| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Bigad |
Posted - 17/06/2013 : 22:49:27
Hi my corn has been acting very strange lately. ever since she bit me a few weeks back she has been very antsy and brave coming out of her rock every time i go near her viv, whereas before she would hide.
Now she has started attacking her food quite violently and constricing her mice for a few minutes.
Is there any any reason why she would be doing this? |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Foxtrotsierra |
Posted - 21/06/2013 : 14:58:06
Hi Bigdad,
If it is any help, I use the following two things in conjunction. First up I use this to control the heat mat
http://www.amazon.co.uk/MicroClimate-Ministat-100-Vivarium-Thermostat/dp/B00820PSFM/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1371822420&sr=1-2&keywords=vivarium thermostat
In conjunction with this thermometer
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007G0XNBA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They seem to be absolutely brilliant to keep an eye on her vivarium temps, and I haven't had any problems with them at all. I know the mini stat is quite expensive, but if you can get your heat mat set just right you might only need the thermometer (which tells you the temperature in both new and old money with the flick of a switch).
I keep Cathy between 27 and 29 degrees centigrade and have had no problems with her. I hope your girl has started to settle down for you now  |
| Kellog |
Posted - 19/06/2013 : 07:53:33
I think I suggested you try to feed her outside your viv in your other thread, when she bit you. It could be that she's associating your hand coming in with food, as that's where you feed her. You say she's eating 1 large mouse every 2 weeks. She's still fairly young and is growing so it may be that she's hungry. How much does she weigh?
As the others have said, your temps are an issue and it could be that stress because of that has caused this behaviour. I echo ScalySituation's question, is the heatmat controlled by a thermostat? And how are you measuring your temps? Is it with a digital thermometer with the probe resting on the heatmat or with a dial thermometer? Getting the temps right really is vital to her welfare.
Xxx
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| Slinkey23 |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 21:47:47
Forgot to mention earlier, i noticed you said she has a feeding rock in her viv, with you feeding her in her viv she may see it as everything that enters the viv as a food source. So when youve picked up the rock all she has seen is a heat source coming from her usual feeding rock hence why she bit you, you could of been mistaken for prey! Try feeding her outside the viv so everything that enters is not associated with food, hope this helps.
Joel |
| ScaryVonHayleystine |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 20:36:38
To me it sounds like you have a healthy and confident snake with a very good apetite. From what i read her heating is a bit low. But i say she is just fine :D |
| Moppet |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 18:55:52
Sounds like a feeding response and hungry behaviour. Pretty normal this time of year for a female, she might just be trying to bulk up in case she gets the opportunity to breed.
Although as others have mentioned, check temperatures are spot on and everything is as it should be so that can be ruled out. |
| ScalySituation |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 14:41:05
Is the heat mat run on a thermostat? You need a digital thermometer, with a probe sat on the mat, getting readings of between 27-29 degrees C |
| Bigad |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 13:01:19
basically the story of the bite is. i have a feeding rock in her viv. i went to get it out to feed her. she made an effort 2 escape. and as i tried to usher her back in she struck my hand that was holding her rock. she latched ob thinking my finger was a mouse tgeb she wrapped around my arm and constricted.
the heat mat is in the viv under her hide. 21 is an average temp.
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| ScalySituation |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 11:24:56
Heat mat needs to be on the floor of the viv, corns absorb heat best through their tummies :) |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 11:12:03
21 as an overall viv temp is OK - but her heat mat should be about 29 as Scaly says. How are you measuring your temps? You need a digital thermometer probe on top of the mat. Also I assume the mat is thermostatted?
At that age she is an adult, so a large mouse every 10-14 days is pwerfect. It does sound like maybe it's just mating behaviour - or maybe she has just taken a while to settle in with you and is now more confident?
Also this bit:
She bit me when i was going to feed her she latched on to my finger and constriced my arm. there is a previous post on her with more info and pics of the bite marks she left.
That just sounds like a feeding response and nothing to worry about, did your hand smell of mouse at all? Or did she just miss the mouse? The only time I was tagged was with quite a new snake which missed the pinky I was holding, and got my finger instead lol! She soon realise I was a bit too big though :P |
| Bigad |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 10:46:24
I have a heat mat on the side where her main hide is, then she has a smaller hide on the cooler side. She eats and sheds well. |
| ScalySituation |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 10:04:36
Also her viv is too chilly, the temperature needs to be between 27 and 29 degrees C
How are you heating the viv? |
| Bigad |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 09:55:55
how long will that last?
Can i double check in feeding her right. some one above mentioned her appitite may have increased. She is roughly 4 years old and 4 foot long. I feed her 1 large mouse every two weeks. she was on 1 medium every 2weeks when i got her 6 months ago. i then upped it to 2 mediums every 2 weeks until i used up all the mediums then bought large.
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| herriotfan |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 09:46:36
Sounds like she's looking for a boyfriend! |
| Bigad |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 09:38:15
She is 3-4 years old and roughly 4 ft. ive had her since jan so about 6 months. first 5 month she was very shy and timid.
She bit me when i was going to feed her she latched on to my finger and constriced my arm. there is a previous post on her with more info and pics of the bite marks she left.
Since then she has become very outward. if i go near her viv she is out her rock in a flash and up at the glass. if i open her viv she come pounding over. whereas previously she would had hid. i thought it might of been mating season that was making her a lil fiesty but its bern nearly 6 weeks now.
she has also constricted her food since she constricted me.
Her viv temp is normally between 19 and 21 but this warm weather has been pushing it to 23 on some days. |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 18/06/2013 : 01:50:50
How old is she, how long have you had her, what are the temperatures like in her home?
The answers to these questions could tell us a lot and then we can begin to help you more.... |
| Slinkey23 |
Posted - 17/06/2013 : 23:06:18
She will be striking and aggressive out of defense, there are a few different ways to get your snake used to you such as wearing a tissue tucked i to your pants for a day an then keep it in the viv with her to get used to your scent. When your doing your daily water change touch a few items in the viv to spread your scent and also to let her know your in the viv and your not going to harm her. When your taking her out of the viv be calm, confident and try to avoid contact near the head. Some snakes will be fine with handling straight from day 1 where as some may be defensive and aggressive, youve just gotta keep at it with the handling and scent marking and she will get used to you, patience is the key!
As for the striking and constricting of the prey that it perfectly normal behaivour, be proud! |
| asmodias |
Posted - 17/06/2013 : 22:58:00
im far from experienced but it sounds like her appetite has increased which is characteristic of females during this season i believe. it may just be a weird spell, snakes do have their moments |
