| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| n/a |
Posted - 17/10/2010 : 14:13:52
Hi
I got my first snake 4 weeks ago, he's a 2 yr old corn snake, I bought him from a family who had had him for a year. He was fine with handling and feeding for the first couple of weeks, i followed all the guidelines about how they had looked after him and he was fantastic. However, in the last couple of weeks he's been acting slightly strange, retreating into the corner of his tank and flinching away when i go to pick him, he shocked me by hissing at me today, I don't know if its something i'm doing or whether there's something thats making him nervous. Could you please give me some suggestions because i want to do whats best for him and i wouold dearly love for him to be a happy snake.
Yazmin |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 28/10/2010 : 16:12:45
glad you're sorted  |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 28/10/2010 : 15:24:26
quote:
Originally posted by BlueMoon
Hey
Just thought i'd let you know he has finally shed seemed to take ages, i was very worried for him :/ but worry over now, he seems ok fed him so can't handle him for a couple of days but he was ok to pick up to take out of his tank to feed, i guess i will get more confident with him as time goes on :)
thanks again
Yaz
Glad he seems ok again now. It's all a learning curve with snakes, but worth every minute!  |
| n/a |
Posted - 28/10/2010 : 14:41:09
Hey
Just thought i'd let you know he has finally shed seemed to take ages, i was very worried for him :/ but worry over now, he seems ok fed him so can't handle him for a couple of days but he was ok to pick up to take out of his tank to feed, i guess i will get more confident with him as time goes on :)
thanks again
Yaz |
| n/a |
Posted - 20/10/2010 : 09:03:57
Thank You ever so much, i haven't been handling him, just left him to it, I think he is going into shed because his skin is starting to go quite dull. It was just I was panicking slightly because it was totally out of character for him to be acting that way and his skin didn't seem to change at first. I will let you know how it goes :)
yaz |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 17/10/2010 : 15:52:32
Normally we say to leave any snake for 7 days to help it settle and start to get used to the new home and all the different people, smells, sights etc. Just change the water and check substrate daily.
It might be that he needs some hands off time just to have a chance to chill a bit before you do too much more handling.
Feeding in the viv can make some snakes viv defensive but we've ruled that out!
The colour change could indicate the beginning of him going into shed and could explain his change in behaviour. Some just want to be left alone and are really quite anxious when they're in shed.
Temperature can make a difference but it's hard to say unless you tell us what they are both warm & cool ends.
I'd start off going through the 7 day settling period again for starters. Also you could put an old sock or something in his viv. Tuck an old item of clothing inside your top for a day so it's covered in your smell. Then pop it in his favourite hide in his viv. The idea being that your smell becomes part of his safe haven and you are not a threat. Works very well with some snakes.
When you do the water & substrate if he comes out to see you just hold your hand still near him and let him flick his tongue, slither on/past you etc then carry on without picking him up. After a week you can start to pick him up and bring him out for a couple of 10-15 minute sessions a day. These can be increased as and when you and snake feel happy.
Hopefully that will be all that's needed but we can help more if he's still a bit hissy after that.
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| n/a |
Posted - 17/10/2010 : 15:14:02
I have to admit it was only the 2nd or 3rd day that i started handling him when i moved him to my house, though he didn't seem to have any problem with it at the time if anything he seemed very inquisitive...umm I don't feed him in his vivarium but in a box outside of it...if anything his colour seems darker than normaal not duller...i will look at the temps when i get home but the overall temp of his tank tends to be between 21-25 degrees. Don't worry bout the questions if it helps to figure it out then im all for it :) |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 17/10/2010 : 15:05:37
Did you give him the 7 day settling in period when you didn't touch him?
Have you fed him in his vivarium?
Is he looking a bit duller than normal colour?
What are the temps like both warm & cool ends?
Sorry lots of questions but they could be clues for us to help you.... |
| n/a |
Posted - 17/10/2010 : 14:21:14
I'm not sure cos his shed record is all over the place, he takes different amounts of time between shedding everytime. He doesn't look like he's about to shed, he isn't showing any of the signs but it could be im missing them... |
| mozacchio |
Posted - 17/10/2010 : 14:18:46
Just a guess, but is he about shed maybe? That would explain it. |
