Biting himself

[jessieJEALOUSY]

ok i havent posted a thread before, so im sorry if i have gotten this all wrong >__<
BUT, i still have an important question. Ok, so i have a 10 month old spotted python, but recently he has been getting extremly snappy, to the point today where i walked past the enclouser that he actually struck out at the closest thing... his tail.
he latched on and held it for about 5seconds. i dont know maybe im just over worried or something, but he then continued to bite himself, perhaps something like 5-6 more times.

He was last fed on thursday. So i dont think he is hungry.
Im just freaking out something is seriously wrong with him.

HELP?!

 

[notechistiger]

That sounds like a very agro snake. I doubt there's actually something wrong with him, like he's sick.

What's his enclosure like? Temperatures, position of the enclosure, heat source, dimensions? Was he always snappy? How long have you had him?

 

[Chris1]

could he be constipated?
in pain?

 

[Bugsy]

What are you feeding it? Maybe the food items your giving it are too small, and not enough to satisfy it, could be hungry. When you feed it, if the food doesnt put a noticeable lump in its belly, the food item is too small.

 

[jessieJEALOUSY]

ive had him for 7 months.
and hes only gotten snappy within the last month or so, otherwise he had been great.
he has a ceramic heat lamp that keeps the tempreture between 29-31 degrees.
the enclouser itself is towards the corner of the room out of the way, i have to younger sisters who are rather energetic and love running around so we had to move it away from near the doorway.
i dont know the exact dimensions of the enclouser. but i know, its not massive.


hes being fed a hopper mouse, he was put up a mouse size last week cause it wasnt enough food.

and he passed last weeks food through during the night.
i noticed it in the corner this morning. so i dont think he is constipated.

 

[Bugsy]

Make sure it can get away from the heat source, down to about 24 degrees. Otherwise, sounds to me like you have a crazy lil critter.

 

[jessieJEALOUSY]

He can move away from the heat source, i made sure of that when i set the enclosure up.
eh, if hes crazy. lucky me ;D

 

[Wench]

hahaha sounds like a few snakes have become snappy lately.
maybe its the weather ^_^
mine bit himself while eating the other night and it scared the *beeeeP* outta him lol he was nudging it and biting the rat in random places and bit himself.

your sisters aren't bugging him or nething during the day??

 

[jessieJEALOUSY]

ahaha. seems like snakes get ticked off at winter to xD

nahh. they are at school during the day, and i try and shove them out the back after school ahaha.

 

[daniel1234]

Does he bite you and did he damage his tale?

 

[jessieJEALOUSY]

he hasnt bitten me, only cause i dont want to put my hand in there whilst he is in this mood. ive tried with the hook and he doesnt mind that, but not today.

and he doesnt appear to has damaged his tail to much... i hope.

 

[daniel1234]

Can't just get him out with the hook and try and read when he will strike? But may be there is more to it making him grumpy as its new behaviour right. Oh what about a shed? Could he be doing that. My 8 month old Childrens was a bit snappy when we first got him and then a little flighty when he shed last week.

 

[jessieJEALOUSY]

thanks for the help everyone.


nahh. he shed 2weeks ago.
and im not really wanting to go near him with the hook today, as even coming upto the front of the glass seems to provoke him, so i cant imagine what stick a hook in there would do.