I dropped my retic and he landed pretty hard, should I be concerned

KyleKennedy · 04-24-15, 08:16 PM

I was outside with my retic and all of the sudden he fell off my shoulders and landed on the concrete driveway. He layed there momentarily stunned, but I quickly picked him up and brought him back to his enclosure. Should I be concerned? He fell about 6 feet and I heard a big thud when he landed. I am very pissed at myself for letting this happen. It was an accident, but I should have been more cautious. Kicking myself hard for this. This happened earlier today, so it may still be early to tell if any damage was done. But I would like to know if this has happened to anyone else, and if so was there any bad consequences from it?

P.S. he landed on his back. I'm starting to worry big time.

jjhill001 · 04-24-15, 10:51 PM

Should be fine. Don't let it happen again.

**millertime89** · 04-24-15, 11:28 PM

He should be ok, just keep a close eye on him for a few days. You can always take him to the very for an xray. He probably has a few broken ribs but that's not that uncommon with snakes anyways.

Albert Clark · 04-25-15, 09:13 AM

Wow, 6 ft. is a long way down! It would be different if he landed on dirt or leaves you know what I mean? Concrete is very unforgiving. I would palpate his whole body to see if I can feel any deformities. Definitely look and feel for any bruising or swellings. Watch his behavior bc you said he laid there stunned after the fall. That makes me think he may have suffered a concussion or loss of consciousness! For your own peace of mind and his well being consider a vet visit. Stay in peace and not pieces. Good luck.

KyleKennedy · 04-25-15, 11:25 AM

@millertime89 - If he does have a couple broken ribs (god forbid) is a vet visit really important or will he eventually heal on his own?

Albert Clark · 04-25-15, 03:41 PM

Well, I would just say with the kinematics of injuries if there is something broken then there might be something else underneath the fracture. One is bleeding that could be slow from a vein or injury to other tissues and /or organs. We don't have xray vision to just suppose it is something but we can look at the animal and do a little basic physical exam and make a determination on how to treat it. Just keep a eye and a hand on him until you are sure. Hope he remains ok.

metalcopper · 04-25-15, 07:02 PM

How big is the snake? The heavier the snake, the more likely it is to get injured in a fall.

**Aaron_S** · 04-26-15, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleKennedy

@millertime89 - If he does have a couple broken ribs (god forbid) is a vet visit really important or will he eventually heal on his own?

Snakes break ribs on a regular basis. It's not uncommon. However, how these broke may cause internal damage as mentioned. A vet visit wouldn't hurt.

PatrickT · 04-26-15, 09:41 AM

Pne question...why did you carry this animal on your shoulders? Why even take it out of its enclosure? Its a snake. Snake aren´t cats. I avoid handling my reptiles whenever i can. They are for looking.

Keep an eye on it. I dont think he is seriously injured but you can never know.

KyleKennedy · 04-26-15, 10:18 AM

@ metalcopper - Around 4 foot

@PatrickT - Why did I carry him on my shoulders? Because it's my pet and I try to interract with him whenever I can. I'm not going to neglect him and ignore him. Why did I take him out his enclosure? Because it was 80 degrees outside and I wanted him to get some fresh air and explore outside for a little bit. Yes, I know snakes aren't cats. But I never seen someone carry a cat on their shoulders.

PatrickT · 04-26-15, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleKennedy

@ metalcopper - Around 4 foot

@PatrickT - Why did I carry him on my shoulders? Because it's my pet and I try to interract with him whenever I can. I'm not going to neglect him and ignore him. Why did I take him out his enclosure? Because it was 80 degrees outside and I wanted him to get some fresh air and explore outside for a little bit. Yes, I know snakes aren't cats. But I never seen someone carry a cat on their shoulders.

Its not a pet, its a wild animal. Its a python. He will never bond with you in any way. He does not enjoy to be brought outside. Its stress.

PatrickT · 04-26-15, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

Euros often also keep their snakes in naturalistic terrariums as opposed to shoe boxes.

yup. Its not common here to have a reptile in racks. The approach over here is unity and to build the natural habitat as close as possible.

KyleKennedy · 04-26-15, 02:00 PM

@PatrickT - The difference between me and you is that I am not afraid of my pet snakes. You avoid holding him because you fear he can hurt you. I know my python can do damage to me, too. But I don't let that stop me from picking him up. I trust him not to do anything to me. That's what it all comes down to is trust. If you never interract with your snake, he will see you as a threat and yes he will probably strike at you. I interract with my python and he knows the difference between a rat and my hand. Never once had he bitten me out of fear. The only times I got bitten by a snake was during feeding time, and it was an accident. Believe it or not, snakes (especially reticulated pythons) are very curious and love to explore outdoors.

MDT · 04-26-15, 02:18 PM

KK....two things....1) those of us who prefer a hands off approach aren't afraid of our snakes...we just see them for what they are...awesome amazing animals that prob shouldn't be draped over our shoulders.. Just a thought. All you're doing is increasing the odds that something will happen them (I dunno, like drop them on concrete?). And I also have retics. I do take them outside, but usually in a shoe box (wait...what??? A shoebox???)...actually sterilite😂....if I'm carrying them, I do it very carefully. Just sayin'....you dropped your snake dude.

And 2) yeah, we do keep snakes in shoeboxes (plastic ones anyway)...that is probably just semantics....

PatrickT · 04-26-15, 02:25 PM

No, the difference is not "fear". It is responsibility. I have no problem with handling a 4m long yellow anaconda and know how to avoid to get bitten. Our hobby is under attack in germany. Evry single "event" is celebrated with bad publicity in the media. Animal right groups lobbying to ban reptile keeping completly. Several federal german laws already ban large pythons completly. You don´t have such a snake under control. It could strike bystanders, children or yourself. There is no trust, it simply acts by instinct.

Sorry but i have zero tolerance for such behavior and i see i as irresponsible.

That you dropped the snake on the concrete floor makes things worse.