Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had a purple color lamp one that said it simulates the moon lighting installed and then about 2 weeks ago I changed it to a red basking heat lamp. Ever since that time my snake has be come very agressive, he strikes at me when I try to handle him. Ive had him for almost a year now and hes never tried to bite me, Ive always fed him in a different box then hes kept in and I was wondering if changing the light is what caused agression? I feed him every week at regular times but the past two weeks ive tried to feed him he has tried to bite me. Any ideas? Im changing the light back to the purple one tonight to see if that helps but any comments would be greatful.

Although I have never had one become aggressive due to a lighting change I suppose it is a likely cause. I had a young female that would dig under her aspen and the water dish to hide when I used the red light and would be out and about if I used a less intrusive and darker light. So since then, she gets the darker lights because my other snakes don't mind the red lamps. You're snakes will let you know what they like, each is different, so I suggest reverting to the darker light. Hope this helps!

-John

Thanks for the info, I changed the light last night back to the darker colored(purple) lamp and now hes out and about, and will let me pick him up with out trying to bite me. Maybe it was the lamp so from now on ill continue with the darker ones thanks.