New BP handling

[Gene Collins]

So today I checked inside Clyde's warm hide for urine/poo and after I scooped it out I figured I would hold him for a bit. I was sitting in my computer chair with him balled up in my hand and I turned away to look at the TV and out of the corner of my eye I saw him leap towards me...nearly out of my hand. So I set him my bed and he just sat there not moving. I stood up from my chair and he took another leap at me. After that I just put him back in his enclosure and left him alone. Is this normal in the early stages? I see people always comment on how docile BPs are and how they almost never strike at you. He did just eat a large meal Friday...could this have anything to do with it? If so what's a good way to handle him regularly when he is on a 7 day feeding schedule without messing with digestion etc.?

Thanks to everyone for all the awesome feedback. It's great to know I have good resources in my BP owner adventures!

[The Serpent Merchant]

Most aren't that jumpy, but some are. If your cage temps/ humidity, hides, and feeding aren't right that could cause him to be jumpy. Further if he is new/recently had a major cage change he might be stressed out from that.

So make sure everything is good, if so then you might just have a high strung BP. Most will calm down in time.

[Daybreaker]

How long have you had him? What are you housing him in and what are his temps? Sounds like defensive striking, like he's stressed or nervous.

[Gene Collins]

he stays in his warm hide which stays around 91-92 in the day and around 88 at night. He's in a 20 gallon long tank with warm hide and cool hide. Aspen substrate. I have only had him 3 weeks now

[HerpsForDerps]

Most likely the 20 gallon long is making him feel insecure because it's too large for him if he's still young. The hides could also be a bit large since they tend to like them to have a relatively snug fit. You could add some clutter such as balled newspaper in there to not make the open space feel so daunting for him. Good luck .