Agression In Snakes

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

Yes, there are a few species of snakes that will turn at bay and come toward you if they feel cornered--but not many. As I said. And ball pythons aren't one of them.

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I can name quite a few. Of course ball pythons aren't one of them - the OP never made that claim.

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MaleXMale aggression is of a completely different type--snakes engage in ritualized combat. They don't bite each other. They don't display this behavior toward humans.

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That's based on your definition of aggression. Aggression exists on several levels. Some species engage in more severe ritualized combat. By definition, these are more aggressive snakes.

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Female pythons defend their eggs. They bite those who come too close to them. They do not leave their eggs and rush toward intruders. This is still defensive behavior.

If someone came toward you threateningly with a weapon, and you shoved them away, and then started kicking or hitting to keep them away when they came back, but never approached them in return once they backed off, would your behavior be aggressive or defensive? I think the answer is pretty obvious.

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Again, there is defensive behavior and aggressive defensive behavior. These are not made up terms - these are actual classifications of animal behavior.

A ball python may or may not bite you when you try to take her eggs. That is maternal or parental based aggressive behavior. A brown snake may not only try to bite you, but chase you away as well - this is maternal aggressive behavior on a higher scale.

If someone came towards me with a weapon and I kicked them or hit them to keep them away - that's aggressive defensive behavior. If I run away, it's purely defensive behavior. If I go on the offensive after that, that's a different type of aggression.

Ball pythons will display low levels of parental aggressive behavior, will usually not display aggressive defensive behavior and sometimes display irritation induced aggressive behavior.

Cribos can display significantly higher levels of parental aggressive behavior, will more often than not display aggressive defensive behavior and a high percentage of animals will display irritation induced aggressive behavior.

What both species have in common is that they are easily accustomed to handling through conditioning. That addresses only two types of aggressive behavior - aggressive defensive and condition based. It has little to no measurable effect on the remaining 5 defined types of animal aggression.

Bottom line: ball pythons may not be aggressive but many any other snakes are. Defining aggression by whether a snake chases you or not is not the end all.

The OP's question was flawed (no insult intended Tiffany). Just because your snake becomes acclimated to handling does not mean it's still not an aggressive animal. It only means that it does not display an aggressive defense response (aka biting) through conditioning.

It will still go after prey with the same gusto, defend it's brood with the same zeal and become ticked off if you mess with it too much. It also won't lessen the level of male to male aggression - ritualized or not.

Here is the Webster definition:

Main Entry: ag·gres·sive
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈgre-siv\
Function: adjective
Date: 1824
1 a : tending toward or exhibiting aggression <aggressive behavior> b : marked by combative readiness <an aggressive fighter>
2 a : marked by obtrusive energy b : marked by driving forceful energy or initiative : enterprising <an aggressive salesman>
3 : strong or emphatic in effect or intent <aggressive colors> <aggressive flavors>
4 : growing, developing, or spreading rapidly <aggressive bone tumors>
5 : more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent <aggressive chemotherapy>

— ag·gres·sive·ly adverb

— ag·gres·sive·ness noun

— ag·gres·siv·i·ty \ˌa-ˌgre-ˈsi-və-tē\ noun


If you ask me....I have a female that when I open her cage is ready to strike. Yes I'm in her cage, but, she is still "marked by combative readiness". Sounds like even ball pythons can be aggressive.

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Originally Posted by twistedtails

Here is the Webster definition:

Main Entry: ag·gres·sive
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈgre-siv\
Function: adjective
Date: 1824
1 a : tending toward or exhibiting aggression <aggressive behavior> b : marked by combative readiness <an aggressive fighter>
2 a : marked by obtrusive energy b : marked by driving forceful energy or initiative : enterprising <an aggressive salesman>
3 : strong or emphatic in effect or intent <aggressive colors> <aggressive flavors>
4 : growing, developing, or spreading rapidly <aggressive bone tumors>
5 : more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent <aggressive chemotherapy>

— ag·gres·sive·ly adverb

— ag·gres·sive·ness noun

— ag·gres·siv·i·ty \ˌa-ˌgre-ˈsi-və-tē\ noun


If you ask me....I have a female that when I open her cage is ready to strike. Yes I'm in her cage, but, she is still "marked by combative readiness". Sounds like even ball pythons can be aggressive.

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A good read if you have the time:

http://books.google.com/books?id=7ZE...0moyer&f=false

The problem it seems we are having on this thread is....People are not familiar with the definition of the term "aggression". They are just basing thier opinions off thier perception on the term.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

A good read if you have the time:

http://books.google.com/books?id=7ZE...0moyer&f=false

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I read a bit of that and it is a great read. The predatory aggression explanation indirectly states that all preditory animals can be aggressive.....Interesting!

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Originally Posted by twistedtails

I read a bit of that and it is a great read. The predatory aggression explanation indirectly states that all preditory animals can be aggressive.....Interesting!

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There are two notable studies - one done by Moyers in 1968 and another by Brain in the late 70's. Both go into greater detail and are the basis for several models of animal aggression.

If you can find them online, they are definitely worth a look.

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Originally Posted by twistedtails

The problem it seems we are having on this thread is....People are not familiar with the definition of the term "aggression". They are just basing thier opinions off thier perception on the term.

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People tend to define things on their own terms or based on their own opinions. Animal models of aggression are widely studied and have been categorized.

There's a difference between casual use definitions and scientific definitions, and these may even vary regionally, and that's probably a large part of the issue here.

Going by the terms in the article cited, it would be more accurate to say that ball pythons do not engage in offensive aggression, but only in defensive aggression (with the exception of the very stylized inter-male interactions).

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

There's a difference between casual use definitions and scientific definitions, and these may even vary regionally, and that's probably a large part of the issue here.

Going by the terms in the article cited, it would be more accurate to say that ball pythons do not engage in offensive aggression, but only in defensive aggression (with the exception of the very stylized inter-male interactions).

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So maybe my girl is the exception. When I offer her rats, she sometimes strikes at them out of aggression. Trust I know a feeding response when I see one and she has very strong one at that. I can gaurantee you that a 2600+ gram female is not afraid of a small rat. I believe that she just does not like visitors period.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

There's a difference between casual use definitions and scientific definitions, and these may even vary regionally, and that's probably a large part of the issue here.

Going by the terms in the article cited, it would be more accurate to say that ball pythons do not engage in offensive aggression, but only in defensive aggression (with the exception of the very stylized inter-male interactions).

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You're right - everyone has a different concept of aggression.........

What if you're a rat? Would you then define ball pythons as aggressive?