Nocturnal Grumpiness?

Sekai is turning out to be a good little snake, for the most part. Seems to be adjusting pretty well, doesn't seem too stressed, etc.

I read that a good time to handle him is at night, since that is when BPs are most active. However, the past two nights he's been... well, he's been grumpy. Not happy about being bothered, kind of jumpy - spooks easily, to the point of bluffing a strike. So tonight I left him alone (save for changing his water - even that simple act of basic maintenance made him try to bop me on the hand!)

I'm always very slow when I'm dealing with him - no sudden movements, etc.

During the day is a completely different story. I had him out this afternoon, and he was mellow, showed no signs of being spooky or aggressive. He was the perfect example of a BP.

One more thought - tomorrow is his meal-day. Could he possibly be acting like this because he's hungry? The past two nights are the only nights he's acted spooky.

Thanks for reading... I know he's not a domesticated pet, like the Dobermans are - his needs are vastly different, I'm just trying to understand him the best I can, so he is as comfortable as possible. :)

I always check mine's eyes. I have caught him in blue several times. He is nit grumpy then, in fact, he is never grumpy but I still put him right back until after his shed. He is such a sweetie I don't want him stressed even if he doesn't openly show it.

It's quite possible he's just building up to his feeding night. These snakes can get very good at "knowing" a routine. If they are fed a certain day of each week then it's quite normal to see them lurking (laying in their hides heads peeking out) and watching for dinner to show up in the 24 to 48 hours prior.

How big is he and what's he currently eating each week? If he's quite small it's also pretty normal to see them act defensively. At that smaller stage of life a ball python is as much prey as it is a predator so their instincts drive them to be hyper aware and a bit defensive. They don't know who you are, you're just a big old heat source that may want to turn them into dinner so the little ones will do what they must to survive.

Out of our 11 hatchlings my husband and I have been tagged at least 4 times now. The little ones just don't quite have us figured out yet so who can blame them for trying to back us up. It's not like they can get away from us in a captive situation.

Thank you!

He's a smallish guy (don't have a weight yet, sorry) - he's less than a year old, so he may very well be just super defensive.

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Originally Posted by Debbienflorida

I always check mine's eyes. I have caught him in blue several times. He is nit grumpy then, in fact, he is never grumpy but I still put him right back until after his shed. He is such a sweetie I don't want him stressed even if he doesn't openly show it.

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ditto on the eye check. i also have a VERY mellow VERY friendly snake, so if he gets hissy pissy (which is usually right before feeding day!) i just let him be. i also leave him alone if he's planning on doing the shed dance, cuz ya kno, i compare it to like, having a sunburn and peeling the narsty skin off yer back... ITCHY AND UNCOMFORTABLE! lol...

and i don't know what the deal is, but he is definitely more chill and relaxed during the day (haha thats probably because he'd rather be sleeping)

i handle my snake during the day and let him do his thing at night!