My Angry Ball Python...Still Angry...Help!

[cschneider]

Hello again. I made a post a week ago about my angry bp. I just purchased him 2 weeks ago and he has a bad attitude. If i even get close to his tank, his neck curves into the S shape ready to strike. He never curls into the normal ball defensive posture unless he is in one of his hid caves. I have been monitoring his temp and humidity and everything looks to be stable. He has hides and 3 sides of the tank are covered. I got some good advice on my last post, so I hope I can get some more. He is young, about 23" long, new owner, new home, and was about to shed last time i posted. He shed 2 days ago and it all came off in one piece, with the exception of one piece about the size of a dime that he later rubbed off and a few flakes around his mouth. I had hoped he would chill out after shedding and maybe eat something, but no luck with either. According to the pet stores last feeding, it has been 3 weeks since he has fed. This sounds awful, but the pet store did offer a 15 day warranty and told me to bring him back if he didn't eat within that time. It's my first bp and i would hate to just exchange him like a t-shirt or pair of shoes. It just doesn't seem fair to the little guy, but i must admit, i have thought about it. Does it usually take more than 2 weeks for a bp to adjust to a new home? I read in a bp manual, i am not supposed to handle him until he eats so he hasn't had much contact with me. Any advice would be much appreciated. Please and thank you!

[MiniJ83]

Youve only had him two weeks, hes gonna be cranky. In all honesty, I wouldnt even get anywhere near him for at least two weeks anyways. Whenever I get a new snake, I live him completely alone except to change water and spot clean. I dont even try to feed. But thats just me.

[JLC]

It can take time. Some babies are just more nervous/skittish than others. He's not "angry"...he's just skittish. You're a huge predatory heat signature in his world. It sounds to me like you're doing a very good job of getting him set up and I believe he's in a good home. I don't think taking him back to the store is necessary, but of course that is ultimately your decision to make. Here's a couple of things I would do if I were in your shoes:

1. I would cover the fourth side of the tank to about 3/4 of the way up. Leave yourself a little window at the top to peek in on him from time to time, but he won't be able to see out and get jittery at the sight of large moving creatures around its home. Leave that covering up until the snake has had a meal or two...and then try taking it down, or even slowly reducing the height of it until it gradually disappears and he gets used to being able to see out.

2. Another trick you might try...you can do WITH the first one, or INSTEAD of the first one...is to fill the enclosure with loosely wadded newspaper. This allows the snake to feel hidden when it's out moving around. Let the paper stay for a week or so and then try feeding a f/t or pre-killed rodent...just lay it on the floor of the enclosure, under the paper and leave it alone. After a couple of meals have been eaten, start to gradually remove the top clumps of paper until eventually it is all gone.

Sounds like you're on the right track! It just takes patience sometimes. Their world moves at a MUCH slower pace than ours does.

[Kaorte]

He sounds a little bit stressed out still. Usually after two weeks they calm down a bit but some can take longer.

3 weeks with no food (even for a baby) is not a huge deal.

From your last thread, it sounds to me like you still have a bit of husbandry to figure out. Can you take a picture of his setup?

[loonunit]

I bought a beautiful baby pewter ball python in August and she kept biting me all the way through January. And then in February she just stopped. Poof! Sweetest snake ever all of a sudden.

I'd let him alone for another week or two, then start handling him every few days with gloves. Don't reward him for striking at you by putting him back in his tank. But don't handle him every day, either.

And do feed him. Sometimes they bite because they're just plain hungry. Feed him until he's done eating.

[cschneider]

Thanks for the advice. I truly don't think i have the heart to take him back. Here is a pick of my set up. I have a heat pad on a timer under the tank and i also have a heat lamp that i use when needed. I have actually been debating on purchasing a larger tank. I don't think the girl at the pet store really gave me the right advice on tank sizes. This one is 20" x 10" x 13". I was thinking of upgrading to a tank around twice the size so i have room to add more hides. I will definitely try the newspaper trick. So, after how many weeks of not eating should i start to worry? From what i have read, young snakes usually eat pretty frequently. He doesn't seem to be losing weight though.

If this image doesn't show up, i will try again. I have never posted an image before lol and this doesn't seem to be working.

[cschneider]

Ah here we go!

[djansen]

First off like others said just let him chill a for a bit. then if you want to handle him either reach in and go palm first so if he strikes he hits your palm then pick him up or cover your hand with a paper towel. alot of times baby snakes bluff and may not even strike. once you get him in your hand he should chill out and you can start to handle him for a bit, gradually more as he calms down.

and the tank size should be ok for now, to much space and they can freak out.

[vjb]

Start with some light leather gloves, this will help you from being afraid of a love tap. If he strikes, just keep at it and don't let it dissuade you from picking him up. Otherwise he'll learn that striking will cause you to leave him alone.
Above all, be gently and go slowly. No sudden movements.
Let us know how it goes.

[cschneider]

Will do! Thanks for all the advice once again. I'm definitely a beginner at all of this and this website has helped out a lot! One day, maybe I'll be the one giving advice lol.

Thanks again!!!!!!