Mean Snake

[ZeroGuitar00]

I have just purchased my first ball python and he has got a temper. The first day that I brought him home, i put him in his cage to get acclimated. I came back a couple of hours later to check on him and he was sitting in his shelter with his head sticking out of the hole. If i would move just slightly near the cage he would try to strike me. I know that I am supposed to leave him alone for about two weeks to let him get acclimated, but i was just wondering, will his behavior change? Will I eventually be able to hold him without the risk of being struck. I know he was captive bred and he came from the same "litter" that my brother's snake came from, and that one is perfectly fine. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

[jglass38]

I have just purchased my first ball python and he has got a temper. The first day that I brought him home, i put him in his cage to get acclimated. I came back a couple of hours later to check on him and he was sitting in his shelter with his head sticking out of the hole. If i would move just slightly near the cage he would try to strike me. I know that I am supposed to leave him alone for about two weeks to let him get acclimated, but i was just wondering, will his behavior change? Will I eventually be able to hold him without the risk of being struck. I know he was captive bred and he came from the same "litter" that my brother's snake came from, and that one is perfectly fine. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

He is stressed by his new environment. Give him a week at least in a quiet room to get acclimated. He will be fine and so will you

[ZeroGuitar00]

I figured that that is what i have to do. Thank you for your help.

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

I wouldn't call him mean. Maybe defensive, unsettled, nervous, or hungry, but not mean

I think mean is more of a human emotion heh. His motivation for striking is probably one of the above, I wouldnt worry.

[ZeroGuitar00]

Yeah good point. I have another question. All that i have read says that the humidity level should remain around 50-60%. Mine is constantly at 40%. Everything says that this is bad as it could cause respiratory problems. I tried using a spray bottle to raise it, but it only stays at the desired humidity for about 10-20 minutes. What should i do to help it remain a steady level?

[jglass38]

Yeah good point. I have another question. All that i have read says that the humidity level should remain around 50-60%. Mine is constantly at 40%. Everything says that this is bad as it could cause respiratory problems. I tried using a spray bottle to raise it, but it only stays at the desired humidity for about 10-20 minutes. What should i do to help it remain a steady level?

Can you describe the enclosure? Also, what are you using to measure the humidity?

[ZeroGuitar00]

He is in a 20 gallon glass tank, about 30x12x12. It has a wire top where i have my heat lamps. The temp. is about 85-90 on one side and 80-85 on the other side. I have a hygrometer set in the middle of the tank. I am really worried that the humidity is too low and I can't keep it around 50-60% without constantly spraying it.

[jglass38]

He is in a 20 gallon glass tank, about 30x12x12. It has a wire top where i have my heat lamps. The temp. is about 85-90 on one side and 80-85 on the other side. I have a hygrometer set in the middle of the tank. I am really worried that the humidity is too low and I can't keep it around 50-60% without constantly spraying it.

First off, heat lamps suck the humidity out of the air. On top of that, using a glass tank with a screen top makes it hard (although not impossible) to keep the humidity up. What type of substrate are you using? You will want to get those temps to 92-94 on the warm and 82-84 on the cool.

[ZeroGuitar00]

I am using fir bark, which i have read is recommended. Do you have any ideas as to what I may be able to do to the tank to help it, besides lowering the temp. My brother has almost the exact same setup but he isn't having any problems with the humidity.

[jglass38]

I am using fir bark, which i have read is recommended. Do you have any ideas as to what I may be able to do to the tank to help it, besides lowering the temp. My brother has almost the exact same setup but he isn't having any problems with the humidity.

Lowering the temp is going to cause a whole different problem. Better to have the humidity a little low and have the temps where they need to be. Can you cover part of the screen lid or does the heat lamp take up the whole thing? Heat lamps are just not the best choice for Ball Pythons.