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Nikki
Snake Mite
7 Posts |
 Posted - 24/07/2010 : 20:16:30
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| Hi, my royal python Sid is being really stroppy, hissing and puffing himself up and looking as if he's going to strike. We've only had him 2weeks and have been able to handle him everyday up until few days ago when he went in his water and has hardly come out but he did come out to feed. Have found about 6 mites in his water, could this be why he's being moody? He has fed twice since we've had him and pooed the first week but not the second! |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 24/07/2010 : 22:02:49
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pretty good chance thats whats making him mad.
I had mites on my 1st royal they are quite easy to get rid but you have to be extremely thorough with your cleaning.
This is what i did.(there are other ways)
Snakey 1st.
Get a plastic see through tub thats twice the size of your Royal. Fill it with clean veg oil leaving a little space for a small air bubble. Dont worry snakes can hold their breaths for up to 30 - 40 minutes. put the snake in and close the lid (you can put a couple of holes in the lid if you want) But the idea is that your snake will submerge drowning the mites. I did mine for approx 10 mins. When she came out i put her into a pillow case with lots of shredded paper this gets the majority of oil off.
The viv
Take everything out and spray it very liberally with mite spray inside and out. Place it in another room away from its normal location ( mites do travel outside of the vivs for approx 8-9 feet. They can also become airborn.) After 2 hours clean everything again open the viv and let it air out for another hour.
I kept my viv in a different room for 4 weeks. That was over a year ago and i`ve never seen a Mite since. |
Royals owned "lots"
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Edited by - hodgie on 24/07/2010 22:05:15 |
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AlannaJohan
Yearling
United Kingdom
162 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2010 : 13:50:00
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Good advice from Hodgie!
I would also say that generally people advise not handling a royal when first brought home until they've had 2 or 3 succesful feeds, as all the stress of moving and being handled can have an adverse effect on their appetite. It's very tempting to handle, I know, but might be worth giving him some time to settle once you've sorted the mite problem to prevent him getting any more stressed.
Good luck - let us know how you get on!
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Alanna
With Maya, Stan & Lucie (Alaskan Malamutes), Bruce (Royal Python) and Keith (fiance, lol). |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2010 : 14:18:01
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| Forgot to add, make sure you thouroughly clean all other items that go in the viv with mite spray. |
Royals owned "lots"
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Nikki
Snake Mite
7 Posts |
Posted - 26/07/2010 : 19:19:03
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Hi,thanks for the advice . I have now sprayed Sid, his viv, all his decorations and hide with mite spray. So hopefully all the mites will be gone, fingers crossed! I picked him up and handled him to spray him and he seemed alot calmer, might have caught him in a bad mood, lol! Did ask the place I got him from about letting him settle but they said that he would be fine to be handled as he's 9months old so he's used to it but think I will leave him for a week or two now anyway |
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hodgie
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1197 Posts |
Posted - 26/07/2010 : 22:27:20
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| Hve you put your viv in a different room away from its original position? you really need to do this i would say for a month or 2. |
Royals owned "lots"
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Edited by - hodgie on 26/07/2010 22:27:39 |
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AlannaJohan
Yearling
United Kingdom
162 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2010 : 08:05:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Nikki
Did ask the place I got him from about letting him settle but they said that he would be fine to be handled as he's 9months old so he's used to it but think I will leave him for a week or two now anyway
I got very similar advice from where I bought my python. They way I thought about it though was that while he is used to being removed from *that* enclosure by *those* people regularly, the move to a new viv and new home with different sounds, lighting, people, surroundings, scents etc could be quite overwhelming no matter how well socialised and a little bit of time to settle never goes amiss. It seems royal's don't need much of an excuse to go off their food, lol!!! They live for 30 or so years afterall - a couple of weeks without handling won't hurt in the longterm |
Alanna
With Maya, Stan & Lucie (Alaskan Malamutes), Bruce (Royal Python) and Keith (fiance, lol). |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2010 : 08:08:25
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Probably grumpy too as you're handling him every day.
What mite spray did you use? |
 
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Nikki
Snake Mite
7 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2010 : 22:04:56
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Yea, viv has been moved! I used Zoomed mite off spray which is the one I was recommened.
Until I found this forum I could only find info saying about handling hatchlings and eating, not about what to do when getting an older snake! Was bit unsure about leaving him unhandled for few weeks but suppose i've got long enough,20+ years, to sort out any probs if they occur, lol! :) *(He never gets handled when he's been fed for at least 2days after) |
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Help! Advice needed please
