BP Freak Out = Owner Freak Out

[Icatsme]

So I've just had a very unsettling experience with my adult male BP. I've had him about 5-6 years and I would place his age around 7-8ish or so. I got him as a subadult.

Anyway, of all the snakes I own he is usually the sweetest, most handleable snake I have. I never worry about a raging feeding response or aggressive action when opening his enclosure. Any time someone wants to hold a snake I hand him/her Mr. Stippey.

Today I went and did my daily snake check. Stippey last ate on 1/3/08, started turning pink on 1/12/08, completed his shed today 1/22/08. I took him out of his enclosure, gave him a lookover to check for any retained eyecaps, generally just making sure his shed was clean and he looks good. I put him back into his enclosure and all hell breaks loose.

He starts thrashing, flipped over his 10" dog bowl of water like a fry cook making pancakes. I'm stunned, as my normally docile snake has just turned into a maniac. I'm terrified he's going to hurt himself, and he certainly knows what's going on because he's following my heat signature in strike position between thrashes. He's on a mission to get out of his enclosure and take off a finger in the process. I throw a towel over him and pull him out and put him in a pillowcase and tie it off, thinking he's less likely to hurt himself that way.

He settled down after being in the pillowcase, but thrashes again once I touch and/or pick up the pillowcase.

During all of this, all I can think is of how strong such a "small" constrictor is and how I'm glad it's a ball python as opposed to an angry burm, retic, or conda.

Anyway, I'm shocked that there is such an abrupt and drastic change in his behavior, a VERY good reminder that they are wild animals.

We have a great vet nearby, and if he is like this tomorrow morning I'm making him an appointment.

Any thoughts on what could have triggered such a drastic change in behavior? His environment/enclosure has been consistent for 6 months or more, which was when I moved all my snakes into a dedicated room. Been feeding regularly, and was observed locked with one of my females on 1/8/08.

I'm puzzled?!?!??! It's like someone turned on a light switch of fury.

[Mindibun]

Oh my gosh, I can't imagine how scary that must have been. I have no idea what it might be, but I hope you get things sorted out. I don't know how I'd react if my puppy-dog-sweet Harlett suddenly acted out that way.

Like you said, it really does show that they're wild animals. Sheesh.

Good luck with everything.

[Jophis82]

I have no clue what could cause him to do that but it sounds really scary...Hope he is alright.......good luck.

[Repti-Rob]

Hungry or Mating drive? those would be my two best guesses

[dracovolans]

You mentioned a lock in 1/8/08, so might be the smell of the females, or if he was in shed and skip a meal probably he is hungry. Also if in any way you were working with the rats or any other pet (dog, cat, birds..) and you pick him maybe the smell on your hands or clothes make him think in feeding time.

Hope he settle down soon and start to act normally.

[Icatsme]

Hungry or Mating drive?

You mentioned a lock in 1/8/08, so might be the smell of the females.

Us girls and our mojo, just drives them boys crazy.

Seriously though, can a mating drive incite this type of behavior? I guess I was never aware, or neglected to educate myself, that my male bps might become highly aggressive during breeding season.

[Ginevive]

Woah. I had one snake that acted like that (for a brief time) but it was a WC female. She would flail around and whip her tail around trying to get free, and even musked me once!
It is hard to say why your snake did that. Maybe it did have something to do with breeding season? Maybe your snake had an inkling that another male was around (were there any in other tubs?)

[wicked5446]

One of my adult ball pythons acted strangely yesterday also. He's usually really relaxed and laid back but when i went to pick him up he freaked hissed really loud and flew into his hide. It freaked me out and i just left him alone. I got him out today though and he's just as docile as he usually is. Good luck with yours..

[TanyaL]

WOW! Interesting to say the least. I'll be keeping an eye out for an update. I hope everything is ok with him.

The likelyhood of me ever picking up Foster has now diminished! LOL

[frankykeno]

I think when it comes to unusual behaviour while it's smart to pay attention and see if it's a reaction to something specific, it's also best to step back and watch for a pattern forming. Sometimes animals, especially highly instinctual ones like snakes, just do things for no reason apparent to a human being. I'm not saying to ignore this but I wouldn't freak out too much. Just closely monitor the snake, make sure everything really is okay in his world, go about your business and see if this re-occurs or anything else manifests itself.

If you have any concern, however, that this is a health related issue, please consult with your herp vet as you see fit.