should i worry?

[molly]

ok, i'll set the scene.
yesterday my 5 and a half month corn moved into a new viv. seemed very happy and as he was due to be fed today i took him out as normal to do so. i put him into a different container to normal, this one had clear sides. he also had a fuzzy that i thought looked a bit on the big side. he did strike but then after about 30 seconds let go and moved away. when i approached the container he began to strike at me, doing so about 3 times. this made me wary and i let him crawl back into his viv rather than pick him up. as soon as hewas inthe viv he struck at the glass and was not happy. i left him for a couple of hours and then fed him a smaller food item in the viv which he took happily but still looked at me with anger! my question....should i be worried about him striking? is he likely to do this again? he has never done it before and i don't want to be scared of picking him up or be worried about the kids getting bit. i do feel VERY wary now. sorry for this being so long

[John Pilling]

Don't take it personally, just leave the little 1 fr 4-5 days to settle into his new home. No handleing and only go in once a day to change the water. After the 4-5 days things should be back to normal, it's just the stress of moving home thats all (like we get stress by moving house), and the environment is new to him so he's also a little scared.

Trust me things should calm down in a few days. If they don't post again and well offer some suggestions to help calm things down.

[molly]

thanx for the quick response. i've been sat here worrying. i'm going to just leave him alone, as you say. will let you know what happens. thanx again.

[Shrimply]

I have one who very randomlly takes turns like that. She had one when I put her into a new viv like yours but she has been known to do it for no reason at all.

Tempremental little madam

[Amber]

My corn snake used to do that, since she hit 3 years she hasn't htough. One of my boas did it a few weeks ago at feeding time, she ate the first rat fine, then when offered the second she started striking at me, but then went back into her hide and took the rat that I just left for her.

I'm thinking with the rainbow boa, something spooked her, I'm not sure what though, and she hasn't done it since.

[molly]

I've left him alone and he hasn't even come out from under his hide There's been no sign of him at all and i was up until gone midnight last night
the first night in his new viv,he was happily moving around.

[Amber]

He probably wasn't happily moving around, I have noticed my snakes sometimes do that when stressed from an environment change, the feel a bit lost i think without familiar scents. It is normal for them to hide for a while when they move homes, he will probably start re appearing in a few days to a few weeks (depends on the snake).

If you are sure he is still in the cage, don't worry, was you up watching him with the lights on?

[molly]

He's just moved from his cool side hide to his warm side hide. The only lights on are the fish tank lights on the other side of the room. At least he has moved!
There is much more for him to get used to. He was in a diffferent room before,which was probably quieter but there wasn't room for a big viv in there and i wanted him in the lounge so it's noisier in here. He is in the quietest part of the room where there is no traffic. He's fairly close to where i usually sit, so that's how i can see if he's moving about At least he has moved. Still not going to attempt to handle until wednesday tho.

[Amber]

If he isn't back to his normal self by wednesday, you might want to leave him alone a bit longer before getting him out.

Its good you know he is still there. I always know Akasha has escaped when I haven't seen her for a few days >_<

Good luck with him!

[molly]

have just handled Dave! He was poking his head out from under his hide so i thought...no time like the present! I was EXTREMELY nervous but just went right in and picked him up gently, but firmly. He was fine and showed no signs of aggression!!! Boy, was i relieved!!!!!!! I was so worried about it after the way he had been, but i feel more relaxed now. Thanx for all your advice. This is a great site for that.

[John Pilling]

Glad thing have worked out and are going well.