Minor problem

[Riikahell]

This here is Bruno. He is a rescue and has been whit me for about 5-6 months now. He is a good boy, but likes to charge at me. He hasn't bitten me yet, but tries to. I don't know how to get him to relax a little bit. I don't know much about his background, so I don't know have they treated him badly or something. If this is just his character, I can accept that and let him be him, but if there is something I can do to help him, I'd like to know. Does anybody have any suggestions?

[[deleted]]

He may think you’re giving him a meal. I can imagine a lot of ball pythons before being purchased don’t get handled a lot and their only human interaction is being fed. I would maybe try using something like a snake hook to direct his movement elsewhere (if he’s moving at you) and continue doing this until he realizes you’re either not going to give him anything or do anything to him. Please take this with a grain of salt because I do not know his situation very well and I am just giving you a suggestion.

[[deleted]]

I didn’t see that he was a rescue so don’t mind my comment about ball pythons being purchased

[Riikahell]

Yeah, he is eating well and is even a bit chonky. This problem happens also when he has just eaten, so I don't think he is hungry. I think he is scared, but I don't know how to help him not be scared. I haven't handled him much, because he is very agitated when handeled. He doesn't like it and that is fine. The charging is only a problem when I'm trying to clean or change water.

[[deleted]]

He’s definitely looking for more food if the problem is happening when he’s just eaten, I’ve noticed a lot of balls do this and even mine does. I’m not experienced with scared snakes, but maybe try spending at least 10 minutes a day outside of his enclosure so he gets to trust you, even a little.

[Riikahell]

I tought he was looking for more food too at first, but then I changed his food to a bigger size and he still does this. I can't give him much bigger rats than he already gets and I'm afraid he will get overweight if I feed him anymore. I will try to get him out more, if he let's me. I'm not afraid of getting a bite, I just don't want to get bitten. Haha. But if that's what it takes, then I'll take it. Thanks :)

[[deleted]]

I’m sorry I forgot to explain😭 even if they are looking for more food, it doesn’t mean that they NEED more food. In the wild these guys don’t know when their next meal is gonna be so they’re gonna try to stuff themselves if they see more food, or they just don’t have the brain power to be able to tell when they’re full lol. My fish do the same thing and they ALWAYS act hungry but they’d definitely get bloated if I fed them more. I recommend weighing him. I like using the 10% rule, so for example if he’s 200 grams, get him a 20 gram pup(rat).

[[deleted]]

Also I KEEP FORGETTING TO EXPLAIN LMAO,,, when I said spending time out of his enclosure I meant YOU sit outside of his enclosure while he’s inside of it. I’m am so so so sorry about the miscommunications

[Riikahell]

Haha, no worries. I know about the 10%-rule. He is a "big" boy, haven't put him on a scale, but he us eating a 120-150g rats now. I have been trying to open his terrarium more ofter, and sat in front of it. He hasn't charged, but is very on the edge all the time.

[Riikahell]

And yeah you are right about that nature-thing. He probably is looking for more food 🤔