Is this normal?

Squirtle · 08-05-12, 10:52 PM

Alright, I don't know if this is common or not, but evert time I handle my Tiger Reticulated Python (a few months old, born February) he ALWAYS defecates on me? is there any way I can fix this? I'd love to handle him more often but it's kind of gross lol.

iBaman · 08-05-12, 11:15 PM

watch for his sausage butt before you handle him xD or bathe him before you handle him for a while.

**millertime89** · 08-06-12, 07:57 AM

ROFL! Sausage butt... but yeah, watch for swelling around the vent. Snakes defecate as a defense mechanism, so right now you're still being viewed as a potential threat. Then again, I know a few breeders that have adults that still do this. There's a video from Jay at Prehistoric Pets where he and two other breeders have Twinky (Jay's 24 ft retic) out and she poops and pees all over the shop floor just because she feels like it.

MDT · 08-06-12, 09:18 AM

my retic (6-ish feet) doesn't, however, my amethystine does EVERY time. She is a juvi, about 2.5 feet now. She has never attempted to bite, but the poo thing is getting old.

MrBD1980 · 08-06-12, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDT

my retic (6-ish feet) doesn't, however, my amethystine does EVERY time. She is a juvi, about 2.5 feet now. She has never attempted to bite, but the poo thing is getting old.

Hey there,

I don't wanna hijack this thread but I'd love to see your amethystine and it's setup! I saw one recently and thought it looked amazing! How big do they get and how tricky is the husbandry if I were to consider one in the future?

Thanks and sorry to the OP for the brief hijack!

Brian

Squirtle · 08-06-12, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBaman

watch for his sausage butt before you handle him xD or bathe him before you handle him for a while.

The thing is, even after he doesn't have a "sausage butt" (lol) anymore he'd still manage to some how still go to the bathroom while I'm holding him.

stephanbakir · 08-06-12, 08:13 PM

It's normal, but not every retic will do it. My female is a puppy but my male is closing in on 8 feet and he musks me, the floor, the walls and occasionally the ceiling... Once they begin to tolerate you more, it should slow down as he gets some size.

shaunyboy · 08-06-12, 08:34 PM

its just another type of defense system,imo once he settles dow, he should stop pooping on you mate

cheers shaun

**millertime89** · 08-06-12, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBD1980

Hey there,

I don't wanna hijack this thread but I'd love to see your amethystine and it's setup! I saw one recently and thought it looked amazing! How big do they get and how tricky is the husbandry if I were to consider one in the future?

Thanks and sorry to the OP for the brief hijack!

Brian

If its an actual amethystine its illegal to have. If its legal to have its a barneck and he should be calling it as such or Morelia Amethystina.

MDT · 08-06-12, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

If its an actual amethystine its illegal to have. If its legal to have its a barneck and he should be calling it as such or Morelia Amethystina.

Kyle, not wanting to hijack thread. Sending you a pm.

Squirtle · 08-06-12, 11:09 PM

Will he grow out of it? what can I do to 'make him trust me more'? I've had him since March and he hasn't bitten me once.. didn't know it was because he's still afraid of me lol

**millertime89** · 08-06-12, 11:22 PM

He may come out of it, he may not. Snakes seem to have their own "personalities" for lack of a better word. Let him get used to you at his own pace.

MDT · 08-07-12, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDT

my retic (6-ish feet) doesn't, however, my Merauke Scrub does EVERY time. She is a juvi, about 2.5 feet now. She has never attempted to bite, but the poo thing is getting old.

(species chaged in post 'cause i'm an idiot

)

**millertime89** · 08-08-12, 01:19 PM

nah, just uninformed/misinformed. Funny how I just found out the NC law regulating reptiles made the same mistake.