stimson's python constricted

[gregford]

Originally Posted by muzz1987

My theory/guess is this, and i quote:

"Another key to the potential behaviour of a snake is its tongue. When a python is excited it rapidly flicks its tongue (photo 10). Smell being their key sense, it is a bit like us staring at an object to work out what it is. Snakes will do this when they are frightened or hungry."

Probably was flicking its tongue to see if your wifes arm was prey..

"Many owners like to let their pets wrap around their necks. I used to do this, but have found that it can stimulate aggressive behaviour or constriction in even quite placid snakes. Pythons and boas have been shown to feel the heart beat of their prey and to constrict rhythmically to cause death through heart failure. Thinking like a snake, can you imagine what it would feel like to be surrounded by the smell of mammal, feeling all that warmth and the beat of a heart – more than a poor hungry snake could often bare."

It probably had the right sensory input, to think your wifes arm was prey.

hi thanks mate sounds like a pretty good reason for him to constrict
he always pokes his tongue out like almost all day long
ps. i didn't know me and my girlfriend got married hehe

*runs for the hills at the thought of a wedding*

[waikare]

Yeh mate i hve had my yearling jungle for 2 mths and i hve him out all the time and is fine with me, as soon as i give him to one of my mates to handle he constricts arnd there wrists and wont let go for a while so i wld put it down to stress and not knowing there scent

[Trouble]

Originally Posted by MrBredli

No offence, but you have no idea what you're talking about.

Umm, actually, I think he does...

Originally Posted by MrBredli

It is clearly stressed out! 100% guaranteed, no doubt about it! Stop handling it (or at least for so long) and you won't have a problem!

Stressed? hmm get you facts right.. I handle mine for more than 30-40 mins a day, and I'm sure you'd be able to tell when they are stressed.... It was more like its a security thing

Originally Posted by the_tsar

I gotta say all loverly theories about this constriction, But they all dont make any sense really.

My Green Tree snake doesn this on a regular occasion, for no reason constricts really tightly around my hand, and my wife at times.

I dont believe it is stress, handling time was too short, and it didnt exibit stress behaviours.

I dont think it is fear of falling, as i have had my snake in all sorts of positions some positions had the snake in "fall" type spots, and in these moments, the snake doesnt coil tightly around the hand for support, sure it moves and parts of the snake grip, but certainly not a constriction squeeze, like described here.

Nothing to do with scent either.

My only theory, and this threory isnt even looking so crash hot to me yet, is that it likes the warmth from your hand so squeezes itself to the object to suck as much radiant heat as possible.
My other thoery is it is like a stretch, squeezing tight against a softish surface, probably feels nice, like a squishy hug.
Sure it isnt an emotional thing for the snake but even my body likes a squishy hug, it just feeeeeels good. (not the emotion of the hug mind you).

So in my observations of this behavior (and I play alot with my GTS and happen to be curious about all of its behaviour and this constricting one didnt escape my notice, as it is a strange thing to do (for the snake) and feel) this is what I come up with, although I am not 100% on this, but I am enough not to pay any other theory posed so far.

Anyone else wid a comment?

Yeah I agree with this.

Originally Posted by beeman

it had prob had enough handling after 30 or 40 mins and
was starting to stress and that was its way of telling you it had had enough
you have to remember they are still a wild creature. most dont like being over handled

Mine does that for a security thing... it will most likely bite if its stressed, or try and get away!

Originally Posted by squeezen spotty

my snake did this once too he was out for about 10 mins and traveling across my arm, stopped, curled up and squeezed real hard then just stopped and carried on.

Yep, my spotted does this most days... I reacon he's using his muscles and stregthining.




Greg, your stimmie will be fine, just let him explore around you and your girlfriend. he'll do the squeeze ocationally... hope it all works out

cheers
Trouble

[TrueBlue]

hahaha, you are joking arnt you Trouble?????.

Mr bredli is right on the money, you other guys must be on drugs or something.

[beeman]

Yet another ill-informed person,

[Trouble]

Nope not joking

I have my spotted out for hrs at a time and he doesn't stress! And I do not think Greg's stimmie is stressing either...
You all say its stress, but have you seen a snake stress out? I kno I have. my breeder was showing me a snake he's got for breeding... you can't pick it up and hold it without getting bitten! She tries to get away as soon as you try.

My snake is with me right now and no signs of stress... my friend has a stimmie, and my other friend has a spotted, they do the same as me...


Do whatever you like, but in the end, you will know when your snake is "stressing"


Have a great day all
Trouble

[beeman]

I find it highly amusing that when a question is asked on husbandry and those with years of experience
and knowledge answer the question, the inexperienced come out in droves and dispute the answer because they dont like what was said.

[Bredlislave]

Originally Posted by beeman

I find it highly amusing that when a question is asked on husbandry and those with years of experience
and knowledge answer the question, the inexperienced come out in droves and dispute the answer because they dont like what was said.

No wonder the serious herpetologists don't comment very much, there's an absolute Gold Mine of Experience and Information out there, if only it would be heeded. Too many overnight experts around these days

Cheers
Sandee

[TrueBlue]

trouble, sorry mate and no offence intended, but you really do have absolutely no idea at all.
In time you will learn, but for now, i just pitty your poor snake. Maybe get another one so you dont continually stress out your only snake. Yes thats right, with the amount of handling that you seem to put your poor mac thru, you will be stressing him, thats for sure. And no, most of the time you cant tell that some snakes are stressed untill its to late and the poor thing gets sick, but good luck with it all, but i dare say that in time it will be the classic age old story of "i told you so". and so did Mr bredli.

[Chappy]

Originally Posted by Bredlislave

No wonder the serious herpetologists don't comment very much, there's an absolute Gold Mine of Experience and Information out there, if only it would be heeded. Too many overnight experts around these days

Cheers
Sandee

Well said Sandee I am no expert LOL!!!! But i know someone who is and he has been breeding and selling reptiles for 15 years and doing husbandry courses and taking Pythons to Baby shows and Birthday partys etc he currently owns his own shop and is more than qualifed in this field... BUT he dosent post much because of the reason you highlighted in your post and it annoys him!!

[Ozzie Python]

in my limited experience, and feel free to disagree, but stress is not only shown with biting. Constricting could be a comfort/security thing, but is also a sure sign of not wanting to be handled, and in the case of my bredli is almost always followed by a warning shot. The behavior of my snakes during and after handling has led me to handling them less, maybe 5 minutes once a week or fortnight, and then when cleaning or feeding.

Snakes are a solitary animal,not like a puppy, they don't crave attention at all. Some of my snakes come straight to the door when i open it but only to investigate, they don't particularly want to be picked up. You will read it a million times from experienced keepers that they don't bond with us, they either learn to tolerate us or they don't.

I have found leaving them alone more often that they still do handle quite well, feed even better. If your snake is constricting your girlfriend, put it away and see what it does, does it hide or hang around trying to be picked up again? i would be interested in what your reply to this would be.

It has been documented so many times that handling should be kept to 5-10 minutes, and is stressfull for the snake, never have i seen someone recommend 30-40+ minutes of handling. Many of our resident experienced keepers have mentioned this many times. I just don't understand why some people just choose to ignore sound information from long time keepers and experts and claim themselves as new experts based on what they have experienced in a small amount of time with a small amount of snakes.

Just my two cents on an ever going debate, not trying to single out or upset anyone. Just giving my opinion. Feel free to tell me i'm a goose and i know nothing.

[Australis]

Originally Posted by Ozzie Python

I have found leaving them alone more often that they still do handle quite well, feed even better. If your snake is constricting your girlfriend, put it away and see what it does, does it hide or hang around trying to be picked up again? i would be interested in what your reply to this would be.

I agree totally...
Leaving them be, is about all they want from their keeper..