Biting

We have a ball that we are getting rid of due to bitting. But I was curious as to what was causing this. The only actual bite came when my girlfriend was feeding her- as she was dropping the mouse into the box, the snake bit her on the finger, it seemed like an accident. But the next week, after we put her in the box, she took a couple of strikes at my girl's leg (but was missing by far) and then just sat there staring at us very mean-like. Even after i chucked the mouse into the box, she ignored it and kept staring at us until i closed the lid on her. it kinda scared the @@@@ out of us eventhough she's only like 2 1/2 feet long.

How long have you had it ? Has it been given proper time to get accustomed to its new environment ?

Some balls will tend to strike when stressed but having said that, some balls are just outright mean and will strike whenever or wherever.

We have had it a little over six months, we got it from someone else, he had for about a year or so, from a baby. she was never mean when we first got her, but a few months ago, she started LOOKING tempermental, and then 2 weeks ago the biting started.

I'm pissed because we're taking great care of them, and i feel bad if she's unhappy.

Both the incidents you mentioned were during feeding times tho right? Does this ball try to bite at any other time like when you are just handling her or is it only related to feeding day?


~~Jo~~

Sounds like a strong feeding responce if its only happening at feeding times. He isnt in shed is he? If he is that could be the reason for the striking snakes get very edgy when in shed due to there reduced visibility and they fact that shedding is very uncomfortable.

If it's only at feeding time that you are having issues, then might I suggest feeding in the enclosure. Moving the snake around during feeding might be stressing him out, so why not try just feeding in the enclosure and see how that goes.