Aussie Pythons and Snakes

Bung-Eye · Original Poster #1 19-Jul-07, 08:05 PM

Hi all,

I've had my little 4 month old bredli for around 3 weeks now and he's been great, been a great handler & feeder and all that, however over the past 2 days he's been really really snappy.

We fed him on Saturday morning and he ate well, and was fine. Haven't had him out since the meal until last night, he took a lunge when I first took him out and was fine while I handled him for 3 or 4 minutes, but then when he was on the table and I gently picked him up to put him away he gave me a nip. (only just a little tap but he tried nonetheless). I just got home from work tonight and went in to check on him. I noticed he hasn't defecated yet since he ate on Saturday, so I did a quick lift of his hide to make sure he hadn't hidden anything under there and he completely arked up again. He wasn't in the hide, but became really aggro and struck at the missus through the click clack too.

Is there any reason for his sudden change of behaviour or can they just become snappy for no reason at all? He's not got milky eyes so i don't think he's in shedding yet and don't really know any other explanation as to why after 3 weeks of being placid as can be he just turned into a little monster.

Any help would be appreciated.

Bung-Eye · Original Poster #2 19-Jul-07, 08:08 PM

even if I walk in front of his enclosure he's back in his S coil ready to lunge.... he never even used to care if I was there?

Squamata · #3 19-Jul-07, 08:13 PM

He may be in preslough, they will become snappy around this time, look out for his eyes clouding over and if he hides alot that is a sure sign. Dont worry, just leave him alone and make sure he has plenty of fresh water, in a week or so you will find an old skin in the enclosure and your beautiful little python back to his oldself again.

Armand · #4 19-Jul-07, 08:13 PM

some snakes just are like that.. were the parents aggro?? maybe your not handelling him enough?? i had the same problem with my little 3 month old but i was told its cause they are so young and that you can easily startle them...

Bung-Eye · Original Poster #5 19-Jul-07, 08:16 PM

no his parents were both captive bred and great frequent handlers, I handled them before I purchased him from the breeder.

Sqamata, thanks mate I was hoping that it was something like that. i'm sure he's due for a slough soon, his last one was 09-05-07. Reckon it would be a bad idea to put a towel over his enclosure or something to keep it dark?

Squamata · #6 19-Jul-07, 09:04 PM

No need to cover him up, just make sure he has a hide, leave him alone and as i said earlier, you will find an old skin soon and he will be back to normal.
Hatchlings shed around every six - 8 weeks when they are as young as yours especially if they are eating well, so he is definitely due for one.
Good luck and please post some pics when he sheds, i cant keep bredlis here in WA and it is a want i cant have, so i will drool over your pics...

Bung-Eye · Original Poster #7 20-Jul-07, 06:33 AM

thanks buddy, once he's shed i'll post up some pics

Armand · #8 20-Jul-07, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squamata

Hatchlings shed around every six - 8 weeks when they are as young as yours especially if they are eating well, so he is definitely due for one.

how long does it take for a diamond around 3 years to shed?

scorps · #9 20-Jul-07, 08:44 AM

got any pics of the lil guy

GARTHNFAY · #10 20-Jul-07, 08:46 AM

IMO I think that you should leave him alone......you are stressing him.....as they get older they naturally settle down as they realise that there is no danger.....

mrmikk · #11 20-Jul-07, 08:53 AM

I wouldn't worry too much, young bredlis can be like that, but they settle with regular handling, better you get a few hits at this age rather than when he is fully grown! Mine was like that at that age, but she has settled right down now (6 months old). She is still not real happy about coming out of her enclosure, but neither would I if was nice and cosy in a warm, protected home like she has.

Tom89 · #12 20-Jul-07, 07:05 PM

Sounds to me like he might be ready to slough, some snakes will do this, look out for the foggy eyes, if that’s all it is, I highly recommend you handle him more frequently, as he will soon realise he is safe even when he feels vulnerable.

Squamata · #13 20-Jul-07, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armand

how long does it take for a diamond around 3 years to shed?

Not sure about a Diamond cos i am in West oz, but my 3 yr old SW Carpet sheds about every 3 - 4 months, she is still growing and eats like a horse, if they dont eat much they arent growing so fast so they tend to shed less.

Hope that answers your question

Bung-Eye · Original Poster #14 20-Jul-07, 10:05 PM

thanks for your responses guys. I'm really hoping he's just about to slough, as he hasn't been like this before and i'm sure being around 8 weeks since his last shed and at least 7 feeds in that time he's likely due.

scorps, there are some pics of him here:
First feeding pics!

Bung-Eye · Original Poster #15 22-Jul-07, 09:41 PM

UPDATE

I noticed tonight that he'd finally pooped, so I took him out of his enclosure and put him in another click clack while i cleaned his. he was still very defensive and bit at me three times. I was hoping he was coming up to a shed but it doesn't seem as though he is, he's not got flaky skin or milky eyes or anything.

I decided to see if he was off his food as I didn't feed him yesterday thinking he was coming up to a shed (as i've read numerous times they won't eat if they're about to shed) but he ate a mouse very quickly. I fed him only a week ago, would he become aggressive if he was hungry or something?

I really don't know why his attitude has changed so dramatically, it's starting to worry me.