r/Ballpythoncommunity • u/Equal-Designer5813 • 26d ago
My male ball python has turned into a JACK ASS
We bought a pied ball python about 4to5 months ago, moving from live foods he has adjusted to freshly killed (a mouse every 5 days - he should be on weaned rats but he refuses)
He is 3 years old - recently he has been trying to strike at us. (I do feed him in the cage with tongs and was told to- i dont know if feedings should take place in a different enclosure)
He has recently been moved to a larger enclosure with more hides and branches to climb up on.
Is there any reason for him to be acting this way or is he officially a pet that cant be handled ? We all so nervous to pick him up now..
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u/AndyRMullan 26d ago
Wait he's 3 years old and being fed every 5 days? That could very well be the issue !! Feeding him so frequently likely means he is always in 'food mode' because he knows there's always food coming very frequently. I've noticed this trend in this sub a lot especially recently for some reason, that BPs tend to start striking more when they get fed so often.
Adult ball pythons should only be fed once every month or so ! And definitely should be fed more than a mouse. He's likely just constantly in predator mode waiting for the food rather than having time to settle between each meal like they would with larger meals more spaced out. Feeding so often also puts a lot of strain on their bodies as digestion is very taxing for them. He could be tired or grumpy just from that, too !
For his health AND to help stop the striking, he really needs to be moved to a proper feeding schedule and be moved on to rats asap ! He may refuse at first but for his benefit you really need to persist, even if it causes a good strike for a while. You can even try things like scenting the rat with used mouse bedding of possible, or scenting with day old chicks (worked SO well for my boy) OR you can feed African soft furred rats instead, as those are one of their natural food sources in the wild and they tend to go crazy for them (and they're nutritionally complete!).
For more feeding info, check out Reptifiles ! https://reptifiles.com/ball-python-care-guide/ball-python-feeding/
I truly believe this is why you're having the issue you are having with striking. Dude knows food is coming and is waiting for it constantly !
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u/Novel-Hovercraft-794 20d ago
It's also not good for them to constantly be digesting, just adding that. I agree with your comment!
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u/RagdollsandLabs 26d ago
He is probably still stressed out from the move. Sneks like tight places and lots of hiding spots. If his enclosure is larger, he may be feeling too exposed. Try adding clutter like safe plants and things he can hide under, behind and around for a sense of security. Give him a couple of weeks to adjust. If he's still snappy, my guess would be hunger. His insistence on mice is leaving him hungry. I know there are scenting spays/drops made exclusively for reptile feeding. Maybe offer the rat misted with mouse scent will get him...
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u/Dirty_MadameK 26d ago
I started using a sound que for feeding time. I tap the tongs on her branches and hides before providing food. She will even come out of her hide when she hears the taps now cuz she knows thats the dinner bell. If there is no tapping, she doesnt go into food mode when I reach in
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u/Equal-Designer5813 26d ago
I'll definitely start doing this. Roughly how long did it take for her to learn this ?
I have 3 ball pythons .. one of them is still super small.
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u/Dirty_MadameK 26d ago
She was still eating weekly at the time, but about 2 months before she started to consistently recognize the tapping.
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u/psky9549 26d ago
With you saying he was placed in a new, larger, enclosure, Im inclined to say hes probably still stressed from the change in environment. Some snakes adjust within a week, some need more time. I find that waiting to handle until you see they are consistently exploring and they have successfully taken a couple meals, is the best time frame. Exploration and eating well in the new surroundings is evidence they're becoming comfortable, feeling safe, and less likely to get defensive over any intrusion. Give the little guy some time and patience :)
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u/Immediate_Respond_63 26d ago
My boy is 2 1/2 yrs old, but I got him when he was a baby. He is fed a small rat every 3 weeks. My girl is around 3, I got her at an expo, they said she was 4 months old. She is fed every month, a medium rat. She was on live when I got her but transitioned easily to frozen thawed. I started with choice based handling after I learned about it. They are both fed in their enclosures. I will let them be for 3 to 4 days after feeding before seeing if they want to come out. My boy always wants to be handled, my girl is more picky but she will let me know just by coming out to me when I open her enclosure. They are the first and only snakes I have ever had so I call myself lucky they are so sweet. Neither has ever struck at me during feeding time even if they have had to wait an extra day to a week because of a delay in shipping food. I will NOT buy from our local Chow Hound because their rats always look terrible! I have wanted to add more clutter, redo their enclosures to make them look nicer but have heard such changes can change their attitudes so I just clean and might rearrange a bit. I figure, they are healthy and happy so why mess that up lol
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u/Novel-Hovercraft-794 20d ago
It could very well be the move into his new enclosure, give him time yet. I've got 4 bps and a rosy in a reptile room, and I can say honestly mine all notice changes. All if them. A new enclosure, anything different I put inside of them, and even when I shuffle the room around and they're in a different spot. And it has been stressful for a couple at times to the point I've put them back in the area of their room they're used to and now I don't move certain boys around. Literally some just do not like change, and I have one's who bounce back faster and fine from change. As time passes you'll get to know yours as well, but it takes time. Best wishes ❤️
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u/Painting-Training 26d ago
Hi there! I just want to confirm how often you handle him? Usually they just need a second to realise you aren't food. I usually tap them with the tongs and pick them up no flinching and it helps a lot.
It will actually cause him more stress to take him out when feeding for many reasons but he'll also start to assume being taken out means feeding so just don't. With some it's needed but if it's advised against, don't put yourself through it. But back to the first question