Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i got my snake out to feed, he struck at me about 3 times as i was getting him out the cage, then when i take mouse out, he strikes at me, and looks at me...then as the mice crawls around near me, the snake doesnt strike and the mouse, but instead, he strikes at me. I put a glove on, and tried to pick him up after he was done eating to i could replace him in the cage. He does the infamous "S" posture as if going to strike, he looks at me and his whole head starts to vibrate from side to side. He connects with my index finger ( while i was wearing my glove) and then he did it 2 more times in a matter of 10 secs. Im terrified of this snake while i hold him. Sometimes hes calm while somtimes like today he strikes.

I under stand they only strike when they are in fear for their life, or if their hungry. He was striking at me after he ate, so i know its in fear.

Im not trying to scare my snake, i make fairly slow movements while i have him out. Is there away to get him used to my smell?

Like perhaps put a worn shirt, or peice of a shirt in his cage in the corner?

Almost all snakes are very agitated after they eat, especially when there's mouse smell in the air. I'm very careful with even my nicest snakes after they eat... it's just a fact of snake life. The snake has nothing against you personally, it just hoped it could eat your hand .

i have the mice in a 10gal int he same room...infact, the cage is right underneath his cage, should i move it to a different part of my upstairs?

I think if I had a strong sense of smell and had to hunt for my food all the time that I would be a bit agitated if the room always smelled like cheeseburgers. I'd move them to the other side of the house if I were you. And your glove probably smells mousey too.

This is a joke right?
You put a cage of mice right under your BP's cage and are surprised when he strikes at you constantly?
Get a clue man.

Actually, most ball pythons have a wonderful feeding response, and their brain, after eating a first food item, look for more food. Next time you feed your snake, offer him/her a second mouse, if that's what you're feeding, and leave him/her in the tank after eating for 10 minutes or so, until their feeding response is off. Then move them. WASH YOUR HANDS to get that smell off.