| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bengy_s |
Posted - 15/10/2009 : 22:54:43
I just bought a Royal 2 days ago from a reputable pet store specalising in snakes.
He is approx 2/3 years old and about 80cms. In the store I handled the royal and he seemed fine (tongue flicking often, interested but not aggressive, attracted to my hand and arm heat etc).
Anyway after geting him back and set up, I left him alone in his viv (80cm X 40cm X 40cm) until this evening. I know you are supposed to leave them a week or two to settle (I have a corn), however when I put my hand in and stroked him he didn't mind at all so thought safe to hold.
I took him out of the viv and was holding him for around 5 mins and everything ok. Then WHAM, he struck my right bicep and locked on! I was in some pain as he connected with the inside of my arm where there is less flesh but was more concerned about damaging his fangs. I returned him to the viv and he settled down after an hour or so.
I am stumped why this happened and would appreciate any advice. I have noted the following:
1. He has 1 hide on the warm spot, water bowl on the cool spot and beech substrate. I still need to get a hide for the cooler spot and some artificial vine or foliage for him to hide amongst.
2. He seemed to smell my tshirt shortly before he struck.
3. My royal is at my flat along with my girlfriend's hamster (see note 4). The Corn is at parents house. The Hamster used to be at parents house, now it is at flat.
4. His viv is on the floor just inside bedroom. My girlfriend has a hamster in the living room 10 feet away (its a flat so not on different floors obviously). Perhaps he could smell him? The corn did not seem to notice the hamster so much when the hamster stayed at my parents.
5. Earlier in day (at parents) I handled my corn and fed it although I did wash hands thoroughly a few times throughout day. So by the time got back to flat was 6 hours later.
6. He was fed 7 days ago. He does not seem to be approaching his shedding phase.
Again, the question I'm asking is WHY he struck when being handled rather than when I first of all tried to handle him in his viv. This is why i'm writing this as EVERY other person I googled got bitten when trying to get them out the viv NOT during handling, and theirs were young and mine is older so hurts more?!?
Your prompt help is very much appreciated as I want to enjoy the snake as a pet and obviously weary of him now and thats unfair on snake and me.
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| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| reptiledanny |
Posted - 24/01/2010 : 20:33:46
yes, leave him for 7 days. any snake will have to left for 7 days. any type of snake and a snake in any mood. |
| Lukee |
Posted - 24/01/2010 : 19:46:17
Hey everyone, ive got my new ball python yesterday and he seems fine, is it vital I keep him in there for a week without touching because he hasnt hissed or struck at all and he seems very happy coming out straight away? does this rule stand for happy royals:). |
| pfleming |
Posted - 24/01/2010 : 19:32:12
Just reading this through, my 5/6 month old royal is very agressive right now, (this did mean it fed very well) it has been striking at me, at the glass of his viv when im looking in. I will have to let him settle in for a few weeks only handling when feeding. I hope that once he is settled i can start handling him and taming him. |
| bengy_s |
Posted - 25/10/2009 : 21:26:06
Thanks Glenn, yes I think it was because I didn't leave him long enough to settle and get used to his surroundings. I also handled ferrets earlier in the day which have a pungent scent. Im gaining his trust slowly by just approaching his viv letting him know I'm there and I'm not a predator and get used to me going in there and changing his water. |
| Glenn |
Posted - 25/10/2009 : 19:27:30
quote:
Originally posted by chris100575
quote:
Originally posted by bengy_s
How do i add photos?
Here you go: http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4 
i have no idea why he did it
you probly got bit because you were a hot or you scared him
dont worry i got bit by a snake before fully grown |
| lee2308 |
Posted - 25/10/2009 : 19:16:25
good plan! |
| bengy_s |
Posted - 25/10/2009 : 01:10:43
Yeah lazy so-and-so! Gonna go for a hold in the next day or two. I'll let him venture halfway out his viv and then go in for a hold rather than dive my hand straight in! |
| lee2308 |
Posted - 24/10/2009 : 11:19:45
good news,he was probably always looking out for food,now his belly is full he's having a nap for a few days. |
| bengy_s |
Posted - 24/10/2009 : 10:20:37
Cheers Matt  Gonna try a hold once he's digested his feed from yesterday. He's beenin his hide since he ate and hasn't even stuck his head out! He's not done that before, always curious! Fingers crossed on holding him! |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 24/10/2009 : 10:09:41
Thats fine |
| bengy_s |
Posted - 24/10/2009 : 01:24:05
Yeah massive thanks to Lee for taking time out to help me and Chester! I've been tweeking with the temps since Lee left & max & min heat and humidity are:
Max 32.1C / 89.7F / 50% humidity
Min 28.8C / 83.8F / 49% humidity
The thermostat will go the tiniest of turns higher but these seem spot on to me.... please confirm? |
| lee2308 |
Posted - 24/10/2009 : 01:12:19
seemed very happy once fed,like all us blokes lol |
| Blackecho |
Posted - 23/10/2009 : 21:57:32
Nice one lads, happy snake |
| lee2308 |
Posted - 23/10/2009 : 21:08:35
been back and done a bit of rearranging,got the temps up,chesters a bit edgy still but their was a definate improvement in his behavour,he even took some prey with no hestation,all in all things are looking up. |
| bengy_s |
Posted - 20/10/2009 : 20:23:47
ok ill try that thanks! ill let u know the score! |
| MissCat |
Posted - 20/10/2009 : 19:51:36
chuck on some gardening gloves :)
I had some gardening gloves for my nasty girl, i stuck them in my pillow for about a week, and wore them whenever i went in her rub, then i left one in her rub with her...with the hope that she would get used to my scent....she hasn't struck since... (well, she has, but to be fair i dropped an ice cream tub hide on her, so i'll let her take that as a win) |
| bengy_s |
Posted - 20/10/2009 : 18:26:47
Not today! He's in the hide head and neck poking out in s position. Infact thats what he's been doing all day! His head isn't pointing in the air, its along th floor just looks like he'd be ready to pounce if someone went in there! |
| bengy_s |
Posted - 20/10/2009 : 18:18:03
Ok ill give that a go in min.
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| bengy_s |
Posted - 20/10/2009 : 18:15:17
Ok so if its on max and not hot enough do I need other form of heating? |
| lee2308 |
Posted - 20/10/2009 : 17:59:24
I did cover the mat with a piece of lyno with no substrate on that,try and get the probes under the log hide as theres no substrate under there just the lyno and you should get a better reading,do it nice and slowly and he should be ok. |
