Advise needed for Spotted Python

[Arakssor]

I have a 10 year old Spotted Python. I've had her since she was 9 months old. She was always good at handling, I would hold her a few times a week and she would never bite. Since last year, the day of black Saturday I haven't been able to handle her without getting bitten. She doesn't just bite, she latches on and won't let go. Since this has happened I've stayed away from her except when feeding. It's now been over a year and I and a friend have tried to hold her and she still does it. I was just wondering what people might suggest, I want to hold her and I keep going to but just end up patting her. I've been feeding her a bit more the last 2 weeks just in case its because I haven't been feeding her enough. Does this sound like something I should be worried about, or just that she may be hungry, or do I need to get her use to being handled again.

Any advise would be appreciated

 

[Snakewoman]

Maybe a trip to the vet? If she has internal problems it may be hurting her to be handled. I guess she could also just have had a change of attitude.... I've seen heaps of people on here whose snakes have suddenly become snappy for no apparent reason.

 

[Arakssor]

Thank you for your reply

As far as I can tell she has no internal problems, she has always been handled well, her enclosure isn't a tall one so she wouldnt have had a high enough fall for this to happen. She doesn't bite straight away, she can be handled for a while, its just when she finds fingers (especially thumbs, maybe its the pulse) that she latches on. The other day when I was going to try handling her again we didn't even touch her and she just lunged at us straight out of her enclosure. Luckily its on the floor otherwise she could have injuries after that that. Hopefully in a few weeks time I'll report she has stopped biting again. Maybe she has just gotten snappy in her old age. I was hoping for a few more suggestions, Its just a pity I can;t handle her without her latching on now. Either way I've had her for 10 years and no matter what some people I know are saying I'm not getting rid of her just because she's snappy.

I have decided to get another snake in a few weeks, most likely a Jungle Carpet Python. Never thought I'd own more then one snake at a time. Then again as a kid I never thought I'd ever own one snake no matter how much I wanted to.

 

[Arakssor]

Well I am now happy to report that Striker has now seemed to have calmed down when being handled. Have handled her 3 times now in the last week and not one single bite. I have been feeding her more frequently so I'm guessing she may have just been hungry. Good to have my old girl back. Also i got my Jungle Carpet Python just over a week ago. His settled in and isn't very snappy, his a lot calmer then Striker when I first got her.

 

[dragon170]

If you are feeding her more frequently I would say your not feeding her big enough all my adult spotteds are on on sub adult or small rats if that is some sort of a guide and get feed about once a month without any problems

 

[Slats]

I maintain Ants on 22-35g rats. They aren't obese and are all doing fine.