Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone else here have female African House Snakes? How are their attitudes? Both my females have gone from calm to completely psycho! They're both 2003s, but their bites hurt like hell and they bite over-and-over-and-over and fling poo everywhere.

They were both fine before, until now. The male is still calm as can be, though.

-cat
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http://chaoscat.lowerground.net/herps/
My collection and herp photography

www.lowergroundreptiles.net

Try asking on this group http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/housesnake

I have had house snakes in the past and had the same prob. I only had a pair, but like you said, my female was a b!tch, and the male was a pleasure to hold. Though, only having a pair is no evidence to me.

You are also right when you say their bites hurt!, I keep yellow rats which are a lot bigger than those guys and can sometimes have similar dispositions, but I'd rather get tagged by one of them any day. African house have some really long teeth. Good luck with yours, and watch out when they start breeding. Mine escaped into my house a few years ago, and I just know I'm going to find an infestation worse than any termites!-Brett

Hello,
I wouldn't worry too much about the attitude. I have two females and they can run hot and cold. Generally however, they are docile. When they do bite it is only when I severly restrain them as when trying to remove shedding skin that hasn't come off completely. They do have very long teeth for such small snakes. Make sure you're not restraining them too tightly and watch out around the head as they can be head-shy.
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Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper
Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago, IL
Assistant Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center at
Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I have a female house snake....at least I think she's female.
The guy I bought her from popped her right before I bought her, but I estimated she was around 1 month old so I'm curious if she...or he...was able to keep those hemipenes hidden. Her tail seems a little long for a female, but I've read the males are much longer...I'm not sure....if anyone can help me be sure of gender, I'd appreciate it.

Anyways, mine is about 6 months old and she's tame as can be. I've never been bit, even during feeding (although I'm very careful here...small tongs, washed hands, etc). She gets a little nervous when I pick up her hide, but she's never even tried to strike.

My adult female has bitten me once, but it was because I startled her. It wasn't bad compared to my Taiwan Beauty or my BRB. I just need to make sure she's awake before I reach in the cage. She's a lot more defensive as a feeder than the male, but then she still needs to put on a little weight after laying two clutches in the spring. The hatchlings I have are spazzy but that's what I expect from them during the "everything wants to eat me stage".
Hope your's settles down!
Lora