Aggressive Males

I have three racks that each hold eight bins. I have a total of 24 balls, 18 females and six males which are all mixed. Three of the males are weighing in at 400+ grams, while the other three are in the 200-300 grams range. The bigger males are becoming aggressive and tend to strike every time I open their bins, or whenever I put them in their feeding bins, while all the other snakes, big girls included, don't even flinch.

Do males become aggressive as they get closer to sexual maturity?

Thanks,
Papo

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Originally Posted by Papo

whenever I put them in their feeding bins

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I think I may see part of the problem here...

X2 especially with that many snakes, whats the upside to taking them out to feed?

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Originally Posted by Papo

I have three racks that each hold eight bins. I have a total of 24 balls, 18 females and six males which are all mixed. Three of the males are weighing in at 400+ grams, while the other three are in the 200-300 grams range. The bigger males are becoming aggressive and tend to strike every time I open their bins, or whenever I put them in their feeding bins, while all the other snakes, big girls included, don't even flinch.

Do males become aggressive as they get closer to sexual maturity?

Thanks,
Papo

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I don't think so. My boys are more mellow and laid back than my females. I have 2 girls that can be nasty just from opening their tubs.
I say that your boys just have a strong feeding response. Do they show the same aggression while handling them out of the enclosures?(not during feeding time)

And feeding in a separate feeding bin isn't really necessarily. I would think that is what is conditioning them to be aggressive if anything. They're saying, "Hey! It's the hand that leads to food!"

From my experience its usually the Females that get more aggresive. Maybe you should try feeding in their enclousure. I've noticed that it makes a big differance in the "taming" process in males when you feed in the tubs. No explanation, i couldn't tell you why. Also, i would higher the temps to about 93-95 if they are not already. The higher heat for some reason keeps the animals more docile in short time frames. 2-3 days tops.

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Originally Posted by travis11

Also, i would higher the temps to about 93-95 if they are not already. The higher heat for some reason keeps the animals more docile in short time frames. 2-3 days tops.

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I don't feed in separate tubs, but I have...A LOT of times. Nothing ever occurred that would lead me to believe that feeding in a separate tub would spur any sort of extra aggression.

Travis, I am extremely curious about this little bit of info you shared...any chance you could go into more detail?

Thanks for the replies, but it's not only during feeding time, it's every time I open their bins too whether it be handling or cleaning time. :confused:

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Originally Posted by RobNJ

any chance you could go into more detail?

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My guess is it keeps them calm by cooking their brains. :(

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Originally Posted by Rob

X2 especially with that many snakes, whats the upside to taking them out to feed?

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It still fascinates me to watch them. :D

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Originally Posted by travis11

i would higher the temps to about 93-95 if they are not already. The higher heat for some reason keeps the animals more docile in short time frames. 2-3 days tops.

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I'd love to hear the story about how you stumbled on this epiphany.

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Originally Posted by Papo

Thanks for the replies, but it's not only during feeding time, it's every time I open their bins too whether it be handling or cleaning time. :confused:

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Well they might be stressed because they think every time you open their tub you're going to yank them out and drop them somewhere else and expect them to eat. Try feeding in enclosure and see if the aggression settles down on its own that way.

Or you might just have a couple of aggressive snakes. Uncommon for balls, yes, but possible. I'd try feeding in tub, though.

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Originally Posted by Papo

It still fascinates me to watch them. :D

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Watch them eat in the tubs...?

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Originally Posted by Slim

I'd love to hear the story about how you stumbled on this epiphany.

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Yea that makes sense. One time during a heat wave last summer none of my snakes ate when i dropped the rats in. They just snuggled up together and read Eye-Spy books...
Lol but really. Thats kinda a ridiculous statement.

Lol no? None agrees with the cooking of brains theory?