What to do?

[kaylaismyth]

Hi all, it's been a long time since I've visited AP, all has been well with my stimson python for a long time, but something worrying on my mind has led me to come back!

Just recently Kaiser (my stimson, almost a yearling) has become very 'threatening' and vicious towards me. I see no reason as to why, I feed him appropriately and try to handle him enough for him to stay friendly with me but he has suddenly become very wary of me. Just walking around his tank makes him paranoid and he coils up to strike at me, flickering his tongue alot. Also when feeding he tends to try and strike me before even attempting to get the mouse? He just seems to hate me!

I really don't know what to do, it's becoming very disturbing for me and being an anxious person (PTSD symptoms) it is getting distressing. What are my options? Should I continue just trying to keep him calm or should I be considering his sale? He's such a lovely fella but I really can't 'cope' per say if he were to remain with such a personality. :cry:

 

[dtulip10]

snakes bite. they all do. just handle him more and more and take the odd bite.

have you tried darkening the enclosure or putting more hides in his enclosure.

 

[bfg23]

Try feeding in a separate tub and use a hook to get him out of his current enclosure.

It will make the snake associate the new tub with feeding, and it will learn that the hook means its being handled.

I have also found that when you go to get them out of the enclosure, if they carry on a bit and cling onto everything then just leave them be, they clearly dont want to be handled right then.

Also, some of my pythons go a bit iffy in the heat too if ambient room temps get too high.

 

[kaylaismyth]

I was planning to move him from tank to enclosure (suitable size for a large Stimson) very soon, perhaps one or two weeks time. Have the enclosure and all the stuff just have to set up the light, heat, etc. Have been putting it off due to his recent behavior because I'm unsure of the cause of it, so I suppose he would benefit from moving to a bigger enclosure?

 

[caraohara]

Snakes are very private animals, does he have enough places in his tank to hide?? Try adding an extra hide rock or two, if he can't hide away properly this will stress him out and make him anxious as he will feel unsafe...hence biting and acting nasty. Snakes will be snakes...they bite! Use gloves when handling and let him bite you, after a while he will realise that this behaviour doesn't get a reaction (biting) and should become easier to handle. Give him time and be patient.

 

[redbellybite]

Dont use GLOVES ...you can do damage to your snakes mouth ..you pull away quickly , it is stuck in your glove and you could end up with a very nasty outcome ...
If your finding you are getting very nervous around your snake ,and are showing signs of jerking and pulling away quickly ...your snake will get scared to and act defensive ,,because your behaviour is like that too..
If its just a matter of reaction that you fear and in all honesty ,if you do cop a quick defensive bite ,it wont hurt, its more of a shock to you ...so in saying that place your arm in ,turn your head away and leave it there ...if you feel him hit you ..stay relaxed he may hit you again ,but this will allow you to feel the bite and not panic ..then turn your head and watch if you cop a bite next ,your able to see that it really isnt a bad thing and you may be able to get past that instinct to jerk your hand away ...(this is just to get over the intial fear )

As was said ,try a hook to lift him out ,once out sit down and allow him to get off the hook at his own pace
you may need to use the hook to put him back in too ..this isnt a bad thing either ...some get a bit cage defensive ,your not on your own there ...
I wouldnt bother with a tub for feeding ,I personally dont think its necessary ,but thats up to you ,it just means you will be getting him out more often if you use this way of feeding ...
Make the hook your routine ,and use tongs to feed ..you should be ok ..

 

[Rickdejong]

lol gotta lo\/e RBB's ad\/ice, well said

 

[cosmicwolf4]

Everything RBB said is good advice. It's what I do with my babies, except for the hook, I never got around to trying that because they have calmed down now. Like you I was scared of bites, but when they are still small it's not that bad and a lot better than when they are bigger. Keep trying, it is possible you are sending signals to him that you are afraid and because he senses it, he's afraid too and getting defensive, hence the coiling and striking.

Keep trying, he will relax when you do. Slow and calm is the way to go, don't let him bluff you into being scared

 

[sheldoncy23]

it just be getting frustrated with the small size of the enclosure thats waht is happening to mine but im moving him in 2 days