Signs that your Snake is stressed

[KidsandSnakes]

Hi,
We are the new owners of Maximus, a 4 year-old candycane (bought from Rebecca at Triple R Corns). We've recently started handling him and were surprised at how still he was. Now I've read that squirming and wiggling to get away can be a sign of stress, but is holding still a good sign? I've heard that corns are naturally curious and fairly active but Maximus is acting almost more like a ball python. Plus he pooped on us the first time...but no musking. When we put him back in the tank he stays in the same spot we put him in, no moving around, even at night (although we found aspen in his water dish every morning so he must be coming out for a drink at least).

He hasn't eaten yet because he was on a 14 day schedule with Rebecca so Wed is his scheduled feeding day...we will see if he takes it.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Farmgirl]

Hi there!! My little Khuno is from Rebecca!!

Most corns are active but it is a rule, not a law. You may just have one of the rare calm corns!! Does he seem otherwise healthy?? Are there black specs in the waterdish? is his skin dry?

See how he takes his first meal with you, but: living so close to Rebecca, I did get to go see her whole operation. All her snakes were beautiful and healthy, well fed and cared for and clean. I can't see a recent purchase from her having anything wrong. So if you did get the corn that cuddles, ENJOY!!

 

[Lyion]

I would try 7-10 day feeding feeding schedual ^^. And you got a candycane? :O I want one so much!

 

[AliCat37]

I had a super calm corn before too! I would say that if he tries to get away that is a sign of stress. Sitting still, to me, is a sign that he's pretty comfortable.

 

[nickdolin]

My creamsicle corn is pretty calm for about 10-15 minutes, at which point she lets me know that "Thats enough, I'm ready to go back now".

 

[Farmgirl]

My Okeetee, Ananta is very calm if I let her stay in my hair or IN my shirt!! Khuno, he's an active little guy, always on the go!!

 

[Christen]

I think he is probably fine. Since he is 4 I would expect him to be more calm. I think that is a major bonus in getting an adult.

 

[Sayjoo13]

I have an abnormally calm corn (who is only just a few months old). I say consider yourself lucky! As long as the snake seems healthy, I think you just lucked out. Also, mine seems the more I hold her, the less she moves around. She even lets me position her and doesn't mind being carried around. Maybe you got a corn that has been handled a lot, and so doesn't mind it. I never see mine out and about in the viv, but I see tunnels the next day. I think you just got a really laid back one. Again, assuming the snake seems otherwise healthy.

 

[KidsandSnakes]

Thanks for the responses. I'm worried that he might be too cold. He is in the basement (developed) and has a Herpstat thermostat on his ExoTerra Dessert heat pad (large)...it is reading 87 on the hot side. But it doesn't feel very warm to my touch. I don't have anything on the cool side as several people mentioned that as long as the warm side was good then Maximus would be able to regulate his temp ok. The basement is definitely on the cool side as a whole. So I'm thinking of buying a temp gun...but where should I aim it?
A) on the cool side??
B) on the warm side in at the aspen??
C) move all the aspen to be directly on top of the UTH??

Maximus is often found burrowing in the aspen...but I've found him on both sides of the tank.

I don't want to feed him until I'm ABSOLUTELY sure that his temps are good as we don't want to risk a regurge. Also he was on jumbo mice with Rebecca but was thinking of using a normal adult for his first meal...just in case???

He seems otherwise in good health.

 

[AliCat37]

If you're really worried about it being too cold where he is, you can pick up a radiator heater from walmart and run it on low 24/7. I tend to do that for half of my room in winter because of the boa, ball, and lizard. remember that your body temp is around 98 degrees, so 87 won't feel very warm to you. Feeding him a normal mouse sounds like a good plan to me
With the temp gun you can aim it all over. I like to use mine on everything. I would use it on the glass directly under the aspen and on the top of the aspen (so you know his gradient). The only problem is that it can give inaccurate readings on shiny surfaces like glass. A digital thermometer with two probes comes in super handy on that part.

 

[KidsandSnakes]

Maximus DID eat on the first try

 

[HeadSetJones]

Congrats Man!! Give us some pictures if you can.

 

[promethear]

Thanks for the responses. I'm worried that he might be too cold. He is in the basement (developed) and has a Herpstat thermostat on his ExoTerra Dessert heat pad (large)...it is reading 87 on the hot side. But it doesn't feel very warm to my touch. I don't have anything on the cool side as several people mentioned that as long as the warm side was good then Maximus would be able to regulate his temp ok. The basement is definitely on the cool side as a whole. So I'm thinking of buying a temp gun...but where should I aim it?
A) on the cool side??
B) on the warm side in at the aspen??
C) move all the aspen to be directly on top of the UTH?

The temperature should be taken on the glass directly over the UTH. That should be a tad cooler than it is (not 100% sure of range. I do 83). The reason for this is that too hot can cause damage and the snake can (and most likely will) burrow down into the aspen and make direct contact with the warm glass. The reason it does not feel that warm to you at 87 is that your core is 98 (warmer than the UTH is so the UTH will feel a bit cool).