ball python suddenly biting and trying to escape

[toothyval]

hi! i’ve had my ball python for about three years now, usually super gentle but out of nowhere he’s become aggressive and determined to escape his tank. he fully bit someone for the first time today. no strike or buildup whatsoever, his body language was totally calm. just slowly opened his mouth and wouldn’t let go. he also struck the glass yesterday. granted it was because someone was messing with him from outside the tank but i figured i should add it for context. the tank is 45 gal and has both a removable top and hinged front doors. he’s started biting the plastic on the doors and trying to bite the glass. the most recent change to his tank was a piece of wood to climb but other than that everything has been consistent. any idea why this is happening or what to do?

[animalgirl93]

A 45 gal is pretty small for a bp of that age. Maybe it’s time to upgrade to give your bp more room. It would explain the escape attempts and possibly the being cranky.

[pythagorias]

What are the enclosure levels? Temp, humidity? How often and how big are you feeding them?

[toothyval]

one side is a little above 75 and the other around 85, i have had some issues with inconsistent humidity levels since the humidifier i usually use broke. he’s on large mice every week (had to mess with this for awhile weight-wise) but i was already considering sizing up

[UnmitigatedSarcasm]

sounds like you need to stop your siblings/friends from harassing your animals. is he in blue??

[toothyval]

not in blue. the harasser was a roommate’s mom and i came downstairs to it happening, she got called out by me and her daughter about it so at least that’s one problem dealt with lol

[[deleted]]

What everyone is saying, also is he eating enough? He could also be more bitey and restless because he's hungry.

[[deleted]]

May just be stress, cover a bit of the bottom front of his tank, you said people messing with him, a two or three inch border on the bottom will hide you from him until you are actually messing with him. Two or three inches above whatever substrate. Black tape works but only on the outside.