Strike Mode

[Alyvrae]

Hi all!

I fed my BP, Ikky, 2 small adult mice this Sunday (I feed him every Sunday, once a week). Ever since then, any time I pass by his enclosure (it's not in a high-traffic area, I only pass it by once or twice a day) he's been poking his head out of his hides and going into what appears to be strike mode.

He has his body coiled with his head/"neck" in the air. His tongue flicks out every so often as if he's smelling for prey.

Now, I've read that they sometimes do this when they believe the only reason I'm around is to feed. I can't imagine that being the case because I handle him regularly, on a semi-daily basis. I have started handling him a little less because we've been having a bug (wasp) problem in the house that we've been trying to eliminate and I haven't had much time to get him out and about while dealing with that. So, before I used to handle him daily and now I handle him every two or three days as I have time to properly do so.

My question is, why is he going into strike mode? Is he still hungry? Do I need to feed him more often?

Hopefully I can get a bit of advice, as today is his water bowl and maintenance day, and I want to do that without stressing him (or me, honestly) out.

Thanks for reading!

[stratus_020202]

Sounds like he is just being curious. I have a pastel male that is a total lover. He comes out every time someone is in the room. He gives the air a few sniffs realizes there is nothing exciting going on, and goes back to sleep.

I wouldn't worry about anything. Although if you are worried about getting bit, turn his hide around so your hand isn't right infront of his door. I do that with some of my cranky young ones.

[jeff122573]

When my het pie male feels the vibrations of foot steps of my care giver. He comes out no matter what time of day it is because she holds him a lot. Any other foot steps he doesn't bother coming out. Now some people will say that these animals don't remember and forget things rather quickly. A girl comes over and just tries tried picking him up a couple of times and he bit her every time. Right after the bite my caregiver will pick him up and he crawls up her arm and around her neck and will stay there for hours if she will let him or he is just content with wrapping around her wrist. They are smart animals regardless what people say. I think he just wants to be held. That's my 2 cents lol

jeff

[Alyvrae]

Update: Maintenenced his cage with no issues! Thanks guys for your advice. I waited a couple hours just to make sure he wasn't PO'd about something, and as it turns out he was actually calmer than usual, I took him out and handled him and he just kinda hung out on my hand, sniffin' the air. I'm suspicious he's about to go into shed... his scales have this iridescent hue to it. They're almost blue when the light shines on them, but his eyes are still clear. So that might be a part of it?

Again, thanks!

[snakesRkewl]

they lose the iridescent look and turn dull and the eyes turn opaque when going into shed.