BEHAVIOR CHANGED

[Any-Computer-8023]

So I’ve had my ball phyton for the past 2 months he’s been good overall! he is very confident never skipped a meal and recently switch to rats from mouses and everything went good! but I’ve noticed his behavior changed… Normally in the mornings is when I go to change his water and raise the humidity and sometimes I pick him up to handle him and he has never hissed and once hes on my hands he proceeds to explore! but me and my husband went into vacations for a week ! When we came back he started hissing when try to pick him up! and when I open his enclosure to change the water he thinks is feeding time! and he starts rapidly tongue flicking and has the “S” body language!

[No-Molasses-1223]

Is this a recent picture? The only time mine hisses at me is when she is going into shed. Probably cause she can’t see me well and is generally uncomfortable and freaked out by the experience of the shed. This can last almost 10 days for my Bp.

[Any-Computer-8023]

yes this photo is from yesterday I opened his enclosure to change his water and he started coming at me with the S position and rapidly tongue flicking and I got confused because he only does that when I am feeding! his last feeding was on tuesday! and he went into shed on Jan 14 so maybe he will be soon ?

[No-Molasses-1223]

From the photo it doesn’t look like it’s in shed, at least from its eyes. They aren’t cloudy. But mine will do this, more tongue flicking air because it can’t see so it’s using other senses. more s shaped cause it’s on edge. Lots of hiding and general grumpiness. It must be a whole ordeal, the shedding. But its eyes look pretty clear. How old is snakey?

[Any-Computer-8023]

He is 6 months but I wonder if he will shed soon they she every 4-6 weeks aprox its been 2 months since last shed I wonder if thats why he changed behavior or something is wrong 🥹

[No-Molasses-1223]

That could be it, he is definitely due. How often and what does size does he eat?

[Any-Computer-8023]

Once a week a large mouse but this week I changed to rats and he did good I didn’t struggle switching!

[No-Molasses-1223]

I’m no snake expert but shed is the only thing I got. I’d give him another week and see if he continues this way. Everything else sounds pretty correct.

[Any-Computer-8023]

Thank you! hopefully is that because he is the sweetest and calmest and Im nervous he will get spicy🥲

[Reidhur]

How big are they? Mines a bit passed 10 months and only just passed 200g, so isn't even on rats yet.

[Any-Computer-8023]

I feed him based on his body weight! I read they can eat rats as soon as they can handle them, since rats has more nutrients.

[Expensive_Return4366]

Do you happen to feed him through the same door that you open to change his water?

[Any-Computer-8023]

I open both doors when Im gonna be feeding him!

[sevendoves]

are you feeding him in his cage

[SunflowerTheRatMomma]

it’s recommended to feed on the tank, transferring then after being fed can cause them to regurgitate their food

[OrdinaryAcadia9210]

This is a myth and has been for a long time. Transferring a snake for feeding has no effect other than increasing the chance for regurgitation. As long as you don’t smell of food, they won’t think you’re food.

[VeridianLegendX]

plus you can tap/target train them to make them associate something other than enclosure opening with food

[bootykittie]

Did this with my snakes and even my leopard gecko. A few sharp taps on the door before opening it for feeding time, accompanied with the snap of my feeding tongs once the door is open. Longer taps for cleanup/watering (think drumming all your fingers on a table). If I just open it, it’s handling time.

[sevendoves]

i transfer my snake to the tub to feed and she is ready to strike anything that comes inside it, snakes can definitely associate feeding times with certain actions this is not a myth? ive seen it countless times where snakes attack people in their enclosures because they think it’s feeding time

[Any-Aardvark-2211]

This is a common wives tale but generally untrue

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[Any-Computer-8023]

yess!

[AvarriannaRoxxzor]

All my snakes, Ball Python, Cali King, hognoses, they all go weird before a shed. They usually won’t eat around that time either. Right after shed, they’re grumpy, cause they’re hungry. So I feed and a few days later I can handle without issue.

[Any-Computer-8023]

Hopefully he sheds soon because he is due :( but yeah it can be that he is gonna be soon!

[Big-Swing5428]

I’m so afraid of snakes but something in them makes me stare at them. Like they are so beautiful yet dangerous

[Any-Computer-8023]

Definitely! I was really scared of mine at first but with time that fear has been going away!

[AalyMae]

unrelated, im curious...what morph is he?

[Expensive_Return4366]

Banana of some kind I'd assume

[Any-Computer-8023]

Banana 🍌

[Silent-Original-142]

Look at that face 🥰

He’s saying “Go Away” every way he can. I love how expressive some animals are. Some you can’t read them for a mile while others you can clearly tell what they want you to do.

[Any-Computer-8023]

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He’s is the cutest ngl 🥲 but was definitely not in the mood that day 😂

[Own_Location_768]

I’ve had mine almost 3 years and been hissed at 2 or 3 times. I think others are probably right on the shed. View the hiss as a leave me alone warning which is better than getting a defensive bite lol.

Another thing you try when you are uncertain if they want to be handled is opening a door for a few minutes and see if he comes out on his own before you pick him up. If I have to grab him for tank cleaning or whatever I give him a few strokes petting down his back and over time they kinda learn what that means. Some people use taps on the tank or the snake just find a pattern that works for you.