Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a one year old male that I have had since november. He is still the most strike happy BP I have ever heard of. We were hoping he would get better with age, but if anything he keeps getting worse. I do have him housed with my three year old female in a huge enclosure(4LX2DX4H). They have been together since we got him. We try to handle him to get him to calm down. As soon as you let your gaurd down he's snapping at us hard. Does anyone have any idea how I can calm him? Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks Kim
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0.1 radiated rat(100% het albino)
1.0 okeetee corn
1.1 ball python
0.0.1 chinese water dragon

You could start by putting him in his own enclosure. He may feel threatened being in an enclosure with a much larger snake. How many hides do you have balls like small dark spaces, open airy places will stress them out. How much/how often is he eating? He could be hungry. Lots of possibilities. Definately though give him his own space, give him a couple weeks to settle into it and then just give him time to adjust to being handled. I have a couple that are a bit anti social they are getting better, once they are out and being held they don't strike anyway.
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Nita Hamilton
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Ball Pythons

I have three hides throughout the enclosure. He seems to follow my female wherever she goes though. She is very docile. He usually eats one to two adult mice every week or two.

Thanks Kim
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0.1 radiated rat(100% het albino)
1.0 okeetee corn
1.1 ball python
0.0.1 chinese water dragon

First step is to move him into his own enclosure. Your balls may seem like they like each other, but they really are solitary animals and do best on their own. Also the big enclosure as well as the big female may be too stressful on him. Once you get him into his new enclosure, you are can try the ol' t-shirt trick. Wear a t-shirt around for a few days, bed time, whatever, get it good and stinky and then let him use it as a hide, he will begin to associate your smell with security. Tho this works a lot of times there are balls that are just plain buggers and they like to strike. I have two like that, they are ok for minimal handling but are easily aggitated and will strike at quick movements or if they are away from their tubs too long. It's just how they are wired (they are great eaters tho). Hope this helps.
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Tosha

"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed." Don Wood

"Of course, that's only my opinion...and I believe I am God." =) Chris Bianco

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 Pool skimmer rescues for this season

Thanks for the info. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on another cage. The shirt trick sounds like a good idea. He is a beautifull snake and I want to be able to enjoy him in and out of his cage. My reptiles are my babies, along with the kids, dogs, and cat. lol.

Thanks Kim
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0.1 radiated rat(100% het albino)
1.0 okeetee corn
1.1 ball python
0.0.1 chinese water dragon

I received an evil little Reduced Pattern beauty once...and I mean EVIL! He would strike without provocation or hesitation. This little guy was CRAZY MAD EVIL!

What did I do? I picked him up anyway. Several times a day. I would only replace him into his enclosure after he settled down a bit. Not one moment before. After two weeks I could pick him up without being bitten. (My wife still made me sell him, though.)

I look at it this way... the animal strikes in order to scare you away. If you try to pick up the animal but decide against it because of a strike, the animal's defense works. The animal knows this and will continue with the proven defense tactic -- striking at you forever. You must teach this animal that an aggressive defense tactic does NOT work. You must pick up the animal and endure the strikes. The animal will soon give up this ineffectual aggressive defense tactic...and play nice.

Of course, this is just my experience...but absolute nonetheless.

Chris
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"I'm funny? I'm funny how? Funny like a clown? I amuse you? I make you laugh? I'm here to f***in' amuse you?" -- Tommy DeVito

Sounds just like my little guy.

I have never let him scare me away. I figured once he saw that I wasn't going to back down that maybe he would. Ya right!!! I don't always get to hold him daily. I won't take him out when the kids are around because you never know what he'll do. He's even chased my husband across the living room before. lol. I guess It's all trial and (painfull) error. I'm going to try to take him out more often too.

Kim
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0.1 radiated rat(100% het albino)
1.0 okeetee corn
1.1 ball python
0.0.1 chinese water dragon

Handling him three times a day should work fine. I always waited for one full minute of calmness before placing him back in the enclosure. If he strikes, the countdown starts over.

And I know what you mean about the children. This is the reason I was forced to sell my little beauty demon. No aggressive snakes allowed in the home. =/

Good luck...

Chris
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"I'm funny? I'm funny how? Funny like a clown? I amuse you? I make you laugh? I'm here to f***in' amuse you?" -- Tommy DeVito