leave me alone, rather than being confused that it was feeding time, it was best that I stuck with it to teach him that that was the wrong way to go about things. He seemed to be trying to get ahold of my finger to squeeze it, not just trying to back me up.

At any rate, what do I do to correct this. Do I just go back in there every night untill this stops and stick with it. or am I too late, and have lost my loveable Loki? Just trying to do the right thing. Help please..

cheers
Ray

[jknudson]

Feeding in the tank isn't a huge issue as long as you keep a consistant schedule for your snake. And of course on feeding days do not attempt to handle him then or 48 hours thereafter. With this schedule even with only holding him once a week he should get it engraved in his mind that either today is or is not feeding day. A bit of fiestiness is not a bad thing...usually means they'll have a good feeding response.

My male acts like he's going to bite me regardless if I feed him in his tub, or move him to a "feeding tub" to feed him...but once I pick him up he realizes that I'm not the food so he mellows out.

Hope this helps.

[PJ FF]

well im not going to give you crap. In fact, at least your puting you effort into trying to fix the problem. I believe with frequent handling, you should be able to breakl the habit. good luck and keep with the glove for a bit. and be carful if your jumpy cuz i almost knocked the cage over one when pulling back

i was kinda late sorry

[JLC]

Just my thoughts....but....if you want a "cuddly" snake, then yes, you have to handle them from time to time and try to maintain consistent schedules. But strictly from the snake's point of view, the lack of handling should not be considered "neglect." They tolerate our interaction and play time...but they certainly don't need it.


So long as the rodents keep coming...the water is fresh...the cage is clean...and the environment is sound....that's a content snake. The rest is just gravy for us keepers.

[frankykeno]

I completely agree with Judy. As long as you've been providing Loki with all his snakey needs, he probably isn't missing being handled. He might be a bit jumpy due to the lack of it in his weekly routine but that's to be expected really and likely something that regular short handling sessions can fix to some degree. Some of our snakes are perfect coming out of their tubs, others have a bit of attitude.

Since BP's do best it seems when they have routines Ray, maybe just set up a simple one....feeding a certain day, 48 hours of quiet time, then handling for 15 minutes every other day and see how it goes over the course of a month or two. If he's striking, shove on some gloves and just be calm and firm with him. We found the trick with Brannagh's aggression was to make sure that she didn't go back in her tub till she calmed down even if that was only for 30 seconds. We also made sure that our handling sessions were when the house was quiet in the evening and we were calm and not rushing. Gradually she gave up the attitude but we had to stick to a quite rigid routine and schedule with her for a few months.

I don't believe that striking at you is related to feeding in his enclosure unless that's the only time he's having contact with you. Our young male regularily tries to tag me on feeding day, other days he's fine other than a bit of a "leave me be human" type hiss LOL. Feeding day...well if it moves and it's warm...he wants a piece of it...personally I love it and he's the best feeding snake in the house.

Best of luck with Loki. Let us know how it goes.

[pumba]

Well, Loki has always been a great feeder, and I have no fear that this is about to change any time soon. I do want to hold him regularly so I shal go to work with him. As far as the neglect thing, I was only talking about the holding him. He has everything that he needs or wants otherwise. Thanks for the help.

Cheers
Ray

[Wild Bill]

I have a couple of females like this, they would rather you just left them alone. But regardless, even if there are just breeders and not cuddly pets you still need to be able to get them out for cleanings. So I started using one of the small extending pocket snake hooks (like $5), I simple use it to move them away from strike position so I can lift them up with my hand. Once I have them picked up they are fine and have learned this routine, that would be something you can try. I would tell you their names, but I don't think it is appropriate on this forum. LOL!!

[frankykeno]

I wouldn't fret over it Ray. It isn't neglectful to not handle a ball python, as long as it has all it's requirements met then it's likely a happy, healthy snake (just my opinion...lol..I'm no expert). I love handling our BP's but I know that the handling time is really more for me and my pleasure than it is anything the snake requires, like a dog or cat type pet.