Very kind ball python now bite me every time I took him out of cage

Hi guys. Long time we don't see!
As the title says, I started to have a big problem with my Ball Python.
I will try to give you guys as much information about him in hope to understand what's happening here. Let's start with the shed, because I think that it's a partial element that causes the bites.
Unfortunately, the place where I live is very, very hot and this often cause my python's shed to result in a bad one because we use very often the air conditioner.
This usually isn't much a problem, but work killed me this month and I didn't realize that the cage hadn't much humidity, so here the bad shed.
He also is very lazy and don't do much effort for take it off so obviously I personally have to took it away to help him.
Well, when this happens wasn't not a problem at all: he was very kind with me and I didn't have much problem with this.
This time, something unfortunate happens: one of his eyes is covered with the shed lens (hope this is clear, i'm not native).


I told you that because the first (and last, before some days ago) bite that I received from him was because I didn't notice that he was almost in shed and he bite me thinking I was food (I suppose this because he remained attached and he wrapped around my hand).
Well, returning to the previously statement, I think that he bites me only when he see me with that eyes. The problem is that I am not able to took it away, because for the previous 2 times that I tried to took him, he bite me in the same modalites thinking I'm food.
He also hide the face when he bite and wrapped so I can't phisically took shed off his head and it starting to became very annoying, I tried one time every week in the last two...
I OBVIOUSLY feed him every week. So I really don't think that he is really hungry.


Honestly, he bite me in a very strange way in comparison of the very first time! I try to explain why.
The first time he bited me and usually his prey, he spring into me/the mouse for bite it, also if it was very near of him.
This last 2 times, he was complitely normal, he explored my hands and the air as normal. After 30 seconds/1 minute of this, he simply becomed still and after some seconds, he bite me in the nearest area (he remained attached and he wrapped around my hand/arm as I'm food), for no apparently reasons to me...! I really don't understand why, he never do something similar in almost 2 year that I had him and honestly he starts to afraid me.


The first time that he bite me in those 2 weeks, I simply tought that was the shed, because it seemed to bite me only when he seen me with the shed eyes, but the second time, when I tried to take him, he tried to bite me before I can took out him of the cage! I was so scared that my boyfriend had to took him out of the cage (he never did it, just touched one or two times) and surprise! The python didn't try to bite him.
We putted him in a box with hot water to try to took off this damn shed and then I tried to take it after 20 minutes. No problem... For less than a minute, because here he give me the second bite. At this point I simply took the opportunity to took off as much shed as I can until he stopped biting me, so I can re-putted in the cage. And when he stopped... He try to bite me again.


And the story ends here. If you guys have any ideas, I'm here. Now I think that I have some type of fear for this experience, I also had a bit before with the first one, but now it's a bit worse. I'll really consider the idea of take some gloves for snakes for give me more courage. But honestly, I would want to find again that relationship we have before, when he never bite me a single time and he always was a cutie snake.
I only wish for his good...

If you could post pics of your snake (especially his body) it might help- I'm thinking that this sounds more like hunger bites & it's possible that even with feeding him every week, he might also be underfed. You mention it's very hot there- & remember that a snake's metabolism is controlled by temperature- so if they're warmer, they're going to be hungrier & need more food.

Some snake bites are certainly associated with shedding & the snake just being defensive. But even if they have a "good reason", it's no fun for us to get bitten, so that has to get figured out. A hungry & "over-eager" snake may indeed try for us. Remember that we're "warm & wiggling" much like their prey would be, & so even if the scent doesn't match their prey, some may try anyway. Do you by any chance have other pets around? I'm wondering if he's picking up any animal scents on you that makes him think (hope) you're edible? Silly snakes...

IF this is the problem- hunger & hoping you're prey- then one way I'd approach him (when you need to handle) is with a light spray of cool water mist to his face. That's a safe & harmless way to change what he's thinking about, though some really determined snakes may take more than one spritz of water. OR, you can put something in front of him that clearly has your scent, like an empty garment sleeve. You can run your fingers thru your hair, or rub the object you're using in your hair to impart more of your scent- & some snakes will get the message with that & back off.

Scent plays a part in a snake's recognition of us, but it's only one part. Snakes recognize us by our touch also, but not visually. With some snakes we always have to be mindful of sending strong signals that it's us, not prey. Some people like to use "tap training" too, or instead. That's just what it sounds like- use anything that keeps your hand at a safe distance, & gently tap the snake a few times before you approach them to handle, as apparently your boyfriend instinctively did. The touch reminds them it's you, not food. Just one more way to signal the snake. Use any or all that you need.

It sounds like the snake is associating you with being fed, & if all you ever end up doing is feeding him, that just reinforces that you might be "prey". So it's important to find ways to safely keep handling this snake, so he doesn't get in the habit of bad behavior. And if you'd feel better using gloves for a while, that's just fine.

You mention soaking him in "hot water" to help him shed? I HOPE you're taking the temperature of the water to ensure it's not over 90* or you can cause harm, or at least a very unhappy snake! Remember that we're 98.6* so 90* feels "cool" to us, but not to a cold-blooded snake. ;)

I hope you do better with the humidity- maybe providing a humid hide would help?

Is there a new smell like a laundry detergent or soap? Perfume? Or a new animal in the home that you may have touched? Or been in the same area?

It seems very odd that they would react that way to only you and not your boyfriend. Especially with the way they're wrapping as well. It's very rare for a ball python to act that way especially if it's been in your care for a while with no problems before.

Otherwise, if you can tell us the weight of the snake and the size of the food .. photos maybe too, we can tell if they seem underfed.
If something traumatic happened, that can explain the reaction, but does not seem to be what happened here. Unless the water was very hot or the snake has an injury.

The only other time I had seen a change like that was when the ball python was gravid and getting ready to lay eggs. But I don't know if that's a possibility either...

I'll answer you guys point to point for try to do as much info as I can!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

If you could post pics of your snake (especially his body) it might help-

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Armiyana

Otherwise, if you can tell us the weight of the snake and the size of the food .. photos maybe too, we can tell if they seem underfed.

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I'd really like to post some photos, but as I previously said everytime I try to take out him from cage he try to bite me and he wrapped, so it's nearly impossible to do some type of photos for see his lenght...!
As I know, the python have almost 4 years. He is a male and he eat rats weighing from 30g to 60g. Last year I give him 25/30g mouses but the shop didn't have them avaliable last time that I ordered them so I was forced to change in those rats.
Obviously they are not alive, all defrosted and I usually skip a week when the rat weights more of 30g, but in these 2 incrimined weeks he ate only the 30g ones.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Do you by any chance have other pets around? I'm wondering if he's picking up any animal scents on you that makes him think (hope) you're edible? Silly snakes...

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Originally Posted by Armiyana

Is there a new smell like a laundry detergent or soap? Perfume? Or a new animal in the home that you may have touched? Or been in the same area?
It seems very odd that they would react that way to only you and not your boyfriend. Especially with the way they're wrapping as well. It's very rare for a ball python to act that way especially if it's been in your care for a while with no problems before.

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I have other 2 pets in the house. A cat and a lovebird. The first isn't thecnically in the house in reality, she live outside. It's true that the door is near of the snake cage, but I have her before the snake so I really don't think she is the cause of this problem.
I have the lovebird from april. He is on the other side of the house, in a very ventilated place. There is a passage that devide him room and the snake's one. But it's a bit strange, if this is the cause, that he only bite me now, after months and not my boyfriend.
I use to change frequently soap in the house, but it's a thing that I did before those incidents. No perfume at all, it's potentially mortal for the bird so I don't use anymore :)
I remembered that I change clothes before I took him. Usually I do in this way because I have to interact with the animals and I don't want to have their smell. I also shower my hands very often before take him and with cold water.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

IF this is the problem- hunger & hoping you're prey- then one way I'd approach him (when you need to handle) is with a light spray of cool water mist to his face. That's a safe & harmless way to change what he's thinking about, though some really determined snakes may take more than one spritz of water. OR, you can put something in front of him that clearly has your scent, like an empty garment sleeve. You can run your fingers thru your hair, or rub the object you're using in your hair to impart more of your scent- & some snakes will get the message with that & back off.

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Cool tips, thanks! I think that gloves are a must have for me now (more for the mind, as I said in the post, the bite really are weak), but I would like to leave them when I reobtain courage. So I want to make him get used to my scent again.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Scent plays a part in a snake's recognition of us, but it's only one part. Snakes recognize us by our touch also, but not visually. With some snakes we always have to be mindful of sending strong signals that it's us, not prey. Some people like to use "tap training" too, or instead. That's just what it sounds like- use anything that keeps your hand at a safe distance, & gently tap the snake a few times before you approach them to handle, as apparently your boyfriend instinctively did. The touch reminds them it's you, not food. Just one more way to signal the snake. Use any or all that you need.
It sounds like the snake is associating you with being fed, & if all you ever end up doing is feeding him, that just reinforces that you might be "prey". So it's important to find ways to safely keep handling this snake, so he doesn't get in the habit of bad behavior. And if you'd feel better using gloves for a while, that's just fine.

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This is exactly why I want the gloves. I think that maybe he had "feel" my anxiety in my goofy movements the second time and probably use gloves can give me stability also for take him correctly without fear.
In general I really think there was a unlucky situation that leads a minor mistakes that bring me at this point. Man, it's hard to take care well an animal...! :')

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You mention soaking him in "hot water" to help him shed? I HOPE you're taking the temperature of the water to ensure it's not over 90* or you can cause harm, or at least a very unhappy snake! Remember that we're 98.6* so 90* feels "cool" to us, but not to a cold-blooded snake.

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Hahahaha my bad, wrong choise of words because I was in a hurry. Maybe "warm" is more correct. Around 26°C (so in F... 80, more or less). I used a thermomether!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I hope you do better with the humidity- maybe providing a humid hide would help?

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I'll definitely check this on the forum. As I said usually he don't do a bad shed but this month I had more work than usual and I don't checked the humidity as I did previously. My bad!

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Originally Posted by Armiyana

If something traumatic happened, that can explain the reaction, but does not seem to be what happened here. Unless the water was very hot or the snake has an injury.

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Nothing traumatic, last time that he have something similar is with his previuous owner. He is a very good snake and I don't want to hurt him, ever. I really love my animals :)
If I did something else other than what I write in my posts, I really have no idea...! Surely if something else pass my mind, I'll tell you guys!

I have a mini questions because it is something about I'm very curious: in those months I have taken my snake less than usual for many reasons. Do you guys think that this can influences his behavior (maybe he has forget a bit how I take him?). Let me know!
I think I have answered at everything. I just want to thanks you for the quick answers, you guys helps me a lot and also reassured me. Thanks for all...!

Yes, if you've been handling him less, that could help explain why he's more stressed by your latest interactions. Snakes are not domestic animals- & I'm pretty sure they don't think much about us. So each interaction, they get slightly re-acquainted, if that makes sense? They live in our house, but separately; they know we're around, but they still like reassurance that we're not a predator when we try to pick them up. They can't help it, it's their instinct of self-preservation.

So when you want to pick up a snake, it's "good manners" to give them the cues they need most to recognize us- don't swoop in like a bird of prey, haha. Remember they recognize our scent & touch, so that's what you need to share, & then give them a bit of time to remember they know you. I've kept my share of very feisty snakes that were ready to strike at my approach, but when I found ways to touch (or "tap") them (on the body, not the head! ;)) a few times first, I could then see they remembered & recognized me, & calmed down. And then I could reach in safely, stroke them gently for further recognition, & pick them up without bites.

Every snake has their own personality- so how long this "re-acquaintance" takes will vary. Some of us catch on faster than others too- so you just have to watch their body language & proceed with caution. Some snakes more than others go by scent, & that's actually what is best to start with, if your snake knows your scent. For my rat snakes, I can blow air across my hand thru the screen & see them flicking their tongues, picking up my scent cues. And for some snakes, that's all they need. But others need to recognize by touch, or by both. Use whatever works.

Example: I used to have a large (7.5-8') boa that was very cuddly once she was out & being held- because she knew from experience that she felt SAFE with me- that's truly what snakes want, to feel safe. They probably don't have a concept of "friend"? Anyway, once in a while when I wanted or needed to pick her up, her little snakey mind was in "LaLa Land" & she'd hiss up a storm. Her bite would have really hurt- but happily, not once in all the years I had her did she ever bite me. That's the truth. It's because when she was like that, I'd touch her coils a few times while her little snakey-mind remembered that she was safe with me. In a few minutes she'd stop hissing- then I'd touch her more, especially from under her body as you do when you're picking up a snake- they remember that feeling- & by the way, predators don't lift snakes up the way we do with our pets. They know (remember) this feeling & know it's us. Or just pet their body softly. They will know it's us. When you don't act like a predator, they don't respond defensively & wanting to bite.

BTW, I wasn't asking about photos for the length at all- but the overall body condition. Wondering if your snake could be underfed, in which case, hunger is a big motivation for a snake "to bite first & ask questions later". And even when you feed plenty of food to a snake, this "could be" a problem, lets say IF your snake had ever been fed live rodents & happened to get intestinal parasites from that. When snakes have "worms" in their GI tract, they are sharing their food with them, & will be hungrier & need more food. I was trying to rule out that possibility. ;)

In my limited experience, I think what stands out to me is that a year ago you fed him 30 g mice, and now have switched to 30-60 g rats. Both times you were bit were when he ate 30g rats.

Someone with more experience can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm wondering if maybe in the past year your snake has simply grown and has moved up to larger rodents then those weighing 30g? I also wonder, if you are the primary feeder, and the snake has only bit you and not your boyfriend, then perhaps he is a little hungry and has associated your scent with feeding time. The combination of hunger and having your scent may be enough of a trigger to cause the biting?

If this is the case, perhaps you need to make larger rats the standard meal, and try using feeding tongs instead of your fingers, if that's how you feed him?

Thanks for the replies guys, I was very busy in the previous days and I couldn't answer.
I did a photo of the snake so you guys can tell me if my python needs more food. I honestly didn't think this option at all, but honestly it seems the most probable to me (but I continue to think this is a sum of various things that we have previously told)
If you guys can also tell me how bad it is to leave that quantity of shed that he has at the moment, I appreciate it, because as I said I couldn't to remove all of it (I noticed that he tried to remove a little bit after the incidents so now he don't have anything in the eyes).
As always, I really appreciate your answers. Thanks!

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I wouldn't leave that shed on him, personally- it only gets harder to remove. I know you're uncomfortable handling him, but maybe this is just the "exercise" (ie. learning experience) you both need. Snakes don't typically bite thru cloth bags, & what I'd suggest you do is slide him into an old pillow case (use a hook to guide him in if you need to), then zip-tie it shut. Sit for a while with him in the "bag" on your lap, & just let him relax & learn your scent & touch through the fabric. Pet him softly.

This is a good thing for just "taming" a snake, btw, without the shed issue- because snakes are less afraid when they can't see us looming over them, & they find out we're NOT grabbing them like a predator. They do learn, & so do we. It takes empathy to calm a snake down, & most do. ;)

But he also needs help now to shed, so then thoroughly moisten the cloth bag- not dripping wet, just very damp- and let him rest a while in that to help soak the old skin loose. At least an hour- the longer you wait to help a snake, the longer they'll likely need to "soak".

Then once again hold him in the bag on your lap while you guide him thru your hands (by feel thru the cloth) & do this until you get all the old skin off. The moist cloth is mildly abrasive & will help a lot. It might take a while- even a couple tries after you check. And bear in mind that sometimes moist shed looks clear, so you think it's all off when actually it's not. So looks very closely, & repeat as necessary. This will help you both get re-acquainted. From the many times I've done this over the years, it really seems like most snakes start to realize we're actually good for a few things after all. :cool:

From what I can tell, the body weight looks okay. Bites are usually either fear or hunger.

I've seen some snakes belonging to others (& usually not handled enough) that once picked up, would proceed to try to eat the hand that was holding them. :O

Rosy boas are known for being docile, so ironically, this used to happen with one that a nature museum kept & handled for public programs. Needless to say, when the presenter gets chomped on, it doesn't much endear the snake to listeners. Having much more experience with snakes than their staff did, I could even spot when the bite was about to happen, & some other snakes will also do this, which is why I mention it.

The snake would never hiss or struggle- it seemed perfectly calm, but once held for a while, she would start to gently prod the hand with her nose. Hint- she was looking for the "head"! :D Then suddenly the bite would happen. Oops, didn't see that coming? IMO, such bites were a combination of not being fed enough AND not being handled enough. What you described (about your bite) in your first post sounded very similar??? So I think that with your snake, it's both hunger & not spending enough time with you to really associate your scent with anything other than prey delivery. So now you have "homework"- haha.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

The snake would never hiss or struggle- it seemed perfectly calm, but once held for a while, she would start to gently prod the hand with her nose. Hint- she was looking for the "head"! Then suddenly the bite would happen. Oops, didn't see that coming? IMO, such bites were a combination of not being fed enough AND not being handled enough. What you described (about your bite) in your first post sounded very similar??? So I think that with your snake, it's both hunger & not spending enough time with you to really associate your scent with anything other than prey delivery. So now you have "homework"- haha.

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I suppose yes...! Hahahaha
It's very similar to what happened to me, so it probably is the truth.
Well, I already ordered the gloves, so I think I can use them for guide him in the cloth bag. I first want to "study" his behavior with the gloves because I think that another bite isn't very good for my mental stability :')
But surely I want to apply what you told me about the shed and the taming. I have two questions.
1. It is possible that my snake recognize my odor though the gloves? Because if the answer is no I think I have to work on it after I become more safe about his behavior. It will take time...
2. Do you think I have to feed him more, like 2 times at week?

Sorry for the double post, I wanted to edit it but it's not possible anymore: I forgot to tell you guys a thing that worry me and could be connected to this story...
In the last 3 days my phyton don't go in his "lair" (I don't know if this word is correct in this context, sorry haha). I really don't know why, usually when he was hungry he patrols all the enclosure to seek food but this time he simply stays in the cold zone in the classic ball style.
I'm worried that his stressed or something like that but honestly I don't understand why, I literally did nothing and today is his feeding day so I hope that he calms when I'll feed him. I'll let you guys know about this.

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Originally Posted by Edea_Tsuki

I suppose yes...! Hahahaha
It's very similar to what happened to me, so it probably is the truth.
Well, I already ordered the gloves, so I think I can use them for guide him in the cloth bag. I first want to "study" his behavior with the gloves because I think that another bite isn't very good for my mental stability :')
But surely I want to apply what you told me about the shed and the taming. I have two questions.
1. It is possible that my snake recognize my odor though the gloves? Because if the answer is no I think I have to work on it after I become more safe about his behavior. It will take time...
2. Do you think I have to feed him more, like 2 times at week?

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Study his behavior? Sounds like you're just stalling- :D And he needs help shedding now, not in a week or so. Remember, shed skin gets more stuck, not less.
I understand not wanting to get bit- really I do- but I have yet to meet a snake that doesn't appreciate the help shedding, and I've never gotten bitten doing this.

Currently I have only one snake that hates to be handled- my 6' Korean rat snake- & he'll bite without warning whenever he's "had enough". He's more like a racer than a rat snake- he never sits still. So I was not happy when (about 2 months ago) he ended up for the first time with a lot of stuck shed- even on his face! I did exactly what I suggested that you do- I guided him into a pillow case & got it very damp, waited a while, & then helped him rub off his shed, mostly thru the pillow case.

But just when I thought it was all off, sure enough, he still needed help with his face. I ended up doing that without gloves or pillow case, because by then, he realized that I was helping him & snakes want more than anything to be rid of that tight old skin. No bites- he was a very happy camper when I got done. You CAN do this, I promise, if you learn to use your hands to communicate to your snake that you're a friend, not a foe. If you're focused- in your heart- on really HELPING a snake, my experiences tell me that they can feel that by your touch. I've done this stuff for many years. ;)

If you're afraid to pick him up at first, even to slide him into the pillow case, just drop a small towel (or t-shirt) over him (over his head) & use that to pick him up just enough to guide him. Sometimes you get what you expect: Expect this to go well! Think positive.

This is a BP- not a lion. ;) Your reactions to him are making him MORE nervous (defensive) & prone to biting, not less. If you do as I suggested & actually help him shed, & with some handling first in the pillow case, it will likely help his attitude (& yours) & you may never need the gloves. Put yourself in his place: You are a scary giant to him! And you've been unconsciously sending him the wrong signals. Snakes want to feel safe & it helps when you can relax with them. I know you can do this-;) You know in your heart he is still a "very kind ball python" but now he's just afraid or confused.

1. No- the downside of using gloves is that your snake will get much less (if any) of your scent thru the gloves, depending on what they're made of. But you can still fix that! Rub the gloves thru your hair a few times to put your own scent on them. Keep in mind, it's also possible that the gloves may have some (chemical?) odor of their own- possibly a drawback.

2. No, never feed a snake that often- they need at least a week to digest even small prey (& more if the prey is larger). Feeding twice a week: either he'll refuse it anyway- waste of food, OR, he'll take it but regurgitate it. :colbert:

Let me add one thing that I've learned over many years with various kinds of snakes:

Snakes are MUCH more likely to try to bite when you're near but out of reach. Why? Because at a distance, their instincts assume you're a predator, but when you keep them close to you, they not only feel safer (being sheltered by your body, instead of feeling exposed out in the open where predators can get them) but they also fully recognize you by your unmistakable scent & touch. Whenever I handle a snake, my focus is always to help them feel safe- so I keep them close, not at arms length. That's the opposite thing that many people do when they're afraid of a snake.

Remember that very few snakes seem to recognize us visually, & that "huge thing nearby" could be predator or prey to a snake. They don't understand "friend" or "keeper". They do learn to feel safe with us, & most seem to know & remember we're neither prey nor predator. Your snake has been getting mixed signals from you, & only you can fix this. Use a towel or pillow case...;)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Let me add one thing that I've learned over many years with various kinds of snakes:

Snakes are MUCH more likely to try to bite when you're near but out of reach. Why? Because at a distance, their instincts assume you're a predator, but when you keep them close to you, they not only feel safer (being sheltered by your body, instead of feeling exposed out in the open where predators can get them) but they also fully recognize you by your unmistakable scent & touch. Whenever I handle a snake, my focus is always to help them feel safe- so I keep them close, not at arms length. That's the opposite thing that many people do when they're afraid of a snake.

Remember that very few snakes seem to recognize us visually, & that "huge thing nearby" could be predator or prey to a snake. They don't understand "friend" or "keeper". They do learn to feel safe with us, & most seem to know & remember we're neither prey nor predator. Your snake has been getting mixed signals from you, & only you can fix this. Use a towel or pillow case...;)

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I'm glad you said this. I've been noticing this with beeing close to my BP that he does act differently to me when Im closer to him. When I move away from him he backs up also. This is very interesting. Glad you posted this.

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Originally Posted by mistergreen

I'm glad you said this. I've been noticing this with beeing close to my BP that he does act differently to me when Im closer to him. When I move away from him he backs up also. This is very interesting. Glad you posted this.

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It's also very common that you can be holding a snake that's quite "tame" & comfortable with you, but once you put him on the ground, outside (or floor, inside) they react defensively.

Don't take it personally- it's just that the familiar cues (scent & touch) they need to recognize you are no longer within their reach, so they assume the worst: that you're a predator nearby! They suddenly no longer feel safe. To a snake, safety = survival.

If this ever happens to you (many like to give their pets some time "out" to exercise), just remember what's going on & give your snake the scent & touch cues he needs to recognize you. Once you do, it usually doesn't take very long for them to recognize you & calm down, enabling you to pick them up, even when they acted totally hostile just moments before. Nothing has actually changed. I guess this is part of the reason many people don't trust snakes...because they just don't understand where snakes are "coming from".

This phenomenon is one reason that keepers of very large snakes can get in trouble with their loose roaming pets- especially at night, when most would be hunting. It's very dangerous & asking for trouble. A snake on the ground is going to rely on their instincts, because they're still not domestic animals no matter how long we have them & feel comfortable with them. Remember that & always think in terms of safety, especially if you're keeping large boas or pythons. :snake:

Most of us are used to pets that recognize us visually- but snakes aren't like that. For best results (& to avoid scaring or startling a snake) you always want to communicate with your pets, & with snakes, that's not going to be visually or audibly (they're mostly deaf)- only with your scent &/or touch can you reassure them. And the more you do this (ie. the less often they're frightened in your presence) the calmer, better pets they become. And the less stressed your snakes are, the better they eat & thrive.

This is true even with snakes you cannot actually handle- ie. venomous. The rattlesnakes I used to keep became very calm (most of them, anyway :rolleyes:) because whenever they became startled (rattling), I'd go over & give them my scent (by blowing air across my hand thru the screen top of their tanks). After briefly flicking their tongues to pick up my scent, it was clear they recognized me & calmed down (stopped rattling & went from a strike coil to a resting coil). Snakes are afraid of the unknown, just like we are. ;) Instead of being upset with me, it was obvious that they were relieved to find out that whatever startled them (like my dog running by, or a door that was accidently slammed) was only "just me", whose presence they were used to & had little fear of. See?

Not sure why he's biting you, it's a little difficult for me to piece together your whole situation.

As for shedding though, my place has low humidity as well. When my python begins its shedding phase, I take a towel and completely soak it in warm water. I then twist the towel to get as much water out as I can. I'll place the towel on top of the cage so 3/4th's of the screen lid is covered. I still leave 1/4th of the top of the cage open for fresh air flow.

I'll do this when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed. She fully shed's for me almost every time.

Just make sure you don't cover the entire cage with the towel so air is still able to get in and the humidity doesn't get too high.

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Originally Posted by lX V1P3R Xl

Not sure why he's biting you, it's a little difficult for me to piece together your whole situation.

As for shedding though, my place has low humidity as well. When my python begins its shedding phase, I take a towel and completely soak it in warm water. I then twist the towel to get as much water out as I can. I'll place the towel on top of the cage so 3/4th's of the screen lid is covered. I still leave 1/4th of the top of the cage open for fresh air flow.

I'll do this when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed. She fully shed's for me almost every time.

Just make sure you don't cover the entire cage with the towel so air is still able to get in and the humidity doesn't get too high.

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Actually that's a very ineffective way to add humidity, so you've been lucky. Enclosures are heated & heat rises- up & out, taking humidity with it. If you want to retain humidity, you need to restrict MOST of the air-flow, with something that air CANNOT go thru. Hint: NOT a towel, wet or otherwise. People use plexi-glass, foil, wood, tile, cardboard...anything air can't go thru, & only leave small gaps for fresh air. (You can cover the whole cage with a damp towel- air still goes thru. ;) ) Better ways to increase & retain humidity is using the right substrate (one that retains moisture) & providing a humid hide.