Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Since this is my first Eastern Indigo I've owned, thought I would share some interesting behavior I've noticed today. My Indigo was hatched last year in Aug. (Rick Sladdick's stock) and is doing fine. Havn't measured him yet, but he's at LEAST 32" long. He has always eaten well all winter, but only in his hide box and usually only one fuzzy at a time (every 3-5 days). Today was different. He was very restless all day today and it seemed like he was really hungry by his unusual behavior. I decided to drop in a young, blind fuzzy. For the first time (ever), he came lunging out of his hide box flicking his tongue this way and that, frantically looking for his meal. He acted like a legless whiptail that had been in the sun all day - never seen him so aggressive and quick. He located his victim and pinned it down in a reckless fury and ate it in about 30 seconds - backwards! he then cruised about the large 5 foot cage looking for the other victim! There wasn't one. So I quickly grabbed another fuzzy from my mouse colony and walked to the cage and he was anxiously awaiting my arrival! He has NEVER been this bold before (he would usually retreat to his hide box whenever I came towards the cage), NOT TODAY!!! Fuzzy No.2 must have thought a bolt of lightning crashed down on him. And he was eaten head first in about 10 seconds!!!
I know I'm training the evil feed response of "bite the hand that feeds me" in him (My erebennus used to do this), but I have to admit it was nice to be able to watch my Indigo eat and him not mind my presence at all. (His last meal was only 4 days ago!!!) Maybe in his mind, today was the first day of spring?!? (The weather WAS nice and warm here in NC. today).
Thanks for reading. The pic is an old one from last Sept. I will post some NEW pics in a couple of days and get a measurement.

Indigos and Kings RULE! ! !

ZEE

I always feed my indigos in their normal cage, with me observing. I also always get my snakes attention with a snake hook. They're never aggressive once they know that food is not involved.

I say keep feeding the snake with you watching and let him know you're the source of food. It'll make for some fun interaction over the years.

Doug T

Yeah, good point, Doug. Think I will. Rather have a fearless snake and get bit out of feeding reasons than to get bit out of fear reasons knowing my animal is feeling cornered and stressed to the max. Plus I get to watch some good action!I don't mind getting bit anyway - used to it for over thirty years now!!!! LOL!

Zee

I've done that before...It's hilarious. They tug just like a dog playing tug o war. But I need to try that laser pointer thing!

Watch you fingers and hands. Feeding response bites are no fun at all. Espeially since you are normally pulling away when you see them coming. If the get you...expect some good lacerations.

I highly reccommend "band-aid" brand "advanced healing" bandages. Keep some on hand. They have saved me a trip for stitches more than once! (of course it's better not to get bit in the first place)

I dunno, man...with a King Snake or a Pine Snake or something like that I don't mind getting bitten too much...no big thing. With a big Indigo and a feeding bite, that's rather like saying "I don't mind sticking my hand in the blender once in a while." These things bite HARD and cut DEEP. I play tug-o-war once in a while with mine, too...but I use 18" forceps to hold the rat. They do seem to enjoy the game, though...

You're right Old herper!!! I had my oldest son to feed my 5ft. Texas Indigo one time when I was deployed. He held the mouse in front of the snake and wham!!! Lacerations all over the hand!!! (The intended target was missed). My son was only 9 years old. After that little incident I got my butt chewed by the wife. The cuts and bleeding was quite bad. So I know a little about this. One day I will get my turn (when my little one gets a bit bigger in a year or so).Hopefully, though I won't have to test his jaw pressure - EVER!!! LOL.

Zee

Last summer I met a guy in Florida,who runs the Orlando Serpentarium, George Van Horn. He puts on a geat show,...milking hots. Any rate, he has a couple indies and has had all his life. He told me that he had a big male when he was a kid that ate chicken hearts. The snake got very good at catching them out of mid-air! Hey does anyone know George's e-mail? I'm sure he would be an exelent source of indy inffo.
Tony.
P.S. I got power-spiked yesterday while on this site. Fried my modem. Hope it did'nt effect anyone else.