Agressive baby

First off I just got my first ever snake, a male pastel from Garrick demeyer. He came this morning and was absolutely beautiful. However, when I picked him up he went into strike position, and struck at me a few times before I put him in the cage. He weighs 150 grams, and is in a 10 gallon tank with 3 sides blacked out. Warm side is at 90, cool at 80. I have 2 hides and a water bowl.

I know he is stressed, but is this normal for a snake like this. Should I expect the behavior to continue for longer than a few weeks? Thanks

This is pretty normal behavior for new snakes. New environment, new people, new smells. Everything new. They just get a bit nervous and go on the defensive. Let him settle in for a few days, and with a bit of handling he'll get used to you and more than likely calm down.

A lot of little snakes are hateful little buggers. They almost all grow out of it.

Let him just chill for a week he will chill out and become friendly

Ball pythons are notoriously gentle when they grow up a little, but baby snakes of pretty much any species are little jerks. Actually, the truth is, he is just understandably terrified. He doesn't know you, he doesn't know where he is, and instinct tells him anything bigger than he is will try to eat him. My snake went for my face as soon as I opened the bag she was shipped in, and now she is the sweetest little thing, never even tries to bite unless it's feeding day, and she is nowhere near full grown. They calm down pretty quick.

Just give him about a week to explore his new tub and realize that it is home and it is safe. Then try feeding, and about 2-3 days after that, start some short handling sessions. Worked for me. :)

Oh, and tip for when you do start handling, don't put him back in his tub if he strikes at you. I wouldn't keep him out so long that he is beside himself with stress, but if you put them back as soon as they strike, you can classically condition them to think they will get their way if they are aggressive. If he strikes, hold him gently for a few more minutes and then return him to his tub by letting him crawl into it on his own. Move very slowly and gently.

Don't worry at all. Hes so small at this point a bite would be nothing anyway. Also just think about the trip the poor little guy took to get to you. If I grabbed you from your bed in the middle of the night threw you into a bag then into a dark box, then that dark box is tumbling all over the place for the next 12 hours. Now you finally stop shaking all around and a giant monster sticks his hand in your face, what would you do? A couple of days relaxing and getting settled in works wonders after all that travel.

Good Luck:gj:

Thank you everybody
Once he stops stressing I will post pics

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Originally Posted by brobertson

First off I just got my first ever snake, a male pastel from Garrick demeyer. He came this morning and was absolutely beautiful. However, when I picked him up he went into strike position, and struck at me a few times before I put him in the cage. He weighs 150 grams, and is in a 10 gallon tank with 3 sides blacked out. Warm side is at 90, cool at 80. I have 2 hides and a water bowl.

I know he is stressed, but is this normal for a snake like this. Should I expect the behavior to continue for longer than a few weeks? Thanks

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Your pastel is not aggressive it was being defensive. No need to worry this behavior will pass. Just let him be for a week let him acclimate to his new home. When you do try to handle him? Don't put your hand right in the cage. Just open up the cage a bit and wait. Then slowly come down to him and gently touch his body (mid point area is good start. Tail area is sensitive.) for a few second's. Don't come down with your hand on top of his head. And, when you finally do get him out of his cage? Just relax and don't do any fast movement's. Make sure he is feeding properly and increase handling time,slowly. The striking will definately become obsolite.

There is however a flip side to this. Like everyone else said your snake should calm down especially if left alone and you let it get acclimated to its new surroundings. however sometimes you just get a snake that's mean or squirrely. if they don't settle down within a couple of weeks and are still really aggressive you can break them off their aggressive habit. you heard of fight or flight if you're holding your snake or it striking at you in its tank gently force it into a ball in your hands in clasp your hand on top of it. very gently keep packing it into a ball. do this for a couple of minutes and you will be surprised.this puts them in flight mode where they will coil up and stay in a ball. now you can handle your snake in it will be like handling a different snake .mellow and calm. my female pastel I've been working with her this way for a coupleii of months. I now finally trust her . good luck and don't be afraid to try this if your snake stays aggressive