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View Full Version : Hissing and Tensing

aaron_cg
10-19-12, 04:21 PM
So, went to get out Hannibal today so I could clean her tank. Reached my hand in to grab her and she started hissing, and her breathing was looking rapid. Also I would rub her and she would like move her body away from where my hand was. Just wondering what this could mean?
shaunyboy
10-19-12, 04:24 PM
what age and species is your snake ?

it sounds like it's nervous of being handled mate

cheers shaun
Platinumxero
10-19-12, 04:25 PM
Perhaps she's just having a bad day? Sometimes snakes just don't want to be messed with or she could be about to shed maybe? Lately my snake has been pushing me away when I go in to touch her, so I've just been leaving her alone. :)
aaron_cg
10-19-12, 04:28 PM
She is a normal BP, and she is amazing about being handled, in-fact in my opinion she loves to be held. She is not getting close to shed. She shed about 2ish weeks ago, and her belly isn't getting the red hue yet.
aaron_cg
10-19-12, 04:29 PM
Ohh sorry, she is about 6-8 months old I believe
rmfsnakes32
10-19-12, 04:44 PM
She just having an off day when mine do that I leave them alone for a day then try again the next day
Lankyrob
10-19-12, 05:17 PM
You either woke heer up and she reacted to it or maybe you were too hesitant in picking her up? I findif i reach straight in and pick up my snakes are ok but if i hesitate or hover my hand near them or just touch them they will flinch and be defensive.

Remember you are HUUUUGGEEE compared to the snake.

One other thing is to not approach the snake from above, most of their predators attack from above, approach from ground level. :)
Terranaut
10-19-12, 07:59 PM
I agree with Rob. Never hesitate when picking him up. Just reach in at ground level and grab him. My BP just simply doesn't mind being handled but I have other snakes that if given 3-5 seconds to think about it will hiss and punch at my hand ( closed mouth strike). If I just grab them they don't have time to decide to be defensive because they are all ready out of their viv.
aaron_cg
10-20-12, 09:25 PM
I think she was just having an off day. I never hesitate when I grab her. I took her out today and she was just fine!
Gungirl
10-21-12, 04:57 AM
Snakes are snakes, they don't always act predictable but just because they act a bit different or more like a "wild" snake than normal that doesn't mean something is wrong.It just means that they are a snake.
mykee
10-21-12, 07:48 AM
Very clear signs that she doesn't want to be touched.
Pretty damn obvious signs to me.
Learn your snake.