New sd retic smashing face on tank....

[frostysBP]

My first sd retic got here on Thursday and is set up in my quarantine room. I have not handled him at all except for opening the snakebag when I unboxed him on Thursday. I held/examined him for about 5/10 min and put him in his tub. The whole time he was very laid back and never tried to strike at all. Friday every time I walk past the tub he strikes and smashes his face on the tub. So I defrosted a rat and he pounded it down. Now today he is still doing the same. Is he just stressed?. Or is he hungry still. I fed him a slightly undersize meal than what he can take. He has two hides in cage as well as some climbing branchs and he is out exploring alot. Any help would be great thanks.

[Reinz]

Congrats on your Tic! That is so cool!

I have my thoughts, but since I have no experience with Tics I better not show my ignorance.

I wish I could get one down the line. Even though my state is cool, my city is not!

Enjoy

[reptileexperts]

Welcome to retics. Sounds like your SD is stressed out and scared. Are you using a glass tank? If so, cover 3 of the sides to only let the front be visible. Also, how large is your setup and how small is the snake. Retics in an oversized enclosure can become territorial and cage aggressive. If he's only smashing his face from striking at the glass, these are the first few things I would examine. If he's pushing to try and get out - you have another issue on your hand but its semi-easily fixed.

Reticulated pythons have a different attitude than most snakes that you have probably ever worked with. It's not just me saying that as a biased opinion because of my love for them, it's because it simply is true. They are intelligent (to an extent) and are always examining the situation as a whole, taking it it.

Let me know if you have any more questions

[frostysBP]

He is a year old and maby 3.5 feet I have him in a plastic tub for quarantine at the moment that is 34 x18x12 has two hides and some climbing sticks. I covered all but one side of the tub yesterday and he seems to be alot better today. I could setup a smaller tub for him to make him mor secure. Im going to offer him food today. He is definitely not a ball thats for sure. My last question would be are they usually really active. He is always out of his hide amd climbing around.

[reptileexperts]

If they are active - they are usually seeking out food (which may be all the time). Most of the time, after a meal they will stay put on the heat for a few days, before they start their roaming again. He's also still settling in, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The tub size sounds fine for a snake of his size for the moment.

[frostysBP]

Just an update on this guy after moving him to 3 different size cages I have found out what he likes. Moved him to a 41qt tub las week and he has settled down so much. He is no longer smashing his face of the glass and I can pull him out without a hook now. He is pounding small/medium rats every 7 days even tho he is hungry begging for another on day 3 or 4. All in all couldn't be happier.

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