Aggressive Mojave.... How to tame him a bit...

[JLC]

He is in shelf setup. We started him along with others with a heating pad and was quickly instructed by the shop/breeder I got my FM Mojave from to NEVER EVER put a snake on a heat pad....

An unregulated heating pad can absolutely get too hot. However, to say "never ever" use one is ridiculous. You just need to be sure you have a reliable and accurate thermostat to hook it up to, so it maintains the temps you want it to.

[devildog_dk]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

That will have everything you need to know for now, and you can trust it's good info.

[Quikcobra]

Just a little up date for others or future refference for someone in the same situation. I recently have picked up some other snakes that could no longer be cared for by their owner for financial reasons. So I've been busy with everything and making another rack setup. But I have kept trying to handle him. As usual just take it easy let him do the moving. I have noticed He does not like movement. He will climb up my arms and such like my other BP's. Acts normal to me for a while (First 15 min. or so after coming out of his "home"). But if anyone else is in the room with me, He strikes towards them (Terrible aiming on this guy, even with food). I guess he just gave up on me, So I tried lastnight to see how he would do with another snake and no one else in the room but me. I laid him on one side (He is 560 grams) Then one of the Females I picked up 4 days ago (1900 grams) They didnt move for a few minutes. Then she started moving his way, She got about a foot away and he struck her, And wrapped up. I immeduately grabbed his tail and lifted up, He wasnt bitting anymore, But he did hit her.

So now my huge concern is how to get him used to other snakes, And by this breeding season. I have a few ways in mind. I need to do some more research since I dont want the Females stressed and not breed this year BC of it. I was worried that he could put off his aggression but I was told that is not true. Its just a fluke to get that 1 out of 1,000,000 BP's that are like this. So if you have tips? Have been threw this before? and have the magical cure? Just post it up. I will put our porgress, Im sure alot of others could use this also. I have seen & heard a few people with these type of issues.

Nw so its not asked again... He has a hide just big enough for him to fit in on each side of the cage, he is heated in a rack system with back heat, he stays 88-94 during the day, and roughyl the same at night for now. He eats 3-6 days, And never turns down a meal, Fed small rats, It is a low traffic area, He has a water dish but he is not a soaker.

[Giftbearer]

Did you ask the breeder whether he was like this when he was with him? If not, that might be good to ask him now.

I've noticed while looking around online for Ball Pythons that many breeders don't say anything about each animal's temperment. Alot of times they seem to focus more on how the animal looks and whether it's a good eater. I really wish they would give that info about the snake's personality in the written descriptions they show online, so that people know up-front if there are any potential problems. It's no fun to have a pet that you can't handle without it trying to bite you.

I also have often wondered whether in-breeding produces aggressive snakes. Some breeders openly admit that they breed mother to son, etc. I know that in other animals that is not considered a good idea and has been associated with behavioral problems/aggression as well as risk of physical anomolies.

You might also want to ask about its breeding if you talk to the breeder.

[Giftbearer]

Would be interested to know what you find out.

[Mike41793]

Would be interested to know what you find out.

This thread is like 5 months old lol. He might not get back to you.