Help! My ball python is unusually aggressive!

[alyssasimons]

I've had my ball python for 2 and a half years and he is 11 years old. He has always been the sweetest snake and I've never had any problems with him, then a few months ago he got very aggressive and would strike at me whenever I opened the tank. He also was not pooping, so I figured he was constipated. After a lot of research, I figured out it was too cold because the temperature changed outside (it was winter). So I got him a red heat lamp and he was all good. Then suddenly he stopped eating. He didn't eat for 5 months. Finally, about 3 weeks ago, I got him to eat again. A week after his feeding, he escaped his tank and was gone for 3 days. When I found him, he ate but now, he is very aggressive again. He is eating and pooping regularly and the temps and humidity in his tank are spot on. I even downsized him to a smaller tank (40 gallons) to reduce the stress of a large, open tank, like the 75 gallon he was in before.

Is there anything I might be missing, that will help him be happier? He gets all tense and in 'strike-mode' every time I come near his enclosure. I appreciate any help!! Thanks!
-Alyssa

[djansen]

does he have heat coming from under the tank? how about places to hide in the enclosure?

[alyssasimons]

Yes, he has a heat mat and a heat lamp on the warm side of his tank. He has one cave and then a weird tree branch thing he used to hide under but doesn't much anymore. Should I get a different or better hide for the cool side?

[zina10]

Size of food you are feeding? How often do you feed? How big is the snake?

All that aside...make sure husbandry stays spot on from now on, no matter the season, That includes enough and proper hides and privacy.

He may be hungry?


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[alyssasimons]

He eats a small rat every week. I thought about bumping him up to medium though...

[zina10]

He eats a small rat every week. I thought about bumping him up to medium though...

Small rats should be sufficient, but some small rats are smaller or bigger...depending on where you buy.

Make sure there are 2 similar hides that he fits in. Not to big. Try to blackout sides and back of tank with black construction paper you can tape on the outside of the tank.

Does he seem to be hungry, is he cruising looking for food at night?


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[Skyrivers]

He eats a small rat every week. I thought about bumping him up to medium though...

My 8 month old BP eats a medium rat now. If yours is 11 years old? then he might be hungry!

[Godzilla78]

My 8 month old BP eats a medium rat now. If yours is 11 years old? then he might be hungry!

Medium rat for an 8 month old? That is a bit extreme.

[Skyrivers]

Medium rat for an 8 month old? That is a bit extreme.

She is 800 grams at 8 months.

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[alyssasimons]

Thanks! I will get him a better hide and try to black out the sides. My turtle tank is right next to his, so he might be a little freaked out by her swimming around next him?