Work snake aggression!

We have 2 BPs in the pet store currently and both are about 120g. My job is to care for them and feed them and I'm generally the person they go to for help. Both are feeding very well on either 2 fuzzies or 1 hopper every Saturday. My issue right now is that the biggest, at 128g, is extremely aggressive towards me. At first, I thought it was just around feeding day but now it's all the time. Whenever I enter the cage, she gets super aggressive and strikes at me. This puts off potential customers and it's frustrating. I cant even get in there to show the other potential babies! I take her out often and hold her but she still often snaps at me. She even snaps at me when I'm wiping the outside glass of their tank! Is there any way to stop this behavior? I don't want her to be stuck because she has an attitude. 😕

P.S. She is our most aggressive snake and we have 4 RTBs and 2 corns! The corn musks, but I have to say the BP is the worst with biting!

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Aggressive / Defensive behavior is often due to stress which is related to husbandry issue. Keep in mind that young individual will be defensive.

Now one huge issue I see is that this animal is underfed and I assume so is the other, an hatchling out of the egg is generally started on hopper and quickly move up to adult mouse, at this weight both should be eating adult mice weekly.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Aggressive / Defensive behavior is often due to stress which is related to husbandry issue. Keep in mind that young individual will be defensive.

Now one huge issue I see is that this animal is underfed and I assume so is the other, an hatchling out of the egg is generally started on hopper and quickly move up to adult mouse, at this weight both should be eating adult mice weekly.

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I have asked time and time again and my manager for small animals told me not to bump up their food. She said to follow the 15% rule and to continue feeding 1 hopper every week. I keep telling her I think they are ready for adults because they eat so quickly but she just keeps telling me to do what I've been doing. -sigh- I can't NOT listen to her but I will try doing the math and explain AGAIN. Our biggest boa is at 136g and eats 2 fuzzies too >. <

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Originally Posted by SCWood

I have asked time and time again and my manager for small animals told me not to bump up their food. She said to follow the 15% rule and to continue feeding 1 hopper every week. I keep telling her I think they are ready for adults because they eat so quickly but she just keeps telling me to do what I've been doing. -sigh- I can't NOT listen to her but I will try doing the math and explain AGAIN. Our biggest boa is at 136g and eats 2 fuzzies too >. <

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At that size a prey equal the girth size should be offered, does not have to be about math or weighing preys ;)

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Originally Posted by SCWood

I have asked time and time again and my manager for small animals told me not to bump up their food. She said to follow the 15% rule and to continue feeding 1 hopper every week.

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Mouse hoppers are 7-12 grams. The snake needs the next size up prey, or at least offer it large-ish rat fuzzies.
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbb9fe97c.jpg

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Originally Posted by Deborah

At that size a prey equal the girth size should be offered, does not have to be about math or weighing preys ;)

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I love my manager she and I get along great but we butt heads when it comes to this matter and I don't want to push her buttons so I will suggest it again and see where it goes

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Mouse hoppers are 7-12 grams. The snake needs the next size up prey, or at least offer it large-ish rat fuzzies.
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbb9fe97c.jpg

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X.x I feel so bad for them

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Mouse hoppers are 7-12 grams. The snake needs the next size up prey, or at least offer it large-ish rat fuzzies.
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psbb9fe97c.jpg

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Also, it is unfortunate that we only have a small selection of prey items. We have pinkies to adult mice and then it jumps to small rats. :/

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

At that size a prey equal the girth size should be offered, does not have to be about math or weighing preys ;)

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I just don't want her to feel like I'm undermining her authority.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SCWood

I just don't want her to feel like I'm undermining her authority.

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Well first off, show respect where respect is given. If guys get along then she should at least attempt to hear what your concerns are. My suggestion would be to print off the chart the others have shown you and bring it to her. Explain it is not about math or the weight but the size compared to the animals in question. Be respectful and honest, and best of all persistent :) You will be fine.

Good luck!

Greg