BP - Odd Behavior

[JohnNJ]

I'm trying to find out if anyone has had the same experience with a BP and if there is a way to improve the situation.

I recently purchased a proven breeder male (04) from an established individual with a good rep. The snake exhibits some odd behaviors but he is locking with females. I use racks for my collection.

1) He thrashes around in the tub when first introduced to a new female and is very active. He eventually settles down and is calm while breeding. He has thrashed around with the same female after a week off as if he was meeting her for the first time. I need to remove the water bowl or it gets knocked over.

2) When I open his tub to check on him or clean/add water he bolts out of the tub. He does not strike at me, never has, or made any attempt to bite me. He is just in a big rush to get out of the tub and get loose, almost like a cornsnake. When I grab him he tries to shake free. I use 18" tweezers like a snake hook to control him but he is strong and I don't want him to hurt himself when jerking around. He is fine in the tub.

I asked the previous owner who had him from a baby and was told that he has been that way, on and off, his whole life but he does settle down for long periods. None of his offspring have exhibited the same behaviors. If he was a dog I would take him for walks or put him on a treadmill. Any way to exercise a snake?

Any ideas?

[anwhit]

I haven't experienced the same behavior, but if we're going with extremely energetic I have experienced something simmular.

My girl is usually very active and I have to take her out quite often, however, when she is in shed, she a completely hermit and stays in one hide for the two weeks until she sheds. Afterwards she is bursting with energy as if you kept a dog or a cat locked in the same room for that period of time. (The first time this happened she was able to get out even with two heat lamps on top of the lid).

I would just say try taking him out once and a while and letting him roam about. I usually do this for about and hour or two and when I put her back she settles down.

[Aztec4mia]

Sounds like he is putting on a his "macho" display for breeding or ready for combat with another male after he smells the female, any info from the previous owner of him doing this when it is not breeding season?

[JohnNJ]

Sounds like he is putting on a his "macho" display for breeding or ready for combat with another male after he smells the female, any info from the previous owner of him doing this when it is not breeding season?

It sounded like it wasn't that much of an issue so it just may be that he needs time to settle in to a new routine. He's just a handful because I have to be ready to catch him every time I open the tub. Like I said, he is not trying to strike/bite. He's just looking to go AWOL.