Aggressive/Defensive behavoir

[a_chute]

Back on February 17th I purchased a 2014 male lesser from a breeder. Before I bought him a held him and he was perfectly fine. They had told me that they were feeding him mouse pinkies, so right there I figured he was going to be a very hungry boy. I let him settle into his home for about a week before I fed him. He would strike at the side of his tank whenever I would walk by so I put a towel around three of the sides and put a bigger hide box in there for him. When I went to take him out to feed him he was striking at me so i just put some gloves on so and set him in his feeding container. At first he was coming out after me and did want the live mouse but he eventually went after it and he even go my other ball pythons mouse since he refused to eat. After he ate he seemed to calm down for a few days but he is right back at being aggressive/defensive. I can put my hand in his tank to clean his water without getting striked at. He ate a rat pup on the 5th but of course when I put him in his feed tub he was coming after me and not the food. I am a little lost on what to do. I dont want him to tag me and end up hurting himself and I prefer not to get tagged but hey it happens. Any tips or thoughts on what might be up with the little man? (The first picture is the tub that he came home in. He is now in a size appropriate tank)

[bobby33449]

Maybe it's just the lesser I have one and when he was younger he was the same why but after 6 months he has calmed down and no more problems

[Albert Clark]

Wow, that is really a tough one. However, a couple of things to consider. IMO only, a bp that looks that healthy its hard to believe that he has been eating only pink mice. The striking at you when you walk by is a cage aggressive act that could come from several origins. It sounds like you are on point by covering three sides of the enclosure! That will help to remedy the exposure part of the equation. This poor guy has been underfed as you said he seemed to calm down after having a couple of mice [ that's progress]. He is going to have to be held often to start the dominance process that will be necessary to get rid of that behavior. He is still young so it can be attained. With your gloved hand, hold him in one, and cup your other hand over his head covering it. This is going to be a process over time but its a definite way to start to get him to trust you and calm down. And consider feeding him in his own enclosure to reduce the stress he already has. Maybe wait 2 weeks before you even start this and before he gets another meal. The cupping of the hand over the bps head is a technique from Justin Kobylka Reptiles on handling aggressive bps. There are several videos on you tube addressing this topic. Bob Barker Creations has a good technique also. Good luck and stay in peace not pieces.

[a_chute]

I did try the cupping my hand over his head and it does help but when I feel him relaxing and let him move around he tries to rocket out of my hand. Once he goes into his little flight move it is hard to get him to ball back up. He also likes to attempt to strike at you after you put him back

[Albert Clark]

Yeah, how old is this guy? It's going to take time. Main thing is don't add extra stress. Maybe do the practices for short periods on a daily basis. For right now I would just let him de stress in his enclosure for the next week or more. Only go in to change water and spot clean. I wouldn't handle him for about at least 10 days. Give him a extra hide and wait for now. You said he ate two mice so he should be good for the next 10 days. Relax and wait for now. Just IMO .

[a_chute]

I am not sure of his hatch date but I know that he is a 2014.

[Tigerhawk]

How big is his enclosure? You said you gave him a bigger hide. They like small spaces. Give him a small hide that has only one entrance, the hide should be a little cramped. Also his enclosure may be to big. What size is it? Can you include a picture of your setup. What I'am getting at is he may feel threatened by being in such a big space. That's why you see him being so agressive. So please post the pictures of his home etc. I'm sure we can calm him down with a few adjustments.

[a_chute]

He is in a 20 gallon reptile enclosure I got from the pet store. and three sides of his enclosure have a towel on it so its nice and dark. All the hide boxes that I did have he was too large to fit into them so the only other thing I had was a oversized box which Is getting replaced tomorrow along with the bedding.
Sorry the picture is not very good. He is laying on the other side of his box.

[bcr229]

Feed him in his enclosure. There is no reason to move a hungry snake - that is just asking to get tagged, and with ball pythons it can throw them out of food mode. Ask yourself why you need a separate feeding tub when people with 1) large collections, 2) larger snakes, or 3) venomous snakes feed in the enclosure.

He definitely needs some better hides. Until you find something even a loosely crumpled piece of newspaper that he can hide under will make him feel more secure.

[Ben.Smith.512]

Hello im new. But just browsing i have to say sell the tank and get rubbermaid tanks. These have taken my freaked out lesser cinny and made him so much better and care is 100% easier. Just a thought.