My corn is gravid and should have her pre-lay shed *very* soon. I went to check on her and she hissed and struck at me. Is this normal? Of all the things I've read and studied, I've not read one thing about a gravid female being aggressive.
Thanks!
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Aggression
meliisa
Apr 30, 2010 11:33 PM
Replies (3)
tspuckler
May 01, 2010 07:50 AM
Yes, gravid snakes can be quite defensive. They are uncomfortable with their condition and stressed.
Tim
Third Eye
meliisa
May 01, 2010 12:27 PM
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I just can't believe I've never heard/read anything about it.
Beautiful snake!! My male looks similar. 
madusa
May 04, 2010 03:31 PM
The source of the agression may be for a few reasons. The most logical is that she is on defensive mode due to the fact that she is gravid. Gravid snakes are slow moving due to the female having eggs inside and are very vulnerable and at a disadvantage. Due to the fact that they are so vulnerable its a natural instinct to be defensive. The other reason is she might be hungry. Although this is a possibility, I am guessing by the way she struck at you that it probably was not a feeding response and was most likely defensive. Hope your eggs hatch with no problem.
-HAPPY HERPING
