Interesting Developement

[JubJub]

I recently brought home a kitten. I have had Jub Jub for over a year now and I know his habbits pretty well. I keep the kitten away from him, but he acts just like as if I have a rat in the room for feeding (and I just fed him the day of getting the kitten) Usually after two days of leaving him alone after a feed I can handle him with no problems, as he is ready to come out. Tonight though was when I was going to bring him out. He was very aggresive, as if he was going to strike, which is not normal for him a couple days after eating.

I also changed his bedding earlier in the day to a new brand, that is different from the other stuff I had for him. It smells much different than the old bedding (says it is for reptiles though on the bag, the brand is: Jungle Mix) it contains : sterilized virgin soil, fine grain sand, vermiculite, peat moss, orchid bark and green tree moss.

If anyone has an idea as to why he is acting wierd let me know. If it is new home ground or having the new pet I would like to know what can be done about it.

[kraniumz]

Hmmm .. im no expert but i think the home change and new pet could triger the behaviour change. You will need to let him get used to the new environment so leave him alone for a week or two.

Snakes can detect even the slightest change of air or environment so im guessing they can sense the kittens odour. Again, just let him get accustomed to the new surrounding and its best you wash your hands before handling your snake. I have a cat at home and my bps are used to it, I think they can tell the difference between my cat and food. I dont however let em get close to each other and i still wash my hands before and after i handle my snakes.

[Ginevive]

Maybe the kitten is looking in at him when you're not around, and he thinks it is a food item?
I would be careful about the substrate though; if there are fine particles like sand in there, it could become lodged in the snake's heat pits on its face. But if it is clumpy and not grainy/sandy, it should be fine as long as you don't let it get soppy wet.

[JubJub]

Thank you much. The substrate is "for reptiles and perfect for nesting or breeding snakes" as it says on the bag, and I can't see any sand at all in it, so it might have to include that in the materials because some might be present. Just was trying to see if anyone had a problem with this brand.

I think I will let him get a bit use to the new environmental changes. I am going to get one of those ionic breezes because me and my fiance are slightly allergic to cats (her slightly more) and it will cut down on the animal odor and dander in the air a bit to help out.

The kitten doesn't know the snake exists, and I hope to keep it that way. The snake does not move enough to hold the interest of a kitten. When the kitten gets older she might "discover" the snake. I plan to keep them away from each other especially when the snake is out. And I always wash my hands before and after handling. Jub Jub's nose is amazing for smelling food though. Hopefully next week I can start to handle him again, as I'm gonna give him some settling in time.

[JubJub]

Hmmm, well guess I gotta wait a while longer...it's been a few days and was cleaning out his water and he struck at me. Did not connect, but was trying to.