Red Blood becoming aggressive

[IzzieMonster]

Hey everyone...
I have a Red Blood Python that used to be the sweetest thing. He has always calm and docile until the past couple of months. This little guy is huge now and he knows it. It seems like ever since we switched to large rats, he thinks he rules the world. He's pretty much out grown every hide we can throw his way so I've been letting him roam the second bedroom at night. This was working well until he broke out last night. He literally ransacked the living room breaking nearly everything in site. The TV was 1 inch from falling off the shelf. Books, glass bowls and expensive/exotic sea shells all over the place. When I finally found him... he struck at me. This is his first EVER strike at something human but I feel it's a sign of whats to come. I can't even pick him up to put him in the tank. He's turned into a monster... Please tell me this has happened to others and that there is a happily ever after.

I am this close to getting him euthanized only because I know he will never have a home better then what he's got now. He gets treated like a king around here and his health is remarkable (along with his brother - Izzie). I have mastered the art of snake raising... He's just out of control these days :-/ HELP!

[buckwheatpw]

I've never had a blood python before but I might be getting one soon, a black blood. How old is he? He might be getting old enough to be wanting a girl friend ! From what I've seen from some utube clips some are just that way. does he do it all the time or just when he's out? I was told by the guy where the one I might be getting they do better in tubes then cages. Something smaller.

[Roy]

My girls, Serge & Ruby have grown too big for our house and I built an enclosure outside using a bird avery. It has a heat box with a thermostat to keep them warm and some branches for them to hang from and a few old car tires on the ground for them to explore.


During feeding time around summer, I find then rather aggressive because all they want to do is eat and sleep. I took a few hefty bites from them to learn that I have to be careful with them around this time. I still love them both, but I now wait for the cooler months before I handle them.

[lihed]

Roy, they are very lucky snakes, That is a gorgeous enclosure. that is what I could only wish for, for my Jungle carpet python. however living in Minnesota I would only have about 2 to 3 good months were I could house a snake outdoors.

do you have a problem with wild snakes trying to get to your girls?

[lihed]

Christy,
I have never owned a Blood Python, however I have a friend that has a breeding pair, and it's the male that gets nasty around breeding season. and the female is always docile. so maybe if yours is a male maybe the same thing, he has become sexually mature and is just acting out.
Good Luck!!

[Roy]

I thought I would have a problem with wild snakes approaching my two girls, especially since my house backs onto a lot of bush land, but no there hasn't been one single approach that I know of.

[IzzieMonster]

Thanks guys. Turns out you were right about eating and sleeping. He was hungry and aggressive until we fed him. He ate a rat so big that he finally had a bulge in his tummy and has been sleeping ever since.