BP only aggressive at night!

[bryannburnns]

I got a BP about three weeks ago and let him get acclimated before feeding/handling. However, during the day he is pretty nice, still a little testy, but nothing out of the ordinary. But when night rolls around, even with the lights on in the house, he gets in a striking position upwards towards the screen top, even if there is no one near the cage and will strike if you leave your hand over the screen long enough. Its like a Jekyll and Hyde scenario...very strange.

He is a smidge over 3 feet long. His tank is a 25 gallon long tank, two hides (one is a half log over heating pads kept near 90 degrees, and the other is a big Tupperware container with a hole cut in the lid and half full of clean water, which he loves soaking in, kept at room temperature-ish) there is aspen bedding with a climbing log....

One of my possible solutions is that i don't have a day light, or a red night lamp. I have a buddy who has neither and his BP is awesome, but i do understand that all BP's have different attitudes.

Any suggestions or similar situations?!?!

[GoBoilers]

How often and what do you feed him? More often than not, an overly aggressive response is simply due to a hungry snake!

[bryannburnns]

When i got him, the old owner said i should feed him within the following days because it had been over a week and a half since the last feeding. I fed him a large mouse, which i thought was too small, on the fourth or fifth day. I didn't feed him again after about 11-12 days, because of the acclimation period. But, when i did, it was a small adult rat (which was at least double the size, or more, of his first meal with me) because i was going off the girth size. However, when i take him out during the day he acts like a snake that explores his surroundings and is very responsive of his non-hostile environment. However, as soon as the sun goes down, he comes out of his hides and defends his "land" with complete ferocity and determination. I respect his natural instinct to protect his home, but I don't understand why this "pride" of his only comes through when the sun goes down.

[j_h_smith]

I believe it's a feeding response. He's hungry and wants to eat. Give him a meal every 5 days, let him get caught up on his meals and you'll probably see a difference in his night time activities.

I might also suggest going to a small rat. At 3 feet the snake could possibly be ready for the size increase.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[Kaorte]

I would change his hides as soon as possible. The half log hide is not suitable for a ball python, they are just too open and offer no security to the snake. Ball pythons aren't really the soaking type so offering him a soaking hide really is not necessary. Probably the reason he prefers it is because the water touches him on all sides and makes him feel more secure.

I personally would stay away from water filled hides just because there is a chance that the snake could drown itself.

The next idea would be to get some tight fitting "rock cave" type hides. You don't need to buy the expensive pet store ones though. I find that opaque plastic bowls from the dollar store work just as well. I just cut a small entrance in the front and they are good to go!

If your snake doesn't feel safe in his home, he will probably be scared of you. He is not being "aggressive" though, he is being defensive. You are a big scary monster to him!! He might be more mellow during the day because bps are nocturnal and sleep during the day.

[steveboos]

I would change his hides as soon as possible. The half log hide is not suitable for a ball python, they are just too open and offer no security to the snake. Ball pythons aren't really the soaking type so offering him a soaking hide really is not necessary. Probably the reason he prefers it is because the water touches him on all sides and makes him feel more secure.

I personally would stay away from water filled hides just because there is a chance that the snake could drown itself.

The next idea would be to get some tight fitting "rock cave" type hides. You don't need to buy the expensive pet store ones though. I find that opaque plastic bowls from the dollar store work just as well. I just cut a small entrance in the front and they are good to go!

If your snake doesn't feel safe in his home, he will probably be scared of you. He is not being "aggressive" though, he is being defensive. You are a big scary monster to him!! He might be more mellow during the day because bps are nocturnal and sleep during the day.

Exactly.

[dsirkle]

I would never consider a bp that I have only had for 3 weeks as acclimated. I would consider that as spanking brand new. You have already been bothering him. Just leave him alone and let him settle in. Resist the temptation to pick him up.

[bryannburnns]

Alright, I will try to feed him more, I figured he was in "hunt" mode, due to them being nocturnal. And, I will get the type of dollar store hide you were talking about (that is a great money saving idea). I appreciate everyone's advice!

[BPelizabeth]

I have to agree with everyone.....11 to 12 days in between feeding is way too long to offer food.

Being a new owner.....you might want to take a look at the care sheet on the forum as well. It has lots of great info!!

[Flawless]

I have to agree with everyone.....11 to 12 days in between feeding is way too long to offer food.

Being a new owner.....you might want to take a look at the care sheet on the forum as well. It has lots of great info!!

X2
Congratz on your new 'Ball' try feeding it every 5-7 days...see how that works