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Another question, but what is your setup like? How is the humidity? You mentioned that your snake seems dehydrated, with a ball python you want upper 55ish% humidity. Higher when in shed, up to 70%. If the humidity is low and the snake is dehydrating, that could certainly add to the defensive behavior.
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Snake is not "aggressive"-
....he may be defensive because he is new & scared, & that's normal. You mentioned he is 3 years old...it's also possible he was handled very little by previous owner. A BP that tucks himself into a ball is scared to death of you.
....he's probably hunting & hungry, & your hands are "warm & wiggling" like prey, so he's just being a snake ("strike first & ask questions later"). Up to you to prevent
by making sure he learns to recognize you, but only after he has time to settle in, & only after he is feeding regularly on adequately-sized prey. I think you've been
rushing him: eating reliably comes first, then the handling problem may take care of itself, with a little patience.
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Yup, I agree with most of what's been said already. Those mice are way too small for a 3 year old BP.
Plus you're handling too soon.
So between the stress and the hunger his behaviors are perfectly normal.
Let your guy settle in for a while before handling again. I suggest starting over with the "three consecutive meals without refusal" rule of thumb. So basically, pretend you just got him today. Up his prey to appropriately sized rats. No handling until he's eaten three consecutive meals without refusal.
He'll settle in for you. You just need to be patient. You'll have 20+ years to handle him. Take your time and you'll see positive results.
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Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonny1318
Most males will never need mediums, good to see you stretch it out. And F.Y.I, A 20 long is fine for most to all adult male ball pythons. Peace
Great info here. I have ONE male who is still subadult who is just growing like a weed. Even then I would be surprised if he ever reaches medium rats. I agree 100% on the enclosure info.
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Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonny1318
Most males will never need mediums, good to see you stretch it out. And F.Y.I, A 20 long is fine for most to all adult male ball pythons. Peace
A 20 long is not large enough imo. That would be extremely cramped but not my animal [emoji2371] My male is almost 4’... I’d feel horrible shoving him in a tiny 20 gallon. If you’re breeding and it’s temporary that’s a different story. I guess it’s ultimately whatever the keeper prefers.
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Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkL1561
A 20 long is not large enough imo. That would be extremely cramped but not my animal [emoji2371] My male is almost 4’... I’d feel horrible shoving him in a tiny 20 gallon. If you’re breeding and it’s temporary that’s a different story. I guess it’s ultimately whatever the keeper prefers...
Agree, and in a smaller tank, it's also hard to offer a good thermal gradient for a larger snake, as the temps. all sorta run together.
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Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkL1561
A 20 long is not large enough imo. That would be extremely cramped but not my animal [emoji2371] My male is almost 4’... I’d feel horrible shoving him in a tiny 20 gallon. If you’re breeding and it’s temporary that’s a different story. I guess it’s ultimately whatever the keeper prefers.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Agree, and in a smaller tank, it's also hard to offer a good thermal gradient for a larger snake, as the temps. all sorta run together.
I have to agree. My 1100 gram boy is in a 40 breeder and I'd feel bad putting in anything smaller. And there's no way I'd put my 1400 gram boy in a 20.
I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying I'd rather give them the room and allow them to use it when they choose.
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Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkL1561
A 40 gallon breeder 36” x 18” is the minimum tank size for an adult male. If your enclosure is smaller you need to upgrade. Thankfully there are affordable options and if you need recommendations just ask :) As for dealing with the defensive behavior, let him settle in first. If you just got him leave him alone for 3 weeks and/or 3+ meals. Then buy leather gloves (to help with confidence, bp bite isn’t bad) and work with him. In a few weeks he’ll get used to you and stop striking.
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Ok,I was guessing, but with careful observations I can tell that the cage is 2/3 size of python wife and length is slightly larger .
Today he escaped and I found him. When I put him back he didn't go in his hide and he is just outside his hide slithering around. Should I be worried and what does this mean?
Should I handle him and if so I'm a bit scared of him biting me.
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Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshwah
Ok,I was guessing, but with careful observations I can tell that the cage is 2/3 size of python wife and length is slightly larger .
Today he escaped and I found him. When I put him back he didn't go in his hide and he is just outside his hide slithering around. Should I be worried and what does this mean?
Should I handle him and if so I'm a bit scared of him biting me.
No, you should NOT hold him. Almost every reply above mentioned letting him settle in...for a reason.
Now you need to figure out how he escaped and fix that, cause if he did once,he will again. And next time you might not be lucky enough to find him.
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Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshwah
Ok,I was guessing, but with careful observations I can tell that the cage is 2/3 size of python wife and length is slightly larger .
Today he escaped and I found him. When I put him back he didn't go in his hide and he is just outside his hide slithering around. Should I be worried and what does this mean?
Should I handle him and if so I'm a bit scared of him biting me.
He escaped!? That’s something you are going to want to fix ASAP. If you just have an aquarium with a screen top they make clips/locks to secure the lid. It’s not ideal but it’ll work. He is just freaked out from his little adventure. Sounds like you’ll need to get husbandry down prior to working on handling. If you can please upload some pictures of your setup, may assist users in helping you:)
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