Royal Ball Python stikes at everything HELP!

[ChrisinNH]

My royal ball python strikes at everything that comes near him, mainly my hand when i'm cleaning the enclouser. The temps on the hot side 96 degrees and on the cool side 75 degrees. He's 2ft long and 8 months old, he's been eating one adult mouse per week (the ASF rats just had babies so he will be on those very soon). Does he need bigger prey?

thanks for the help
Chris

[Black_Shark]

Hmmm... First off I would say that the temps are off. The Hot side needs to be 90-92 and the cool side ~80 degrees. Below 78 increases the chances of an RI (Respiratory Infection).

When it comes to prey, my rule of thumb is to feed a prey item NO LARGER than the girth of the snake. Others use weight as a measurement and i'm sure someone here with more exp. in that regard will explain that feeding method.

As for the striking, did you just get this BP? If so, you need to leave it alone for at least 1 week before feeding or handling it to let it adjust to its new home. If its not a recent acquisition, then I would say that the snake is scared and/or stressed. do you have at least 2 hides? 1 for the cool and hot side? Is the snake in a dark, low traffic area? How are you heating the enclosure? Substrate? Anything you could tell us in regards to its living situation would be great!

[sarahlovesmiike]

1. Drop his hot side a few degrees,
2. Up his cool side a few degrees,
3. Give him multiple mice or larger prey



Does he have secure hides?

[iCandiBallPythons]

Many times repeated striking can be associated with insecurity can you give us a full rundown on your setup pics are nice to

[BPelizabeth]

be sure to have 2 of the same hides one on the warm side and one on the cool side. Make sure that he is nothing bigger than a 20 gallon for his side. Also for his age it sounds like you are underfeeding. My snakes that age are taking very large adult mice. (my supplier gives me old breeder mice that have gotten too fat to breed) You should be feeding something that is approx the size of the largest girth of the snake. I personally offer one and they will take it and then I offer another one....if they want it great if not that is fine too.

Also I agree totally with everyone else on the temps too high on the warm side and a smidge to cool on the cool side.