Mr Jake the snake problem...

Dogs of a given breed are not all alike in personality, nor are any other animals. Same thing for snakes, & while most BPs have a docile nature, a relatively
small number do not. This is most likely just his genes...but also, he might be hurting (internally) & because of that, he is even more defensive. Have you
ruled out health issues? Was he ever accidentally dropped or squeezed? It's more likely just fear on his part...& as already noted, make sure you aren't
LOOMING over him when you approach. ;)

Check your lighting in the area where your rack is. I've found with my ball pythons and my boas that if I am backlit they can get very defensive. This goes double if they are outside in the grass on a bright sunny day and my shadow crosses over them; they think that I am a large predator attacking from overhead.

It looks like you're just going to have a problem child for a while.
Hopefully he will outgrow it

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Originally Posted by SquirmyPug

Sure his temps and everything are correct? Does he have a couple places to hide? Anything moving around his cage a lot? Kids or animals running around?

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Yeah. I'm pretty aggressive on temps/humidity. He has a hide and the rack is in a dedicated room with no other animals. Even have a electric ceramic heater to keep the temp in the room around 78 degrees.


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Originally Posted by bcr229

Check your lighting in the area where your rack is. I've found with my ball pythons and my boas that if I am backlit they can get very defensive. This goes double if they are outside in the grass on a bright sunny day and my shadow crosses over them; they think that I am a large predator attacking from overhead.

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I have led strips that run around the entire inside of the rack itself. I haven't noticed any shadowing. I'll check it out though. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c8f661bc00.jpg


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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Dogs of a given breed are not all alike in personality, nor are any other animals. Same thing for snakes, & while most BPs have a docile nature, a relatively
small number do not. This is most likely just his genes...but also, he might be hurting (internally) & because of that, he is even more defensive. Have you
ruled out health issues? Was he ever accidentally dropped or squeezed? It's more likely just fear on his part...& as already noted, make sure you aren't
LOOMING over him when you approach. ;)

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Haven't ruled out health issues. And no he wasn't dropped or anything. I mainly handle him because he's all over the place.


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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

It looks like you're just going to have a problem child for a while.
Hopefully he will outgrow it

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Yeah. That's what I'm hoping for as well. I have plans to breed him once he gets up to size


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Originally Posted by Bigkrash

Thanks for the replies. We have 5 BP'S total. I love the hobby just as much as I did back in the mid 90's. I just never had a snake strike at me or anyone else. It just seems like something has upset him because he has never done this. We both handle the snakes daily. I even still handle Jake, I just have to watch his movements now. And yes I have explained to my son why he might be striking, but he still does not want to hold him anymore.

I'm mainly looking for suggestions on what to try or how to approach this differently. Don't want to get rid of none of my snakes.


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Strikes usually = stress

Try leaving him alone for a FULL two weeks (aside from his food, water, and spot cleaning in his tub)

Then, try to handle him again.

He may be telling you that you're messing with him too much.

Edit: That's a LOT, of VERY bright light for a BP.....

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Originally Posted by KevinK

Strikes usually = stress

Try leaving him alone for a FULL two weeks (aside from his food, water, and spot cleaning in his tub)

Then, try to handle him again.

He may be telling you that you're messing with him too much.

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I thought about that also. Today is feeding day so I'll just let him be after that for a while and see how he is. Thanks.


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@Kevin. I never have them turned up. That was only for picture purposes. The led strip is always on its lowest setting


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