Help with a suddenly aggressive snake

[Rochi-sama]

Well, I've had my spotted python for just over a year, and she's been really docile - she's only ever bitten me once (and this was the first time she'd ever been handled).
However, just over a week ago she bit me. It was probably my fault for moving too quickly and spooking her a bit, so I thought nothing of it. I left it a few days, and took her out. She was fine. The next day, she bit me again. I left her again for a few days (other than when I fed her, but then I tried not to handle her too much - I feed her out of her enclosure). When I took her out again today, she bit me again.
I was being extra careful not to do anything to make her feel insecure, so I'm not quite sure what to do. It isn't long since she last shed, so I don't think that's it... I'm still quite new to snake-keeping, so I've come here for advice.

In short: Is it common for usually docile snakes to be in a "bitey" mood? What would you recommend I do?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

 

[slide]

Have you moved it into a new enclosure recently?
How long is 'not long' since last shed?
Is she showing any signs of illness/trauma?
Was it a strike or did she just decide to latch on to you while handling?

Changes in cage setup might cause her to be a bit on edge. So can upcoming sheds and after a shed. Illness or trauma might make her defensive.

 

[Trouble]

+ 1 to all those questions

Also, what size food are you feeding her? maybe try feeding her more, or upping her food size.
My spotteds go through these 'moods' sometimes, but it's usually cause they're hungry...

 

[FAY]

I reckon she is hungry. Up the food.

 

[longqi]

Most important thing to give a bit of insight into why, is the type of bite

If it just tagged you by hitting you with open mouth but didnt try to eat you it is scared
That type of bite is purely defensive
You need to get it to trust you again
Method we use is simple and works well
Use a pillowcase or similar to lift it from the viv
hot sweaty hands can freak them out a bit
let it call the shots and eventually it will feel safe and crawl all over you again


If it actually bit you and latched on that is a food response bite
If you have any furry pets wash your hands before going near the slitherer
Probably a bigger feed will sort that out as it may be hungry
This time of year is when they want extra tucker to beef up for the winter lean times

Only other suggestion is that if its a male this is the end of breeding season
It might simply be horny

 

[Rochi-sama]

I have not changed her enclosure recently.
It's been about three weeks since she last shed.
I don't think there are any signs of illness or sickness, but, as I said, I'm new to keeping a snake as a pet, so I may be missing something. Any tips on what I should look for?
She latched onto me for a bit, rather than striking.

I currently feed her one hopper mouse a week. Is that too little?

And to the last post, it's summer here, not winter. And she's female.

 

[Bel03]

Sounds to me like she needs a bigger mouse.....hopper mice are tiny. How big is she? I only have a bredli, so i am not sure on how big a spotted is as a yearling, but i would assume she could eat a weiner or adult mouse okay. Does the hopper mouse leave much of a bulge in her belly?

 

[slide]

Seems like she is trying to give you a hint
Step up the food size and see what happens

 

[tyler97]

or feed her 2 hoppers. if you cant afford another bag of mice at the moment but deffinitely upsize the food

 

[longqi]

Definitely a food thing
Lots more tucker and she'll be fine
She could probably eat 5 hoppers without slowing down

 

[Rochi-sama]

She usually ends up with a bulge when she eats, but only slightly, I guess.
I'll try upping the food size.

Thank you for the help.

 

[Schnecke]

The other posters have given great advice in regards to letting you know what each type of bite means and with her hanging on instead of striking you, it's right in assuming it's a feeding response. I've only even been hit and released, so luckily I feel my little one is well fed I think your python could easily go up a size and if you feel confident with that, maybe bump her up again after 2-3 feeds.

You want her to look nice and "plump"

Although a Jungle is bigger in comparison and eats larger meals, this is what mine looks like after an appropriate food item has been eaten (10 minutes after a feed) and he's still looking for more the guts!



You want her to look and feel like she just ate 2 Christmas dinners

If you are nervous about upping her food size, get a photo of her with a toilet roll beside her (is a good size comparison) or a photo of her in your hands and I'm sure someone will be able to offer you a suggestion on a size (as I've always fed rats so I'm not 100% on mice sizes)