I have owned a Boelens python ever since she was 3 months old and now she is 8ft in length, 4.5 years old. Up until now, she was the friendliest python I ever owned/handled. Last year I lost my 12 year old Rottweiler, but while she was alive I never had a issue with the python. I would occasionally take out the python and let them smell each other while the python was in my hands. I would also let the python cruise around the room while the canine would eat a bone under close supervision. Again there was never an issue, they seemed to have no interest in each other. Also the scent of the canine was always present throughout the house and never bothered the python.

Well, last month I got a new Rottweiler puppy and ever since she got to the house the python has been acting aggressive. For example, I had my shorts on the floor that had the puppies scent on them and when I let the python out for exercise, she coiled up in the shorts. No, the puppy was not in the room, just my shorts with the puppies scent on them. When I went to pick her up she was stiff, the way snakes get when they become defensive. I had the puppy now for one month and wash my hands and arms every time I go to handle the python, but the scent is throughout the house and will always will be now. I know she smells the puppy on things still no matter how much I wash my hands and arms.

Last night I had the puppy in my room for the first time. I had her in my bed laying in my covers and walking around the floor. BTW, the python does not live in my bedroom, she has her own room and so does the puppy. Anyway, I put the puppy away for the night, washed up and took the python out into my bedroom. She was fine, cruising around my bedroom floor and even on my bed in the same covers the puppy was laying on. Now, I don't recommend this, but due to my situation I let the python crash in my bedroom with the door closed. My bedroom is safe for the python, she can't get into any trouble. I only did this because she is 8ft long and is currently housed in only a 2ft tall x 4ft wide x 2ft deep enclosure. Before you judge me, I have been working on her 4ft tall x 8ft wide x 4ft deep enclosure for years now. I have spent thousands of dollars on it, but continue to have issues with lost and/or damaged materials from companies. I just lost $1000 worth of hardware from a plating company. The cage will be completed in a few months and since my bedroom temps were right I thought I would let her crash in my room. I have done this once before, last week without any issues. She hangs out/goes to sleep in a coiled position on the floor, right next to the head of my bed, between my bed and my nightstand. She stays there throughout the whole night.

I woke up at 7am this morning and the python was still in the same exact spot between my bed and night stand. I simply and SLOWLY lowed my hand down from my bed, about 1.5ft from the pythons face (I was still laying down, just opened my eyes) to let her know I was there and she lunged and bit me on the hand. She bit me, clamped down and started to coil around my hand. I knew not to panic and just let her do her thing without applying any force. I got up from bed and started heading to the bathroom, I was just about to turn the cold shower on but she let go herself. What a way to wake up, there was blood everywhere!

Why did she bite me? I cant see how I spooked her in anyway nor did I smell like a rat. (I don't think she even flicked her tongue to smell my hand when I very SLOWLY lowered it down to her level, she just went for it.)

Why has she been acting so on edge since the new puppy has arrived, especially since I had another canine in the house before with out any issues?

I'm really scratching my head with this one and need some advise to make the python not feel threatened. I'm not sure if its because she knows a new animal is in the house but doesn't know what it is or what. I'm too afraid to introduce the python to the puppy, I would be afraid that she would attack her or me again. Either way, we all need to get along and I need some help. BTW, do I need a tetanus shot for the bite?