Reptile & Amphibian Forums

can someone please tell me why is my Oz so f%/#"*g agressive?
everytime a try to take him out of his cage he puts his body into S position...he also tried to bite me (already 3 times and my friend once!)
i don't know why!i first thought it was because he was hungry, but i fed him with 3 mice,, wait 2 days and then try to hold him,,,but here we go again, defensive position!!
any advise?
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1.0.0 Ball python (Oz)
0.0.1 Hardwicki Uro (Amon)
0.1.0 Black cat (Tomika)

In seeing your posts below with a picture of your setup its obvious your ball is biting you because you are feeding him in your cage. You've trained him to thinking the opening of his cage and your hand with food. Next time take him out and put him in a box or rubbermaid to feed.

I don't think that feeding in the cage is really the problem. I used to take all mine out, but found that some don't like being disturbed first and will eat better in the cage. Now I feed everyone in the cages, and none of them (hatchlings through adults) are aggressive. Some individuals are just more skittish than others. Even if they show any aggresive posturing, it doesn't necessarily mean that they will bite and they will usually calm down quite quickly. Give it time, make sure your snake feels secure (big cages can sometimes be a problem - at least until they settle in), and it should work out.

I didn't think it had anything to do with feeding in the enclosure. I've got a *few* balls, and I feed them ALL in thier cages~ wonder why they don't ALL bite?

~Is the snake sriking and pulling back quickly, or latching onto your hand and coiling?

If he is latching on and coiling, then yes, this is a feeding strike and your snake was hoping you were a snake snack. Run the snake under a little cool running water to get him to let go, don't force the snake off of your hand.

If he is striking and pulling back very quickly then that is a defensive strike and your snake is afraid you think HE is a snake snack. Mostly my WC's do this, but occasionally a CB will make a defensive strike.

When you open the enclosure, toss a paper towel over the face of the snake. Don't toss anything heavy over the snake, just something to obstruct his vision and heat pits. Then grab the snake and hold him behind the head. After a few moments the snake should calm down and alow you to handle him~~~ I do have a few of my WC's that will continue to strike at any oppurtunity, so you may still get bit.

Thats just my opinion~ I guess it could be that you trained your snake to strike when the cage is opened.....if thats the case he's a pretty smart snake~ see if you can teach him any more tricks.

Good luck.
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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

well there a few thing i've learned!tommorow it's his feeding day and then i will try again!slowly and with lots of patience!
i will let u know how it goes!
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1.0.0 Ball python (Oz)
0.0.1 Hardwicki Uro (Amon)
0.1.0 Black cat (Tomika)

I'm not going to claim to be an expert, but I do have some bp experience and have seen a number of posts of yours, and I'm going to hazard a guess that your bp doesn't feel secure.

If you want to test this and possibly cure the behavior, set up a new cage that's 1/5 or 1/4 the size of the one he's in now and has two or more solid, snug hides (flower pots, pvc pipes, etc., as long as it's snug, dark, and has some weight to it). Of course the temps and humidity need to be right and he needs either no light or a proper photo period as well.

Leave him in the new setup for a month (taking out to feed and occasionally handle) and make sure that when you approach him to pick him up he can see you coming before you touch him and that you go toward his body instead of his head.

If there is no change to his behavior in a month, then it may not be a security issue, but I bet it is.

>>can someone please tell me why is my Oz so f%/#"*g agressive?
>>everytime a try to take him out of his cage he puts his body into S position...he also tried to bite me (already 3 times and my friend once!)
>>i don't know why!i first thought it was because he was hungry, but i fed him with 3 mice,, wait 2 days and then try to hold him,,,but here we go again, defensive position!!
>>any advise?
>>-----
>>1.0.0 Ball python (Oz)
>>0.0.1 Hardwicki Uro (Amon)
>>0.1.0 Black cat (Tomika)