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I have an '09 female yellowbelly ball python female around the 1100 gram range. She was my first ball python, and has always been nice as could be. On monday, i was getting rats to feed her, and sinse the place i bought them from packaged them so they froze together in pairs, i got some rat scent on my hands. I went up to feed her, and before i did i was showing her to a friend, and just as i said " She has not changed much- still super nice, " she bit me. This was the first time she ever had bitten me, and i realize that it was completely my fault because i didn't wash my hand after i got the rats and before i held her. Then on wednesday, i wwnt in to take her out, and there was some dirty bedding in front of her hide box, so i went to get it, and she darted at my hand. I got away in time, and got the bedding. I thought that it was so weird, but as i closed the tub, i noticed that she pooed, so i spot-cleaned and just realized that she was hungry, so i fed her again (she has quite the appetite), and left her alone. Today, i went in to get her, and she was looking at my hand like she does at food. This is so strange for her because she has always been my sweatie snake. My question is, since she is at a weight where she can breed, is she having mood swings related to that, or can one accidental bite change a snakes personality forever?

She might be building follicles and just really hungry in the process.

I had a 500 gram 3 year old female who would strike at me whenever I opened her tub because she was hungry (dude never fed her).

Eventually after a few times of me just opening the tub and grabbing her, she realized that just because I opened the tub, it doesn't mean she is going to eat. Now at 1800 grams she doesn't strike at me anymore.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

Matt,
Feed that girl!!!I was laughing as I read your post because King of Spades is right it is that time where the snakes are ravenous as heck!!! I have 3 girls that are always in the front of the tub waiting for food at anytime of the night!!

It is so funny because as soon as I open their tub their heads just pop up even if I fed them the night before. Enjoy it while it lasts!! Usually during the winter their appetites slow down (not all but most) then Spring you better watch out cause it is chow time!!!

Sorry she got you but the situation is funny because of the fact you were just bragging on her!! We all have snakes like that and out of nowhere bam they get you!!! Luckily it is rare with balls. V/r Paige
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Balls - 4 Boys, 18 Girls
other various reptiles, animals, kids and a smoking sweet husband; would be perfect if he only liked ball pythons...

She must be really hungry because she has eaten 3 small rats since monday!

Start feeding her medium to large rats at 1100 grams she should be able to handle larger prey than a small rat.

So true, and your girl will appreciate you for it!!

I know other people talk about feeding multiple rats at one time but mine, even when fed too small of prey, don't eat more than one f/t'd rat. Maybe I am doing something wrong?

I hope everyone is breeding some neat combos so most of us can drool!!

V/R Paige

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Balls - 4 Boys, 18 Girls
other various reptiles, animals, kids and a smoking sweet husband; would be perfect if he only liked ball pythons...

It's not you it's the balls not all will eat two meals the same day.

How funny this is because last night I thawed 2 small rats for my small enchi and super pastel babes and the super wouldn't take it but the enchi grabbed it as soon as I opened her tub!! It was her second one in like 15 mins! Thank u for responding. I am sure she would have bit me if I didn't have food. Lol!! Paige
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Balls - 4 Boys, 18 Girls
other various reptiles, animals, kids and a smoking sweet husband; would be perfect if he only liked ball pythons...