I have a ball python, about 3 years old give or take, that just recently has become a big pain in the butt to handle. Here's the info:

  • Up to this point, I could touch his head, handle him for extended periods of time, he was the tamest snake i've ever had.
  • GREAT feeder. Never had a problem, except over zealousness.
  • Never, ever tagged me.


At his last feeding, I let my older sister feed him. Unfortunatly, he missed and she got tagged. He did get the mouse, and finished it fine. I do feed him in a seperate tank, and I don't handle him 24 hours before or after I feed him. This was 3 days ago. Normal sized meal.

Today. I went in his tank to pick him up, and he striked at me 3 times. He's only done this once before, and that was when he hadn't been fed for two weeks. Not feeling like being tagged, I put on a mitten and picked him up. I had him out on the floor, he was flipping out. He struck the mitten I was wearing, and tried constricting it.

I tried touching his head previous to this, and he acted like I've never so much as touched him before.

All the temps are the same, humidity is fine, feeding schedule is normal. Why is he so suddenly acting like this? As of today, he's the second most vicious snake I've ever handled. (Second, only to one that was kept in a closet for 3 years.)

Any ideas as to why he's acting so peculiar is much appreciated! Thank you!