Agression In Snakes

To think about it, there are no species of snakes (well, exclude venomous species, I'm talking about the colubrids, pythons, and boas) that are aggressive. When people say, "Yeah, these species of snakes can be quite aggressive.", it makes me think that really not all can be that way. For instance, take the JCP for example. Babies can be nippy, but some can be quite calm and tame. So, really, they aren't considered to be aggressive but some can be nippy, but not full on aggressive.

A snake can take some time to actually become 'aggressive'. Without handling, a snake would become nippy, and if you let that continue, the nippy snake would form into an aggressive snake because it had no human contact. Yeah, snakes can be nippy, just not coming out of an egg or of it's mother aggressive. A Ball python can be aggressive without human contact, just like any other snake that has not been in human contact. Blood pythons have been known to become very aggressive, but are also known to be total sweethearts when handled often. To me, handling avoids the snake becoming aggressive. So, even though a snake would be born or hatched nippy, it would only become aggressive if it has not come in human contact.

aggression or defensiveness?

im curious to kno how snakes get AGGRESSIVE. but i totally understand why they would be DEFensive.

My personal opinion on aggressive vs. defensive and bitey snakes:

I consider an aggressive bite to be a feeding-related bite- the snake thinks you are food, it's hungry, it strikes and maybe even constricts you. This kind of bite is avoidable, just feed regularly, make sure your hands don't smell like snake food, etc. The snake can't really be 'trained' out of this type of biting- how much you handle the snake doesn't affect it, because the snake isn't striking to make you go away, or because its scared and doesn't want to be handled, but because it wants to eat and has mistaken you for food.

The other type of bite is a defensive bite, where the snake is either scared or territorial or, for whatever reason, just doesn't want to be handled. Some snakes can be 'trained' to reduce or even eliminate this type of biting with plenty of calm, gentle handling. However, with some species of snakes, such as notoriously nippy Green Tree Pythons or Amazon Tree Boas, it may be impossible to eliminate defensive biting, no matter how much you handle them, and excessive handling may not even be a good thing for these types of snakes because it stresses them.

Again, all of this is just IMHO and based on my personal experience.

i disagree when you say that you can NOT train a snake to not mistake you for food...when raising a snake from a baby it is best to feed in a different bowl or cage then the one you keep him in...that way everytime you reach in their cage they dont think of you as food

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Originally Posted by spade

i disagree when you say that you can NOT train a snake to not mistake you for food...when raising a snake from a baby it is best to feed in a different bowl or cage then the one you keep him in...that way everytime you reach in their cage they dont think of you as food

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ah. tis a common myth :gj:. like the old "feeding live increases aggression" but my normal who has been eating live since ive had her is scary when she eats... i feel bad for the poor f/t who is just getting strangled to um... well not really death lol...

my sisters albino however, which has been eating LIVE its whole life will stare at the mouse, and take its time, smelling it, hovering over the body, until finally it strikes.

neither of them are aggressive. even my babys. they have been eating live since they were born, and neither of the strike at me.. AND THEY'RE STILL YOUNG!!

EDIT: but ya, they all eat INSIDE the enclosure. they are not aggressive. they have not defensively struck at me. puppy dog pythons.

just trying to kill some of the myths that are floating around. :gj:

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Originally Posted by spade

i disagree when you say that you can NOT train a snake to not mistake you for food...when raising a snake from a baby it is best to feed in a different bowl or cage then the one you keep him in...that way everytime you reach in their cage they dont think of you as food

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I disagree especially when dealing with larger snakes this practice can become very dangerous

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Originally Posted by spade

i disagree when you say that you can NOT train a snake to not mistake you for food...when raising a snake from a baby it is best to feed in a different bowl or cage then the one you keep him in...that way everytime you reach in their cage they dont think of you as food

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I'd love to know the basis for this insightful observation of yours.

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

To think about it, there are no species of snakes (well, exclude venomous species, I'm talking about the colubrids, pythons, and boas) that are aggressive.

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Consider that most colubrids are technically venomous - does that change your theory?

There are defined categories of animal aggression:

(1) Instrumental Aggression - aggression that has been reinforced via learning. For example you go in to grab your snake and he bites you. You withdraw your hand. He learns that this behavior can be rewarded by you leaving him alone.

(2) Territorial aggression - when an animal attacks something that enters it's territory.

(3) Maternal aggression - a female animal, while protecting her young, acts aggresively.

(4) Predatory aggression - when an animal actively tracks and attacks prey.

(5) Irritation-Induced Aggression - Self-explanatory - no?

(6) Inter-Male Agggression - Occurs when another competing male is present.

(7) Fear-Induced Aggression - When flight isn't successful, fight is utilized. Some animals will skimp on the flight part, however.

Out of these seven examples, ask youself how many apply to snakes. Once you pare down the list, then ask which ones can be eliminated by handling and which ones can never be changed or altered.

After you've done that, re-evaluate your opening statement.

I agree with the above statement. I have a couple snakes that are definately aggressive! Come to my house and put your hand in her tub and tell me she is not aggressive. I also have one of the easiest going female balls, but, when it came time to take eggs this year she would of railed anything if she was given the chance. I noticed my girl became more aggressive as soon as she started developing follicles. If you ever breed your snakes I feel you will reevaluate your statements.

Aggression--the snake comes toward you, seeking you out, to bite you.

Defense--the snake bites you if you come close enough to it, in order to drive you away.

I do not believe there are very many aggressive snakes in the world, and aggressive behavior is seen only in a few species--such as king cobras that defend their nesting areas.

I've never heard of an aggressive ball python that wasn't simply making a mistake (assuming that the warm thing is food instead of a person). All other bites are defensive, not truly aggressive. Ball pythons are not aggressive toward people. Fight/flight responses don't involve charging the target of their fear, the way they can in mammals. Balls don't deliberately seek out people to bite--it just doesn't happen.

Fight over flight aggression is seen in several large colubrids, vipers and elapids. These same species are also quick to irritation-induced aggression.

Maternal aggression is seen in several species of snakes and most species of snakes will display inter-male aggression.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

Aggression--the snake comes toward you, seeking you out, to bite you.

Defense--the snake bites you if you come close enough to it, in order to drive you away.

I do not believe there are very many aggressive snakes in the world, and aggressive behavior is seen only in a few species--such as king cobras that defend their nesting areas.

I've never heard of an aggressive ball python that wasn't simply making a mistake (assuming that the warm thing is food instead of a person). All other bites are defensive, not truly aggressive. Ball pythons are not aggressive toward people. Fight/flight responses don't involve charging the target of their fear, the way they can in mammals. Balls don't deliberately seek out people to bite--it just doesn't happen.

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Hrm--oddly enough, I'm sure snakes can LEARN to be aggressive.

I had a garter snake who for some reason, started being extremely aggressive towards me after about two years, even though I made sure to not retreat and wear gloves and continue handling. Whenever I walked pass his tank, he would follow me and even try to climb up the glass to get at me. After a couple of months of this, it was just a display animal to me and I stopped handling him altogether. Changing his substrate and water bowl was very much like fencing, and he was just a wee little thing.

However, he was still horrendously afraid of my mom. When I first got him, he escaped from his tank twice and each time my mom was the one who found him and put him back. Every time she came into my room, if he was out of his hide just hanging out, he would immediately zoom into his hide and stick just his head out to make sure where she was. My mom thought it was hilarious.

I don't hold it against them for being nippy or aggressive, it happens, and I like their spunky attitude. Sometimes, no matter what you do, it won't like you, and in that case there is nothing you CAN do.

However, his aggression MAY have been illness related--one day out of nowhere I found him dead, his stomach caved in like it collapsed. I've seen it once or twice in cornsnakes but never in garters, and no one's really sure why it happens. So if my snakes change moods suddenly and for a prolonged period of time--to the vet it'll go. Better safe than sorry.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

I'd love to know the basis for this insightful observation of yours.

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pet store myths. no biggie. just educate.

we've all heard 'em at some point.

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Originally Posted by h00blah

pet store myths. no biggie. just educate.

we've all heard 'em at some point.

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Hmmm. I've heard those same myths propagated on these forums.

Kinda like: snakes aren't aggressive.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Hmmm. I've heard those same myths propagated on these forums.

Kinda like: snakes aren't aggressive.

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yes, but normally they are explained in greater clarity by veterans such as yourself. :gj: or people who know better, or at least have been part of this hobby for a little longer.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Hmmm. I've heard those same myths propagated on these forums.

Kinda like: snakes aren't aggressive.

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Every time i see the first of these two statements, it has been corrected in the same manor the OP was corrected. It just simply isn't true and actually puts a keeper, especially one of the larger species in more danger and can create a situation where i dangerous, mistaken feeding response bite is more likely to happen. I have never seen a thread regarding that feeding myth where that has not been addressed and i've been here for over 2 years and browse -frequently-.

I'm still not agreeing with you on the aggressive thing. I understand where you're coming from when you say it, but i have to agree more with WingedWolfPsion, in my (albeit limited) experience owning and interacting with snakes, ive only ever revived defensive-related bites and i have what i could consider a testy animal, every time i open her tub she's there eyeing me up to strike. But -i- encroached on HER space and am bothering her, considering she is new to the routine im not all that surprised she's tried to bite me multipe times, is this an aggressive snake or a defensive snake?

I cant really address what skiploader said, considering i have no experience with large colurbrids or HOTs. :/

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

Every time i see the first of these two statements, it has been corrected in the same manor the OP was corrected. It just simply isn't true and actually puts a keeper, especially one of the larger species in more danger and can create a situation where i dangerous, mistaken feeding response bite is more likely to happen. I have never seen a thread regarding that feeding myth where that has not been addressed and i've been here for over 2 years and browse -frequently-.

I'm still not agreeing with you on the aggressive thing. I understand where you're coming from when you say it, but i have to agree more with WingedWolfPsion, in my (albeit limited) experience owning and interacting with snakes, ive only ever revived defensive-related bites and i have what i could consider a testy animal, every time i open her tub she's there eyeing me up to strike. But -i- encroached on HER space and am bothering her, considering she is new to the routine im not all that surprised she's tried to bite me multipe times, is this an aggressive snake or a defensive snake?

I cant really address what skiploader said, considering i have no experience with large colurbrids or HOTs. :/

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I just exchanged e-mails with Ken Foose regarding a large male pseustes he has for sale.

The snake has been described as "Aggressive". I would classify some of my snakes as conforming to the several types of aggression as aggregated in the accepted and defined categories of animal aggression.

So you keep ball pythons and carpets............... do not take this the wrong way, but I would not expect you to be able to address a question regarding snake aggression.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

So you keep ball pythons and carpets............... do not take this the wrong way, but I would not expect you to be able to address a question regarding snake aggression.

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Nothing taken the wrong way :) i think i actually addressed that at the end of my post. I am very limited in the amount of species i have had enough interaction with to classify as experience.

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

I'm still not agreeing with you on the aggressive thing. I understand where you're coming from when you say it, but i have to agree more with WingedWolfPsion, in my (albeit limited) experience owning and interacting with snakes, ive only ever revived defensive-related bites and i have what i could consider a testy animal, every time i open her tub she's there eyeing me up to strike. But -i- encroached on HER space and am bothering her, considering she is new to the routine im not all that surprised she's tried to bite me multipe times, is this an aggressive snake or a defensive snake?

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What's the difference between aggression and being defensive? Is there such a thing as defensive aggression?

Is the snake being defensive or is it responding with aggression to an irritation?

I would categorize rolling up in a ball as defensive behavior. I would categorize a defensive bite as defensive aggression.

There is a recognizable difference between being defensive (running, hiding, playing dead, curling into a ball) and being aggressive in defense - i.e.: striking in response to a perceive threat or irritation.

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.

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.

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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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?

Toward humans. Not prey animals. I thought that was implied (and pretty clear).

I've had some BPs strike at rodents in defense, too--but not chase the rodent to bite it, without intent to eat it. Still defensive aggression.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

Toward humans. Not prey animals. I thought that was implied (and pretty clear).

I've had some BPs strike at rodents in defense, too--but not chase the rodent to bite it, without intent to eat it. Still defensive aggression.

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It was vaguely implied.............

1. Bull sharks are extremely aggressive towards people............but they leave sea cucumbers alone..............

They attack people as potential prey and they are territorial. You would find no argument from most people that bull sharks are aggressive.

2. Bull terrier breeds can be extremely aggressive towards people and other dogs, but they tend to leave flies alone..............

Are they attacking people as potential meals? Of course not. Their aggression is completely unrelated to food and in many cases unrelated to territory. Does this make them more aggressive than a bull shark?

3. Hemichromis Fasciatus are consider one of the most aggressive cichlids. That aggression is territorial and mating influenced. Humans aren't even on their radar.............so does that mean that everyone is wrong, that they aren't aggressive because the aggression isn't aimed at us?

So the type of aggression matters and I think we can agree that animals can be consider aggressive even if that aggression has nothing to do with us.

So back to the original point. There are many, many aggressive species of snakes and these snakes can be aggressive for a variety of reasons. The fact that their aggression towards us is most likely defensive or irritation based does not lessen or invalidate this aggressive behavior.