Our new BP (9mths?) seems stressed/frightened - help a newbie out

[cpodraza]

Before I start another thread, I'll bump this up and ask here and see what I get. So Sheldon has been home now for 8 days. We've kept the cage private and not bothered him much at all. Theres movement around the cage at night when I turn the other light on and when I put fresh water in there, but not much else. The towel is still covering the front. Last night I offered him food...a rat pup (f/t) which he ate like a champ. Today I had to remove some feces and fix the water bowl and he struck at me several times. I did it as fast as I could so as not to bother him.

So do we still keep him on complete privacy? No handling? I know since he just ate he should be left alone for a day or 2, but this just seems so frustrating. I'm nor worried that I should have got a younger snake rather than one this old already.

Thanks for the input.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I would keep him in privacy until he gets 3 consecutive meals in him.

Why are you worried about his age?

[cpodraza]

Not that its the same, but we had our corns since they were older hatchlings and have handled them all the time. I wondered if this guy wasnt handled at all if that would make him less likely to be docile. One of the reasons I agreed to a BP was because from everything I've read, they make excellent pets. I'm not as familiar with their nature as I am with corn snakes, so I'm a bit apprehensive with this guy. My daughter has wanted a much younger snake and I convinced her to get an older one that was already eating well.

I dont have any other place to put his enclosure other than where its at and although its quite and gets little foot traffic - my daughter is in there so theres movement, sounds, etc. As I mentioned - we just dont want to do the wrong thing.

[The Serpent Merchant]

If he ate for you, then things are going well. Trust me when I say that if anything is wrong a BP is very likely to show no interest in eating at all.

BP's tend to be nervous when they are brought into a new place.... once he eats 3 meals, start handling him every other day for 10 minutes at a time. even if he is aggressive now he should tame down 7-9 months old really isn't old at all as far as BP's go. Be confident when working with him, hesitating only gives them more time to bite you. Give him a month or so, I bet he will settle down and you will learn to love him.

[cpodraza]

Sounds ok by me... I was actually quite pleased that he ate so well. I wondered if his stress level would keep him from taking it, but he really took it quickly.

Hes back in "isolation" now with the towel covering the enclosure. I peek in only to check the temps/humidity and fill the water. And it was today I noticed the rather large poop... so at least everything seems ok health-wise.

Is feeding on a weekly schedule ok for this age? The striking wouldnt have anything to do with hunger would it?

[MeinDraco]

He will be just fine...agree that if he is eating, he likes his enviornment. Don't over think it. Less is more. Our first BP was handled every day for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night. all day we left him alone. Hides are very important! get one that is just big enough for him to fit in. not too big. They like to feel the sides touching them. our BP is very friendly now. we can touch his head, look in his mouth, basically anything we want and he is fine with it. 14 BP's later, he is still the friendliest. They all have their own personalities too. some like to be handled and some don't.

We have a Pastel girl that insists on coming out every night by pushing on the front of her tub. we take her out and she just chills on our lap for hours. others are like "screw you I am stayin' in the tub!"

That is why you have to collect them all!

[The Serpent Merchant]

Sounds ok by me... I was actually quite pleased that he ate so well. I wondered if his stress level would keep him from taking it, but he really took it quickly.

Hes back in "isolation" now with the towel covering the enclosure. I peek in only to check the temps/humidity and fill the water. And it was today I noticed the rather large poop... so at least everything seems ok health-wise.

Is feeding on a weekly schedule ok for this age? The striking wouldnt have anything to do with hunger would it?

I feed mine every 4 days until they get up to 500-600 grams. then I move them to an 8 day feeding schedule. 7 days is fine if that is what you want to do, no problem at all.

[MeinDraco]

"Is feeding on a weekly schedule ok for this age? The striking wouldnt have anything to do with hunger would it?

Yes and No...Yes once a week is good. it's best for consistency to pick a day and time. We pick Saturday night. If they refuse, don't offer again until next Saturday night. Keep records of feeds and refuses on a note card. sheds and poops and weight too if you want. whether you mark it on a calendar or a note card you should keep track of meals for your sake and for the snake.

No, the striking isn't hunger. it's defense/fear. once they get on a consistent schedule, that should calm down. consistency is key...temps, humidity, bedding, feeding etc... Consistency=Happy BP's

[Becs080]

Just to ease your mind a little, I've bought hatchlings, yearlings, adults and with proper care, they all settle down with time. That's the great thing about BP's and even if they're a bit nippy and defensive, their bites are comparable to a mosquito bite so don't worry about getting tagged a few times. Generally, younger balls are defensive and when they haven't been handled much or they've recently been re-homed, they're even more defensive. You're a threat right now and anyone or anything that goes near your snakes cage is a threat. I have a yearling pied who is finally starting to settle to the point that he doesn't strike at the tub when I walk by and I also have a little YB who strikes endlessly the second I open the tub to clean. I've had balls that literally came out of the egg tame as could be. They're all different and they all calm down in their own time but the best way to judge how well your BP is doing is by their feeding habits. If your ball is feeding then you have nothing to worry about. That's a great sign. The first thing to suffer when a BP is severely stressed or in an inadequate habitat is their appetite. So I think you made a good decision - your snake seems to be adjusting well.

My rule of thumb is 3 consecutive feedings before I start to handle. Everyone's different and there's no golden rule but that works for me.

Good luck.

[babyknees]

what size enclosure is he in?