Wiggles, the Children's Python

[Bogertophis]

Good luck with the battle.

[Homebody]

Wiggles's new favorite hide is behind the pegboard.


Honestly, I don't know why I bother giving him hides. He's just going to make his own anyway.

[Homebody]

I crushed (or pinched) Wiggles last night. I'm not sure if he was injured. He's been acting normally.

Here's how it happened. Wiggles's enclosure is divided horizontally by a pvc board with a hole in it. The hole allows him to move between the top and bottom.



Unfortunately, this hole is a safety hazard. When I pull out the tub, the hole closes. If Wiggles is in the whole at the time he'll get crushed.



To guard against that, I made a brake that fits into the hole and stops the tub from moving. In order to open the tub, I have to remove the brake first. Until last night, it's worked fine.



I guess, when I moved the brake, Wiggles came up from the tub to investigate the movement. Unfortunately, I didn't notice. I tried to open the tub but I couldn't. I looked to see if I had removed the brake, and I saw that I had. Then, I heard him thrashing. Horrified, I shoved the tub back into place.

After I made sure that he wasn't in the hole, I opened the tub again to check on him. I saw him disappear into one of his hides. I decided to leave him alone for a couple hours to settle down.

When I checked back, he poked his head out of his hide flicking his tongue as normal. I took that as a good sign. To reassure myself further, I decided to try and feed him. He ate normally.

So, hopefully, Wiggles wasn't injured. I'll keep a close eye on him. If I see any unusual behavior, I'll take him to the vet.

[Malum Argenteum]

Unfortunately, that's one of the downsides of sliding tubs in general -- that they need to move when the keeper does not have the occupant fully in view. (Full disclosure -- I use a lot of tubs.)

Your brake is a brilliant idea, though snakes can be masters at outsmarting keepers' attempts to keep them safe.

[Bogertophis]

Just a close call with no harm done, I hope?

[dakski]

Normal tongue flicks and eating probably mean he’s fine.

Snakes are tough. They have to be. He won’t hold it against you either.

I imagine you feel terrible. However, stuff happens. Try not to sweat it. You can only move forward and he’s likely fine.

Please keep us posted.

[Homebody]

Normal tongue flicks and eating probably mean he’s fine.

Snakes are tough. They have to be. He won’t hold it against you either.

I imagine you feel terrible. However, stuff happens. Try not to sweat it. You can only move forward and he’s likely fine.

Please keep us posted.

You're right that I feel terrible. So, I appreciate everyone's encouraging comments. Lesson learned. Hopefully, it'll make me a better keeper.

I was surprised to see him acting normally; shocked to see him eat. To my mind, his escaping injury didn't seem possible. They really are extraordinary creatures.

Right now, he's curled up in his hide digesting. It may be a few days before I get a good chance to examine him. I'll report back then.

[Nutriaitch]

I wasn't sure that I could rely on that. Serpwidgets is pretty accurate,

anybody know another website like this to get a somewhat accurate length measurement?
Serpwidgets apparently no longer exists.

[Homebody]

anybody know another website like this to get a somewhat accurate length measurement?
Serpwidgets apparently no longer exists.

R.I.P. Serpwidgets .

[Gobuchul]

anybody know another website like this to get a somewhat accurate length measurement?
Serpwidgets apparently no longer exists.

Assuming nobody posts an alternative before then, I'll make something like it if I have time this weekend or next. I've been meaning to measure my snakes.