Nasty

I got a new spider ball python . It was shy, It wouldn't eat. I had to force feed it. Now she bit my wife. Is striking at everything. Why? What can I do to correct. The problem.

Sounds like from what you described, she is stressed out like crazy. Can you give us more information on her husbandry, feeding times, how long you've had her, etc. This is all going to help us narrow down the problem, just coming on here and listing her problems isn't going to help us if we don't know how she is kept.

For the force feeding, this is REALLY stressful and could definitely cause a snake to bite. What size food did you try to feed her, how often did you try? Once again, information is key.

In some cases this type of behavior as well as food refusal is linked to stress can be something else too, also remember that young animal tend to be more defensive than larger individuals.

Can you give us some details

Animal size, enclosure size, temps (how you measure them and with what type of device), humidity, hides (number, size), how often you are handling the animal, how often you have been feeding it, what prey size and anything else that might be relevant.

He is in a largest exo Terra tank thay make. There is a female adult in the same tank. I have all the right temps/humity. His weight is 120grams.I was showing the snake to five family members, when the bite happened . There is hide huts all over the cage,there are heat pads,large water dish,eco earth,plants.....

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Originally Posted by Naplesball

He is in a largest exo Terra tank thay make. There is a female adult in the same tank. I have all the right temps/humity. His weight is 120grams.I was showing the snake to five family members, when the bite happened . There is hide huts all over the cage,there are heat pads,large water dish,eco earth,plants.....

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Set him up in a 10-20 gallon tank or maybe a 15- 20 quart tub. The size of the large tank and the co-habitation are most likely the cause of the problems with stress...

I agree. I think what you need to do as a new ball python pet owner is invest in the proper enclosure. Your snake, when stressed will not eat, poo, shed or behave properly.

I have a really nice tank for him.?

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Originally Posted by Naplesball

I have a really nice tank for him.?

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It doesn't matter if you like the enclosure...it may not be appropriate for him.

Also...How long have you had this snake?

Follow these steps:

> Purchase a sterilite/iris/rubbermaid clear plastic tub from your local department/hardware store. A decent size is 32qt. Need real need for it to be tall.

http://www.gosale.com/product_images...-clearview.jpg

> Solder holes around the perimeter of the tub and a few in the lid. This helps maintain humidity levels and air flow.

> Get 4 bottle caps from a beverage such as Poland spring water. The new eco caps work well. Tape or melt to the bottom of your tub. One in each corner.

> While you still have the tub upside down, attach an under tank heater preferably covering 1/3 of the bottom of the tub. You will need to tape it down with foil tape which is sold at hardware stores or the home improvement section of many box stores in the heating/hvac department.

> Plug under tank heater into a light dimmer, or better yet a thermostat. You can pick up a thermostat at even large pet stores.

> Hook up a thermometer to measure temps. Your temp should be between 89-94 degrees. Place the probe from the thermometer directly on the heat source for best accuracy.

> Plug thermostat into outlet. Adjust as needed.

> Place paper towels or newspaper into the tub as a substrate. They're both easy to clean and inexpensive. You will also not have to worry about an impaction if you should choose to feed within the tub, which is what I do and recommend because I've had more success with picky eaters this way.

> Place a water bowl on the 'cool' side of tub. make sure the water bowl is sturdy enough that it will not tip when you snake tries to get under, or you will be changing substrate out several times daily.

> Make a hide and place it directly over the hot spot. I use tortilla storage containers with an opening soldered into them. Do not cut plastic as it will leave sharp edges.

> Insert snake.

> Place cover on top. Make sure even if it has 'locks' on the ends that you secure the middle with duct tape or put something with weight to it on top or you will have an escapee more than likely within hours.

Note: If you do not have a hydrometer to measure humidity in your tub a good rule of thumb (though not completely accurate because you won't know the numbers) is that if you see moisture on the inside of the tub ( I.E looks like steam on walls ) you have too few holes in your tub.

You will notice a change in behavior for the better! It sounds like a lot but it's actual cheap to do this.

I agree with Granitestate - but I'd start with a 15 quart tub at the largest for a 120 gram baby. Also - get a tub with a locking lid.