Reptile Handling Gloves
September 6th, 2010 | Published in Reptiles
Why is my new ball python so aggressive?
I bought him 2 weeks ago from a local reptile store who said he got him from a guy who captive breeds them. After Ifed him the first night I went to put more water in bowl and he struck at me. I didnt handle him after that for 10 days so he could get familiar with new home. I have fed him again and he eats just fine. He strikes at me a lot though...at the glass,at the screen, and at my hands after he eats or when i handle him. I pick him up and handle him anyways everyday for like 10-15 minutes with gloves on. I never see him go into the "ball" everyone talks about. He just goes into defense stance and strikes. Whats up? is this a lost cause or can I get him to stop after some handling? I thought ball pythons were pretty calm. Not this one! got any advice??
Stop picking him up everyday. Make sure he has plenty to eat, and you are feeding him OUTSIDE his cage. A bucket with holes drilled in the lid works well, or any container you can latch shut with plenty of breathing holes. The only time my Ball Python started striking for "no reason" was when he outgrew his food ration and was hungry. I doubled his food and the "random" aggressiveness went away. There should be a noticeable lump after your snake eats.
Part of this could easily have been caused by his breeder being too lazy to feed each snake outside their cage to keep striking to a minimum. Snakes aren't that stupid. If his first owner only opened his cage to feed him why should he suddenly think your hand doesn't have food. He would have been taught that hands mean food. He wouldn't be afraid he'd be expecting a meal.
As a previous person said get a hook and only try to handle him once he is out of the cage, keep using the gloves, but cut handling down to maybe once a week. Preferably a few days after he's been fed. He might always be snippy in the cage, but you should be able to get him to calm down once outside.
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US $349.99
