My pueblan just shed night before last. I fed him yesterday evening. I just got him last wednesday so these were the first shed & first feeding since he has been in my possession. For feeding it seemed to go fine, I did it just as I have read many places. So this may be a stupid question but I just want to be sure I am doing everything I can to take good care of him. So after he fed, I left him alone the rest of the night to digest. When I got up today, I checked in on him and he was at the top of his tank stretched out around the corner. So I was unsure if there might be a particular reason he was up there as it seemed odd. Does anyone know why he might do that less than 12 hours after feeding? Or would it even have any connection to being fed? He, naturally, likes to hide a lot of the time in one of his enclosures so I was wondering why he was up there rather than where he usually likes to be. Sorry if it is a stupid question, I am just being overly cautious as I want to take good care of him. Thanks!
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Quick question post-shed & post-feeding
Replies (5)
You snakes wants to get out of the tank. He is trying to escape. Milks spend many of their nights trying to get away and many succeed.
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Doug L
yep, my thoughts as well. Additionally, it is uncommon for a snake that has eaten a properly-sized meal to try and escape. While I am no expert, I wonder if you could have fed it a little more. How big is the snake and what did you feed it?
I couldn't give an exact measurement but probably around a foot long, maybe a slight bit less. I fed it a single pinky. Perhaps I should attempt a second one?
>>yep, my thoughts as well. Additionally, it is uncommon for a snake that has eaten a properly-sized meal to try and escape. While I am no expert, I wonder if you could have fed it a little more. How big is the snake and what did you feed it?
I didn't realize it was so young. Hatchlings are often more likely to push at the top and try to escape than adults who have been in captivity for a while. I certainly don't consider it abnormal but mine never did it on a full stomach. For a hatchling I'd say feed it a single pinky that is about the same width of the snake at it's widest point a couple times a week. Adult snakes are fed less often than hatchlings and most care sheets I've seen don't seem to mention the difference. If the pinkies are thinner than the snake try two.
Again though, I wouldn't freak out about the snake's behavior. Just make sure the lid is on EXTRA tight and keep an eye to make sure it isn't damaging it's rostrum by pushing at the top too much.
One of my young milksnakes is literally the master of escape artists. I could tell stories but instead I'll just tell you how paranoid I am. Next week I'll be picking up a tank with an escape-proof sliding top but in the meantime it's in a 10-gallon tank with two clips on each end of the lid, a brick on each corner, and two large books laying over the bricks on each end. It's not going anywhere but taking the lid off is more of a process than I enjoy.
I have lost more milks then I care to mention.They love going for walks whenever they can.I dont use store bought sreen tops . I make my own with heavey 1/4 inch screen (smaller for hatchlings)and wood frames. Then I have that wedged to the shelf above.All this is in a locked snake room and they still find ways yo vanish.
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Doug L
