Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 2,882

1 members and 2,881 guests
Most users ever online was 6,337, 01-24-2020 at 04:30 AM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,031
Threads: 248,489
Posts: 2,568,440
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, isismomma
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 20 of 20
  1. #11
    Registered User fadingdaylight's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-15-2019
    Location
    Western Arkansas
    Posts
    532
    Thanks
    859
    Thanked 303 Times in 199 Posts
    Images: 42
    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.
    - Jason


    "Why should I fear what others fear? How ridiculous!" - Lao Tzu

  2. #12
    Bogertophis's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-28-2018
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    20,182
    Thanks
    28,081
    Thanked 19,739 Times in 11,797 Posts
    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.
    Last edited by Bogertophis; 06-07-2019 at 02:54 PM.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

  3. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Bogertophis For This Useful Post:

    Craiga 01453 (06-07-2019),fadingdaylight (06-07-2019),Shayne (06-08-2019)

  4. #13
    Banned
    Join Date
    01-27-2017
    Location
    MA, USA
    Posts
    10,560
    Thanks
    14,297
    Thanked 11,072 Times in 5,330 Posts
    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.

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Craiga 01453 For This Useful Post:

    Bogertophis (06-07-2019),fadingdaylight (06-07-2019)

  6. #14
    BPnet Veteran Moose84's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-20-2019
    Posts
    291
    Thanks
    122
    Thanked 268 Times in 137 Posts

    Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python

    Quote Originally Posted by Sonny1318 View Post
    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.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to Moose84 For This Useful Post:

    Sonny1318 (06-07-2019)

  8. #15
    BPnet Veteran MarkL1561's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-31-2015
    Posts
    401
    Thanks
    435
    Thanked 605 Times in 224 Posts

    Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python

    Quote Originally Posted by Sonny1318 View Post
    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 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.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  9. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to MarkL1561 For This Useful Post:

    Bogertophis (06-07-2019),Craiga 01453 (06-07-2019),Kira (06-07-2019),tttaylorrr (06-07-2019)

  10. #16
    Bogertophis's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-28-2018
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    20,182
    Thanks
    28,081
    Thanked 19,739 Times in 11,797 Posts

    Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python

    Quote Originally Posted by MarkL1561 View Post
    A 20 long is not large enough imo. That would be extremely cramped but not my animal 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.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Bogertophis For This Useful Post:

    Craiga 01453 (06-07-2019)

  12. #17
    Banned
    Join Date
    01-27-2017
    Location
    MA, USA
    Posts
    10,560
    Thanks
    14,297
    Thanked 11,072 Times in 5,330 Posts

    Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python

    Quote Originally Posted by MarkL1561 View Post
    A 20 long is not large enough imo. That would be extremely cramped but not my animal 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.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Quote Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    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.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to Craiga 01453 For This Useful Post:

    Bogertophis (06-07-2019)

  14. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    05-27-2019
    Posts
    20
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python

    Quote Originally Posted by MarkL1561 View Post
    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.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    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.

  15. #19
    Banned
    Join Date
    01-27-2017
    Location
    MA, USA
    Posts
    10,560
    Thanks
    14,297
    Thanked 11,072 Times in 5,330 Posts

    Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python

    Quote Originally Posted by Joshwah View Post
    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.

  16. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Craiga 01453 For This Useful Post:

    Bogertophis (06-08-2019),Kira (06-08-2019),tttaylorrr (06-08-2019)

  17. #20
    BPnet Veteran MarkL1561's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-31-2015
    Posts
    401
    Thanks
    435
    Thanked 605 Times in 224 Posts

    Re: How do u tame a extremely defensive python

    Quote Originally Posted by Joshwah View Post
    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


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  18. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to MarkL1561 For This Useful Post:

    Bogertophis (06-08-2019),Craiga 01453 (06-08-2019),gunkle (06-08-2019),tttaylorrr (06-08-2019)

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1