New to the forum! Couple of questions.

[jammers13]

Hey guys and happy late New Year! Very excited to have found this forum and from I've seen so far it seems like just the place I need to be.
I got my BP about 3 months ago and he and I are very happy campers.

He seems to be doing fine but lately he's been getting into the S-Shape striking position when I go in the cage to fix things/mist/add water/scoop poo..etc, not the usual "ball" position. Im never moving fast and before I do anything ill just stick my hand in and leave it on the bedding in hopes that he smells me and not food.

I have been holding him about once a week since I've got him, but lately (2 weeks now) he has that "don't you dare touch me you silly human" look and its kinda concerning. Ive been bit once, I expect to get bit, and I'm not scared to get bit. Ive also been snapped at twice too, it wasn't a strike, just a half speed head turn mouth open (both were around a shed so I thought that may have been why).

Anyway any ideas why he's doing that all of a sudden, should I just not worry and continue to do my thing?





Thanks guys
-Jim

[Borgpython]

In my opinion it could be a number of things.
1. He could just be startled every time you open up the cage
2. Could be husbandry related issue causing the snake to be stressed out all the time. Make sure temps and humidity are proper, etc.
3. Maybe you have a scent of a predator? have a cat maybe? lol
4. The fact that you even think about him striking or are concerned about it means there is some level of hesitation in you and while holding the snake it can indeed sense this and will stress him out. When you go to handle the snake dont even hesitate, dont show any fear, just pure calmness even when the snake seems defensive. It'l eventually sense that you're cool and it'l probably be more relaxed.
5. Could just be near shed?
6. Or its just his attitude plain and simple. Some snakes are just like that and some grow out of it with constant handling but older ones dont unfortunately.

At your pic though. That does not look like strike position, strike position the snake would be elevated a bit. Looks more like cautious there. Not scared though, it would have balled up if that was the case lol.

I say dont worry about it too much. If the snake is eating and shedding fine and no signs of any injury or RI then he/she is probably just fine.