maybe she's just sassy? 4 month update on behavior

30 gallon is large for a 2 ft snake. I personally wouldn't move beyond a 20 until the snake is pushing 4 ft. A 20 gallon is 30" long so even at 4 ft they can strech more than 60% of their body out. Also, you say that she has only bitten you after she has eaten but that you wash your hands and pick her up gently. This sounds like you are feeding her in a seperate tub/tank. If so, it is unnecessary and you could avoid being bitten by just feeding in her everyday tank.

She sounds like a normal, young BP. Stop handling her right after feeding, it isn't recommended due to the added stress, anyway, and that will solve you getting bitten. Feed her in her tank, if this is the reason you are handling her. Feeding/tank aggression in BPs is a myth. Also, of course she's more nervous with unfamiliar people - they're unfamiliar, so she has to decide if she's going to get dropped or eaten before relaxing.

Your hot spot should be 90. How are you controlling that? Also, I am guessing that you are moving her to feed her? Don't. And let her be for at least 48 hours after a meal or not only a bite, but a reguritation you might get. Tank is too big also. Bps need to feel secure. You might try to get a smaller tank, or clutter/fill up the one you have so there isn't as much open space. And lastly, all bps are different and have different temperments. Yes yours could be a "grumpy" one, but the only way to know for sure is to get all husbandry correct, let her settle in, and then see if behavior stays the same.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Thank you guys for all your answers.

I will clutter up my tank.

I control temperatures using heat lamps, I am seriously scared to death that if I use a heating pad controlled with a thermometer one day by sheer unluck it will get too hot when I'm not around and kill my baby, yeah I read too many stories of that happening to people. At least if I have a heat lamp the temperature wont go up past a certain number. Help me out if someone I have an irrational fear of this and believe there is a surefire heat pad that will never ever do this.

Also yes I do feed her out of her tank and do not handle till at least 3 days, will try feeding her in her own tank instead.

I totally respect that she may just be a grumpy girl

As long as your heat pad is on a good thermostat, it will be fine. Unregulated is when you have problems. I have a Herpstat, by Spyder Robotics and love it. Heat lamps are hard to keep regular temps with, plus they suck the humidity out. Definately stop moving her to feed her. After you have made all changes, just let her be for a week or two, with in tank feedings. Then start handling her again and see how she is. Make sure you keep us posted. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

As long as your heat pad is on a good thermostat, it will be fine. Unregulated is when you have problems. I have a Herpstat, by Spyder Robotics and love it. Heat lamps are hard to keep regular temps with, plus they suck the humidity out. Definately stop moving her to feed her. After you have made all changes, just let her be for a week or two, with in tank feedings. Then start handling her again and see how she is. Make sure you keep us posted. :)

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

---

Thank you THANK YOU :D

I have two rather large females that are absolute ash holes. They always eat. They strike at me through the tub! Ive tried feeding untill they were too full to possibly be hungry (to eliminate the idea that they thought i was food) and i ran outta rats or patience before they gave up. They his and puff up and strike. Sometimes they fly out of the tub at me.

But in the end i understand that snakes will be snakes and those two are particularly good at it. Needless to say they dont get much out the tub time. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Izzys Keeper

I have two rather large females that are absolute ash holes. They always eat. They strike at me through the tub! Ive tried feeding untill they were too full to possibly be hungry (to eliminate the idea that they thought i was food) and i ran outta rats or patience before they gave up. They his and puff up and strike. Sometimes they fly out of the tub at me.

But in the end i understand that snakes will be snakes and those two are particularly good at it. Needless to say they dont get much out the tub time. :D

---

wow those two are some grumpies