Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a newer owner of a Dumeril's. I know they hide in the ground, and wait for prey to walk by. Is it ok for me to take it out of its tank when it is under the bark. ALSO, when it is hidding with her head out, does that mean that she is hungry.
thanks
hunter

I take mine out from under the bark, but try to grab towards the middle, mine hates anything near her head or tail, she attacks it. They just sit with their head out a lot of the time, it doesn't necessarily mean it is hungry. If you see it stick the end of it tail out of the bark and wiggle it, that is what they do to attract food. I think it is called "Caudal luring", but not every dum does it.
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Tim W.
http://tsw.f2g.net

I have never seen mine do this, but thanks for the advice! Also...when i have her out, she wont sit still. the only thing i have to compare her to is a ball python...which is rather docile. is her activity normal? also, i think she would eat right now, it has been 6 days...is this long enough to wait between feedings?

Regarding her activity level: Dums are usually placid, docile creatures. They're a little less active than BCIs. Have you been handling her a lot in the couple of weeks you've had her? Maybe she's a bit stressed and needs to be left alone for a while. When I got mine, I didn't touch him for a week. He settled in nicely and is relaxed about handling.

after i got her, i left her alone for a week (Except fed her). recently i have not handled her much. it's kinda like she was getting the wiggles out after being in her cage for the past week. (which is plenty large for her.