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My 4 foot Splendida goes absolutely crazy when I get near the cage he always think i'm going to feed him I feed him one large mouse every week. Well the last couple days I took him out for handling and he started biting himself in the side is this something pretty common? I have observed him very carefully and do not see any health problems of any kind. I'm worried though a bit as you might imagine. Any help is appreciated.

My 4 foot Splendida goes absolutely crazy when I get near the cage he always think i'm going to feed him I feed him one large mouse every week.

Well you have your answer right there in the first sentence. Your 4 foot snake is stupid starved on only one mouse per week.
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"the fact of the matter is if folks want "pure" types they should go snake hunting. or at least do some research on potential breeding stock and not just pick anything up anywhere show/petshop"

Thomas Davis

Exactly! A 4 footer would be satisfied with 3 mice a week.
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1.1 Trumbower Tricolor P.C.Sayi
0.1 Albino Trumbower Tricolor P.C.Sayi
1.0 Normal (het.for Axanthic) P.C.Sayi
0.1 Whitesided (het.for Patternless,poss.Axan) P.C.Sayi
0.1 Leucistic P.M.Mugitus
0.1 Snow P.M.Mugitus

Exactly! A 4 footer would be satisfied with 3 mice a week

Or more than 3 if you are going to breed him/her.

But since the snake doe snot seem to be a breeder it still as often AS IT WANTS TO EAT until it gets thE proper weight back.

oh and it will stop being delirious from trying to eat itself.

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"the fact of the matter is if folks want "pure" types they should go snake hunting. or at least do some research on potential breeding stock and not just pick anything up anywhere show/petshop"

Thomas Davis

Please do not call me stupid for asking a question or I will take it up with the board here.

Like i said, te snake was stupid starved. . It is so starved (and for who knows how long). It cannot tell teh difference. That is why it is trying to eat itself. It will just try and eat anything. Even itself.

I feel sorry for the offense that you have when you should be concerned about your "pet".
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"the fact of the matter is if folks want "pure" types they should go snake hunting. or at least do some research on potential breeding stock and not just pick anything up anywhere show/petshop"

Thomas Davis

he didn't call you stupid.

feed your snake.

my large kings have usually been good with 3-4 mice a week or one small rat a week.
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1.1 Argentine Boas
1.1 Dumerils Boas
1.1 Black Milk Snakes
2.3 California King Snakes
1.1 Nelsons Milk Snakes
2.2 Corn Snakes

>>My 4 foot Splendida goes absolutely crazy when I get near the cage he always think i'm going to feed him I feed him one large mouse every week. Well the last couple days I took him out for handling and he started biting himself in the side is this something pretty common? I have observed him very carefully and do not see any health problems of any kind. I'm worried though a bit as you might imagine. Any help is appreciated.

Also, DK, have you had the snake probed? Females can be especially voracious in the spring.

feed him more mice at a feeding. He sounds chronically hungry.
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

When you look at health, there is more then just physical health. There is also mental health. Biting yourself, is a sign something is wrong behaviorally.

While that does occur in captivity, its very rare. At times, some with even attempt to swallow themselves.

Once that occurs, I am not sure of what to do about it. I have never had a snake do that, not repeatedly. But have seen that at zoos and in other collections. I hope it works out well. Best wishes

Mental health is I think often overlooked in keeping snakes. It is important to give snakes a sense of security, a way of alleviating boredom, and exercise opportunities.

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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

" When you look at health, there is more then just physical health. There is also mental health. Biting yourself, is a sign something is wrong behaviorally. "

Agreed!
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Genesis 1:1