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Not sure what to think, please help!

G

Grangerv

New member
I've had Lucy for about 6 months now and she had hatched 6 months before I adopted her. I'm not actually sure she's a girl, but I just decided she was when I got her. She's always been the sweetest thing: pretty shy, but very inquisitive. I try to take her out to be handled most days as long as shes not shedding or digesting. She's never had issues with eating or shedding either.

I had been visiting my parents a few hours away and brought her with me for a couple weeks. Then last week (we are back home now) she began hiding in her bedding at all times, only coming out to drink. Then when it was time to feed her, I went to take her out and she hissed, struck, and rattled her tail. I just figured it was some defense thing, and brushed it off. Then tonight, two nights after the initial event, she did the same thing. At this point I'm nervous and I don't know what's going on. She's never acted this way before and I would really like some advice. My theory is that she's agitated from traveling. But it's been over a week since, so I'm really unsure.

I know for sure she is not shedding because right before she began hiding for all that time, she had shed. Her terrarium is in great condition--temperature, humidity, size. I just don't know what to do!

Please help me with any advice you can! Thank you !!
 
I think traveling is a huge cause of stress for them. Is she feeding okay? If she is I would not worry. Give her a few days after her feed to rest and chill and then handle her again. If she hisses and strikes, don't worry about it, just pick her up.
 
Grangerv said:
I've had Lucy for about 6 months now and she had hatched 6 months before I adopted her. I'm not actually sure she's a girl, but I just decided she was when I got her. She's always been the sweetest thing: pretty shy, but very inquisitive. I try to take her out to be handled most days as long as shes not shedding or digesting. She's never had issues with eating or shedding either.

I had been visiting my parents a few hours away and brought her with me for a couple weeks. Then last week (we are back home now) she began hiding in her bedding at all times, only coming out to drink. Then when it was time to feed her, I went to take her out and she hissed, struck, and rattled her tail. I just figured it was some defense thing, and brushed it off. Then tonight, two nights after the initial event, she did the same thing. At this point I'm nervous and I don't know what's going on. She's never acted this way before and I would really like some advice. My theory is that she's agitated from traveling. But it's been over a week since, so I'm really unsure.

I know for sure she is not shedding because right before she began hiding for all that time, she had shed. Her terrarium is in great condition--temperature, humidity, size. I just don't know what to do!

Please help me with any advice you can! Thank you !!
Click to expand...

Just an observation: you said "when it was time to feed her, I went to take her out and she hissed, struck, and rattled her tail." Is it possible she was hungry and maybe you had the scent of a rodent on your hands? My adult female almost always rattles her tail when she knows she's going to be fed and used to strike at my hands when I grabbed her quickly after handling frozen and thawed rodents.

Just a thought.
 
I can attest that they smell mouse just about as soon as you get it out of the freezer, so it definitely can be that. I also think it could be moving stress. Just be gentle, confident, and don't take it personally.
 
Did she eat after that? Does her breathing sound ok? Is there any possibility she was injured during travel? My guess would be that it's most likely what these guys have said. She's still young and that's a lot of stress over a short period of time.
 
WOW, today was a complete 180! I thawed a mouse to try to feed her once again after she hadn't eaten in about a week and a half. I opened the lid and she stuck her head out from under her bedding immediately. I picked her up and she just started crawling all over my arms and up to my neck. She even peeped her head into my collar! I fed her a fuzzy. Usually she eats two, but she ate one today. I am just content now that she's eaten something. She didn't really seem nervous or stressed, she just seemed like her old self!

I will for sure no longer travel with her and just have a roommate feed her when gone. And I'm going to ensure that I don't take the mood to heart.

Thank you everyone for the advice! It really gave me peace of mind!!!
 
Glad she seems to be back to normal! Sometimes these things work themselves out, sometimes not. But regardless, your decision not to travel with her anymore suggests that it most probably worked out for the better in the long run, especially for your little sneaky one!

Later On!!!
 
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