Water Python Bite

[oscar_the_grouch]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site and new to snake ownership! I got my water python about 10 days ago, bought him off a guy that didn't want him anymore, he's really cute and has been lovely, but today he bit me!!!! Aaah.

He has been handled heaps since I got him and has been fine, fed him on Sunday no problems, although I'm not sure if the rat wat big enough, maybe he's still hungry. I was cleaning his cage out cause he's shedding and he popped his head out of his hide and snapped my little finger, drew blood and all.

Any ideas why, I figure I was just annoying him by being in his cage, I don't think he would have thought I was food as he just nipped me and let go, he didn't latch on or anything. I guess I was just in his space and annoying him?

Should I just keep handling him as normal and not worry about it?

Thanks everyone.

[Storm91]

has he finshed sheading or still is?

[oscar_the_grouch]

still shedding, I thik he's having some trouble

[Logan & Allana]

From what I've heard olives have very strong feeding responses and are usually cage protective so I wouldn't be too worried at all. He by the sounds of it just didn't like you in his personal space, maybe in future when cleaning his cage put him in a bin or box. I would just keep handling him as usual, if they realize your frightened off by a bite that's when they do it on a regular basis.

Allana

[oscar_the_grouch]

he has some skin still around one of his eyes that has been there for ages

[oscar_the_grouch]

Thanks Alana, I'm worried about the fact that he is taking so long to shed, and have been reading that Water Pythons need high levels of hummidity to help them shed, I think I should get a hummidifier or something.

[moosenoose]

Welcome to the joy of owning one of the most temperamental snakes ever hehehe

[Logan & Allana]

If he's having drama's shedding (which a lot of snakes do in winter due to there not being as much humidity) just give him a bit of a spray with some luke warm water in a spray bottle that should help him. Also when shedding snakes get a bit on the grumpy side so best not to handle them while shedding and a few days after as there new skin is a bit on the sensitive side. How far into his shed is he?, like how long has it been since his eye's went cloudy then back to clear?

[Logan & Allana]

I would try to remove any old skin on by placing him in a tub of warm water for around half a hour (make sure it stays warm) and then get him out and slowly remove the left over skin (don't pull on it though if it doesn't feel like it once to come off). If it still wont come off I wouldn't panic just wait till his next shed and it should come off. Giving the enclosure a light misting will create humidity

[oscar_the_grouch]

OK great, thanks for all the tips. I got him about 10days ago and he was already shedding then, and I'm not sure when it started, the guy who I bought him off wasn't really interested in him and I don't think he'd done much other than feed him for a long time. He had no idea and could barely tell me when he last ate.

[Logan & Allana]

Ok well if he's still shedding just give him a little while longer some snakes can take a while to go through the stages of cloudy eyes, clear, dull coloring then actual shed. And just give him a little mist everyday. Otherwise if he has already shed and it's stuck on in places do the tub trick or another way is to wet a pillow case and put him in and him moving around in it might get some of it off but I prefer the soaking method. I once had a snake that shed still stuck on his eye, rather than take the risk of damaging his eye to get it out I just waited till his next shed and it came off with no problems.

[oscar_the_grouch]

OK, thank you Allana, I think I will try the soaking thing this weekend if he is still needing it and will mist his enclosure during this week. Thanks for all your tips.

[oscar_the_grouch]

How big is your Water Python moosenoose?

[moosenoose]

Originally Posted by oscar_the_grouch

How big is your Water Python moosenoose?

I haven't really measured them recently, but I'm guessing to say they are both over 4ft. I only handle them after I've had a few drinks and I'm feeling brave

[oscar_the_grouch]

Hahaha! That's funny, mine's already 6ft and has some agro habits as I discovered today, hopefully he'll still settle down abit after he gets used to me!