Cranky Spotted in new Enclosure

[Diamonds85]

Hey all,
I have a Spotted Python who has just turned 1, he is our first snake and has been happily living in the enclosure that we bought for him when we first purchased him so it is quite small.

A couple of months ago we moved him into 3 foot cage as he was getting quite big. Once we did that he became very agressive and defensive when we would try to hold him, he bit my partner on 2 occasions and even drew blood. Once we put him back in his first enclosure and he settled right down to the point where we could hold him more confidently again. Because it is so hot at the moment we made the decision to move him back into the big enclosure again on advice to a local snake expert but once again he has turn aggressive and has already bit my partner. Each time we have let him settle for at least a week before attempting to hold him and this time we have put his first enclosure in the big enclosure so that if he was uncomfortable he could go back there.

Any advice would me very welcome as i am already a nervous holder and have many problems even getting our spotted out of his enclosure in the first place let alone this new agressive behaviour .

 

[champsey1]

try putting the small enclosure with the lid open in the big one, might work, hope it helps

good luck.

 

[FAY]

Must feel stressed in the larger enclosure.

 

[JAS101]

can u takes pics of both enclosures , just so we can see the size diffrence of both enclosures .
i say put the small enclosure into the big one , leave the lid/door open to the small enclosure open . it the snake explore on its own terms and time . a week might not be enough . give it a month in there without handling it and see how u go .
spotteds are moody at the best of times - add stress = a lot of tagging being done , i think the snake has got u bluffed .
if the snake makes a sudden movement do u jump or flinch ?

 

[amy5189]

my spotted didn't like moving up from his tiny click clack to a 52L tub, so i compromised and moved him into a 30L tub. he is fine at the moment and will try him in a bigger enclosure in a few months.
must just be too much change too quickly. as said put your little encosure in the big enclosure with lid half open, and also if you can post up some pics of both enclosures.
plus i've heard that spotteds can become a bit agro at the age of 1. lol. don't ask me why but i've read a couple of threads on here with people saying their spotteds have gone nasty around the yearling mark...

 

[moosenoose]

Could also just be the snake (as just suggested). I remember my Darwin python when he was young went through a nut-so phase after the first year (probably teenage hormones :lol If you persist with some patience and understanding you'll both come out the other side of this little bump in the road happy. Just ensure your temps are right and you've given the snake ample hides

 

[Diamonds85]

Thankyou for all your advice!

I have attached a pic of his enclosure. Since he has moved back into his larger enclosure we have kept his smaller enclosure in there with him so that he is more calm about being there. I will try keeping the lid half on though.

As amy5189 said about getting an in between size enclosure we were hoping to find one but have so far come up at a loss with it. Is there any particular places we could find these bigger tubs for sale, that also might be good for him to have a slightly bigger space to roam in but still feel nice and safe.

I think he does have us worked out though as i do get a little uncomfortable when holding him if he trys to go to far up my arm or if I think that he looks like he wants to bite me.

Hopefully this photo will show the first enclosure off well.