Tried to strike me :(

[scrofano44]

Today my snake striked at me for the first time. i was just wondering the reason it has not happened before and i kind of nervous. could it be because it is defence or maybe b/c she is hungry? i put her back into the tank and she is still being very agressive. She is trying to strike at me even when i look into the tank Please help. she is probably still less then a year old. 300 grams. I have handled her many times before without any problems now all of a sudden she is very agressive.

[scrofano44]

Also i fed her 2 days ago. so she should not be hungry.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

First you need to remember a BP is a wild animal so striking and bites can and will happen sooner or later.

If there is a change all of the sudden it could be due stress due to husbandry issues!

How long have you had her for?

How big is your enclosure?

Is your enclosure in a low traffic area?

What are your temps (cool & warm side)?

What is your humidity?

What type of thermometer/hygrometer do you use (dial,stick,or digital)?

What kind of hides do you provide (log, homemade, cubbyholes etc) and how many do you have?

Are your hides tight (all side touching your BP's body) and identical?

How often do you handle your BP?

Is your BP in shed?

[Karbon]

I'm a newbie but it could be a certain smell.

If you have zome kind of new lotion or something or some kind of air spray or air freshner it could be that.
Just throwing an idea out there, but I know snakes are really sensative to smells.

[JeffFlanagan]

Today my snake striked at me for the first time. i was just wondering the reason it has not happened before and i kind of nervous. could it be because it is defense or maybe b/c she is hungry? i put her back into the tank and she is still being very aggressive. She is trying to strike at me even when i look into the tank Please help. she is probably still less then a year old. 300 grams. I have handled her many times before without any problems now all of a sudden she is very aggressive.

Sounds like you've already figured it out. Most likely either she's scared or hungry. When I get bitten, it's usually a hungry snake.

[scrofano44]

Well i have had her for over a month. she is in a 50 gal tank long a wide not tall. humidity is at 60% most of the time. some times 70%. I have 3 thermos. 2 being digital and one being the thermometer with the little stick. as well as the humidity gage. She has 1 hide spot that she is in about 90% of the day. 2 water dishes. i handle her a a very regular basis- For at least 1 hour everyday. i use Heat pads for Heat. Would the higher temp make her more aggressive? i recently moved her hide box closer to the heatpad.

[scrofano44]

Just noticed she took a poop. could it be stress from me handling her and her trying to go poop?

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Get another snake so you handle her half as much!

[JeffFlanagan]

Well i have had her for over a month. she is in a 50 gal tank long a wide not tall. humidity is at 60% most of the time. some times 70%. I have 3 thermos. 2 being digital and one being the thermometer with the little stick. as well as the humidity gage. She has 1 hide spot that she is in about 90% of the day. 2 water dishes. i handle her a a very regular basis- For at least 1 hour everyday. i use Heat pads for Heat. Would the higher temp make her more aggressive? i recently moved her hide box closer to the heatpad.

If she's in her hide most of the time, it sounds like you're doing fine. They'll usually prowl the enclosure if they're stressed.

I don't think this is the problem, but you really should have two or more identical hides so she can choose the one at the appropriate temp for her biological processes at any given time

I'd give her a meal and see if that takes care of things. She may have mistaken you for food.

Keep in mind that the snake can't hurt you, other than maybe a bite to the eye if you stuck your face in the tank. I've had a deep bite from a 3000g BP, and after the first few seconds the bleeding stopped and it just itched a bit.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Well i have had her for over a month. she is in a 50 gal tank long a wide not tall. humidity is at 60% most of the time. some times 70%. I have 3 thermos. 2 being digital and one being the thermometer with the little stick. as well as the humidity gage. She has 1 hide spot that she is in about 90% of the day. 2 water dishes. i handle her a a very regular basis- For at least 1 hour everyday. i use Heat pads for Heat. Would the higher temp make her more aggressive? i recently moved her hide box closer to the heatpad.

First a 50 gallons tank for a 300 grams BP is HUGE! (way too big)

You also need 2 hides tight and identicals (all sides touching your BP's body)

I would downsize the enclosure, provide 2 tight hides, and limit handling to every other day for now.

Also what are your exact temps?