Difference Between Normal S-Neck and About to Strike?

[frankykeno]

One of the biggest differences I think with the S position between ready to strike and just watchful is head position. I've noticed that most of mine when they are just observing their head is relaxed and laying against the substrate. The S curve is also visibly more relaxed. A snake ready to strike has a more tightened, pulled in like a coiled spring posture and the head tends to be raised slightly or fully off the substrate. Eventually you can just feel the vibe of the snake and know it's about to have a go at you but that comes with time and getting to know your particular snake. Use your instincts more then anything.

Remember too that just because this snake came with it's own home doesn't mean it's not totally stressed out. It may not have been well cared for in it's previous home and even if it was your home smells completely differently than it's own home. Your home has different rhythms, different vibrations, different temperature signatures and so forth. For an animal as finely tuned as a snake, an animal that exists in a world of sensory input far beyond what we can see or hear - it's a huge change. If your snake has lived it's whole life knowing one environment, this change can cause it to take months to settle in and that's to be expected so be very patient.

Dogs adjust to us, they want to be in our pack, they want a dominant leader. Cats adjust to us as well to some degree because they are creatures that want feeding, touching and interaction (on their terms). Snakes do not adjust to us, we adjust to them - that's the biggest difference in keeping snakes versus keeping cats and dogs.

As far as handling after a strike, it's a completely unique judgement call. It depends on the snake, why it struck, what the circumstances around the strike were, what you did that may have triggered it, if it is occurring regularily or just a random jab at you, the stage of life of the snake and so on. In other words there is no cut in stone, this will always work advice here because it's a fairly complex set of triggers and circumstances that surround a strike and how you should react to one. For now, as this is a new snake, just go on about your business, ignore the strike and try to not trigger anymore of them by interacting much with this snake while it is so highly stressed. Enjoy observing it quietly, let it gradually get to know your smell and the routines of it's new home, let it pick up your heat and scent signatures slowly from things like changing it's water dish. I'm sure it will go fine for both of you given time and patience.