what kind of BP is this? I am so confused...

Ok first off i thought he was a normal i got him from a friend who got him from a friend who got him from a dealer... So i have no idea of his linage...

Here are some pictures... tell me what you guys think... ALSO do you see any sort of het markers on any of these pictures?

Mystery male... P.S. he is a Punk! tries to bite non stop.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/101_0367.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/101_0368.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/101_0369.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/101_0370.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/101_0374.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/101_0376.jpg

so am i just missing something basic here??

thats a pretty normal.

and i love the snakes eating rats all over the floor! LOVE IT!!!:gj::rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bamf64

thats a pretty normal.

and i love the snakes eating rats all over the floor! LOVE IT!!!:gj::rofl:

---

normals can have clear bellies and solid black down his sides?

Yea gotta love not having any room to work with!!! snakes eatin on the floor

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cornball252

normals can have clear bellies and solid black down his sides?

---

Yes :)

Do your snakes have homes? Why are they all eating on a dirty concrete floor together?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PythonWallace

Do your snakes have homes? Why are they all eating on a dirty concrete floor together?

---

What PythonWallace said.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PythonWallace

Do your snakes have homes? Why are they all eating on a dirty concrete floor together?

---

No Unfortunately they dont.. :( And for only 15 Cents a month.. YOU can make a difference :please: Thankyou

But in all seriousness, to the OP.. Do you seriously have to hold the snake behind the head like that to get a picture of it belly? Its like gasping for a breath with it mouth wide open in the picture.. And i seriously do think you may have messed up his neck because i've never seen a ball python do this.......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/101_0374.jpg

~Brandon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DBD

And i seriously do think you may have messed up his neck because i've never seen a ball python do this.......

---

I have actually seen Toby do that a few times, if you put him down a certain way (upside-down in a tucked ball) - but it's only a second before he straightens out. And to be fair, the OP did say the snake is a jerk... so maybe that's the only way to keep it from biting? :weirdface Pretty looking BP, though!

1.) What the hell are the snakes doing on a dirty concrete floor in a group with rats?

2.) Why are you holding the snake like that???!!! Are you hurting it / choking it to the point where it has to open it mouth like that or does it normally hold it mouth open because of a severe respiratory infection, or mouth rot?

3.) Is there something wrong with its neck? the postion it is holding its head in looks there is something very wrong.

4.) It is a normal.

Normal.....

Daniel

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cornball252

normals can have clear bellies and solid black down his sides?

Yea gotta love not having any room to work with!!! snakes eatin on the floor

---

How about feeding in their enclosures? That way they don't take up any more room at feeding time than do on a daily basis.
That bp seems to be being held like it's a Mamba or something.

Also another thing to add to my original comment. How would you like it if your mom or wife cooked you food and through it on the floor and said "there dinner is served?"

Daniel

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

1.) What the hell are the snakes doing on a dirty concrete floor in a group with rats?

2.) Why are you holding the snake like that???!!! Are you hurting it / choking it to the point where it has to open it mouth like that or does it normally hold it mouth open because of a severe respiratory infection, or mouth rot?

3.) Is there something wrong with its neck? the postion it is holding its head in looks there is something very wrong.

4.) It is a normal.

---

If you have never opened a snake's mouth, you wouldn't know what it is doing. The reason why its mouth is open because when you squeeze those two jaw bones at the end of the snakes head, they automatically open their mouth.

Also, if you put a ball python in a upside down when it is still balled up, you will see their head put in a similar fashion to the picture.

Heh, looks like you got quite the lil bugga! It's a norm, very pretty norm. :)

I also second the request to feed the snakes in their own enclosure and not on the floor. I have very little room to work with and my snakes get fed inside their enclosure.

Also there is no need to hold the snake that way. I have some pretty aggressive snakes that I have to handle for weighing purposes and to clean their cage, and I've never had to hold them behind their head to the point they are opening their mouth. And I'm not so sure about that factoid about pressing on jaw bones makes their mouth open. I have had to give oral medication to a snake and I had to hold him behind his head. And with all his wiggling, I'm pretty sure I pressed those jaw bones a bit but he never opened his mouth because of that. You are pressing too hard on his head and neck. If the snake is that aggressive, you need to take the time to calm him down and get him used to handling.

On his coloration and pattern, I'd say he is a nice, reduced pattern normal male. I love his pattern.

That is disgusting. Learn how to keep and handle those animals properly before buying any more. Your feeding and handling techniques are awful, i'm guessing your husbandry is too from what I see in the background it's either those unsuitable small tubs or those unsuitable glass tanks.

I'd be ashamed of pictures like those, nevermind proud enough to post them on a forum of reptile lovers!

Thats a normal by the way, exactly the same as all those photographs of normal royal pythons on all the websites and books you've undoubtebly read when learning how to care for your pets correctly :tears:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PythonWallace

Do your snakes have homes? Why are they all eating on a dirty concrete floor together?

---

Yes they have homes..

They are not eating on they floor, to keep them from getting nasty feeding responses we take the out let them have the inital strike out side their enclosure then place them back in once they start to eat this way it keeps them from having a feeding response in their cage...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DBD

No Unfortunately they dont.. :( And for only 15 Cents a month.. YOU can make a difference :please: Thankyou

But in all seriousness, to the OP.. Do you seriously have to hold the snake behind the head like that to get a picture of it belly? Its like gasping for a breath with it mouth wide open in the picture.. And i seriously do think you may have messed up his neck because i've never seen a ball python do this.......

An no he is not gasping for air I trust my fiance knows how to hold snakes.. and he is fine.. would you like an update picture to prove it?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/101_0374.jpg

~Brandon

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lolo76

I have actually seen Toby do that a few times, if you put him down a certain way (upside-down in a tucked ball) - but it's only a second before he straightens out. And to be fair, the OP did say the snake is a jerk... so maybe that's the only way to keep it from biting? :weirdface Pretty looking BP, though!

---

Correct he straightened right out no harm done... I also prefer not to get bit... don't know about you guys/ gals...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

1.) What the hell are the snakes doing on a dirty concrete floor in a group with rats?

2.) Why are you holding the snake like that???!!! Are you hurting it / choking it to the point where it has to open it mouth like that or does it normally hold it mouth open because of a severe respiratory infection, or mouth rot?

3.) Is there something wrong with its neck? the position it is holding its head in looks there is something very wrong.

4.) It is a normal.

---

1.) read above....
2.)we are holding the snake like that to prevent us from being bit... and no he is not sick...
3.)nothing is wrong.... I've seen many ball pythons begin to uncurl and look like this and not just my own....
4.) You have never held an aggressive snake have you?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by waltah!

How about feeding in their enclosures? That way they don't take up any more room at feeding time than do on a daily basis.
That bp seems to be being held like it's a Mamba or something.

---

:banana:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Simpson Balls

Also another thing to add to my original comment. How would you like it if your mom or wife cooked you food and through it on the floor and said "there dinner is served?"


Daniel

---

Again, not that im for "mistreating" my babies... but first, they are snakes... their food was not throw on the floor either... second, I hand feed all of my snakes....and third my mom and fiance already do that... :rolleye2:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by guambomb832

If you have never opened a snake's mouth, you wouldn't know what it is doing. The reason why its mouth is open because when you squeeze those two jaw bones at the end of the snakes head, they automatically open their mouth.

Also, if you put a ball python in a upside down when it is still balled up, you will see their head put in a similar fashion to the picture.

---

:gj:


Also thanks for all the input guys/gals! I really appreciate it.
andI know some of these pictures look "bad" but they aren't trust me....
I would never hurt any of my snakes. None of my snakes have ever been sick.
Quick question for any one who thought we were holding that bp in a "mean" or "silly" way...

how would you hold this snake??
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/PB060235.jpg

Getting bit is getting bit... It's unpleasant and I'd rather not get bit by anything with teeth...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mason

That is disgusting. Learn how to keep and handle those animals properly before buying any more. Your feeding and handling techniques are awful, i'm guessing your husbandry is too from what I see in the background it's either those unsuitable small tubs or those unsuitable glass tanks.

I'd be ashamed of pictures like those, nevermind proud enough to post them on a forum of reptile lovers!

Thats a normal by the way, exactly the same as all those photographs of normal royal pythons on all the websites and books you've undoubtebly read when learning how to care for your pets correctly :tears:

---

:gj: good job on being ignorant!!
not trying to make enemies here...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

I also second the request to feed the snakes in their own enclosure and not on the floor. I have very little room to work with and my snakes get fed inside their enclosure.

Also there is no need to hold the snake that way. I have some pretty aggressive snakes that I have to handle for weighing purposes and to clean their cage, and I've never had to hold them behind their head to the point they are opening their mouth. And I'm not so sure about that factoid about pressing on jaw bones makes their mouth open. I have had to give oral medication to a snake and I had to hold him behind his head. And with all his wiggling, I'm pretty sure I pressed those jaw bones a bit but he never opened his mouth because of that. You are pressing too hard on his head and neck. If the snake is that aggressive, you need to take the time to calm him down and get him used to handling.

On his coloration and pattern, I'd say he is a nice, reduced pattern normal male. I love his pattern.

---

Thanks for the positive criticism. But as you all must under stand its only for their Initial strike that i feed them on the floor.. normally its in a separate empty STERILIZED tub, but they were all being used.
and yes you can get a snake to open its mouth very easily by pressing there jaw bones. Also what are you having to give it orally? Baytril? just curious. If soo Amoxicillin shot form work better for RI's Oral meds only mask it or suppress the infection for a time being.

Thanks again,
-Ben

Yes i've clearly shown myself to be the ignorant one of the two of us.

Your excuses are laughable and they only further highlight your own ignorance on snake husbandry in general, if you can't handle even the nastiest of royals without getting bitten you're doing something wrong. Interacting with a snake during feeding is wrong for so many reasons (high up there would be this is exactly how you get bitten!)

I'll leave it at that, I could go on but your own responses will have said enough for most of the knowledgeable and responsible keepers on here so there's not much point.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mason

Yes i've clearly shown myself to be the ignorant one of the two of us.

Your excuses are laughable and they only further highlight your own ignorance on snake husbandry in general, if you can't handle even the nastiest of royals without getting bitten you're doing something wrong. Interacting with a snake during feeding is wrong for so many reasons (high up there would be this is exactly how you get bitten!)

I'll leave it at that, I could go on but your own responses will have said enough for most of the knowledgeable and responsible keepers on here so there's not much point.

---

Yup read me like a book. let see so Steve Irwin was wrong on so many levels for interacting with his snakes while they were feeding? hmmm Now im not saying just because he did it means i can.. but in 13 years of keeping reptiles not once have i had an issue handling my snakes during feeding or have caused ANY harm to them while holding them

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cornball252

Yup read me like a book. let see so Steve Irwin was wrong on so many levels for interacting with his snakes while they were feeding? hmmm Now im not saying just because he did it means i can.. but in 13 years of keeping reptiles not once have i had an issue handling my snakes during feeding or have caused ANY harm to them while holding them

---

I'm not being dragged into an argument with you, i'm perfectly happy with my husbandy and have no wish to debate the issue with you, i've said my piece and you are not going to change my opinion on these matters. I'm sure i'm far from alone in disagreeing with pretty much everything you've said, I feel no need to be defensive or argumentative here. :rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mason

I'm not being dragged into an argument with you, i'm perfectly happy with my husbandy and have no wish to debate the issue with you, i've said my piece and you are not going to change my opinion on these matters. I'm sure i'm far from alone in disagreeing with pretty much everything you've said, I feel no need to be defensive or argumentative here. :rofl:

---

I respect your opinion as with every one elses.
Thank yo u for your time and input.

are you saying your scared of getting bit by a ball? Seriously?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Denial

are you saying your scared of getting bit by a ball? Seriously?

---

No I am saying I'd rather not get bit.
Seriously...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cornball252

Again, not that im for "mistreating" my babies... but first, they are snakes... their food was not throw on the floor either... second, I hand feed all of my snakes....and third my mom and fiance already do that... :rolleye2:

---

Ok, let me get this straight...

You do not feed in the enclosure because you don't want them to associate their homes with eating, thus reducing the chances of getting bitten while reaching in to get them...

So you in turn HAND FEED them on a filthy floor so that they associate your hand as a food delivery system.

Seriously!? :weirdface:rofl::O

Further more, even though they are "just snakes" they do appreciate a nice warm, clean cage to eat in. I feed every one of my ball pythons in their tubs and have yet to be struck at as a feeding response. But then again, I don't go sticking my hand in there when there's the scent of freshly bought feeder rodents in the air. :gj:

And to answer another one of your questions, yes I have had a ball with attitude. He would puff up and hiss every time you opened the lid to his tank, and then strike at you after you lifted the hide. You know what I did? Picked him up anyways! He never managed to tag me, but my ex was bitten several times by him. But he was an idiot anyways. Oh, and bites from a ball don't hurt, just so you know.

It's probably not that your snake is a meanie, he's just grouchy. I'd think that if you took me out of my warm enclosure, strangled me a bit, and then put me on cold concrete and expected me to eat out of your hand... I'd bite you too! :taz:

Hi Cornball252.

I know you said your snake is aggressive, let's use the word defensive instead of aggressive.

How long have you had the snake for?

The reason he could be so defensive his he may not of had enough time to settle in yet. Did you wait a week before handling him?

Also think about it. You have snakes that are eating rats right up under his nose. I'm sure he could smell that too! That could trigger his defense mode even more. He was probably like "put me down and let me get my feed on too"! :tears:

I'm not trying to make enemies, just trying to help. This is a great forum. They have taught me everything I know today and I learn something new everyday as well. Without this website I could of been like many other irresponsible reptile lovers out there. Not on purpose, but because I had no idea how to care for a ball python.

Good Luck :salute:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HerpKeeperVA

Ok, let me get this straight...

You do not feed in the enclosure because you don't want them to associate their homes with eating, thus reducing the chances of getting bitten while reaching in to get them...

So you in turn HAND FEED them on a filthy floor so that they associate your hand as a food delivery system.

Seriously!? :weirdface:rofl::O

Further more, even though they are "just snakes" they do appreciate a nice warm, clean cage to eat in. I feed every one of my ball pythons in their tubs and have yet to be struck at as a feeding response. But then again, I don't go sticking my hand in there when there's the scent of freshly bought feeder rodents in the air. :gj:

And to answer another one of your questions, yes I have had a ball with attitude. He would puff up and hiss every time you opened the lid to his tank, and then strike at you after you lifted the hide. You know what I did? Picked him up anyways! He never managed to tag me, but my ex was bitten several times by him. But he was an idiot anyways. Oh, and bites from a ball don't hurt, just so you know.

It's probably not that your snake is a meanie, he's just grouchy. I'd think that if you took me out of my warm enclosure, strangled me a bit, and then put me on cold concrete and expected me to eat out of your hand... I'd bite you too! :taz:

---

I appreciate your comment,
and I do see what you mean as registering my hand as food from hand feeding. but never have they struck at me thinking I'm food. Also In my opinion they hurt. lol and my cinnamon and pastel both are cranky and i dont get tagged by them either and i just grab them any way. not like snake shown above.
Also something I noticed I have failed to mention is he was sorta a rescue.
My friends Friend mis treated all of them and neglected them for a long time they are just now starting to put weight back on.

id be aggressive to if you picked me up like that! Theres alot of things you can do to stop cage aggression. Get yourself a hook!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stargazed85

Hi Cornball252.

I know you said your snake is aggressive, let's use the word defensive instead of aggressive.

How long have you had the snake for?

The reason he could be so defensive his he may not of had enough time to settle in yet. Did you wait a week before handling him?

Also think about it. You have snakes that are eating rats right up under his nose. I'm sure he could smell that too! That could trigger his defense mode even more. He was probably like "put me down and let me get my feed on too"! :tears:

I'm not trying to make enemies, just trying to help. This is a great forum. They have taught me everything I know today and I learn something new everyday as well. Without this website I could of been like many other irresponsible reptile lovers out there. Not on purpose, but because I had no idea how to care for a ball python.

Good Luck :salute:

---

No no I've had him for a while he is a good eater. and yes this forum is a good place for any one of any Experience level.
I have had him a little less than a year. and he is ALOT better aggro wise

I forgot to mention this part. "I got him from a friend who got him from a friend who got him from a dealer". NO wonder why the guy is so defensive and cranky. :rolleyes:

When was the last time he actually got to settle down somewhere without being moved? He is probably really stressed out from all this moving. He needs a "Home Sweet Home". ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Denial

id be aggressive to if you picked me up like that! Theres alot of things you can do to stop cage aggression. Get yourself a hook!

---

got one ^_-:gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stargazed85

I forgot to mention this part. "I got him from a friend who got him from a friend who got him from a dealer". NO wonder why the guy is so defensive and cranky. :rolleyes:

When was the last time he actually got to settle down somewhere without being moved? He is probably really stressed out from all this moving. He needs a "Home Sweet Home". ;)

---

Yea he is in his forever home and he is my sweetheart.

Yes, it was oral Baytril and it cleared him right up. That was a little less than a year ago I think, and he's been doing great ever since. I would like to learn to give injections to snakes but at the same time I don't want the opportunity (one of my snakes getting sick) :P

While no one wants to get bitten (myself included. I have a pinstripe with a mean attitude problem) there are easier ways to handle that snake. One way I handle aggressive/defensive snakes is to use a pillowcase. I put the pillowcase over my arm (this works great for my hypo corn who is in feeding mode 24/7. He would eat a cow if I let him) and take hold of the snake that way. My arm is safe and it allows me to hold the snake for a few minutes. This is working wonders for my pin, who didn't hiss at me yesterday when I was doing weights. :)

Depending on how many snakes you have, you could try getting one tub and do your cleaning/feeding day like this. Place snake in tub, offer food, put lid on tub. Clean and disinfect enclosure. Dry and replace. Add fresh bedding. Check on snake. If the snake is done, put the snake gently back in the enclosure. Do this for every snake. I do this for every snake except my snakes feed inside the enclosure instead of a separate tub. I added that in since you feed outside the enclosure. (I only have 3 aggressive snakes). But this will get them used to a routine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cornball252

No no I've had him for a while he is a good eater. and yes this forum is a good place for any one of any Experience level.
I have had him a little less than a year. and he is ALOT better aggro wise

---

I see. It sounded like he just got passed along to you recently, so that's what I figured.

Well good luck. Try to take in all our advice on here and I'm sure you will see a little difference.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cornball252

got one ^_-:gj:

---

Have you took the time to try to hook train your animals?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cornball252

my cinnamon and pastel both are cranky and i dont get tagged by them either and i just grab them any way. not like snake shown above.
Also something I noticed I have failed to mention is he was sorta a rescue.
My friends Friend mis treated all of them and neglected them for a long time they are just now starting to put weight back on.

---

1. Stop handling them until they settle down.

2. Stop feeding them on the :cens0r: floor, that is beyond unsanitary, even for "just snakes." Feed them in their enclosure, a plastic tub, or even a large cardboard box since you can flatten that when not in use. If you insist on floor feedings, I suggest you do some housekeeping.

3. Hand feeding snakes is just not a good idea unless you want to be bitten. The fact that you haven't had an incident yet is luck, and it will run out eventually.

4. If you must move the agressive balls use a snake hook. That would be much kinder on the animal than the "grab and choke" method you are currently employing. If you want them to ever calm down you must stop doing this. Not only do they associate your hand with food, but they now associate it with pain and a lack of oxygen. Congrats!

I have so much more to say, but I'm going to shut up now. :mad:

Quote:

---

Yes, it was oral Baytril and it cleared him right up. That was a little less than a year ago I think, and he's been doing great ever since. I would like to learn to give injections to snakes but at the same time I don't want the opportunity (one of my snakes getting sick) :P

---

That is good to hear!
im glad it cleared up for you!
Yea I did the pillow case thing and his teeth went right through it.
Thanks for the tips

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HerpKeeperVA

1. Stop handling them until they settle down.

2. Stop feeding them on the :cens0r: floor, that is beyond unsanitary, even for "just snakes." Feed them in their enclosure, a plastic tub, or even a large cardboard box since you can flatten that when not in use. If you insist on floor feedings, I suggest you do some housekeeping.

3. Hand feeding snakes is just not a good idea unless you want to be bitten. The fact that you haven't had an incident yet is luck, and it will run out eventually.

4. If you must move the agressive balls use a snake hook. That would be much kinder on the animal than the "grab and choke" method you are currently employing. If you want them to ever calm down you must stop doing this. Not only do they associate your hand with food, but they now associate it with pain and a lack of oxygen. Congrats!

I have so much more to say, but I'm going to shut up now. :mad:

---

no no its ok you can keep going.
Also If i was going to just move him i would pick him up like any other snake but the fact I was trying to hold him Straightened out and up side down... I will go with my way.

I've been watching this thread closely and everyone participating in it. I will say that I was, at first, completely appalled at the photographs in the original post. I do find the idea of feeding snakes on a cold concrete floor to be unnecessary at the very least, and highly risky at worst. They do perfectly fine being fed in their own enclosures...unless, of course, they have to share that enclosure with another snake.

What I've noticed here in this thread is some (not all!) people making very broad assumptions based on a few isolated photographs...and then jumping on those assumptions as if they were hard-and-fast facts. I've also seen the OP respond to most of these accusations with relative calm and reason...something we rarely see in someone who is really as flippant with animal husbandry as he is being accused of.

I've been in the snake rooms of some of the top breeders in this country. I've seen extremely experienced and knowledgeable keepers handle difficult snakes. In either of these situations, it is SO easy to take a few photographs and display them out of context and cause others to make horrible assumptions based on nothing more than the evidence of those few pics. Rooms get dirty. Snakes poo and make big messes. Take a few pictures the day before cleaning day and you can make the most fastidious keeper look neglectful. Watch an experienced handler try to stretch a wriggling snake out for examination, and snap the picture just so...and you can make the most careful person look abusive.

Nothing wrong with asking questions or offering advice...but let's save the leaping-assumptions game for another time, shall we?

I definitely agree with Ben I would not want a ball python to bite me and I would definitely not want that Burm to bite me ! People grab them behind the head it is not a bad way of holding a snake. And I also don't think feeding them on the ground is all that bad. Come on these are snakes. He lives in Fl the cement floors wouldn't be cold unless he has Ac going on which I doubt. And also as he said he does not keep them on the floor or feed them on the floor. He lets them grab the rats and then he puts them back in the cage so they won't bite him. Also if you have more then one snake in a cage you don't want to feed them in their enclosure. And also feeding them outside of their cage doesn't make them aggressive so whenever you stick your hand in their cage they won't strike at you mistaking you for food. Just because this guy has his own way of doing things does not mean you all have to say it is a bad way of keeping snakes. Or holding them wrong or feeding them incorrectly. As long as he keeps his snakes in a well suited environment and he seems to be feeding them well. If it was me I would probably do the same if the snake was mean. Maybe he got it like that. I have gotten snakes from people that have been absolute jerks and that is just their personality sometimes you just can't change that. You have to deal with it. And another thing. If you know Ball pythons they do the neck thing when you set them down. It doesn't mean it has a broken neck or whatever it is just how Ball pythons are. Well If you guys could all just stop with all the arguing. he didn't ask If his snakes were being mis held or if it's wrong to feed on the floor. He just asked if his snakes had any traits.



To answer that question from the pictures it looks like a normal Ball python and he is very pretty for a normal. :snake:




Lani ~ :rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JLC

I've been watching this thread closely and everyone participating in it. I will say that I was, at first, completely appalled at the photographs in the original post. I do find the idea of feeding snakes on a cold concrete floor to be unnecessary at the very least, and highly risky at worst. They do perfectly fine being fed in their own enclosures...unless, of course, they have to share that enclosure with another snake.

What I've noticed here in this thread is some (not all!) people making very broad assumptions based on a few isolated photographs...and then jumping on those assumptions as if they were hard-and-fast facts. I've also seen the OP respond to most of these accusations with relative calm and reason...something we rarely see in someone who is really as flippant with animal husbandry as he is being accused of.

I've been in the snake rooms of some of the top breeders in this country. I've seen extremely experienced and knowledgeable keepers handle difficult snakes. In either of these situations, it is SO easy to take a few photographs and display them out of context and cause others to make horrible assumptions based on nothing more than the evidence of those few pics. Rooms get dirty. Snakes poo and make big messes. Take a few pictures the day before cleaning day and you can make the most fastidious keeper look neglectful. Watch an experienced handler try to stretch a wriggling snake out for examination, and snap the picture just so...and you can make the most careful person look abusive.

Nothing wrong with asking questions or offering advice...but let's save the leaping-assumptions game for another time, shall we?

---

I appreciate your comment.

Hmm, well that makes me feel sooooo much better. :P Now I have to ditch my pillowcase idea.

The thing is though, holding his head like that is not going to help his aggression. Its only going to make it worse. You could wear a long sleeve shirt that is made of thick material (may be a bit toasty while you feed) but that may work. And just wear gloves. (I had to do this for a ferret of mine who had a biting problem. Once she realized biting me didn't hurt me, she stopped and I could stop wearing the gloves)

Ok I'll try to lend my two cents in here. I'll not comment on your feeding method cause I feel that has been covered over well.

When dealing with an "Aggressive" snake there are a few things to remember. aggression is a defense method. They act this way in order to scare you off and to keep themselves alive. A Ball python acting this way can in most cases be traced back to either housing or past human interaction experiences. First look long and hard at your housing. Remember that things like excessive light, vibrations, movement, no hide, temps off, ect. All these things can lead to an overly defensive animal. Handling while in some cases can help assure the animal your not a predator, it can also cause more stress.

These animals are at their most vulnerable when they are eating or not balled up. Stretching out out and rolling it on its back is a predatory move.

I have a few defensive animals that like to lash out my trick is a water bottle. Simply use the water bottle to touch the animals head, this normally invokes the "Hide" reaction and will cause them to briefly hide their heads. At which point I can just reach in and pick them up.

while we all like to avoid getting bit..Remember your working with snakes it comes with the job..Better to except it now and learn to work with the animals natural behavior to your advantage, than to cause further stress to both you and your pets trying to avoid a bite.

I totally agree with JLC! Quit assuming things that you don't know. Just leave the guy alone. He just asked a simple question and everyone just jumps to bad things. Thank you JLC for explaining :bow:



Lani~

I use full arm leather handing gloves for nippy ones. Work like a charm. I use them a few times to get them used to being handled, and once they stop striking, I use bare hands. I was bit once. By one of the calmest (& the biggest) BPs I have. It bled. It bruised. It's really not that bad.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cornball252

They are not eating on they floor, to keep them from getting nasty feeding responses we take the out let them have the inital strike out side their enclosure then place them back in once they start to eat this way it keeps them from having a feeding response in their cage...

---

I'm on lunch break, and I see there are 5 pages of responses so far, so this may have already been addressed.

What sort of "nasty feeding responses" are you concerned about? I've been feeding ~40 ball pythons from babies to adults on a weekly basis in their enclosures for the past several years.

They have fabulous feeding responses. And none of them ever mistake me for food when it's not feeding day.

Are you concerned that you'll condition them to bite you in their enclosure? If so, that's an internet and pet store myth, and very unlikely to happen unless you happen to smell like a rodent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

while we all like to avoid getting bit..Remember your working with snakes it comes with the job..Better to except it now and learn to work with the animals natural behavior to your advantage, than to cause further stress to both you and your pets trying to avoid a bite.

---

And Ed is the king of bites - he's a bite magnet! :8:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

And Ed is the king of bites - he's a bite magnet! :8:

---

I'm one of those people that if your snake has never bitten it hasn't been held by me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

I'm one of those people that if your snake has never bitten it hasn't been held by me.

---

I've snorted more soda up my nose being on the phone with Ed and him messing with the snakes and hearing curses being uttered, AFTER he baby talks the snake and goes "you're such a sweet snake aren't you? You love your daddy, don't you - you're not going to bite me are you?............expletive, expletive, expletive"

The best was when he brought me my first trio of ASF's to the Birmingham show and went "I don't know why Kara thinks these things are so mean, they're so sweet.....dammit!!!!! He just bit me on my finger!!!"

I laughed until I cried - and darn near peed my pants - funny stuff there!