new snake aggression??

[shadowolguu]

i recently got a new pastel ball python today, my first personal snake because i work at a pet store and have handled snakes before. When i got home i handled him and he was very very friendly and handled well and i put him away after having him out for about 10-15 minutes, later my friend came over and i took him out and he was still fine then, after i put him back in the tank later on before bed he was in his grass and i relaxing in my room and he struck the cage around 4-5 times and was in strike position just looking at me ready to strike! He's a 6 month old pastel ball in a 20 gallon long tank. the zoo med snake kit is what i bought to keep him in, he has a heating pad, log and two dome lights one for daylight and basking spot and a night heat lamp. basking spot is 86-90 degrees and other side with heat/night lamp is 80 with the heating pad. Any reason why he would all of a sudden become aggressive like that? never seen anything like it.
Thanks for any help! sorry for the noobie question

[KMG]

Probably because your stressing it out. You should leave it be to get used to its new home for at least a week.

A basking spot is not the best for a ball since they prefer to hide in a nice dark and cozy hide. A basking spot leaving them in the open and many snakes, especially young snake, do not like laying out to get heat. Some will even avoid the heat when they need it because they feel vulnerable laying out.

You could add a more secure feeling to the tank by covering the back and two sides with paper.

[shadowolguu]

Probably because your stressing it out. You should leave it be to get used to its new home for at least a week.

A basking spot is not the best for a ball since they prefer to hide in a nice dark and cozy hide. A basking spot leaving them in the open and many snakes, especially young snake, do not like laying out to get heat. Some will even avoid the heat when they need it because they feel vulnerable laying out.

You could add a more secure feeling to the tank by covering the back and two sides with paper.

will cover the back tomorrow should i not handle him for a week? i shouldnt have said basking spot its a daylight lamp

[KMG]

No, leave it alone to settle in.

DO YOU HAVE A TSTAT ON THE UTH?

[shadowolguu]

i have a temp gauge that come with the snake kit thats it.

http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/En...M6MToiMCI7fQ==

this is everything i have. will get more tomorrow when i get paid. any suggestions?

[KMG]

You need a thermostat also commonly referred to as a tstat. You plug the uth into a tstat and the tstat then monitors the temps and reduces or adds power as needed to keep the uth at the set temp.

I use and love Herpstat. I only suggest them now as I have had two lesser tstats fail. Until you get a tstat you can use a dimmer also known as a rheostat. It is nothing more than a device that cuts the power delivered to the uth which in turn reduces the uth temp. These can be had at hardware stores for about $10.

http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

Also the analog thermometers are not very good and you may check into getting a digital one. Many use the Acurite thermometer hygrometer combo.

http://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00891A...te+thermometer

[shadowolguu]

so i would buy that and what would i plug it into? and im going to get a digital thermometer tomorrow

[anicatgirl]

i have a temp gauge that come with the snake kit thats it.

http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/En...M6MToiMCI7fQ==

this is everything i have. will get more tomorrow when i get paid. any suggestions?

First off, I am surprised that this kit only comes with 1 hide, as it is generally considered best to have 2, one in cool end, one over the UTH. You plug the thermostat into the UTH and it will regulate it.

Yes it was probably stress related, giving them a week to settle in is ideal. I know it's suuuuuper hard to be hands off for that long (at least it was for me) but it really is better overall for the snake's well being, both physical and mental.

[KMG]

so i would buy that and what would i plug it into? and im going to get a digital thermometer tomorrow

You need a thermostat also commonly referred to as a tstat. You plug the uth into a tstat and the tstat then monitors the temps and reduces or adds power as needed to keep the uth at the set temp.

You plug the tstat into the wall socket and the uth into the tstat. The tstat has a temp probe that will be mounted on the uth(on the outside of the cage) that will tell the tstat what it needs to do in order to keep the temp you set it.

[shadowolguu]

First off, I am surprised that this kit only comes with 1 hide, as it is generally considered best to have 2, one in cool end, one over the UTH. You plug the thermostat into the UTH and it will regulate it.

Yes it was probably stress related, giving them a week to settle in is ideal. I know it's suuuuuper hard to be hands off for that long (at least it was for me) but it really is better overall for the snake's well being, both physical and mental.

Will be getting more hide spots today and a background for the tank and now I'll order a thermostat online. No probably keeping hands off, it's just different for us because we always handle them repeatedly when we get them to make sure they're socialized. Will adding more hidespots and a background stress him out even more? Also if the aggression is still there after a week any suggestions? Just thinking ahead.
Thanks for everything!