feeding help

[JUNKyardHOE]

I guess i wasn't clear enough... he strikes at me before he eats when I am moving him to the feeding box... after he eats he is very docile and just wants back in his cage

[Danounet]

Well to me that sounds to me like common sence for "dont move me around."

[JUNKyardHOE]

Well to me that sounds to me like common sence for "dont move me around."

well that sounds a little condescending... and why would an animal that has hooked teeth used for grappling strike at something it doesn't want near it?

I have been moving him to feed him since I got him and he only recently ( the last month or so) started getting aggressive before feeding

[Kaorte]

Sounds like a strong feeding response rather then "aggression". I never mess with my snakes on feeding day because they are very hungry and will look at everything like it is food (including me).

Try feeding your snake in the home enclosure. You might find that it is easier and then there is no risk of the snake biting you.


Ball pythons do bite and strike defensively. They bite quick and let go. Striking and coiling would be if they wanted to eat what they were striking at.

[Danounet]

Just like people, animals grow up and change in personality too. If thats not working out for you and him/her anymore, it doesnt hurt to try it.

[JUNKyardHOE]

thanks for all the help guys I will try feeding him in his tank

[Lazarus09]

well the main reason I don't feed him in his main cage is because I read somwhere that they can swollow some of the substrate and choke on it or something...

I know what you are talking about. When I had my red-tail boa, sometimes the substrate would get stuck to the rat, but it never seemed to be a problem for her, she usually got it out on her own and didn't swallow it. A couple of times I just used the blunt end of a pen to help get it out of her mouth, or off the rat before she swallowed it. To solve this, I began holding the rat by the tail until she took it (they were live). Another option if you don't want to dangle it is to get a pair of tongs and do it that way.