Becoming vicious and unpredictable. Help!

[Lowen]

I could use a hand, folks..

My unsexed '08 hatchling has recently become extremely unpredictable. Even though he is a small snake, I consider him too aggressive to be handled. Aggressive is certainly not a good term for it. He is clearly exhibiting fear before he strikes, but he never used to be this way. He was my baby "cuddleworm". Now, also, HE NEEDS TO EAT. And he will not, because he is clearly under stress. I just cannot determine what is stressing him out. Do I need to change his blankets back to moss instead? Is it the weather? I'm running out of ideas. Sophia had twelve babies a night or two ago, and I figured she had too many to care for in the first place, so I took a small pile of three and set them down for Patchy to eat. He did not eat. He was flicking his tongue, but his eyes were on me only. The pinkies were alive and squirming around all over. Patchy was striking at me repeatedly, even from a distance of several feet away.

Is it possible that my little brother was messing with him while I was away? I certainly wouldn't think that something of that nature would have such a strong effect on a snake so docile and loving, but it would explain his rapid change in behavior. It occurred quite literally overnight. One day he was sweet as can be; crawling all over me and enjoying my presence to the fullest, and he loved being touched behind his "ears". The next evening, he was striking at me like a velocaraptor on steroids. Did someone switch my snakey sweety with a cobra?! What's the deal?!

Can anyone shed some light on this odd behavior for me? I am very concerned.

Thanks!

[djansen]

I could use a hand, folks..

My unsexed '08 hatchling has recently become extremely unpredictable. Even though he is a small snake, I consider him too aggressive to be handled. Aggressive is certainly not a good term for it. He is clearly exhibiting fear before he strikes, but he never used to be this way. He was my baby "cuddleworm". Now, also, HE NEEDS TO EAT. And he will not, because he is clearly under stress. I just cannot determine what is stressing him out. Do I need to change his blankets back to moss instead? Is it the weather? I'm running out of ideas. Sophia had twelve babies a night or two ago, and I figured she had too many to care for in the first place, so I took a small pile of three and set them down for Patchy to eat. He did not eat. He was flicking his tongue, but his eyes were on me only. The pinkies were alive and squirming around all over. Patchy was striking at me repeatedly, even from a distance of several feet away.

Is it possible that my little brother was messing with him while I was away? I certainly wouldn't think that something of that nature would have such a strong effect on a snake so docile and loving, but it would explain his rapid change in behavior. It occurred quite literally overnight. One day he was sweet as can be; crawling all over me and enjoying my presence to the fullest, and he loved being touched behind his "ears". The next evening, he was striking at me like a velocaraptor on steroids. Did someone switch my snakey sweety with a cobra?! What's the deal?!

Can anyone shed some light on this odd behavior for me? I am very concerned.

Thanks!

ok, describe the setup you have for him. how large is the enclosure? what bedding do you have him on? any hide spots?
also, do you watch him eat? try turning the lights off and walking away for an hour with the live pinks. also how hot is it in the cage?

[dr del]

Errr... Ok,


Couple of things spring out and a couple of questions come to mind so bear with me.

Blankets?
This seems familiar but why aren't you using newspaper or aspen or anything again?

Is he going into shed?

How much have you been handling him or changing his enclosures setup?

Do you have him in a tank or tub - if it is a tank do you have the two sides and back covered with anything and does he have two nice snug hides? What are the temps humidity etc and how are those being measured?

When feeding it is always best to use only one prey item at a time to avoid them getting spooked or distracted by movement. When feeding multiples it is more usual to offer the second item after the first one is completely swallowed and the snake has reset its jaws etc.

You are completely right it does sound like stress and one of the easiest ways to try and combat that is to make sure his security needs are being met and leaving him alone as much as possible until he starts eating regularly again.


Once we get a few of those answers settled in my small noggin we can hopefully get some more relevant answer for you.


dr del

[Stewart_Reptiles]

HE NEEDS TO EAT. And he will not, because he is clearly under stress.

Not eating + aggressive behavior can be the result of stress like you just suggested it!

I just cannot determine what is stressing him out.

Let's see if we can help you do that!

What type of enclosure do you use?
How big is your enclosure?
Is your enclosure in a low traffic area?
What are your temps (cool & warm side)?
What is your humidity?
What type of thermometer/hygrometer do you use (dial,stick,or digital)?
What kind of hides do you provide (log, homemade, cubbyholes etc) and how many do you have?
Are your hides tight (all side touching your BP's body) and identical?
How often do you handle your BP?

The pinkies were alive and squirming around all over.

If you are talking about pinky mice this could be another problem, if this is what you are feeding him, you are underfeeding your BP.