My Bp Is Very Aggressive, Why?

[marcolove]

hi i just recentally bought i new baby bp. and for the first week everything was goin great. i could hold her anytime i wanted to and she was able to be held by anyone. now a little more then a week later. i cant even stand by her tank or she strikes at the side thinking im there. i go near the light and she does it also just striking. she was never like this before. this aggression has been going on for almost a week. she eats and is not shedding wats is the other reasons.

MY tank is a 10 gallion. it has 2 hides a rock one that is the right size for her, she fits nice and tight. the other is a small creature cubbyhole
http://www.reptiledirect.com/index.a...S&Category=456

i have cocount fiber down as a substrate i heard its really good to hold humidity. i have a UTH and a Repti Temp Rheostat to control it. i have a water bowl and a peice of tree for it to climb on. Terrarium Hygrometer Thermometer is what i use. the temp is around 90 on the uth side and around 82 on the other side where the uth is not. humidity is around 59. i closed 3/4 the tank with uliominum foil and duck tape to help hold the humidity. the other side has a small 50 watt bulb

[elevatethis]

Agression probably isn't the right word for it.

Defensive is probably better.

Baby ball pythons are programmed to be defensive - you are probably a potential predator from their view.

Did you allow a full week of time for the snake to be in the enclosure and get used to its surroundings with no handling or other unnecessary interaction?

Babies usually grow out of this. After you give your snake a week or more or settle in on their own, follow that with brief handling sessions a few times a week. Don't be afraid of the bites either...they are really not bad at all. They might draw a little bit of blood, once you wash it off, it's like nothing happened. My blood python nailed me this weekend and let me tell you...balls have NOTHING on blood pythons as far as bites go....

You want to build trust, while also letting them know that defensive displays don't scare you off. Otherwise, it just reinforces that behavior.

Hope this helps.

[littleindiangirl]

Exactly like Brad said! We have a baby bp with us as well, and the key is brief handling sessions. She is fine with us now, and a joy to hang out with, but give her those 2 weeks of no handling or bothering time before you start holding her a few times a week. She should come around fine.

edit
I forgot, I noticed something. Are you using a digital thermometer/hygrometer? It's best to invest in one, maybe an accurite w/ the probe. Those dial ones are notorious for being wrong. Just a thought.

[clipclopclip]

If you are afraid to handle the snake, but want to get it used to handling, use soft garden gloves until it settles down. That way you won't be intimidated, and the baby can learn it is ok to be handled, because you won't put it back if it bites. My two cents!