Mr Jake the snake problem...

So I picked up Jake, who is a male HET PIED BP right before Christmas. He is about 8 months old and eats weekly. He is kept in a rack system and all of his requirements are met far as temps, humidity, water, and a hide. For whatever reason, he has become upset and has been striking at me. Even if I slide the tub out, he goes into this hissing fit. Now he has hissed before, but that was during his shed. I got back into this hobby for my 9 year old son, and he has been enjoying it. But now since he has seen Jake strike at me multiple times, he wants nothing to do with him. My question now is, should I get rid of Jake or....? Any tips or suggestions on dealing with this is greatly appreciated.

Here is Mr Jake for those of you that haven't seen him https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...582df73bce.jpg


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If it were me, I'd ride it out.

Just because you hear a hiss or see a few strikes doesn't mean the animal is going to stay mean forever. How much are you handling him?

Not all BP's are puppy dog tame, but even if you or your son gets bit...what damage is it going to cause? Not very much. Soap, water, and a small bandage and you're good to go.

If you truly aren't interested anymore and neither is your son though because the animal struck a few times, find a GOOD home. It's better to find a good home for him than to have an animal you want nothing to do with.

Do you have other animals you keep as pets? Are you getting attacked-after handling rodents? A little scent goes a long way with snakes...

He's young and looks pretty small. He's just being defensive since you are a lot bigger than he is. He is striking and hissing to try and scare off this big predator. If the rack is set up down low and you stand when you open it, you would appear to be looming over him and scare him further.

Whether you keep him or not is in the end up to you, but I think you should re-evaluate why you wanted him in the first place. If you got him just to show your kid and you don't care about him yourself, then it may be best to re-home him. Getting something because a kid wants it is rarely a good reason with live animals unless you want full responsibility over it after the kid loses interest. If you genuinely wanted the snake also, then go ahead and keep him and use it as a learning experience for you both.

He will most likely grow out of being defensive with time, size/age, and gentle handling. Very few do not grow out of it.

Either way keeping him or not, explain why he is being defensive to your kid and the difference between defensive and aggressive. It does no one any good if your kid is afraid or spreads misinformation about his "scary, aggressive" snake to other people.

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There’s some good videos on YouTube how to deal with hissy defensive snakes, most use open handed method cover head then snake balls up and they pick up and handle it.


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Have you tried to work with him to get over his fear? Getting him to not be afraid now is going to be easier than later. Hold him by sitting him in your lap with a towel on top of him to feel secure. He will get use to your smell. When he starts moving on his own work with him a min or 2 and then put him back. If he bites don't change the routine because he will learn that gets him put down.

Thanks for the replies. We have 5 BP'S total. I love the hobby just as much as I did back in the mid 90's. I just never had a snake strike at me or anyone else. It just seems like something has upset him because he has never done this. We both handle the snakes daily. I even still handle Jake, I just have to watch his movements now. And yes I have explained to my son why he might be striking, but he still does not want to hold him anymore.

I'm mainly looking for suggestions on what to try or how to approach this differently. Don't want to get rid of none of my snakes.


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Originally Posted by Jamiekerk

There’s some good videos on YouTube how to deal with hissy defensive snakes, most use open handed method cover head then snake balls up and they pick up and handle it.


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My wife has said from day 1 that Jake has ADD lol. Over in my picture thread, I have explained Jake to people that he is 90 miles an hour. He does not want to ball up in your hands, he just wants to be on the move. It took literally about 5 minutes to get the picture I posted in here because he is all over lol.


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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Do you have other animals you keep as pets? Are you getting attacked-after handling rodents? A little scent goes a long way with snakes...

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If you even look at him, he gets all swole up and starts hissing. I swear it's like something has him PO'd


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Sure his temps and everything are correct? Does he have a couple places to hide? Anything moving around his cage a lot? Kids or animals running around?

Dogs of a given breed are not all alike in personality, nor are any other animals. Same thing for snakes, & while most BPs have a docile nature, a relatively
small number do not. This is most likely just his genes...but also, he might be hurting (internally) & because of that, he is even more defensive. Have you
ruled out health issues? Was he ever accidentally dropped or squeezed? It's more likely just fear on his part...& as already noted, make sure you aren't
LOOMING over him when you approach. ;)

Check your lighting in the area where your rack is. I've found with my ball pythons and my boas that if I am backlit they can get very defensive. This goes double if they are outside in the grass on a bright sunny day and my shadow crosses over them; they think that I am a large predator attacking from overhead.

It looks like you're just going to have a problem child for a while.
Hopefully he will outgrow it

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Originally Posted by SquirmyPug

Sure his temps and everything are correct? Does he have a couple places to hide? Anything moving around his cage a lot? Kids or animals running around?

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Yeah. I'm pretty aggressive on temps/humidity. He has a hide and the rack is in a dedicated room with no other animals. Even have a electric ceramic heater to keep the temp in the room around 78 degrees.


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Originally Posted by bcr229

Check your lighting in the area where your rack is. I've found with my ball pythons and my boas that if I am backlit they can get very defensive. This goes double if they are outside in the grass on a bright sunny day and my shadow crosses over them; they think that I am a large predator attacking from overhead.

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I have led strips that run around the entire inside of the rack itself. I haven't noticed any shadowing. I'll check it out though. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c8f661bc00.jpg


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Dogs of a given breed are not all alike in personality, nor are any other animals. Same thing for snakes, & while most BPs have a docile nature, a relatively
small number do not. This is most likely just his genes...but also, he might be hurting (internally) & because of that, he is even more defensive. Have you
ruled out health issues? Was he ever accidentally dropped or squeezed? It's more likely just fear on his part...& as already noted, make sure you aren't
LOOMING over him when you approach. ;)

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Haven't ruled out health issues. And no he wasn't dropped or anything. I mainly handle him because he's all over the place.


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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

It looks like you're just going to have a problem child for a while.
Hopefully he will outgrow it

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Yeah. That's what I'm hoping for as well. I have plans to breed him once he gets up to size


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Originally Posted by Bigkrash

Thanks for the replies. We have 5 BP'S total. I love the hobby just as much as I did back in the mid 90's. I just never had a snake strike at me or anyone else. It just seems like something has upset him because he has never done this. We both handle the snakes daily. I even still handle Jake, I just have to watch his movements now. And yes I have explained to my son why he might be striking, but he still does not want to hold him anymore.

I'm mainly looking for suggestions on what to try or how to approach this differently. Don't want to get rid of none of my snakes.


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Strikes usually = stress

Try leaving him alone for a FULL two weeks (aside from his food, water, and spot cleaning in his tub)

Then, try to handle him again.

He may be telling you that you're messing with him too much.

Edit: That's a LOT, of VERY bright light for a BP.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KevinK

Strikes usually = stress

Try leaving him alone for a FULL two weeks (aside from his food, water, and spot cleaning in his tub)

Then, try to handle him again.

He may be telling you that you're messing with him too much.

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I thought about that also. Today is feeding day so I'll just let him be after that for a while and see how he is. Thanks.


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@Kevin. I never have them turned up. That was only for picture purposes. The led strip is always on its lowest setting


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When I first got my python he would strike as soon as anyone even entered the room. I wore gloves at first and within a few months he was a puppy dog. Now he lets me touch his head and without shying away. I watch tv and what not with him all the time and he is perfectly fine. Just give the animal time and make sure they feel secure in their enclosure. I just got a BCI as well who is defensive in the enclosure but as soon as he is out he is extremely calm. You just need to be patient and build up trust/tolerance from your snake. Good luck and don’t give up!


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i agree w/ alot that has already been said and i'm really glad u don't keep those LED's on full blast or on all the time. anyways sounds to me that Jake likes his safespace - the tub. he chills there, eats there, sleeps there and isn't bothered. when the tub opens, he knows a big human is coming after him. and when Jake is out, his ADD/all over the place is b/c he is nervous. he's on the move and slithering fast like a Cornsnake b/c he's scared and looking for a safe place to hide. still that's better than being bit. but keep in mind, he is looking for his tub, hide or another safe space when out for handling.

this behavior improves over time. my bitey babies improved w/ age and putting on size (growth) and handling. the handling, don't force them to unball. let them rest in your hands or lap and do that themselves before picking them up. mines no longer bite, but they are still shy and hide more often then not. we've been around each other long enough to know i'm no threat but the prefer to be solitary and will tolerate handling.

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Originally Posted by Bigkrash

....I have plans to breed him once he gets up to size ....

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WHY? There is NO shortage of BPs, & when one seems to have a substandard temperament, why would you keep that in the gene pool, making more? :confusd:
(and assuming that your future attempts to improve his attitude don't change him much)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

WHY? There is NO shortage of BPs, & when one seems to have a substandard temperament, why would you keep that in the gene pool, making more? :confusd:
(and assuming that your future attempts to improve his attitude don't change him much)

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The more I learn about this hobbie, the more I don’t want to breed. I really wanted to at first, but after everything I’ve learned I feel like breeding them would be fun but I’d rather just buy the ones I like and leave the breeding to debra lol

Everyonr just stop breeding until the ones out there have homes....;)

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