| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Wilburs mum |
Posted - 25/06/2013 : 02:26:15
Hello!
I'm not often on this forum but I trust the members here to give me sound advice when it comes to snakes, so here goes!
My Corn Snake Wilbur is a male, about 5 years of age coming up to 6, the stats of the tank are all up to scratch though I honestly couldn't go into specifics as I'm not that savvy with the lingo and such! I keep it at a constant temperature, one side cool, one side with a heat mat, there's a thermostat in there so I can keep control and I spray water in there when he's shedding or if it's looking a bit dry. Right size etc. So it isn't the tank that's the issue
Out of nowhere this year he's become slightly more aggressive. Not majorly so, he's struck at me once, hissed a few times and rattles his tail almost every time I put my hand in there. He doesn't associate my hand with food- though he DOES get fed in his tank, and has done since being a hatchling- he's never actually been out and about when he's been fed, so the food tends to just 'appear' in his mind. Bless him
But yeah, basically lately he's been a bit of a moody git, and I was wondering if it was possibly hormones? early midlife crisis? breeding behaviour? He's usually the sweetest snake alive so any advice would be welcomed! |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kellog |
Posted - 26/06/2013 : 09:27:58
It sounds a bit like breeding behaviour Eve, although I can't say mine have every become so moody with me as Wilbur is with you. A few questions....what is he eating and how often? What does he weigh? What is the warm end temp? I just want to eliminate anything else.
One thing I would say is that you mustn't let him dictate what's going on. Even though he's rattling and hissing as though he doesn't want to come out you need to still get him out as usual. The less he is handled the more likelihood there is of this behaviour staying, whereas if you continue as normal then hopefully he'll calm down.
In the Handling tips thread there is a method called 'patting down', I think. That might be worth a try - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28249
Hope that helps.
Xxx
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| ScaryVonHayleystine |
Posted - 25/06/2013 : 21:41:29
Personally id assume breeding behavior due to a fair few posts recently have been about snakes behaviors changing and most seem to come down to 'the season' :) but i wouldnt gospel me as im new to this myself ^^ |
| Wilburs mum |
Posted - 25/06/2013 : 10:28:14
I was honestly thinking breeding behaviour because he is constantly trying to escape as well- hence my attempts to get him out to exercise so he'll stop rubbing his nose against the mesh- but then he starts rattling and running (well, snake equivalent) under his hide, and I'm reluctant to take away his sanctuary so I definitely won't be taking the hide off to get him out- that's too mean! |
| Coal |
Posted - 25/06/2013 : 09:09:43
Um, well I'm absolutely no expert, being very new to snake-keeping, but if I had to guess I would say that a likely explanation would be hormones; I've heard adult male snakes can get a little aggressive or territorial when they're thinking about the ladies, though saying that at nearly six it's not like he's only just at breeding age so perhaps it's odd that he hasn't done this before...
Hopefully it's not something more serious, though I imagine if he wasn't feeling well for whatever reason that might make him tetchy
Sorry I can't be more help, I'm sure someone more experienced will be able to give a more definitive answer. |
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