Change in temper?

Pookie · 08-20-03, 05:49 AM

I've had my BP for about a year now. He's always been very friendly (well, as friendly as they get) and never bite me once! My boyfriend reached his hand in last night and he jumped out and bit him! Granted my boyfriend has no clue as to how to approach a snake but do you think there's a reason for this? Maybe it's because he doesn't know him? Should i have different people start to handle him so he gets use to new hands?

mango · 08-20-03, 07:28 AM

I'll admit that I am an ameteur but I would have to say yes there is a reason for this. Friends of mine that are extremely experienced with bp's will tell you that a snake can tell the difference between other people and their "mom"(main caretaker). For example, Jega my bp, is very skittish my my fiance because he moves too fast with her instead of slow. With me she is calm and doesn't jump or jerk. If you want others to be able to handle him, take him out while your bf is there and slowly introduce your bp into his hands but teach him to be slow moving. It's not hard to get them used to other people

Hope I helped!

Stalabros · 08-20-03, 07:58 AM

MY experience is with a CalKing...When I try to pick her up, she comes running (in the sense of the word) to my hand, however when my brother comes to visit she will do her best to avoid him, run away, hide, etc.. She has neve bitten anyone though. I believe that it is a comfort factor. The snake knows you and it knows that it is safe in your hands.

mango · 08-20-03, 08:02 AM

Sorry to post again but I want to add to what stalabros said. Very right he is and I would also like to give a little advice on how to introduce your bp to your bf. Like Stal said he is comfortable in your hands because he trusts you. Start with the snake in your hands get him calm, try to get your bf to stroke or continuously touch the snake while you hold it. When the snake seems oblivious to your bf being there then try to switch hands. This is just a suggestion. This is what I do with my girl. Hope it helps!! Good luck!!

fateamber · 08-20-03, 10:07 AM

Do you feed him in his viv?

**Andy_G** · 08-20-03, 02:02 PM

Feeding in/out of the viv should not make any difference. I think if the ball python is only used to you and your scent, he/she was unfamiliar with your boyfriend's and acted defensively. He perhaps approached the snake too fast. I would reccomend getting others to handle him/her a small amount, and maybe you and only you should pick your ball python up and then pass it off to another rather than someone else picking it up.

MontyPython · 08-20-03, 06:03 PM

It could also be where he started to pick up the snake that made the snake bite. If you go for right behind the neck, then yeah the snake is gonna get defensive, i would start from the lower half of the body to the tell and then pick him up slowly. Hope that helps?

Pia · 08-20-03, 10:10 PM

Snakes will strike at anything that smells like food, so if your boyfriend had recently handled a rodent, that might have been the cause. Or perhaps a quick movement, although mine curls up when startled.

marisa · 08-20-03, 10:11 PM

Snakes bite.

LOL Seriously though. Snakes aren't trustworthy and biting happens. They won't ever be puppy tame because they may bite anyone for any reason at any time. It's what they do.

Marisa

lilyskip · 08-21-03, 01:09 AM

i think the fact that you said your bf didn't know how to handle a snake is a clue. it may have been threatened by a hand coming in its face really quickly.

i've also noticed that my bp acts differently around other people than me. specifically, it is calmer with females than males, in general. i'm thinking about using him to test potential boyfriends. wink.

MontyPython · 08-21-03, 04:38 AM

Good idea

Kappa · 08-21-03, 04:54 AM

Ive had 3 BP's for over a year now and anyone in my family can pick them up from the viv and a few close friends. I dont think the scent is the only reason, going the grab the head is likely. But how long did he go without eating before that? The only time ive been bit is when i didnt feed one of them for a week and a half rather then usual feeding schedule. Also if you do feed in the viv they can be a little more aggressive thinking its food everytime you open thier tank. If your not you should also start feeding outside the tank.

Pookie · 08-21-03, 05:22 AM

Yeah, i thought about the food thing too but i fed him only a few days before the incident. He's not a very big snake yet so it wasn't a big bite, but my bf was finally being brave to hold him!

I have a feeling it's gonna be a long time to get him to hold one of my snakes again

I agree w/ lilyskip... It's def. a bf test! They've gotta love your animals too!

Dev_Man · 08-21-03, 02:48 PM

Would your BP happen to be in the middle of a shed cycle?...Mine is literally dog tame untill he goes into shed, as soon as i put my hand in the enclosure he usually hisses at me and tries to avoid me at all costs

Pookie · 08-21-03, 06:52 PM

hmm...never thought of that, but i don't think he is. I'll keep an eye out!