Ball Python Has Bad Temper

I Have A Ball Python I Got In October Of 07. He Was Never Aggressive When I Got Him, But I Moved Back In March And Ever Since The Day I Moved Into This House He Has Been Striking At Us Whenever We Take Him Out. Now We Feed Him Every Week And We Have Have To Deal With This Since.. He Gets Defensive As Soon As He See's The Tank Open And Tries To Strike But Is Fine Once You Have Him Out (sometimes) But Will Strike At You When We Put Him In His Feeding Box...we Have A Female And She Is As Sweet As Can Be....what Could Be His Deal?

You really don't need to type in all caps.. ;)

Your ball python is probably stressed out, not having a bad temper. What are your temperatures, humidity, basic setup and husbandry.

It only takes one of these things to be wrong for them to get stressed out.

sorry bout that....

ive brought this up before on this site and was asked the same question, gave my info and everybody seemed to think it was ok.
i just thought he would have settled down by now since my other two snakes are under the same conditions and they are fine. the only difference is the male bp is set up next to a window.

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Originally Posted by SUDISTIK

sorry bout that....

ive brought this up before on this site and was asked the same question, gave my info and everybody seemed to think it was ok.
i just thought he would have settled down by now since my other two snakes are under the same conditions and they are fine. the only difference is the male bp is set up next to a window.

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Do you have a link do your old post? Either way, I would like to hear your husbandry details again to see if theres anything we can add to create security.

Possibly, the window is changing the temps (making it too warm) or not giving him a feeling of security because of too much light.

20 gallon tank , under the tank heater, 2 hides, water bowl, substrate, temps are between 92-94 during the day on warm side and about 87 at night. its been the same since november 07... sorry i dont have a link.. i havent been on here for months til tonite

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Originally Posted by snakelady

Possibly, the window is changing the temps (making it too warm) or not giving him a feeling of security because of too much light.

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my tanks are spray painted on the sides and the back in black no light gets through it...do you think it can still be a problem?

Hi,

How much are you handling him?

Possibly try more/ tighter hides or the crumpled newspaper trick?

When you approach him to pick him up do you swoop in from above like a predator or approach from the side and let him know your there before trying to lift him?

You could also try feeding him in his enclosure for a bit to see if that helps lower his stress level.


dr del

The way you described the snake striking at you when you put it into "the feeding tank" makes me think its still hungry. I have a male het albino that is a vicious little s**t. He usually strikes and even if you go near his tub, hes looking out at you like he wants to strike, but since I started feeding him double it has made it rare that he actually strikes... Maybe the snake has grown and is looking for more food.... Remember that the snake just sees the heat signature of your body and might think its food...

What does the snake weigh and what are you feeding it?

at least he is eating so maybe try feeding him in the tank...

people usually feed outside of the tank believing that it will condition the snake to not strike at hands thinking that they are food but maybe in your case it actually did the opposite.

or maybe its very stressful for him to be moved from tank to tub to eat and then back to tank and that could be the cause of his agressiveness.

hes already an agressive little biter so why not try feeding in the tank to see if it will reduce enough of his stress or decondition his striking response to allow you to pick him up.

worth a try, no?