Adopting new b.p - agressive

[JUNIOR]

I am aquiring another ball python about 2 years old. he is told to me to be agressive will strike at glass when you walk past, hasnt been handled in awhile and would like to know what or how i should handle him. the owner wants to let him go outside or kill it and i would rather work with him than see it go. just looking for best way to handle him and get him to calm down some, thanks in advance.

[Vypyrz]

First, make sure the enclosure and temps/humidity are all spot on. Leave him alone for a week or so, then feed him an appropriately size meal. His aggressiveness may be coming from under-feeding. If he is still agressive after getting him on feed, then regular handling should calm him down some. If he is constantly striking whenever you try to get them out then you may need to use a hook or wear leather gloves until he gets used to you and realizes that you are not a threat. I glad you are taking him in instead of leaving him with his current owner...

[JUNIOR]

he is going in my snakes old tank still have the uth and heat lamp, only problem i have is my humidity. i have a big water bowl in the tank, and a smaller one to try and bring it up . the temps are good but low humidity. i dont use substrate i use the repti-carpet. i tried covering some of the top and that doesnt work for me. just wondering what to now

[stratus_020202]

If you are using a screen top try covering most of it with a towel. Just dampen the towel with a spray bottle when you need to bring up the humidity. Just remember to change the towel often, and watch out for mold. It's easy to get, and not good for the snake's.

You can also add some damp moss around the tank to up that humidity. If you need to heat lamp keep it, if not get rid of it. They dont need a lamp unless you are having trouble keeping your ambient temps between 75 and 80.

[loonunit]

Yeah, give him a week to settle in, stuff him full of food, and then handle him with gloves. BP bites aren't much, but enough of them all at once can make you angry.

[JUNIOR]

ok, thanks for all the help. going to pick it up on sunday so we shall see how this adventure will turn out.

[DeadLegs]

In addition to the above, I would also nix the heat lamp as well. I've often read that they only make it harder to keep humidity up. Good luck, keep us posted on your progress!

[JUNIOR]

my set up now for my snake is a 40 breeder with a large uth and a 100 watt red light, that keeps the temps just right should or could i put a smaller uth on the cool side to keep the temps up. with out the light on its to cold and just right with the light

[DeadLegs]

my set up now for my snake is a 40 breeder with a large uth and a 100 watt red light, that keeps the temps just right should or could i put a smaller uth on the cool side to keep the temps up. with out the light on its to cold and just right with the light

What are your temps in the cage? I would possibly think of getting a more powerful UTH or turn it up a little if you've got it on a thermostat.

what are you using for substrate? I've experienced that this can affect how well temps are held also.

[JUNIOR]

my set up now for my snake is a 40 breeder with a large uth and a 100 watt red light, that keeps the temps just right should or could i put a smaller uth on the cool side to keep the temps up. with out the light on its to cold and just right with the light