Is this a cause for concern?

The little spider I picked up yesterday is doing well, but when I had her out yesterday while finishing up her tank set-up she started making this odd breathing sound, somewhere between a hiss and almost a small wheeze. My boyfriend thought she was hissing at him but she did it every couple seconds no matter where she was. I put her back in the tank and so far I haven't heard it again at least when she's in there. Is this just because she was possibly stressed from the relocation or should I be keeping a closer eye on her? I don't want to pull her out again and stress her more if that's the case, but should I so I can check if she's still doing it? :confused:

Did the snake puff up while making this noise? My babies that aren't used to me handling them do that.

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Originally Posted by wax32

Did the snake puff up while making this noise? My babies that aren't used to me handling them do that.

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Not that I noticed. She got a little bigger and went dead still so that's what I thought, but she kept making the noise when she started moving again. Unless she was just giving a mild "I'm not too happy with this"?

That's what I would think. Keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't have bubbly mucus in her mouth.

Her vents and nose look fine but I'll keep an eye on her. Should I pull her out to give her a quick once-over or just check her from outside the tank?

I'd pull her out.

Definitely watch her for more signs of an RI because that could be a sign of it, but since you say that you just picked her up I'd bet that it's just because she's stressed. Mine used to do that when I had him out for long periods of time, and it kind of sounds like a cricket chirping.

Let her adjust to her new home, and if you don't see any signs of RI, handle her a bit and see if it goes away as she gets more used to you.

She doesn't seem to be doing it anymore so I think it's a stress thing. Much easier to deal with than an RI, so I'm glad she's healthy.

Well she's still making the noise and seems to be salivating, although I don't think snakes salivate... I'm just going to take her to the vet. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Sounds more like a hiss than anything.

Does she have a few pieces of stuck shed around her face at all? I thought my BCI had an RI but he just had a piece of stuck shed over his nostril that made a hissing sound.

Wait a week to handle her anymore just to avoid any stress, then take her out give her a little soak and see if it stops. Might be a piece of stuck shed. ;)