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  1. #6
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    02-23-2016
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    Re: My baby bally has been striking a lot last few days

    From what you've explained, I think the strikes are probably stress related.

    Regarding your husbandry the only change I would do is lower the hot stop, 95 is on the higher-end of what is commonly considered safe to a ball-python's warm side, just lower it a couple degrees and you should be good to go. However I would like to add 2 things:
    1 - If you can, provide a picture of the enclosure since it's easier that way to notice is something needs adjustment, because although it seems like on the paper your enclosure is almost spot on, ;
    2 - Remember to check the temps of your warm side below the substrate, your snake can and will burrow in the substrate, he will touch and (most likely) sit on top of the hottest part of the enclosure, and if the hottest part is above 95 degrees, a burn will occur and a burn is no fun for you treat, and most importantly, it's an injury that really compromises your snake's health (or even life).
    BTW, when you say he has an over the top night light, what are you exactly referring to? A CHE or a red heat lamp?

    Now, regarding those strikes, 2 weeks is not a lot of time for a snake to settle-in and since you said you've been handling him everyday, except when is feeding day and the day after, I would say that is most likely the reason he started to strike at you. You are a new giant that has been wiggling him arround almost everyday, the stress got to a point that the best solution he found to be left alone is if he strikes at you. Give him a week of no handling and restart the handling sessions slowly 10 min or so every couple of days (not everyday), once he starts to show no more signs of stress (striking, hissing, etc.) extend those handling sessions a bit more. Keep doing this gradually and you might have a lovely snake to handle in no time

    Tip: Once you re-start the handling sessions, if he starts to strike at you in the middle of a handling session don't return him to his enclosure immediately. Hold him until he calms down, whenever the signs of aggression disappear and he is calm again, return him to his enclosure. You might not be able to train a snake, but like most animals you can condition a snake to relate "good behavior" (aka no aggression) with him getting what he wants (aka return to the enclosure)


    P.S.: When it comes to ball pythons, 6 months don't really mean much unless you know the hatching date and he was bought from a respectable breeder or if you were the one hatching him, and even then, age doesn't mean much. Weigh your noodle and it will be easier to help you with feeding-wise issues.
    Last edited by dmt_jovi; 09-03-2016 at 11:17 PM.

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to dmt_jovi For This Useful Post:

    Babyballynikko'sma (09-03-2016)

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