Curious, Striking BP.

[DJ_Bizarre]

So I went to a petco today just to stop in and decided to check out some of the BPs. The guy who worked there pulled 3 of them out from under the hide and untangled them and right then I was like well they are going to be pissed. I held one that looked like it wanted to strike alone with the one he was holding and when I moved my other hand a little to close (not at all on purpose, I was just moving my hand) it caught my thumb really well. It hurt for like a half second but it was startling. Just figured I would share that lol

[PurplePython]

So I went to a petco today just to stop in and decided to check out some of the BPs. The guy who worked there pulled 3 of them out from under the hide and untangled them and right then I was like well they are going to be pissed. I held one that looked like it wanted to strike alone with the one he was holding and when I moved my other hand a little to close (not at all on purpose, I was just moving my hand) it caught my thumb really well. It hurt for like a half second but it was startling. Just figured I would share that lol

lol, if I was a BP from petco, I would be pretty mad at all times also. The one around my area treats animals like crap.... seriously. Every big pet store around here does, it's the actuall breeders that take good care of their animals.

Anyways, to answer the OP's questions -

As long as you feed it right sized meals (10-15% of your nakes weight), and gave it at least 7 days in his enclosure, he should be pretty calm by now. I do know of some BP's that are just mean little dudes though. You might have some bad luck and picked up a little bully haha

I hope he dosnt strike again though. I am sure it was just a 1 time thing because he is a newer addition.

Good luck

[rabernet]

Joey, are you sure he said hoppers? I'm pretty sure she wasn't being fed mice hoppers - perhaps the equivalent age stage in rats - but she can easily take adult mice - but I'm pretty sure Justin is feeding rats to that age snake, so try to get her a nice sized rat pup. If you just fed her a mouse hopper, than she is probably pretty hungry.

I did see her when you got her, and a mouse hopper is what I start newborn hatchlings on - by 8 months they're on to small rats.

[Seru1]

Joey, are you sure he said hoppers? I'm pretty sure she wasn't being fed mice hoppers - perhaps the equivalent age stage in rats - but she can easily take adult mice - but I'm pretty sure Justin is feeding rats to that age snake, so try to get her a nice sized rat pup. If you just fed her a mouse hopper, than she is probably pretty hungry.

I did see her when you got her, and a mouse hopper is what I start newborn hatchlings on - by 8 months they're on to small rats.

I went over and showed him the mice before I bought them to make sure even.


Maybe I offer her two tonight for feeding time Robin? I could pick up some rat pups tuesday when I go into down for work. Though if you think it's more pressing I will go today, I just wonder if Petsmart is open on easter.

[rabernet]

I went over and showed him the mice before I bought them to make sure even.


Maybe I offer her two tonight for feeding time Robin? I could pick up some rat pups tuesday when I go into down for work. Though if you think it's more pressing I will go today, I just wonder if Petsmart is open on easter.

OK, those probably weren't hopper mice then. Petsmart won't sell Rat Pups, and Petsmart doesn't sell feeders.

If Justin looked at what you were going to offer and said it was fine, then that should be fine - I think that your description of them as hoppers is what threw me off (those are babies that aren't weaned yet).

[Seru1]

OK, those probably weren't hopper mice then. Petsmart won't sell Rat Pups, and Petsmart doesn't sell feeders.

If Justin looked at what you were going to offer and said it was fine, then that should be fine - I think that your description of them as hoppers is what threw me off (those are babies that aren't weaned yet).

Oh okay, the woman selling f/t's called them hoppers so I was parroting her. Still should I offer two? I could snap a photo of the mouse tonight.

The petsmart I went to said they had f/t's

[j_h_smith]

lol, if I was a BP from petco, I would be pretty mad at all times also. The one around my area treats animals like crap.... seriously. Every big pet store around here does, it's the actuall breeders that take good care of their animals.

Anyways, to answer the OP's questions -

As long as you feed it right sized meals (10-15% of your nakes weight), and gave it at least 7 days in his enclosure, he should be pretty calm by now. I do know of some BP's that are just mean little dudes though. You might have some bad luck and picked up a little bully haha

I hope he dosnt strike again though. I am sure it was just a 1 time thing because he is a newer addition.

Good luck

Nippy, angry little ball pythons are normal. They usually outgrow this if handled and cared for properly. Many of the Petco/Petsmart animals aren't, and that's why they tend to be that way for some time after they're sold. As an owner, it's up to you to calm down the little guy. Do this by holding him regularly, feeding him on a schedule. Give them a good hide, proper heat and a scure enclosure.

He'll become a cuddle buddy in no time.

Good Luck!
Jim Smtih

[Kaorte]

Petsmart does sell f/t feeders, which is what the OP seems to be using.

If you really do have hopper mice, they are going to be too small. Do you have a gram scale? Or could you take a picture of the mouse next to some common object (or ruler) for scale?

[rabernet]

Nippy, angry little ball pythons are normal. They usually outgrow this if handled and cared for properly. Many of the Petco/Petsmart animals aren't, and that's why they tend to be that way for some time after they're sold. As an owner, it's up to you to calm down the little guy. Do this by holding him regularly, feeding him on a schedule. Give them a good hide, proper heat and a scure enclosure.

He'll become a cuddle buddy in no time.

Good Luck!
Jim Smtih

I personally don't find that the level of handling directly effects the level of calmness of a snake - I find that age does, however. I've held a very calm adult wild caught snake that before capture hadn't ever been handled.

He didn't get this snake from Petco/Petsmart.

Joey - next feeding offer her one - if she eats it, you can try to offer a second. Did Justin say if she'd ever fed on f/t? Or is that what you bought at the show?

[Seru1]

I bought the mice at the show. I wanna say he told me she fed live before but that may not be right. She ate the f/t last week though overnight. I'd rather keep her on f/t personally.

When I thaw it tonight I'll take a picture of it by a measuring tape. Sadly I have no scale.


I'll probably thaw two just to see if she wants seconds.


Edit: Probably have to find a scource around here for f/t's soon.