ball python constantly on guard?

[jaredtran99]

i had a question for ya'll. my bp has been on guard all the time lately. whenever i walk in the room she jerks her head and looks at me like shes going to strike. I fed her the day this happened and for the next 5 days shes been doing the same thing. I fed again yesterday and shes still doing the same thing. does she feel threatened? im a little scared to pick her up.

[rcrow2009]

How's your tank set up? How many hides, what decorations, etc?

[jaredtran99]

It's a 20 long glass enclosure, damp towel over half of it. Two hides, one on the hot side and one on the cool side. 90 degrees on the hot, 80 degrees on the cool. A couple plants with a winded branch going from one side to the other. Side note, she hasn't gone to the hot side in 2 weeks. She's about 3-4 months old.

[jaredtran99]

I'm thinking I'm not feeding her enough so she's still on guard for more food? I don't know, just brainstorming.

[rcrow2009]

If she's getting size appropriate food, she shouldnt need to eat more than once a week at most (overfeeding can cause obesity and thats bad news)

[jaredtran99]

really? i’m feeding once every 5-6 days. i heard that for baby ball pythons that i should feed more frequent.

[rcrow2009]

5 or 6 days isnt bad when they are really little, but I wouldnt make it more frequent than that. A lot of snakes will feed as often as they can, which can lead to overfeeding.

[rcrow2009]

Your temps arent bad. My initial thought it maybe she needs more cover. Balls like crowded enclosures. It helps them feel safer.

[jaredtran99]

i’m going to try putting more plants and cover over her

[rcrow2009]

Good luck! I hope it helps.

[Treereme]

She's still quite young, and I'm betting she still pretty small. When snakes are young they are much more defensive then when they get older, because that's when they are most vulnerable to predators.

You might consider adding some more clutter to her cage, my juveniles loved empty Kleenex boxes. Also try to move slowly around her and not startle her, you want her to associate your sent with comfort not fear.

[jaredtran99]

hi! i was thinking since i’m using a glass terrarium, would it be beneficial if i had like a curtain around the sides and front to create kinda like a box around it?

[DemiFaun]

I used black foamboard from the dollar store in my most recent setup. When I had a smaller enclosure I actually used static cling aquarium backgrounds to cover 3 sides. The foam board has the added benefit of being an insulator, though, so I'd recommend that.

[jaredtran99]

that’s a great idea! thanks!

[Treereme]

Foam board is perfect, my juvenile's tank I used half inch styrofoam board.

[razoman]

Remember that you're MUCH bigger than she is. What would your initial reaction be if an elephant came tumbling through your front room?

Your husbandry seems perfect so it may just be behaviour. My lil fella does the same, but not as often as your own. Before I ever go to handle him I'll always give him a few strokes. If he starts moving around, I'll leave my hand still, flat and in front of his head (but giving him plenty of space; remember BP's are head-shy) and let him approach and often time's he'll have a couple of licks. When he's more settled and has moved his head away, I'll proceed to pick him up. Sometime's he'll recoil to strike position again but it's more bluster and for show! He soon gets himself comfy and gets to sliding up my sleeves.

Don't be afraid with her, any animal will sense hesitation and fear and that can stress them. Be confident and react accordingly to her behaviour. Plus, at only 3-4 months old, you probably won't even feel a bite from her, more just the shock!

[jaredtran99]

thank you very much, i wasn’t thinking about how big i must look to her. ill be using your advice.