Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi,i have a bp that has become very aggressive or defensive of itself.i purcased it from a pet store about 6yrs ago.it seemed to be healthy and very mild tempered just a few months after purchasing this snake it became very defensive.i've tried all i could think of,temp regulation,foliage(cover),handling and lighting,nothing seems to work.any advice or ideas would be appreciated

Could it be hungry? Do you have a hide box?

>>hi,i have a bp that has become very aggressive or defensive of itself.i purcased it from a pet store about 6yrs ago.it seemed to be healthy and very mild tempered just a few months after purchasing this snake it became very defensive.i've tried all i could think of,temp regulation,foliage(cover),handling and lighting,nothing seems to work.any advice or ideas would be appreciated

You've had an aggressive snake for 6 years? Wow - the patience of Job.

BPs have a reputation for being docile animals, which makes them ideal pets. However, just like humans, they have individual personalities. I have an adult BP, Frnak, who is very aggressive. It's taken a lot of patient handling, but now he's only aggressive when he's in his cage. I have to use a cage hook to do ANYTHING in his cage or else he'll hiss and/or strike at me.

Once he's OUT, however, he's a cuddly kitten. I often sit and watch TV with him. I can even take him out in public - I was Steve Irwin for Halloween this year with Frank draped over my shoulder!. I just can't handle him in his cage. I figure it's something to do with his prior life, where he lived in a breeding drawer, only opened to be cleaned or fed.

I guess you get to a point where you either never give up on taming him, or get used to having a display-only snake, or find him a new home with someone who might have better luck.
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2.0 Ball Pythons
2.0 Bettas
1.1 Pekingeses
1.4 Rats (for breeding)
1.0 Mouse (for scenting rat pinkies)

thanks for the re:message,guess i'll just keep working with her temperment problem.