Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Alright, this may be a stupid question, but I thought I'd shoot anyway. I've been handling herps for about twelve years now, but Chabril is technically the first one I'm keeping on my own, so my learning is a bit spotty in places.

I've had this snake for about two years now, and she's around three. Is, and always has eaten well, has newspaper bedding for serious cleanliness, and I always keep an eye on the temps of the hot/cool side. Nothing has changed, as far as I can tell, and she's as healthy as always.
She also used to be the sweetest snake to handle. She's even helped people through a general fear of snakes. Never even looked at me sideways from the day I got her.

Within the past two weeks, though, she's gotten hyper-aggressive. Panics when I have to fetch her to put her into the feeding box, and will often raise up and strike at me. She doesn't exactly get very far since I've had some hot handling experience, but what could have caused this? I haven't changed my routine to make myself smell any different, I don't think.

Can anyone think of a reason for her snake-PMS, and if it keeps on, how to handle her in a way that will discourage biting in the future?

Are you sure she isn't a he? Could be the snake is a male in breeding mode. Maybe she is also getting ready for the big date and just jumpy? Did you brumate her? Most of my snakes come out of brumation a little pissy and flighty and take a few weeks to settle back into the routine. Some do not feed right away. Sorry for more questions and no answers. More info could help. That is a beautiful speck! My favorites!
Todd Hughes

There's a chance she might be a he, never got probed (was too small for the vet to the last time she was in, hasn't had a problem since, and is too squirmy for me to trust myself with poking about with a probe, or to gently try popping). I've seen the telltale 'red dots' on the sides of her vent, and the tail's a little stumpy, so I've always assumed Chabs is a she (not that it immediately mattered, since I don't plan on breeding her anytime soon).
Hasn't been brumated recently. Has gotten flighty and nervous before, but never *this* moody and snappy.

So maybe s/he'll get out of this funk when the season's over?

His he/she wild caught or breeder bought?

Scott

Breeder bought.

Its breeding season and you have yourself a sexually mature snake. If its a male, they sometimes don't know what to think and get a little aggresive for a few weeks in spring. If its a female they sometimes don't like to be handled as much when they are full of ovum. If you post a picture of the tail either dorsal or ventral but not from the side, we might be able to give you an educated guess on the sex.

Definately made a scene just to let me photograph the tail! Made a mess of things I had to clean up later, too. What an unhappy customer.

well...no way to tell 100% without probing, but I'd bet money that its a male.

The body is thin and there is a slight indent at the vent after which you can see the hemipenes bulge out just a tiny bit