Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About a month and a half ago I purchased a CBB 4' 10# male Borneo from a trust worthy source. I had always wanted a Blood but their reputation for aggression kept me at bay. I found this snake on the kingsnake classified and he was advertised as super tame so after several emails I bought him. When he arrived he was tame enough so I let him adjust and left him alone. Now heres the point, he has gradually turned from docile to down right evil! And he seems to love it. Attempts to remove him, or come close to him are meet w/ open air strikes. He even strikes at the water i sprayed him down w/ the other day.

**What am I doing wrong, this snake has lost its mind**

The hide spot is concealed but maybe not tight enough? he is on Cypress mulch and has a large tub of water on the cool side.

I dont have too much experience, I only have 3 bloods, but...my one female was very docile when I received her, for about a week, ate the first night I had her, and generally seemed content. Soon after that she became very aggressive, if you even walked past her enclosure she would strike and hiss and go nuts. She was like this for 3 months and then one day she was completely docile, for no reason that I could think of, I hadn't changed anything. Ever since then she was pretty much a lap snake, never even so much as hissed, until I sold her (1.5 years later). It seems she is repeating this pattern. The new owner loved her for the first 2 days but now says that she is the "meanest snake I've ever owned" Perhaps your snake is in some kind of adjustment phase...?

I agree with one of the other comments. I think ur snake is going through an adjustment phase. I bought a CB female 1 1/2 years ago....she was very aggresive (open air strikes, striking at mistings,etc..) from the 2nd week I had her up until 3 months ago. Now she's settled down and can be handled with ease. The same thing happened with the male I purchased last Nov. I say give them some time to settle down and adjust; try to keep external stimuli down to minimum during the adjustment period. Good luck.

i've noticed mine do not like to be sprayed w/ water either, it seems to make them more aggrivated.

i have learned that it takes time. you can wear some gloves, but probably the best tip i have gotten is to swiftly pick up the snake.
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The New Redpython.net

Having close to 70 borneos right now, I think your borneo is not happy with something in its environment. Stop spraying it for one, because they do not like it. If you want cypress and a large bowl of water, then that is enough humidity/hydrate for them. Check your temps to make sure the cage is around 78-80F, too hot and they get unhappy.

Handle them during the day or in light not at night when dark. They typically associate this with activity/feed time. Use a hook to slowly move the lower part of the body towards you and gently bring them out. Do not grab in the upper third or behind the head. This adds to the stress level and can injury them if you grab their neck when they thrash their body. If you are using a glass aquarium, they get real intimidated by hands grabbing them from above so come in at an angle away from their head. Break their line of sight with something inanimate until you get them out. Be patient.

Also, check to make sure the animal is healthy. Sometimes even the nicest animals have bad days and if they are sick, then they have bad days and so will you. Make sure they are breathing clearly and not discharging fluid. Make sure they don't have thermal burns on their belly from the undercage heat, etc.

Good luck!
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Well unfortunatly I think I may have found the cause for the aggresive behavior, respiatory infection. I pulled his cranky butt outta the cage and saw bubbles coming outta both sides of his mouth. Big Vet bill here I come.

no need to see a vet-hobbyists know more than they do. Many vets can't even sex a cat or dog. Vets are dumb.

Now that we've got that cleared, mix sphagnum moss with eco earth and use that as your substrate. Spray it often. Don't listen to the other responses.
Peace/Love-Ders

>>Having close to 70 borneos right now, I think your borneo is not happy with something in its environment.
70 borneos huh? now that we have a bi-weekly feeder here, you and I may need to sit next wednesday and chat.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

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