Hostile day after feeding?

IR_Slacker · 06-26-14, 06:25 PM

So when I first brought my new BP home on the 22nd, she was in her tank exploring the new surroundings in her tank. Very peaceful looking. Just yesterday I fed her a medium rat and she ate it right up. Today 24 hours after feeding, I went inside her tank, prepared to start getting her used to me and handling her. I was going to remove the rat feces and she was following my hand with her head very intensely. Making very quick movements and I was being slow and steady. She was always facing my hands. I took my hands out and blocked the feces off with her log and picked it out real quick to get the job done. But the entire time I felt like she was ready to strike at any time.

According to the previous owners, she has never been the hostile type, always was great being held by the family and the kids. Do you think I should just give it more time?

On another note, they never fed her in the tank until the last 2-3 feedings as they didn't have time for her anymore, hence why they got rid of her. So now she associates the lid opening with feeding.

I want to start handling her, but I do not want to be bitten on my first attempt. This is my first snake, and she's a big one. 6 year old BP.

Any recommendations on how I can get her used to me and start handling her?

**millertime89** · 06-26-14, 06:30 PM

She's still in feed mode. Wait 48-72 hours after feeding before interacting. Also a snake hook wouldn't be a paid decision as it can help you cancel that feed mode or move the snake when still in feed mode without actually touching her and getting within striking range.

IR_Slacker · 06-26-14, 06:38 PM

What do you mean "cancel" feed mode? How do you do that? Just scoot her around with the hook or what?

FWK · 06-26-14, 06:45 PM

She doesn't know you yet, be patient with her. Many snakes will be a bit defensive when you first approach, they don't know what your intentions are but once you pick them up they calm down. Move slowly but confidently reach right in and pick her up. If you are worried about getting bit you can use a hook to make the initial contact and you'll be fine from there. I've been bitten by so many snakes I don't even think twice about it lol. Give her at least 48 hours after feeding before handling if possible. Bother her to much and she may regurgitate. Snakes are vulnerable when they have a full belly and will be on the defensive. Feeding her in her enclosure IMO is the way to go, that is her territory and she will be much more comfortable eating in the safety of her home. I feed all my snakes in their enclosures with no issues.

IR_Slacker · 06-26-14, 06:50 PM

I've read so many different views on feeding in tank or in a separate bin. She's been bin-fed her entire life, so that is what she is accustomed to, I think I should keep doing that. What I DONT want to happen is for her to get used to the lid opening as feeding time and never get the chance to start handling her. I want to get to the point where I can have a 5-6 foot tall tree in the living room with a basking light on it for her to relax on outside of her tank

**millertime89** · 06-26-14, 07:17 PM

Just use the hook (or an empty paper towel tube) and boop her on the head. Search "Hook training" on youtube, there's tons of great videos on it.

FWK · 06-26-14, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IR_Slacker

I've read so many different views on feeding in tank or in a separate bin. She's been bin-fed her entire life, so that is what she is accustomed to, I think I should keep doing that. What I DONT want to happen is for her to get used to the lid opening as feeding time and never get the chance to start handling her. I want to get to the point where I can have a 5-6 foot tall tree in the living room with a basking light on it for her to relax on outside of her tank

It's true, there is some controversy on the feeding subject and I'm sure some others will offer their opinions but here is how I look at it. The only real argument I've seen for feeding the snake in a separate bin is to avoid a "tank aggressive" snake. I'll digress on whether or not I think feeding the snake in its enclosure can result in a "tank aggressive" snake but I will say that the only reason people attempt to avoid a "tank aggressive" snake is out of fear of being bitten. In other words they are not trying to do what is best for the snake, they are worried about the pain associated with a bite. If you are worried about a bite use a hook.

Also, at the risk of sounding antagonistic, I don't expect she will ever relax under a basking light in a tree outside of her tank. Ball Pythons are nocturnal and by nature do not bask, they prefer belly heat. They are not much for climbing either, I have seen juvies explore the vertical with enthusiasm but adults tend to stick to the ground. Falling from a tree could easily rupture organs in a heavy-bodied snake.

IR_Slacker · 06-26-14, 07:28 PM

I did not think of the falling. Maybe that's not the best idea then. Was planning on using infrared basking area. So I will not be doing that then. I do want to be able to handle her and let her hangout with me while relaxing after work

**millertime89** · 06-26-14, 07:36 PM

Also, the feeding in a separate bin is one of the dumbest myths floating around the hobby IMO. A snake will have a feeding response/be defensive whether you want it to or not and removing them from their home and placing them in a strange, foreign place to feed is just adding stress to the animal. Think of it from the perspective of people with large snakes for a moment. Sure a prolonged feed-mode in a 3-4 ft BP might be an annoyance, but with a 14 ft retic striking at anything that moves with a heat signature it's downright dangerous.

**EL Ziggy** · 06-26-14, 08:40 PM

I wouldn't want to move my kings when they're in feed mode and they're only 3 ft

. I used to feed in a separate container too when I first started keeping snakes until I took the advice of the members here and started feeding them in their enclosures. It's less stressful for me and the snakes. They take their food from the tongs and we're all done. They eat and retreat to their warm side hides for a couple of days before I handle them again.

aaron_cg · 06-27-14, 01:01 PM

Hey there IR, I keep a wide variety of Reptiles, and I can vouch for the tub feeding myth. I feed all if mine in enclosure and all but my Texas rat are docile.

Hook training is where you give the snake a few taps on the head with the hook and rub there back any time you take them out. Light taps, not anything hard. And when you feed, you just some put a rat in and that's it. Soon, they will associate the hook with "non feeding time". It's really one of the only thing you can "teach" your Snake.

IR_Slacker · 06-27-14, 06:30 PM

I'm going to have to make a run to the Chicago Reptile House and pickup a snake hook. I opened up the tank today to remove the snakes poop and I gave her backside a little rub and she hissed at me lol. Seems I need to take things slow with this one

FWK · 06-27-14, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IR_Slacker

I'm going to have to make a run to the Chicago Reptile House and pickup a snake hook. I opened up the tank today to remove the snakes poop and I gave her backside a little rub and she hissed at me lol. Seems I need to take things slow with this one

At least if she is hissing you can be sure she is not in feeding mode lol. Several of my BPs will hiss at a light touch but if I just pick them up they melt in my hands. I'm not going to promise you she wouldn't give you a defensive nip but the odds are against it.

marvelfreak · 06-28-14, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IR_Slacker

I've read so many different views on feeding in tank or in a separate bin. She's been bin-fed her entire life,

So the problem then become every time you take them out of the cage they get in the feed mode. I had a buddy that bin feed but hardly ever handle his snake. Got to the point every time he remove one it would start striking because it thought it was getting fed.

I personally feed all my snakes in their cages and never have a problem. I can reach right in and pick any of them up at any time. Expected when food is present.