Aggression Problem

Hey BP.net, my brother has just brought home his first ball python. Its a male pinstripe, about a foot long. On the way home, and on the very first day he was very nervous as to be expected, but on day two of being in his enclosure, we noticed that he was pretty active in the open. Out of curiosity, my brother walked a little closer to the aquarium to find that the snake struck at him. Right into the glass & more than once. Thinking he must have been scared and hungry after being at the show, we fed him and he ate a rat pup then managed to rest for the next day. I came home today and noticed him out and about during the day again, but thought nothing of it. My brother came home and as he began to clean the outside of the glass with a paper towel, the snake struck two times again. Any suggestions...? Or a diagnosis? his tank specs are ideal.

Im sure it is only scared or nervous because it is new and young, but any tips that you can offer to help me ensure this snake becomes the sweetie it is supposed to be would be appreciated.:D:peace:

It needs time to settle in. We usually say 7 to 10 days. After that start handling it a bit for a few minutes at a time. During the time its settling in only do what is necessary in and around the tank.

On feeding day leave it alone and let it have a day or two after feeding to digest in peace.

It may also help to have plants, driftwood, etc in the cage to help it feel secure.

Awesome, thank you. And yes, we are leaving him alone. I just found it odd. Im very appreciative for the real advice, rather than the reprimanding one can sometimes receive by more ignorant or experienced members of a hobby. :)

Sounds like he's insecure, not aggressive.
Insecurity could be due to your set up being too open. Try covering the sides and back with a solid background or black paper.
And add lots of cover and hides. Stuff like fake plants, balled up news paper, etc etc.

I assume hes in a glass enclosure, how much of the enclosure is covered? Id be sure to keep back, and both sides completely covered to help him feel less exposed and more secure. Also if he doesn't already have them give him a small identical hide on hot snd cool sides of enclosure. Give him a solid two weeks of solitude with little disturbance not even just to look in but only for spot cleaning, changing water, and feeding. He will settle down with a few meals downn feeling more secure. You'll yhen have a happy ball that hides 90 % of the time. Good luck to you.

Not to be a negative nancy or anything but I too have a SUPER aggressive pinstripe I recently acquired. He has the exact same set up as the other 12 balls (some bigger, some smaller) that I got along with him and he is definitely not a nice guy. I've talked to a few people about it and I've gotten a similar answer each time. First that maybe he needs time but also that pinstripes tend to be notorious for their aggressive behavior for whatever reason. I'm not sure if that's true or not since he's the only one I've ever owned so I can't say from experience but he's the ONLY one out of the whole group that acts this way. If others with experience are saying they tend to be nasty though.... it does make me wonder. I'll keep following this thread to see how it turns out, I am interested to see if he does tame down. The previous owner of the one I now have says that he's always been that way and he's tried taming him down to no avail. I'd like to think that he won't be that way forever though.

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Originally Posted by FroggyCrazy

Not to be a negative nancy or anything but I too have a SUPER aggressive pinstripe I recently acquired. He has the exact same set up as the other 12 balls (some bigger, some smaller) that I got along with him and he is definitely not a nice guy. I've talked to a few people about it and I've gotten a similar answer each time. First that maybe he needs time but also that pinstripes tend to be notorious for their aggressive behavior for whatever reason. I'm not sure if that's true or not since he's the only one I've ever owned so I can't say from experience but he's the ONLY one out of the whole group that acts this way. If others with experience are saying they tend to be nasty though.... it does make me wonder. I'll keep following this thread to see how it turns out, I am interested to see if he does tame down. The previous owner of the one I now have says that he's always been that way and he's tried taming him down to no avail. I'd like to think that he won't be that way forever though.

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I have never heard of pins being more aggressive than any other ball. My first snake was a pin and he's the most friendly and tame BP I have. I've never had any aggression issues. And same goes for a few friends who do have pins as well.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

I have never heard of pins being more aggressive than any other ball. My first snake was a pin and he's the most friendly and tame BP I have. I've never had any aggression issues. And same goes for a few friends who do have pins as well.

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Agreed. I have 5 pins/pin combos and every one of them is a puppy dog. In the OP's case, it might take more than a couple of weeks. Some babies are just more defensive than others, but they almost always grow out of it. Just clutter up his cage and remember that a bite from a baby BP is like getting swatted by angry velcro! :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Just clutter up his cage and remember that a bite from a baby BP is like getting swatted by angry velcro! :rolleye2:

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This is a perfectly accurate description lmao.

One thing to consider as well is to think of it as being defensive and not aggressive. It is not looking for a fight but trying to ward off large threats that may try to eat him. I have had hatchlings that were defensive and struck a lot and then I have had others that were chill from the get-go. Almost always they do grow out of it as they get larger and conditioned to the presence of humans so I would not worry too much and just practice slow/deliberate movements around him. The other suggestions of adding furniture, closing off the sides and back and letting him adjust are excellent as well. Good luck and I am sure all will work out in the end.

I've had two very aggressive baby BPs and found that they are primarily aggressive at night or in the evening. They also tend to be more 'strikey' when they are hungry. I have NO problem with them during the day when I wake them up to handle them. With more handling, they'll get used to you.
By the way, they are my BEST feeders.
Andy-:snake:

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Agreed. I have 5 pins/pin combos and every one of them is a puppy dog. In the OP's case, it might take more than a couple of weeks. Some babies are just more defensive than others, but they almost always grow out of it. Just clutter up his cage and remember that a bite from a baby BP is like getting swatted by angry velcro! :rolleye2:

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Maybe it's just a coincidence then. The one that I have is no longer a baby so I can't blame it on him being young.

Haha, my brother is so nervous to even place the decorations in the tank. Good news is, that he ate the day this problem began. So it looks like he wont be being disturbed for any reason after thr stuff is put in :D

leave him alone than one night when you are drunk put your hands in his enclosure and just let him tag you. Once you realize it doesn't hurt at all you will be braver to handle him. Confidence really help when dealing with aggressive baby snakes. I was really afraid of my baby carpet python when i first got her and I find myself making alot of quick movement try to avoid her strike. Until she finally bite me one day and i realize it doesn't hurt at all.

Now i just go in and scoop her up, she still put on a little show but once i have her in the hands she will calm down alot and start exploring.