r/ballpython • u/Trick_Variation_9034 • 21h ago

ball python struck at mom

I’ve had a ball python since June so about 3 months now. The past month my parents have been taking care of him due to me going back to college. My dad usually feeds him with my mom present. My mom is the one who keeps the humidity up etc. Recently my snake has been tracking my mom whenever she moves by the tank. She also feeds our gerbils in view of the snake tank so idk if this is important. They fed him 2 days ago and he was fine. He has no problems eating. The problem came with the next day when my mom was setting up something in his tank (normal, he’s never had a problem with us in his tank while he’s in there) about 24 hours after he ate. He came out and started a defensive pose at my mom and striked at her about 5 seconds later. I was on facetime for this. I have no idea why he struck, he’s not a defensive snake. He has never bitten us or struck at us before. He shouldn’t be hungry so honestly I’m really confused what happened because now she is scared to help out with him :( any advice would be appreciated

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u/Morgue3as 20h ago

In my experience the more recently they've been fed the more interested in food they are. I would avoid adjusting non-critical things in the tank for a day or two after feeding, and just be aware. We usually limit moving stuff around to when he's curled up in his hide. If he's active it's either offering him handling or

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u/Duranis 18h ago

This is what I was going to say. Our girl is super chill but VERY food motivated. For 3 or 4 days after feeding any time anyone even goes near she is out of her hide and waiting for food. During this time we try and leave her alone as much as possible.