Aggression Problems

[cconlan22]

So I've only had my BP for about 3 months and he just started showing signs of aggression.
I took him out a week ago and he was really sweet and friendly but after putting him away my husband came in the room and he aggressively struck the glass twice.
He hadn't shown any signs of aggression before and I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem?

[Jellybeans]

No I havnt. How old is he?

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[cconlan22]

He's 5 months old.

[Bogertophis]

It's not "aggression"...it's "self-defense"...he was afraid. Snakes don't see well, & a figure coming toward them that they cannot identify thru either scent or
touch (they do not recognize us visually) suggests a predator heading toward them. Since even captive-bred snakes are still "wild" animals (relying on their
instincts) your snake acted in survival mode. Try to remember to identify yourself when approaching using scent &/or touch and you'll have a calmer pet.
It's not a "problem"...his reaction was normal snake behavior.

[cconlan22]

My bad i should've been more clear, there were no quick movements when putting him away or coming in the room.
It was only after my husband kissed me that he struck the glass (we were not moving when he struck)

Also how do i identify myself by touch or smell when the cage is closed?

[Bogertophis]

My bad i should've been more clear, there were no quick movements when putting him away or coming in the room.
It was only after my husband kissed me that he struck the glass (we were not moving when he struck)

Also how do i identify myself by touch or smell when the cage is closed?

I guess you just have a jealous snake...

Seriously, you can blow some air across your hand thru the cage vents toward the snake so his flicking tongue can pick up your scent.

Your snake was calm when you were handling it, right? He knew you by your scent & touch...but when you put him down (in cage) he no longer
recognized you once you were out of reach for scent & touch. Then your husband came in...the scary "blur" got even bigger... You have to
learn to think like a snake.

Doesn't require quick movements to scare a snake...just a big blurry shadow near enough to be a predator can do it. Don't take it personal...but
the more you remember to communicate as much as possible using a snake's best senses, the calmer pet you're likely to have. (I've been at this
"a while"...)

[cconlan22]

lol thats really a thing?

and awesome! thanks for the advice! this little guy is my first

[Bogertophis]

Let's just say I've turned a LOT of snakes into friendly pets, like for decades. I've hung around so many snakes that I have to remind myself to chew my food...

[cconlan22]

lol Would it be beneficial to put something small that smells like in the cage?
Also I'm having a problem keeping the temperature up, he has a heating pad and 2 lights (1 day bulb 1 UVB) and its staying right around 70 degrees. I'm not sure what else to do to maintain temp.

[Bogertophis]

lol Would it be beneficial to put something small that smells like in the cage?
Also I'm having a problem keeping the temperature up, he has a heating pad and 2 lights (1 day bulb 1 UVB) and its staying right around 70 degrees. I'm not sure what else to do to maintain temp.

You can try that (putting a worn shirt with your scent in cage)...some ppl have done that, dunno how much it helps though & your snake might take a dump on it.
Any cloth in a cage is a risky when you feed your snake also: if they catch their teeth on it, it can get swallowed along with the food, requiring expensive surgery
to safe their life, because snakes cannot digest clothing. A snake will learn your scent just from when you handle them.

You need to fix your cage temps. A.S.A.P. if you want your BP to stay healthy. 70* is too cool, the coolest side of cage should be about 80*, and the warmest part
should be about 90*. This is a glass tank? You can insulate the glass, for one thing. I HOPE your heating pad is controlled by a thermostat...snakes (especially BPs)
can suffer thermal burns trying to stay warm enough...they don't seem to know when it's "too much, or too long" on a heat source. Keeping the cage in a warmer
location (a warmer room?) can help too, but never where sunlight shines directly on it thru a window. Burns are serious, very painful & can be fatal for a snake, so
please get your cage properly warm enough.