BP shaking and quivering...

[Sonya610]

This maybe a stupid question, in fact I am pretty sure the behavior was normal but it still made me wonder. My BP seems to be maturing a bit, spending lots of time in her hides yet very relaxed when held these days (no hissing, balling up etc...)

However last night when I fed her I noticed she was quivering. I held her for a bit and she seemed fine. Then I put her in the tank to to feed her two f/t mice, and actually used forceps because she was shaking and read to strike when I started to put my hand in (and I could see myself getting hit by accident). After the first mouse it continued, more head shaking, sniffing, something she has NOT done before. She took the second mouse with a vengeance and then looked around a bit more with the same intensity, moving her head in a rapid jerky manner.

Is that just the sign of a very hungry BP in full hunt mode? She is normal, not a spider, but it was odd because I have not seen that before. Since the behavior continued after the second mouse should I have offered a third mouse?

[FatBoy]

What is you feeding method? How often, How much, and do you always feed mice? Can you give an idea of how big the snake is in length and grams?

[AaronP]

How big is your snake? 2 Mice is not enough food for an adult BP.

[Sonya610]

She is an 08 CH. She is not starving, growing like a weed. I weighed her about 4 weeks ago and she was 288 grs, last night before eating she was 318 grs.

She eats two mice which total about 40-45 grs. She has also taken small rats but I have a hard time getting them the right size and plan to order some online. I used to feed her every 5 days but recently started every 7 days. I think I have noticed she is a lot more eager for the food on the 7 day schedule, maybe I should go back to 5 days? She doesn't "lurk" in preparation usually, but she is very up for food on the 7th day.

[FatBoy]

May have been just an over aggressive feeding response, especially if you have never saw her do it before. I wouldn't worry too much unless it happens again. Did you prescent? What type of enclosure do you have her in? Give details of furniture, heat, substrate, ect.

[Sonya610]

May have been just an over aggressive feeding response, especially if you have never saw her do it before. I wouldn't worry too much unless it happens again. Did you prescent? What type of enclosure do you have her in? Give details of furniture, heat, substrate, ect.

Yeah I wanted to hold her for a bit (I usually do before feeding her since I can't for 2 days following, and she eats fine). But this time while holding in my left hand I did drop the frozen mice in warm water with my right hand. I didn't think she would notice the scent but that might have gotten her fired up.

So head quivering is a hunting sign?

[FatBoy]

I have several that will sit and quiver right before striking. That doesn't mean I am saying there is nothing wrong with your snake. I am just saying it sounds like an aggressive feeding response to me. You need to keep an eye on her. Try prescenting again before feeding and see how she acts. The best way is to let the mouse thaw, warm it, and let it sit on top of her enclosure for 20-30 minutes. Or atleast close to the enclosure. She will get the smell and be ready to eat. Prescenting will almost always get you a better feeding response. You still didn't describe your enclosure.

[Sonya610]

You still didn't describe your enclosure.

I think the setup is fine. 10 gallon tank, humidity runs 70-80, two identical wood hides, 82 degrees and 92 degrees, aspen bedding. Behavior wise she seems to move around less (stays in hides all the time) but seems very relaxed and eats great.

[JoMo]

humidity runs 70-80

Constantly ? I think that´s too much. You may want to look that up.
50-60% is the recommended, except when shedding

[FatBoy]

I think the setup is fine. 10 gallon tank, humidity runs 70-80, two identical wood hides, 82 degrees and 92 degrees, aspen bedding. Behavior wise she seems to move around less (stays in hides all the time) but seems very relaxed and eats great.

How do you keep the humidity that high in a screen top tank? 50-60% is perfect unless in shed. Everything else seems fine. Try the prescenting and see if you get the quiver again.