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Nyte · #1 (**permalink**) 08-31-2002, 06:33 PM

Ok, so a friend of mine has a BCI that he aquired from someone who no longer could keep it. The snake is about 4 feet long, of unknown age, and eats medium rats comfortably. The problem is, this friend could not get the snake to eat pre killed, so he tried live, which she takes readily. Problem is she has apparently been bitten 3 or 4 times that I have been made aware of. When he first got the snake, the main body color was always a nice medium to light grey. Now at least all the time during the day it is almost black. Also, at first it's temperment was great, always docile, never hissing even. Now, you get near it's enclosure and it begins to hiss and strike towards anything that moves violently. Once you get it out though, it calms down and curls up, though generally lacks the curiousity most other BCIs I am experienced with display when out. I am concerned for this snake, and will probably be aquiring it from my friend, as he wants to focus elsewhere. I know it will need to get to a vet and be checked, and as soon as I have it, I intend to take it and a fecal to the vet, but in the meantime, and ideas, advice or thoughts?

Thanx
Brian
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Kohm · #2 (**permalink**) 08-31-2002, 07:02 PM

Hi Nyte, welcome to Redtailboa!

It is unsafe to feed live prey, as you do know, so if you do you have to watch her kill it and eat it to make sure that the prey doesn't hurt her. check out BW's post on his first pygmy rattlesnake to see what can happen to snakes fed live prey. You say that she has been bitten, check all the bites to make sure that the wounds have healed. There is a risk of the wound turning septic, which would certainly not be to her benefit, and maybe the reason why she is so agitated. Snakes are quite sensitive to wounds.

There may be other reasons why she is so aggresive. She may have distemper or some other temperamental problem. You did say that her origin is unknown, so that in itself is a problem. If she was a wild-caught snake, among which distemper is an issue, you may face a whole lot more difficulties (like parasites) than just edginess.

This is a possibilty. Maybe this BCI is aggressive by nature. Perhaps the reason why she was so "docile" was because she was shedding or sick. Has she shed recently? The colour change in her skin might be due to a shed. Then again, she was eating well, so that is unlikely. Or perhaps she is sick now. That, hwoever, might led to listlessness rather than increased aggresivenes.

Still, you're right, get her to a vet. He can give her a total checkup and clear up any problems she might have.

Hope this helps and all the best with this lovely snake!

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Nyte · #3 (**permalink**) 08-31-2002, 09:50 PM

Thanks for the reply Kohm. She (dunno just better than it) has shed at least twice since the first bite, and has not improved with them, so it is not caused by shedding. Is it possible that she has just become stressed and defensive about things entering her enclosure? he does feed her in the enclosure. I am hpoing i can get her from him soon, it is just a matter of when he is ready, he says he wants to get rid of her, and I told him I want her, it is just when he is ready, until then, I do what I can when I can for her.

Thanx
Brian
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#4 (**permalink**) 08-31-2002, 09:59 PM

reply short as I am running out atm. BUT here's my page on live feeding on my site. Sounds like the snake is acting out in an aggressive manner due to the biting from live feeding possibly. most snakes once bitten will do such, especially if they were bitten more than once. So your probably correct in your thoughts on the entering the enclosure being what is emitting a strike/bite responce and the "tude" of the snake at this time most likely.
GL with the snake and let us know when you get it actually.

WELCOME TO REDTAILBOA.NET !!!
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