Jungle Python worries!

[Defective]

Hey guys, so a friend of mine was given a 7yr old Jungle Python for her birthday by her finacee and for the first week he was fine. she wasnt 100% sure what size rats he'd eat but he's taken 2 medium rats in one sitting as she called me to see why he was so 'narky' i told her to up his food size for the next feed.

Details on said python:
Age:7yrs
Length: just shy of 6ft

i had a wall post on FB that said this
hi, i have an update, georgie hasnt really moved at all for a couple of days, i tried to pick him up today, i stroked his back and he jumped back and was hissing so ive left him alone since, but when i open his cage he doesnt pop his head up and lick the air and such like normal or try to move away either until i go to touch him. :s


so im going to they're place, i have a hook and first aid kit on hand and this isn't out of my depth, just looking for some advice on if there is anything in particular i should be looking for?
Will check to see if in a shed cycle and for mites in the water bowl before i attempt to handle the python..it may just be he's cage defensive and in that case i have no problems in getting him out and showing the owners how to get him out.

Flame all you like but this is a friend that has asked for my help and i'm going over to rule out shed cycle, mites and cage defectiveness. any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[souldoubt]

how long ago was it fed? it could just be feeling a little vulnerable as its weighed down by a large food item.

if i feed a decent sized prey item, my jungle usually goes straight into the hide and comes out after about 3 days or so.
I would suspect that its either feeling vulnerable or its coming up for a shed, there are other things that could be causing it obviously but I think they are the most likely

 

[Snake-Supplies]

^^^ agree

I don't have jungles though.

 

[Defective]

im not going to make it do something it doesnt want to, especially since it could have my hand for supper. Whole new ball game if it has mites though

 

[Squinty]

Make sure you shower and change clothes before you go anywhere near your own collection.

 

[whyme]

Need to work out how big/heavy he is and how big/heavy the rats are. Some medium rats are small, so going by weight is a more accurate way. He still might be hungry. Check the temps at both ends and adjust accordingly, and remember, it is a Jungle!

 

[abnrmal91]

Not flaming but it just sounds like a normal snake to me. Most of mine don't stick their head out and have a look if I open the enclosure. Especially if they have had a feed. Some of mine don't move for days at a time. It doesn't sound like anything to worry about. But good on you for helping anyway. Best of luck.

 

[Defective]

Georgie the jungle python is going through a shed cycle and is slightly cage defensive. i showed my friend how to get him out using a hook so she doesnt loose her hand and explained what shedding is like for a snake and once he has shed not to get him out for a few days. food size will be increased and checked him for mites but he doesnt have them, i gave him a thorough looking over.

i did explain that many snakes just sit there curled up

Need to work out how big/heavy he is and how big/heavy the rats are. Some medium rats are small, so going by weight is a more accurate way. He still might be hungry. Check the temps at both ends and adjust accordingly, and remember, it is a Jungle!

he weighs between 2-2.5kg and hes well looked after so yeah, she just got worried coz he was very hissy.

 

[kat2005dodi]

Good Work

 

[carterd]

Georgie the jungle python is going through a shed cycle and is slightly cage defensive. i showed my friend how to get him out using a hook so she doesnt loose her hand and explained what shedding is like for a snake and once he has shed not to get him out for a few days.

Does Georgie have a few Hides? Pythons can be hissy coming up to shed and prefer to hide out of site. I thought its best not to handle or feed your python during that week coming into shed, and then once shed can be handled and then fed.
I always fellow there patterns and respect them during shed cycle.

 

[SYNeR]

Sorry, but I'm not even sure what the issue is?

Sounds like a typical jungle to me.. They sure can be temperamental

 

[Defective]

Does Georgie have a few Hides? Pythons can be hissy coming up to shed and prefer to hide out of site. I thought its best not to handle or feed your python during that week coming into shed, and then once shed can be handled and then fed.
I always fellow there patterns and respect them during shed cycle.

no he doesn't but thats been fixed and yes, i normally wouldn't handle a python while in a shed cycle but once the glass front was removed he came out willingly and went back willingly.

Sorry, but I'm not even sure what the issue is?

Sounds like a typical jungle to me.. They sure can be temperamental

issue was my mate is new to keeping snakes and has only had him for 2wks. previous owner said he was good to handle but after a settling period, hes 'moody' extremely hissy and 'not moving' so she asked me to have a look at him.

mites were ruled out and i had a good look at him and his eyes (was bit hard to do in the enclosure) to see if he was getting ready to shed.

issue is solved