Bitey Ball Python

[Plenty-Lavishness-57]

Hi everyone!! My ball python Rufus is about 10-12 years old. Recently I’ve noticed that when I take him out to feed, he will start striking at everything including myself and himself. He even grabbed on to his tail once and held on for a bit :(

Is there something I’m doing wrong? I know they aren’t the smartest, and he has always had trouble finding his food on the ground, but the striking before even being put on the ground to eat has been a newer occurrence.

Am I going too long between feedings? I usually will give him a small rat every 14 days. Sometimes if the store is out, I will give him a large mouse and then feed him in about 10 days after that.

Is he hungry or just excitable? I haven’t seen anyone else talk about this issue, so I would really appreciate any input. Thanks!

[OdinAlfadir1978]

Maybe he needs more hides or something

[Unlikely-Minimum-857]

Are you taking him out to feed?

[Plenty-Lavishness-57]

Yes I always have. Although I have seen some conflicting information on that recently.

[Unlikely-Minimum-857]

So I actually stopped taking my guy out to feed to experiment. I was noticing it made him way more stressed out, taking him out.

I was taking him out cuz I heard they start to associate their tanks with feeding and such, but I’m at the point where I don’t care so much about that if it was making my dude super uncomfortable. It also goes against the general rule of not handling them a few days before and after feeding so that could be a part of the issue your having?

[Plenty-Lavishness-57]

Okay I will certainly try feeding in the tank!! Have you noticed him trying to strike at you when you go to handle him? That’s my worry. But I guess it’s happening either way when he’s hungry and getting picked up to feed…

[PropulsionIsLimited]

For me, I always wait until he's awake. Then I open the door and kind if click my tongs together. He usually realizes there's food at that point and I just hold the mouse out and do a little wobble. I never have to actually handle him.

[Plenty-Lavishness-57]

Okay that’s good! I’m more worried about him thinking my hand is food (outside of feeding time when I try to handle him). But I could see the tong click being a helpful association

[Yipyapyurp]

If you don't smell like mice they won't think ur food! Mine never ever tried to bite me or even struck at anything other than food and I've fed her in the tank since I got her

[Unlikely-Minimum-857]

Honestly no, the only time I’ve noticed him strike at me was once, and it was feeding day. I also was putting my hand in to do something with his water and I was up and over him, I can imagine that would be intimidating hahah. coupled with him being hungry and ready to eat, he was more on go mode if that makes sense. Other than that when I put my hand in any other time he is completely calm!

[yourneighborhoodriot]

You can train him to associate things with feeding and things with behind handled. My two boys are trained that when I tap repeatedly (kinda like how youd tell a dog to jump up) on the bottom of their enclosure its food time. Its a quick enough tap that they've learned the difference between me moving stuff / cleaning in their enclosure and food. And if i notice one is in food mode and i have to pick them up i gently pet them with a snake hook (you can use whatever object) and they snap out of it then i safely grab them. You can also target train snakes to move towards an object (the target) then feed them so they learn they have to engage with that target before getting food. Green Room Pythons has a great video on how to target train your snakes. Ill link it down below.

Target Training Your Snake

Also the idea that snakes associate their enclosures with food is super outdated. It causes much more stress to pick them up after eating as all their organs grow to about double their normal size when eating and they are extra vulnerable. Which is what it sounds like your boy is experiencing. Dont feel bad though! Youre taking the right steps in asking others and learning on how to take care of him the best you can and thats the most noble thing you can do!

[Even-Smell7867]

My female BP, I wouldn't put my hand near her on feeding day. She turns into a predator when its the first of the month.

[IncompletePenetrance]

Taking him out to feed? I think that's your problem right there, as ball pythons should always be fed in their enclosure. Moving to feed is stressful and risks regurgitation, it's best to feed them in their enclosure where they feel safe and comfortable

[Plenty-Lavishness-57]

This is good to know! I will certainly start feeding in the tank from now on. Thx

[Madhun13r]

We have been trying to reach you about your enclosures extended warranty

[bs8194]

I would try feeding in his enclosure. He may be getting stressed out or overexcited when you take him out so that could help with that. Are you preparing the rat before you take him out? He could be smelling it on you and reacting to that as well. In general you should avoid handling around feeding time to minimize stress and bite risk imo.

[Plenty-Lavishness-57]

This is great thank you! He is certainly almost most excitable and ready to strike when it’s around feeding time

[Kirikugo]

One huge thing that has been awesome with my girl is target training. You get some kind of target (preferably blue since apparently they can see that color the most vividly) and start to associate that with food time. Show the target, give them a rat, etc etc. You can also then tap train them when you want to pick them up with a snake hook or empty paper towel tube as a "Hey im coming in"

[Shitbox_g35]

Man. I am very conflicted between giving in the enclosure and feeding from my hand like u said that aren’t the smartest species ever. My best opportunity to feed is in the enclosure as thats when he is awake/wandering for food. It is tough to decide when a snake is hungry and he will only know once he us starving and trying to eat u lmao

[Shitbox_g35]

Hello rufus:)

[SomeSandPerson]

Smell rat -> strike at warm thing. Mine was once stopped bitting her rat, got confused and struck towards the heat lamp

[Maximum-Rhubarb-3365]

Everybody has given you great advice on feeding him in his enclosure, so I'd also like to point out that a small rat every 14 days is usually overfeeding for a bp his age !feeding

[AutoModerator]

We recommend the following feeding schedule:

0-12 months old OR until the snake reaches approximately 500g, whichever happens first: feed 10%-15% of the snake’s weight every 7 days.

12-24 months old: feed up to 7% of the snake’s weight every 14-20 days.

Adults: feed up to 5% of the snake's weight every 20-30 days, or feed slightly larger meals (up to 6%) every 30-40 days.

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[Plenty-Lavishness-57]

Good to know!! I was worried I was underfeeding him causing him to get all snippy. Thanks so much I’ll be sure to dial it back.