More Aggressive Ball Python Issues - PLEASE HELP!!!

Also, if I started feeding him in the enclosure, I'd be pretty worried about him ingesting any substrate.

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Originally Posted by Skep

Also, if I started feeding him in the enclosure, I'd be pretty worried about him ingesting any substrate.

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In the wild they're not presented with a perfectly clean feeder. A little aspen or cypress won't hurt them.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

In the wild they're not presented with a perfectly clean feeder. A little aspen or cypress won't hurt them.

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+1

A paper towel liner can be far more dangerous than any particle substrate.

I haven't Tryed the hook thing but when I got my first bp that was an angry little girl I started a routine before I picked her up. And still do it tilll this day with all my bps now. Before I open the cage door I tap on it three times then open the cage. And also tap three times on her hide before lifting it to pick her up. Bps catch on to routines if done every day without fail. And keep feeding days on strict schedule. try it if u want. It's just an option for u. It's crazy that he just started doing that out of the blue. I agree with the others on feeding him in the came cage so he doesn't assume he's getting food when u pick him up. I hope u figure out what's going on with him and find a way to get him back to normal. Keep us posted

I would keep on doing just as your doing as far as feeding and husbandry go. The hook, paper towel tube or dowel rod sound like a great idea. I had cranky snakes that need a nudge before I grab them. Once their out, they always seem to calm down. Once when I was working too much, I had a pair of dumerils get like that from lack of handling. Like wizard pointed out, some snakes are just a handful. Good luck. As far as feeding out of cage, to me that's the only way to fly. Unless you have such a large collection that it would be to time consuming. I did it with over 17 differant boas, just used three tubs. Like a snake lunch line.;)

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Originally Posted by Wizard

+1

A paper towel liner can be far more dangerous than any particle substrate.

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Yeah, there was an article a while back about how a boa needed an operation to remove a paper towel it had injested.

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Originally Posted by Skep

Also, if I started feeding him in the enclosure, I'd be pretty worried about him ingesting any substrate.

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Then Use paper towel substrate but it really doesn't matter if it's just aspen or the likes.

Injesting paper towel can be a big issue but it's also not such a likely event to happen that you need to worry about it. How many people for in car accidents? You don't see the majority of the population avoiding the use of cars. It's a minimal risk so you jut take proper precautions and deal with it. Using shop towels can also be better then just basic paper towel. They are a little heavier duty and don't stick as easily as basic paper towels.

I have seen pictures of a kingsnake that ate a whole piece of blue shop towel and it just pooed it out later. Not saying you shouldn't neccisarily worry if one is injested just that if it is eaten it can still be a nonissue.

I use a mix of reptibark and cypress mulch as substrate, but it's mostly reptibark. Would it be alright if he ever happened to ingest some of that?

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Originally Posted by Skep

However, if I successfully get him out of his cage and onto the floor of the room, he immediately settles down. Not sure if that even matters or not.

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Originally Posted by vangarret2000

If he is lashing while in the tank then calms down once he is out (which it seems like it is from what you wrote) that is just the snake being cage defensive. It's common. Generally just pulling them out with a hook is how to avoid issues.

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I have 2 out of 18 adults that are pretty cage aggressive. That's what it sounds like to me. I enter their tubs with more caution and if they are in a particularly crabby mood then I just grab a hand towel to pick them up (a tip given by a bigger breeder). Once out they're just teddy bears. I have yet to be bitten by any of my bigger snakes although I'm sure my day is coming :).