Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do male snakes use musk as a defense? Because I've observed that only my female snakes musk.

Yes they do. Some species tend to musk more than others, and some individuals do. Also, young snakes or snakes that are still scared to be picked up will most often musk. I suspect your sample of male and female snakes is small enough that it was just a coincidence that only one gender was musking. Hopefully they will "get over it" in time. Duffy

Try catching a large common water snake sometime. Worst smelling musk? Haitian Boas.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

You obviously haven't worked with Naja spp., Drymarchon spp., the worst when it comes to worst smelling musk, but then again, such could be in the nose of the sniffer! ;0) LOL

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Worked with both of those....I stand by my statement. Try one...on an empty stomach, lol
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

So have I, literally dozens of each and still have close to 100 Drys! Gone above and beyond the empty stomach issue as well. Try doing a gastric and cloacal lavage! ;0)

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Thanks guys, yeah I do have a small collection, so it's just chance that all my females are slighty nervous when being handled i guess

While regular and gentle handling will help dispel this defensive behavior, the use of enclosures that open from the front, as opposed to the top, will help as well. Bear in mind, most species that prey upon snakes attack from above and the open hand of a human, reaching in from above, highly resemble the talons of a raptor…

Best of luck to you,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

I have a pair if timors pythons, and there musk is not bad..they ARE nervous buggers, but the worst spraying I ever got was from my 6' male. It wasn't musk, it was liquid poo. Everywhere. Had to change clothes, wash my face, etc. Ugh.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC