Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello, i picked up an 06' female hypo deppei about a month ago. she has adjusted well (in some ways) to her new home and has already picked up a little weight. doubled in thickness. when i got her she was just under 3 ft and skinnier than a sharpie. way too skinny i.m.o. i've fed her on a regular schedule and she is eating fine and no regurges, which leads me to believe the dealer had her on a maintanance schedule feeding wise. anyway...
ever since i got her she will musk every time i pick her up. this isn't my first pit and i have a hypo male that i've had for a year. he mildly musked when i got him but soon stopped. i've been musked before mildly compared to her. she lets me have it with some very potent stuff. i'm talking nose curling, eye watering potent that clings for hours even after washing.
my question is do any of you have experience with a heavy musker? at 2 yrs do you think she is set in her ways or do you think she will lay off on the musking? think if i fed her some beano pills it would help? just kidding
i like to handle my critters on a regular basis, at least once a week. it's kind of a bummer to get the napalm treatment though. i would rather be bitten :0) anyway, any of you dealing with or have dealt with this? thanks...

jonathan

Jon, i think the message she's sending you is pretty clear....don't disturb me! try her out next spring/summer if you must really handle her....

hmmm... try her out next spring/summer? so, you are proposing that i go without handling her for another 6 months to a year? hmmm... it seems like her not being handled much at all for the first 2 years of her life might have something to do with the way she musks now. i'm no expert, but it seems like letting her go that much longer would just add to the condition. her cage is in a low traffic room with appropriate temps, hides, ect.. i don't handle her everyday, but i think once a week isn't too much. i have pets not just breeders or investments.
thanks for the feedback, but i would like some other opinions and experience. thanks...

jonathan

I have had a deppei of mine occasionally throw a tiny bit of musk when he got all worked up when I would pick him up. He very rarely ever does it though.

To me, it means that they are just afraid, and musking is, of course, a defense mechanism. Since she is already 2, I would think she would do better, at this point, with more frequent handlings, or longer intervals ( of course, giving her at least 3 days after last feedings before handling ). She still may be seeing anyone that picks her up as a threat, and she is simply just scared. She may not have been treated like a pet her first few years, so any handling to her is at first stressful and makes her very afraid. Once she gets used to your scent and realizes you are not a threat to her safety, I would assume she would calm down.

Also, if the cage has only 1 hide box, put another one in. That way, if it is also a factor of her not feeling completely able to hide, another hide box will suffice. If you don't have another hide at the moment, crumble up some newspaper and put it in the cage or make it to where it covers half. That way, it feels like she can hide better or is out of sight. I use this method when I don't have enough hides on hand.

Just my opinion, and hope it helps! Keep us posted!

Billy
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Genesis 1:1