| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| AmateurSnoop |
Posted - 27/11/2011 : 13:36:09
Hey Everyone :)
Erm.. am new to forums I'm afraid :')
Just need some advice. I've had my snake Snoopy for about a month now, when I first got him he was very docile, after a week I handled him and he was absolutely fine, a little timid for a bit then started crawling all over me etc. However after I started back college (I live away from home for college) he became aggressive, s-ing and striking whenever we put our hands in, relaxing when we took him out then striking again when he went back in. Am i right in thinking this territorial behaviour? what can i do to stop him striking? or is this a case of keep handling until he grows out of it?
Furthermore, he hasn't eaten yet I have not weighed him yet but I think he is loosing weight as his spine feels more pronounced than when we first got him. I know their finiky eaters, I'm only worried because i think he is loosing weight, any suggestions?
Thanks!
Lou |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| AmateurSnoop |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 13:39:46
He shed his skin yesterday bless him, still has a little bit attached to his nose. I was going to leave it a week until he is completely shedded then put a mouse in for him, wish me luck! |
| sultanheart |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 03:03:34
hi and welcome. its normal when the place changed for them.. it will take time!! dont worry |
| Robert |
Posted - 06/12/2011 : 19:11:42
I think he needs time to settle in more and perhaps after a feed or two he will be better for handling, be patient and let him settle and feed |
| AmateurSnoop |
Posted - 02/12/2011 : 20:01:03
Thank you everyone for your help :) |
| Tawfik47 |
Posted - 28/11/2011 : 21:53:34
Hi and welcome to the forum  hope Snoopy will calm down soon, it's not a royal characteristic to be aggressive, but it happens when they come to a new home. |
| boomslang |
Posted - 27/11/2011 : 23:52:36
thats really not a long time,oct 29th to now,He wouldn't have lost the weight you're thinking of.
Whats he housed in,ie whats his full setup?You might also get yourself some scales and weigh him,this will give you a better idea of weights etc,if he doesn't eat for abit.
quote:
Yes my mum has taken responsibility of him while im away, and she is doing great! She takes him out every day for handling despite his striking. We offer him food weekly
Try leaving him be for 7days,then try feeding him again. |
| n/a |
Posted - 27/11/2011 : 23:50:14
Hope I've helped - yeah it's a bit difficult with him still settling and being an unknown quantity - when Shahi's grumpy I know now that it's due to royal randiness; I often wait and handle him later; if Ziska's grumpy I just pull her out of there and she climbs into my sweater and goes to sleep lol. With a new non-feeding snake the advice is often to leave them be until they start to eat, but imo, with his behaviour as it is, I would personally keep handling regularly, but maybe 2 or 3 times a week - but that's only my opinion.
I certainly think his not feeding is due to settling in/time of year. I'd definitely note his weight though, if only to reassure yourself. All the best with him - hope he calms and settles with you soon and he may take the odd meal even if he's fasting; they sometimes do. |
| AmateurSnoop |
Posted - 27/11/2011 : 20:44:14
Heya
I'm not too fussed about him being a bit feisty but I dont want him striking at my little sister or at a friend kind of thing :)
He hasn't fed at all since coming home (last weekend of oct, 29th I think it was), I believe this may have been due to settling in..?
Snoopy is approximately 7 months so still a young 'un. I can not say exactly if he has lost a lot of weight, it is just because his spine looks a bit more pronounced than other snakes I have seen in college (admittedly not royal pythons) which is the only reason I feel a bit concerned.
Yes my mum has taken responsibility of him while im away, and she is doing great! She takes him out every day for handling despite his striking. We offer him food weekly, apparently he hid the food in a corner the other day. He has a thick plastic leaf covering which he can hide under in the cooler area and a house he can hide in in the warmer area. At night we turn the light off to try and imitate night time and day time.
Thank you for your help, I will most definitely pass this on to my parents and try it when I get home :) |
| n/a |
Posted - 27/11/2011 : 14:10:25
Hi and welcome. I have 2 snakes, a corn and a gopher, who have done this; the corn is fine now, the gopher still does it but that is in the gopher's nature. I'd be worried if she didn't do it lol. I confess I love them a bit feisty, and yes, you're right, the thing to do is to go in there and handle (unless it's after feeding or when the snake is blue.) Once the snake knows you're not going to back off, it will calm down.
However, it's not so usual for a royal to act like this, although it has been known, especially in younger snakes.
Has Snoopy fed at all for you during the time you've had him? And how old is he? At this time of year many royals, including young ones whose first winter it is, are fasting simply because this is their breeding season and it isn't rats they fancy, but a nice bit of crumpet lol. This could also account for the grumpiness; my male Shahi, who is totally soppy, hissed at me the other week. So your little guy could be going into mating mode.
It would be a good idea to keep a note of his weight - weigh him on digital scales if at all possible. But many royals lose very little weight during the mating/fasting season. Weighing is the best way to check for any weight loss.
If you're away from home during college term, are other members of your family checking on Snoopy and offering food? What is his setup like? Royals like dimness and privacy so a good thing to aim for this. Sorry about all the questions lol but hope this helps and sorry if I've overlapped with anyone else. |
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