Aggressive Ball python

[Broodnest]

Hey guys new to the forum and I need some help I recently got a female lesser pastel Ball python at a show. And she was very docile and I have had her for three weeks now in the last couple of days she has gone a complete 180 on temperament and turned into an extremely aggressive snake now these two things I know are linked but she will not eat anything F/T Or live rats, mice, gerbil nothing she won't take it she simply will not eat and regardless of how calm I am in her cage she continues to strike and bite me to the point were I won't go inside the cage for fear of her striking so much that she hurts herself she will strike the glass if I approach it. Now I have taken her to a vet and they say she's a healthy BP. Has anyone had an experience like this or does anyone have any advice it will be much appreciated. And like I said I'm new to the forums so if this is wrong thread for this let me know. Sorry for the run on sentence.

[jkconstrictor]

To be honest sometimes that just happens. When balls are in onr enviroment and are moved to another they can become stressed and get an temper. I wouldnt think too much of it. Just allow it time to relax and adjust. As long as hes not losing too much weight no food is okay. However at somepoint he will need to eat. I had a lesser just like that nicest snake ever until i took her home now shes aggressive and hisses like crazy. Just give it time and work with him. Just as i said watch the weight if he starts to lose noticable weight the he needs to eat.

[bcr229]

Can you describe her setup? Is she in a tank, tub, or reptile enclosure? What are the warm and the cool side temperatures? How are you regulating the heat so she's not too hot or too cold? What is her humidity? What kind of thermometer and hygrometer are you using to measure temperature and humidity?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

My guess the ISSUES are husbandry related, she does not eat because she is not secure and she is defensive as well because of the same issue.

I will assume you purchased an hatchlings so here is what I would suggest

Switch her to a 6 quarts tub with aspen as bedding (2 inches layer), provide a plastic flower pot saucer as a hide, provide a hot spot of 88 at the very most.

DO NOT HANDLE the animal, wait a week and offer a LIVE mouse (prey equal the girth size of your snake) in the tub. If it fails the following week try again offering a LIVE rat. In the mean time NO HANDLING until the animal eats at least 3 meals for you.

Also contact the breeder to found out what the animal was eating.

[Candice92]

The only time my bp Simi ever acted aggressive is when she begins to shed. She will ignore me if im cleaning parts of her cage or changing her water but if I try to hold her she will give me a light hiss and that's it. She acts like this for a week in a half then shes back to being her gentle self.

[Broodnest]

Thanks for the quick response everyone, her current conditions where in a 20 gal glass terrarium i have switched her over to a 28 qt tub i have Bark for a substrate 89 for the hotspot and 72 for a cool using heat temp and a temp gun to check temps. i have a friend who recommended an African soft fur rat for her to try he's a breeder and says that works for him sometimes when he cant get his to eat. He came to the conclusion that she is probably stressed from being able to see out of the glass and just an overall sense of not being secure. should i try feeding her tonight or just giver her some time to calm down?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Thanks for the quick response everyone, her current conditions where in a 20 gal glass terrarium i have switched her over to a 28 qt tub i have Bark for a substrate 89 for the hotspot and 72 for a cool using heat temp and a temp gun to check temps. i have a friend who recommended an African soft fur rat for her to try he's a breeder and says that works for him sometimes when he cant get his to eat. He came to the conclusion that she is probably stressed from being able to see out of the glass and just an overall sense of not being secure. should i try feeding her tonight or just giver her some time to calm down?

Leave her alone for at least a week, this means NO HANDLING and offer a live mouse.

There is no need for alternative prey what's needed is for the animal to get used to it's environment and make sure the environment meets the animal's need.