Cage neglected python, what to do?

[satomi325]

How's your set up?
Balls don't strike for no reason. Are you sure he's being aggressive and not defensive? Aside from the hand thing, does his enclosure have enough security? Is he hungry? These could also be related to striking.

Personally, I only handle my snakes during cleaning time. Sometimes other rare occasions. They don't like being held, just simply tolerate it. Never had any of my snakes strike, be aggressive, or act 'unsocialized'.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[SlitherinSisters]

Mine really only get handled for cleaning. Some can be a little twitchy or head shy, but that's pretty normal. I also have some that are extremely tame and will lay in your lap for hours, even though they are only handled once a week for a few seconds. Those few snakes are the ones I pull out if someone just wants to hold a snake, so they do get some experience a few times a year I guess.

As for what to do. Once the snake is settled and eating you can take it out and handle it whenever you want. If you are scared of being bit you can always wear gloves till the snake settles down. It's better to wear gloves and be comfortable holding the snake, than to drop the snake if it startles you.

[CheshireCat]

Hey all,

Thanks for the great advice. As far as the cage set-up, Maxim is in a 60 gal. tank, has a large heat rock, a big woven basket hide, a large water bowl for soaking in, and a large branch. His last owner said she fed him a small rat on the 18th, and I'm not sure how often a large fellow like him needs to eat. So, is that cause for being defensive? Is he just hungry?

[Rickys_Reptiles]

ahhh....remove the heat rock!!!

[CheshireCat]

How come? The way the top of his tank is right now, in disrepair(it came that way) I can't put up a heat lamp. =( What is suggested?

[Rickys_Reptiles]

How come? The way the top of his tank is right now, in disrepair(it came that way) I can't put up a heat lamp. =( What is suggested?

This is an old video I made, it should be helpful

[carlson]

How come? The way the top of his tank is right now, in disrepair(it came that way) I can't put up a heat lamp. =( What is suggested?

They can cause sever burns. Buy a UTH they make ones that will stick on the bottom of the cage. . On the outside of the cage so the snake cant come into contact. Also buy a thermostat take the prob for that an stuff it between the cage and the uth, it will keep it from over heating. Tinker with the heat until you reach the hot spot you want, easist way I find to check is one of the temp guns. But if you dont have one or break them all the time like me digital thermometers on the hot an cold will help you get everything dialed in.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

[UltraViolet]

This is an old video I made, it should be helpful

The very VERY best part of this video is watching the snake cruise around its enclosure.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

The very VERY best part of this video is watching the snake cruise around its enclosure.

Yeah, its a pretty dull video, lol! I'm not much of an actor. That was Molly, a bumblebee...she's a beauty!

[MarkS]

Hi all,

Now, when I first met him, I put my hand in the cage for a moment, about 8 inches away from him to let him smell me, and after a few seconds, he struck and got me pretty good.

Well, don't let him sniff you, he's not a dog. What he probably saw with his heat pits when you stuck your hand in front of his face was was a small warm object about the size of a rat. Hmmm, must be food.

I don't handle most of my snakes often either, I have too many of them. When I do pick them up, I open the cage and immediately grab them around the middle and lift them up. If necessary you can use a hook or other object to keep their head away. Generally when they're out of the cage and they realize their not getting fed, they will calm right down.