Just a simple one

vfoerster · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 07:27 PM

I recently got a Ball Python that is about 6 years old. Up until about a month ago he was acting normal I could hold him and set him back into his tank with no problems. The last week or so he has become a jerk. He has bit me 3 times not while I was holding him or getting him out of his tank but as I was setting him in it he would slither off my hand really fast and turn around and bite. Could it be because he has hit maturity and is looking for some affection from a female?

phillipswildbill · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 10:06 PM

That's a real good guess, being it's new behavior. My burms get a little unruly during mating season but never bite, just a little squirmy. He probably realizes theirs no action in that cage and isn't real excited about going back in there.

vfoerster · #3 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 05:46 AM

I kind of figured but the last owners also didn't really treat him right so I was thinking it might be an anger relapse. Gonna be interesting to try to break him of it. Getting bit by him doesn't hurt anymore though. It doesn't break the skin cause he is so small.

xbigredtankx · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:03 AM

i would recommend grounding him for a week

i.e. no Tv, no Music (not that he can hear much, but he can riggle to the vibration!), no socializing, and vegetables only at meal times....j/k...BAD Snake...

vfoerster · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:04 AM

Thank you for the laugh

xbigredtankx · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:06 AM

there is always time for a good giggle..... especially when i don't know the answer...Good luck with the bad attitude!! Better you than me

lol

vfoerster · #7 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillipswildbill

That's a real good guess, being it's new behavior. My burms get a little unruly during mating season but never bite, just a little squirmy. He probably realizes theirs no action in that cage and isn't real excited about going back in there.

Well then again after today which is feeding day I realize I have to feed him bigger food. He bit me on the way out of the cage lol. Bad tempered little guy.

xbigredtankx · #8 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfoerster

Well then again after today which is feeding day I realize I have to feed him bigger food. He bit me on the way out of the cage lol. Bad tempered little guy.

i want to see damage photos!!! the aftermath is always the best!

vfoerster · #9 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:16 AM

Lol I don't have a good enough camera. He tried to eat my hand though. And still didn't break the skin... Poor guy is tiny for his age. Can't wait to put him in a bigger tank and get him happy again

xbigredtankx · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfoerster

Lol I don't have a good enough camera. He tried to eat my hand though. And still didn't break the skin... Poor guy is tiny for his age. Can't wait to put him in a bigger tank and get him happy again

And then you are required to put up pics or you will be voted off the site...lol j/k... 1 picture = 100 posts!!! lol, and people on here LOVE PHOTOS...

vfoerster · #11 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:29 AM

Here you go this is him in the tank that I got him in...

Poor guy is in a twenty moving him to a forty in a couple weeks

xbigredtankx · #12 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:33 AM

YES, I knew if i harassed you enough, the pictures would start flowing!!!

Lucky You!!!

Stargazer · #13 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:35 AM

What and how often are you feeding him? He may be hungry.

vfoerster · #14 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:36 AM

his last owners fed him live in the tank as well and he has a scar on his side I will have to get another cell phone picture of it when I can get him out again ugh...

vfoerster · #15 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazer

What and how often are you feeding him? He may be hungry.

One small/medium rat every 5-7 days either on fridays or sundays.

Stargazer · #16 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:38 AM

Doesn't sound like underfeeding but I'm not a BP person. He may be going through a growth spurt. My boa went through a phase like that when she was about a year old.

vfoerster · #17 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:38 AM

Here is my other baby I got about a year and a half ago... She was only a foot long and almost a year now she is two and 4 1/2 feet...

Stargazer · #18 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:40 AM

Aww, cute little snakey. Looks like my Veronica.

vfoerster · #19 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:41 AM

Yeah she is nice and friendly and loves being on me... Next snake I get will be a green tree I think. There for a little while I couldn't feed her enough she would eat whenever I had an extra rat or mouse to give her.

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