Cant open tub without bp striking!!! HELP PLZ!!!

Every time I open her bin she strikes out @ me!!!! What can I do to get her to stop striking? I feed her in the tub. I know she is not hungry I just feed her 3 days ago! I got her out of her tub on 11-02-1 without no problem. She had been striking out like that for a week now

What are the tub conditions? Temp, humidity, hides, etc.

She's either really pissed, really scared, or really hungry.

If the tank is too hot or some other condition not right it can be making extremely stressed and irritable. Check the temps and humidity, make sure she has enough hidey hole places to feel secure.

Is she about to shed? Snakes getting to the later seconds of the shed cycle (blue eyes, etc) can get very grumpy.

You said she just ate, but what did you feed her? How big is she, how often do you feed her, and what do you feed her?

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Originally Posted by 200xth

What are the tub conditions? Temp, humidity, hides, etc.

She's either really pissed, really scared, or really hungry.

If the tank is too hot or some other condition not right it can be making extremely stressed and irritable. Check the temps and humidity, make sure she has enough hidey hole places to feel secure.

Is she about to shed? Snakes getting to the later seconds of the shed cycle (blue eyes, etc) can get very grumpy.

You said she just ate, but what did you feed her? How big is she, how often do you feed her, and what do you feed her?

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Ya, wash ur hand before u open the viv cause u may smell like mice, if that docent work, wear gloves the first few times to get her used to u. make sure to open cage slowly and gently
btw plz thank if this helped:P;):)

My pastel got very defensive in her tank. I bought some leather gloves to give myself more confidence and handle anyways. I'm getting her used to handling and making sure she can't start thinking that striking will keep me away. Seems to be working so far :)

it may not be the conditions of the tank but the temperament of the snake. I had a young female bp who constantly struck at me and everything around her. my friend also has a young bp who is very cage protective. sometimes they might be aggressive for no reason, especially if its a young one. the best thing to do is to handle it more often with confidence. if you are confident and dont show fear you are more likely to not get bit. i did this with my female and now shes a little baby. hasnt struck in almost a year

How big is the animal. What size and how often are you feeding?

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Originally Posted by Naom9Anne

My pastel got very defensive in her tank. I bought some leather gloves to give myself more confidence and handle anyways. I'm getting her used to handling and making sure she can't start thinking that striking will keep me away. Seems to be working so far :)

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Oh, forgot to say, I only use the gloves to get her out when I am finding out what mood she is in on that particular day. I take them off for handling her though.

Yeah, I just got a Firefly in the mail yesterday and he's feisty for sure. He tagged me a few times getting him out of the sack before putting him into his rack. Usually your best bet is to keep the snake focused on one hand and pick it up with your other hand from behind. Usually once they are picked up they calm right down.

If this is new behavior then re-check temperatures and humidity to make sure they're correct. She could also be going into shed, or she may need to be bumped up to the next prey size. How big is she (weight) and what are you feeding her?

You say this happens on opening the bin. Does the snake have a hide? I know many people don't use them in racks but you may try it to offer more protection and see if her attitude changes.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

If this is new behavior then re-check temperatures and humidity to make sure they're correct. She could also be going into shed, or she may need to be bumped up to the next prey size. How big is she (weight) and what are you feeding her?

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this information would definitely be helpful. many of the larger bps are very docile unless her environment is not correct. as aforementioned, if its young dont be afraid to handle it. go from behind and pick it up. once it sees that you wont hurt it itll get used to you and wont bite.

What i had to do wit a rescue i got was put my hand over his head and gap him from behind with the other. The more i held him the less he felt scared. There's a video on you tube called handling an aggressive snake. Check it out. That's where i got the idea to help me with my snake. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by jasonmcgilvrey83

What i had to do wit a rescue i got was put my hand over his head and gap him from behind with the other. The more i held him the less he felt scared. There's a video on you tube called handling an aggressive snake. Check it out. That's where i got the idea to help me with my snake. Good luck.

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Is that the one where he shows a BP (I think) going from fight to flight by sort of cupping it in his hands? Starts by showing it striking? If so I watched that when researching why my BP was being feisty! It lead on to a good hour browse of snake-related youtube-ing!

Ball Pythons are rarely truly aggressive. They strike out in defense because they are scared, not because they're 'un-tame'.

Reasons for striking:
1) It's a baby - It's not uncommon for babies strike because this is a vulnerable time for them. They're scared and a big predator (your hand) is swooping down on them. They will outgrow this as they get larger. Learn to scoop them up from behind/side/below them rather than above.
or
2) your husbandry is off and the snake feels insecure. (<--- most common reason for an insecure nippy ball python)
or
3) you smell like food/they're hungry

I use hand sanitizer before I pick my guys up and after I put them back,always. Well once in a blue I forget,it's rare though

Well she is big...... about 1500 grams. Her temp and stuff is right. She had hides. Shes not hungry I just feed her. I never get around the rats when I open her lid. I think I got her in the habit of feeding I toss the rat in. When I first got her I could get her out, she wouldnt strike. Im going to check if she is shedding it just hard to see her eyes when she striking at my face...

This time of year you would be surprised how much the females will put away

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