Question about aggression

[dkwalton]

I've had my BP for about 8 months now and things are going really well. She is growing well, health is great, set up is just right... About two weeks ago she snapped at me for the first time when I went to get her out of her cage. This was very abnormal for her. She is always very docile. I wondered if maybe she was hungry so fed her 2 mice at the next feeding (this was the first time I had given 2 at one feeding). Last night I went to pick her up out of her cage. It had been 3 days since I had fed her last. When I got near she started into her hunter zone thing where she moves all stealthily and quickly...just like she does when I dangle a mouse in the cage. When my hand got close, she snapped at me again. She didn't really even get me so that was no big deal, but I'm trying to figure out why it's starting to happen. I'm feeding her every 7 days now. Should I be feeding her more often?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. She is about 10 months old.
Thanks,
Dave

[Neal]

Feding her every 7 days is fine. Make sure you're giving her the appropriate size food item.

As far as her snapping at you, many things could trigger that, one comes to mind possibly being stressed. Have you changed anything in the cage lately, or are you touching any kind of food and not washing your hands good enough?

[Beto510]

shes probably strting a shed

[Neal]

shes probably strting a shed

That would be a accurate assumption, only he stated it happened 2 weeks ago also.

[dkwalton]

It was about 3-4 weeks ago since the last shed and I think it will still be a couple weeks before her next shed. Definately possible though. She has never done that with previous sheds and it has happened a couple of times in the last 2 weeks. Hmmm.

[dkwalton]

Feding her every 7 days is fine. Make sure you're giving her the appropriate size food item.

As far as her snapping at you, many things could trigger that, one comes to mind possibly being stressed. Have you changed anything in the cage lately, or are you touching any kind of food and not washing your hands good enough?

Nothing has changed in her cage at all. One funny thing about it though: I was looking at her last night from outside her cage as she was out and moving around. I put my finger on the glass by her and she got in her little hunting mode again and I half expected her to strike the glass. Weird.

Now that I think of it, I did start using provent a mite a couple of weeks ago. I followed the instructions on the can to the T though (spraying lightly, substrate only- outdoor carpet in my case, waiting until it is thoroughly dry before my BP goes back in...). Could that have anything to do with it? (no mite problems, just preventative).

Thanks all.

[Neal]

Nothing has changed in her cage at all. One funny thing about it though: I was looking at her last night from outside her cage as she was out and moving around. I put my finger on the glass by her and she got in her little hunting mode again and I half expected her to strike the glass. Weird.

Now that I think of it, I did start using provent a mite a couple of weeks ago. I followed the instructions on the can to the T though (spraying lightly, substrate only- outdoor carpet in my case, waiting until it is thoroughly dry before my BP goes back in...). Could that have anything to do with it? (no mite problems, just preventative).

Thanks all.

I've never used PAM to be honest, so I wouldn't want to give you any mis-directed information, have you been keeping an eye on the temperature/humidity?

[dkwalton]

I've never used PAM to be honest, so I wouldn't want to give you any mis-directed information, have you been keeping an eye on the temperature/humidity?

My humidity is usually 40-50%, I could probably increase it some.

[travy4911]

I'm not an expert or anything, but Aphrodite does do that when she gets hungry (about day 6 after feeding her she gets in her hunting mode)..How big is your snake and how big are the mice your giving her?

[dapike1979]

My humidity is usually 40-50%, I could probably increase it some.

That could be a start.. Good Luck