jumpy?

[cobredos]

Hi all,
Mr. Fuzzy has been very good lately, eating right, shedding nicely. However the past two days he has been very jumpy. Whenever I go in to touch him and take him out he "jumps" away from me. He doesn't curl into a ball he just kinda jumps away from me. He never did this before, he also has been doing this out of the cage alot more. I know that fast movements can frighten them but I'm moving as slow as I can and he still freaks out. Is this normal for younger BP's to get? The temps and humidity are correct and his belly isnt red or anything. I'm probably just freaking out about nothing but I would like a second opinion.

Thanks!

[Vomitore]

My female BP does that here an there. Is he possibly going into shed? That could maybe be a reason. They have poor eye sight as is, but when their eyes get cloudy from getting ready to shed, their sight gets worse, and they have trouble see who or what is touching them.

[JLC]

Hmmmmm....how often are you handling him and how much time does he spend outside of his cage?

[cobredos]

He shedded about 2 weeks ago. There are no tell tale signs of shed on him now, his skin is still bright and his eyes arent cloudy. I try to handle him at least once a day. I usually try to have him out for about 20 minutes or so right now.

[JLC]

I try to handle him at least once a day. I usually try to have him out for about 20 minutes or so right now.

This would imply that some days you have him out more than once? It could be (and I'm just speculating here) that you're actually handling him too much. He could be stressing out because every time he starts to relax, he gets pulled out again. If you think about it...it takes several days just to digest a single meal completely. So while you or I might be able to sit down for an hour or two and feel totally relaxed and refreshed, it may take a snake like a BP a lot longer to feel that same kind of refreshment.

I recommend giving him about 48 hours in between handling sessions, and keep those to 20 minutes or less. If that doesn't help fix his nervousness, it will at least not hurt anything.

[cobredos]

I only handle him once a day. I meant that some days I do not get to hold him cause I am busy. He is never out more than once a day and when he is it is only for about 20 minutes. I also give him 48+ hours after he eats to digest everytime I feed him. Is it possible that he could be constipated? He has only pooped for me once in the month that I have had him. I know that all BP's go at different times but I've only had Mr. Fuzzy for a month now and so far this is still kinda new to me.

[parabuzzle]

I'm kinda curious on this question as well. My snake does the same thing and my handling schedule mirrors yours. hmmm...anyone else have any ideas?

[elevatethis]

Some balls are just skittish like that...they've each got their own temperment, thats for sure. Just be glad he's not biting....I've got a ball that lines me up every time I just try to change a water bowl. She's also the most aggressive feeder in my collection.