Has this happened to anyone else?

Jack C · 05-31-12, 02:39 PM

Sometimes when I touch my royal it feels kinda electric, I know this sounds weird but like static electric, I thought I'd mention it because on this occasion today my snake actually hissed at me and he hasnt done that since the day he was in his bag when I bought him nearly a year ago. Also when this strange feeling occurs I always touch my boa and there is no weird sensation. When it happens with my royal, the section I rub say, stops feeling electric like I'm wiping it away, the sensation happens again when I rub a different part of the snake and again it "wipes" away, strange huh.

alessia55 · 05-31-12, 02:53 PM

I found this interesting tidbit in an article:

Quote:

As snakes slither along, friction with the ground quite naturally causes a charge to build up on their bodies. It is a phenomenon familiar to anyone who has shuffled across a carpet on a dry day, then felt a static discharge after touching a filing cabinet or other metal object.

Snakes, however, retain this static electricity to a degree that other animals do not. This is because they have dry, highly insulating skin and lack the hairs, feathers, spines and bristles that other creatures possess and which help them to shed the static build-up.

From newscientist.com

Never had that experience with my snakes though. What substrate is he on?

StudentoReptile · 05-31-12, 03:02 PM

LOL...until Alessia posted, I thought you were nuts!

marvelfreak · 05-31-12, 04:06 PM

I had it happen, but only when i have them outside on the trampoline taking pictures and only a couple times ever.

Just to be on the safe side i would check any heat pad or light you use for the snake to make sure there is not a bare wire.

Jack C · 05-31-12, 04:51 PM

I have him on a heat mat under a tile and it's controlled by a stat, that's very interesting to read, so I'll try and see if it happens under a more humid environment and note the results. Thanks for getting back to me, I wonder does it cause discomfort to the snake. The heat mat all looks in good shape.

marvelfreak · 05-31-12, 05:15 PM

Could you post pictures of your set up?

Jack C · 05-31-12, 05:32 PM

It's been like this for months yet not every time I touch him do I get the electric sensation.

marvelfreak · 05-31-12, 05:43 PM

What are the white wires in the back of the cage. Is he ever touching them when you pick him up or maybe wet?

alessia55 · 05-31-12, 06:29 PM

Your enclosure needs a second hide. What are the temps and humidity in there?

Jack C · 06-01-12, 02:29 AM

There is a half log hide under the leaves on the back right. His hot side stays about 87 to 90 and cold side goes from the low 80 daytime and night to mid 70's. Humidity 55 to 60 and during a shed mid to high 70's. The wires are his 3 probed thermometer and hydrometer.

Reptilegal · 06-01-12, 03:01 AM

I had my diamond python out on the trampoline 2 days ago and we were both sunbaking and I said "I love you" and went to stroke him but as soon as my finger touched his body we both got zapped! I'm quite sure he felt it cos he took a deep breath and let out a long hiss!

marvelfreak · 06-02-12, 05:34 AM

The easy way to rule out the probe wires is wet your finger and slowly run them up the wire. If you don't feel a shock then it not them. Then check the wires out side the cage to make sure there is no bare wire touching the cage. If there isn't then by power of deduction then it's just got the be static. Which means something in the cage is just making static electricity build up when your snake crawls across it.

I just noticed something what's the rock wall in the back made of? If it's Styrofoam that your culprit. When your snake climbs on it he building up static electricity.

alessia55 · 06-02-12, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

I just noticed something what's the rock wall in the back made of? If it's Styrofoam that your culprit. When your snake climbs on it he building up static electricity.

OOh, you've got good eyes. Didn't think of that. Lets see what the OP says

KSTAR · 06-02-12, 04:21 PM

that sounds so weird lol i never heard that before

Jack C · 06-04-12, 03:03 AM

Hey guys thanks for all the replies, I posted this in an Irish forum and haven't got one reply, the background is just one of those aquarium sheets from the rolls.