Possibly just fussy? Please help

My BP seems grumpy or something. When I come near the cage she gets ready to strike as if I put a mouse a mouse in. She attempted to strike at me the other day but hit the glass instead (LOL). Anyway, when I go to pick her up she balls up and hisses. Temps are at the right areas, Humidity is correct. This happened right after I switch the hot side over to the left (it was on the right. I switched accidentally when fixing a fallen off heatpad) So I think its because of that OR I have been feeding a bit less as she grows bigger. In the past month I have been feeding her once every one and a half weeks, instead of every week.

Do you think it could be one of these is why she is cranky? or do you have any other thoughts?

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Originally Posted by auhsojnacnud

My BP seems grumpy or something. When I come near the cage she gets ready to strike as if I put a mouse a mouse in. She attempted to strike at me the other day but hit the glass instead (LOL). Anyway, when I go to pick her up she balls up and hisses. Temps are at the right areas, Humidity is correct. This happened right after I switch the hot side over to the left (it was on the right. I switched accidentally when fixing a fallen off heatpad) So I think its because of that OR I have been feeding a bit less as she grows bigger. In the past month I have been feeding her once every one and a half weeks, instead of every week.

Do you think it could be one of these is why she is cranky? or do you have any other thoughts?

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Now take this with a grain of salt as I am no BP expert and just getting back into the hobby after a long break. Read that as I may be wrong. It seems to me that switching the hotspot in the enclosure messed with your snake a bit and you'll either need to put it back the way it was or give her time. This may be especially true if her hide is not where she is used to it in relation to the heat. I don't think it's the feeding schedule itself, but it's probably not helping that much either. Just my two cents. If I am truly wrong, mods feel free to delete this.

Dave

How old is the Python? I would think he is young? This sounds to me like it has more to do with the feeding issue. Why are you limiting his food? This has very little to nothing to do with the switching of the warm side. As long as there is a thermal gradient for the bp that is what's important. Your bp is hungry and he is telling you to give him more food.

I am reducing feeding because I want a healthy BP, and not 3 feet of fat! The reduction of feeding is being based on weight, not age. I also only lengthened the feeding schedule by 3 days, but I will go back to once every week and see if that helps. I will also move the heat pad back to the other side. Thanks for your inputs.