I'm scared of my snake!

[TaylorS]

Hey,

So I'm new here.

I bought my piebald on a whim in 2007. He was such a cute baby. He barely fit around my wrist. He's been a wonderful eater since the beginning. Started off with live, and just switched over to frozen TODAY!!! Man... I had issues. I heated the thing up... then poked it too much (wanted to make sure it was thawed completely) then it started bleeding from its mouth ewww. So I grab it by the tail and drop it in his tank. He looked confused at first... lol

Well, I tried to take my tongs and grab the mouse again and Diesel (my snake) tried to bite me!

I checked his enclosure a few minutes later and the mouse is gonzo!

He's been in a MOOD lately. I thought it was because he was shedding. However, he had a great complete shed two days ago.

I have NOT been handling him much. I will be honest and say that I haven't taken him out of his cage except to move to Texas in May and for cleanings. I think he hates me now. And I'm scared to handle him. I don't know what to do? If he hears my voice or sees me he will say "hi" and unwind... but if I try to open his enclosre it's instant "S" position Wish I had a snake muzzle.

Any suggestions? I want to handle him more... but I'm scared to death. And he is my first snake.

Advice from the pros appreciated.

[wilomn]

You got him in 2007 and he's still getting mice one at a time?

The boy need food. Bigger food and or more often.

Post pics and someone will tell you what he should be eating.

[Hypnotic Exotic]

Yeah, definitely more/larger food. Mine is a 2008 and has been on small rats for quite a while.

[SPJ]

I don't know what to do? If he hears my voice or sees me he will say "hi" and unwind... but if I try to open his enclosre it's instant "S" position

Sounds like he is hungry and is ready for food.
An 07 should be on rats. Heck, I have 08's that take rats. A mouse is not enough to feed unless it's still a juvie.

[Lupe]

Sounds like a feeding response to me... Since you mainly get in his cage to feed and clean he probably thinks he is going to get food when you open up. I think you just need to give him bigger or more prey and when you go to hold him try to use something to touch him and let him know it isn't feeding time.

[bad-one]

You got him in 2007 and he's still getting mice one at a time?

The boy need food. Bigger food and or more often.

Post pics and someone will tell you what he should be eating.

One mouse for an '07? Please post photos, your guy should be eating meals that are about as thick as the thickest point of his body.

[2kdime]

Hungry

Wanting to breed

That's two things that come to mind

[Didgie]

I'm going to chime in with everyone else and say he needs more than one mouse, which is probably one of the reasons you're getting a feeding response. I'm about to start mine on small rats, and he's eating two to three large mice at a time right now!

It would also help if you handled him a bit more often. You shouldn't stress him out too much, but if you only open his cage to feed him and to clean him, then he's probably going to associate you opening his cage with his meal. We try and handle ours at least once a day, unless he's in blue and really grumpy...and we don't handle him for 48 hours after he's eaten. We can even handle him on feeding day before feed time, with no problem whatsoever.

[sg1trogdor]

Yeah sounds like you have a very evil snake there. It's probably plotting to kill you in your sleep. I say you get rid of it right away.......I think you should send it to me.

J/K I say you feed it more and more often. Post some pics of him next to a coke can or something people can relate to for a size comparison and we can go from there. Or if you know his weight that would be better.

[TaylorS]

I am feeding two medium mice a week. I didn't have a coke can but I used a cooking oil spray can for comparison water is better for you!

So... I know this sounds dumb but is there a way I can pick him up without risking getting bit? Or do I just need to put on my best crocodile hunter outfit and go for it? I am really scared of my little guy!

I think rats are disgusting

Thanks for all the responses I really appreciate it

<center>
<a href="http://s769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/taylorsanroman/?action=view&current=DSC02071.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/taylorsanroman/DSC02071.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
<a href="http://s769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/taylorsanroman/?action=view&current=DSC02072.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/taylorsanroman/DSC02072.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
<a href="http://s769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/taylorsanroman/?action=view&current=DSC02074.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx339/taylorsanroman/DSC02074.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
</center>