Super-Strikey

[Salem Purrs]

My friend just got a new baby pastel male on Thursday. But she is pretty much scared of him. He was a two-day delivery, and got pretty freaked out once he was warmed up (he was ice-cold when she got him out of the box) striking repeatedly and hissing like crazy. She put him in his tank, but had to get him out again after a few minutes to finish setting everything up. He was still all strikey and freaked out when she put him back, and has been like that since. She did try to get him out once to show her mom, but he was striking at her so she just covered him back up. Now every time he's out and about in the tank and she moves in her room at all, he freezes and starts striking in her direction. She's been talking to the breeder and he said to try feeding him, then cover the tank completely for a week, basically to try to start all over. Any ideas about that, or what else she could do?

[Oxylepy]

Sounds like the snake isn't comfortable enough yet.

Offer some food, if he takes it cool, if not fine. Then give him 5 days, offer food again. Tell her not to handle him for around 2 weeks and not to move or disturb him or his tank.

[rishnack]

yeah he,s freeked he,ll calm down , needs time to acclimate
also if theres any other pets in the house he might be smellin them and trippen out , mine do not like my cats at all, dogs ok more or less ,but they will flat out tweek if the cats are around

[Muze]

The baby just needs to get used to his new environment. Also, what is being used for heat? What are the temps? What is the humidity level? How big is the tank? Are there any hides?

Covering up the tank for a while is a good idea. It'll give the baby some security. Don't handle him for a couple of weeks (definitely not until after he eats). If he refuses food the first time it is offered, try again in a few days. And do not handle for at least two days after feedings so he can digest his food properly.

[reptile3]

is there 2 identical hides? cover back, & sides of enclosure, I would leave the bp alone for a few days,so it can adjust to it's new home. Also make sure it's very warm, in there too.Try feeding it after a few days.

[Salem Purrs]

The baby just needs to get used to his new environment. Also, what is being used for heat? What are the temps? What is the humidity level? How big is the tank? Are there any hides?

Covering up the tank for a while is a good idea. It'll give the baby some security. Don't handle him for a couple of weeks (definitely not until after he eats). If he refuses food the first time it is offered, try again in a few days. And do not handle for at least two days after feedings so he can digest his food properly.

I honestly have no idea what the temps/humidity are. she is using a heat pad and its a 10 gal, but she only has one hide on the warm side, and she doesnt have anything to measure humidity or temperature. also she does not have a thermostat. I have tried numerous times to help her with those details, but since I havent had snakes as long as her, she just gets snippy about it. in her other ball pythons' tanks she has dial thermometers/hygrometers and only one hide per tank....

[JayBP]

I honestly have no idea what the temps/humidity are. she is using a heat pad and its a 10 gal, but she only has one hide on the warm side, and she doesnt have anything to measure humidity or temperature. also she does not have a thermostat. I have tried numerous times to help her with those details, but since I havent had snakes as long as her, she just gets snippy about it. in her other ball pythons' tanks she has dial thermometers/hygrometers and only one hide per tank....

It sounds like she needs to brush up on her husbandry. Did you refer her here?

[Somed00d]

remind her that the bites don't hurt unless its a feeding strike

[ohyeahnow]

remind her that the bites don't hurt unless its a feeding strike

Wish I could say the same, LOL. Have had a few nasty bites that I did not receive even close to feeding time.

[Somed00d]

Wish I could say the same, LOL. Have had a few nasty bites that I did not receive even close to feeding time.

from a baby?