Nervous to reach in my Ball's tank...advise?

[Brstin2flames]

I've had my ball python for almost a year now. He is my first snake, and I am by no means afraid of snakes. But, he has been acting a little different since the weather started warming up. His appetite is back full force, and now starting about 3 days before feeding day he has his head about 2 inches outside of his hide. When I walk in the room he shows a lot of interest, and it looks like he wants to bite me. Last feeding, I reached in slowly to move some driftwood before feeding like I always do, and he struck at it immediately, almost hitting my hand.

I've never been afraid to reach in his tank, but now with this different behavior I have to be honest and say I dont want to reach in when he has his head poked out. I'm so nervous now. Does anyone have any advise for me? Why is he acting this way? Is there something I can do to curb that behavior or is it just that he is hungry? Thanks so much guys!

[Simple Man]

How big is your snake? What are you feeding him? It sounds like your snake needs more food.

Regards,

B

[Boanerges]

Probably just hungry. Maybe not being fed enough? If he is in his hide you can stick something in front of the hide when you are working in the cage so he can't get to you. If you need to pick him up and you really, really are spooked by him and don't want to take a chance on being bit, just wear some thick gloves and a thick jacket when you pick him up and put him back in.

[JustChad04]

I agree with both prevoius replies. Might be hunger due to feeding too far apart OR not feeding him the right sized meal (may be too small of a meal). Using a glove is a good idea until the snakes agression calms down, it is what i used for my snappy babies and for getting stuck shed off. Also might be due to a scent on your hands. Is f/t sometimes the bag the mice/rats are in have an odor on it from the facility it left which gets on you. Or possible if live the box from the petstore or the rodent itself odor gets on you. So your hqnd smells and looks like food. It could also be an aggervating odor on you such as colone, hqnd sanitizer not fully dry, food, etc. Try wasing your hands in cold water with a non-scented soap and see if that helps.

[crystaldreams8]

in warmer weather the metabolic rate of pythons speeds up. He is just hungry. He needs more food in warmer weather.

[JustChad04]

Sorry for all the bad spelling. Using i-phone and i have fat thumbs lol

[Juliemay13]

Sorry for all the bad spelling. Using i-phone and i have fat thumbs lol

[JustChad04]

=

[shawnsbpm]

All of the above are possible reasons and great answers to your problems. I was watching some youtube videos and this one is how to avoid a bite. He gives some great tips all of which make a lot of sense. This video helped me tons and Im sure it will do the same for u

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXVxQuYtqWU

[mommanessy247]

when my girl gets moody and she's sitting in one of her hide boxes and theres something i have to do in the terrarium i just drape something small over the hide box and the entrance of it.
she cant get me if she cant see me.
if she does get the chance to come at me i'll pick up a hide box and turn it to her as a shield of sorts.
i've only had to give her a spritz from the water bottle a few times.
if i'm brave enough i can touch the top of her head when she's giving my hand the stink eye and she'll retreat.
if it's handling day and she's in a hide box i ALWAYS make sure she knows i'm there and coming in for her so i'll move whatever hide box she's under before removing it from ontop of her.
other then that, i make it a habit to NOT handle on feeding day, just so i can avoid a potential feeding day bite.
so basically i take ALL necessary precautions to avoid getting bit but i handle my girl as regularly as possible to keep her somewhat tame. (2 to sometimes 3 x's a week but NOT during shed or the 2 days directly after a meal)