I currently keep a collection of Pituophis consisting of 1.1 Northern pines, 1.1 Bulls and one lone Male black pinsnake as well as 1 TX rat (friend bought it then of cource got tired of it and pawned it off on me 
He is a cool little snake though) and 1 copperhead that I kept onto from my days of venomous keeping. I have a snake room that conects through an open walkway into my room and occasionaly I will hear a quick, random hiss. Definately not a threat hissing display as we all know and love. Just a random, single hiss out of the blue. Somewhat sneezeing sounded actualy.
I know it has to be from one of the adults Pituophis but I can never pin point it nor can I find any indication of a respitory ailment upon closer inspection of the animals. I know its one of the pits because, well, I doubt my 2 ft copperhead or 3 ft ratsnake are capable of such a noise lol.
My best guess is it is a sneeze and with that being said I am alittle worried. I have a humidifier in my room and all of rthe snakes shed just fine so i dont think it is a dry dusty problem yet on the same note all of the cages have a properly sized waterbowl and dry substarte. I change the substarte every 4 weeks or so and scoop regulary. Everyone seems to be doing great and eating as they should so i cant seem to pin point any reason for this. I am worried though because I have heard it with some frequency, about once a week over the cource of about 2 months though less frequently since I plugged in the humidifier.
I have been keeping snakes for about 8 years now and know I cant get some magical answer from you guys that will solve my problem or even answer my question. rather, I would like to get opinions on weather its something that warrents more investgation and if you guys have any experince.
Like I said, it just seems like a sneeze which probaly comes from the aspen substarte i use which can have dust associated with it. However, being the good mother I am (lol weird statement coming from a guy o.O)ofcource I worry about my keeps.
Anyway, just wanted to see if you would share some opinions.
On another pit related topic, I think my CB male Northern is approaching or has surpassed the 7ft mark O.O What do you guys suggest as the best method of getting an accurate measurment? I was thinking the old string on the spine technique but being that I basicly have only myself to do this I dont think I can restrain him as well as correctly place the string. Anyother suggestions?
Thanks in advance guys and gals. I will get some pictures up soon of the kids for your veiwing pleasure. The male northern is realy a sight to behold. I will go out on a limb and say he is as big as the huge one being tailed in the photo gallery on this site. Its on the very first page of Pituophis section. Not the latest but the oldest.
Take care,
Jeremy
