Quick Behavior Question

[thewesterngate]

Hi all, as most of you know I recently received a baby red blood python. The first day, after unpacking, she was pretty speedy but not snappy at all. After tucking her away in her bin, I grew a little concerned and decided to just stroke her back since she hadn't moved (I know they're lazy, but I had to check)..she didn't puff up or react at all. I thought she'd died, I even lifted her head with my fingers and she didn't respond. I pulled her out to really look her over, and only after a little while did she start sniffing around and moving. Are they just really heavy sleepers?

Is this normal for a fairly calm baby blood? I had surgery yesterday, came home this morning and checked on her and she seems about the same. She won't even pull back when I brush her nose. I have noticed that she's moved a few times since and burrowed a bit under her aspen. I guess I just need some reassurance because I'm new to their behaviors. As stated in another thread, her warm spot is around 82-85 (trying to keep it near the former) and humidity is stable at 60%.

[cmz1234]

My juvenile blood was very active as well. Remember it's in a new environment which entails new smells, new home, etc... It needs time to settle in. The last thing you want to do is stress it out so give her a week to settle in. After a week she should be ready to start feeding and being handled. You must also consider it's a juvenile so their metabolism is faster so they can be very energetic.

I think she needs to really just settle in. If the temps and humidity are right and health looks good then I wouldn't worry too much. I don't know much about sleeping, I have a hard time telling.

Has she eaten yet? Does she look like she's in shed?

[thewesterngate]

My worry was that she wasn't active in the least, not even a little head shy, but you're right, I have been letting her settle except for the occasional brush or two. I just got her Tuesday so I haven't tried feeding her yet, and probably won't until a week has passed. She doesn't seem to be in shed, and her eyes/vent/nostrils are all clear..she's really perfect all around as far as appearances go. I was just worried because she was barely reacting to anything.

[AkHerps]

I wouldn't be too worried, but not moving when you touch her or get close to her face would bother me unless she is just very tame for a hatchling. She is probably just scared though.

My blood never moves, I swear he sits in the exact same place and position for days
I do think they are heavy sleepers, when I take him out it's like he doesn't quite react to it, then once he realizes he is sitting on my lap he starts hissing and getting all grouchy.

Are your ambient temps 82-85? Most bloods don't need a warm spot, but they do need warmer ambient temps in the low to mid 80's.

[thewesterngate]

Thanks, I just need a little reassurance! I would like to have the whole tub at an ambient temp of ~82F but I'll do that as soon as I get a dimmer/T-stat and larger heating pad. At the moment I have a smaller UTH with a barrier to lower the temperature but it only covers half the tub, making it so that she has a cooler side near 78. It works for now while I get something shipped.

[Crazy4Herps]

Though bloods aren't head shy and won't zip back in response to a tap on the head like balls will, they should be active and responsive. My guess is that your blood's lethargy is a response to a combination of stress and possible cooler temperatures during shipment. I'm sure she'll be fine with a week or so of rest.

[thewesterngate]

Thank you so much! I swapped her UTH for a heat lamp because I needed a more consistent temperature for the entire tub (which is heat-safe up to 70C)..and now it's a nice 80-83 through the whole bin. I can tell she's been readjusting and moving, so now I just have to wait another few days before I can handle her. I'm still thrilled, she's just gorgeous--but I could be biased!