Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have gotten a lot of help from both the rat snake forums here. I have tried everything that was suggested, but she just keeps getting worse. When I take her out she will chomp on to my finger right away. As soon as I get her off she chomps down again and again. She's still pretty small so It don't hurt much. She just seems like a scared baby, but I hate the fact that I can't handle her. You can always tell when I've fed her, because I have little bite marks all over my hands. Should I just ussume this is how she will always be since she is getting worse instead of better? She is also the best escape artist I have ever seen. My poor kids go running out of the room when she gets loose.

Thanks Kim
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0.1 radiated rat(100% het albino)
1.0 okeetee corn
1.2 ball python
0.1 red tail boa
0.0.1 chinese water dragon

When it bites does it let go right away or hold on tight? Most snakes let go or don't even make contact if it is a defensive bite. If it is a feeding bite they hold on and sometimes try to constrict or even work the mouth around trying to figure out how to eat you. I have found with young snakes that are defensive it is best to let them out grow it a little before messing with them. When it gets some size and you start handling it keep a loose grip on the snake if any grip at all. Just ease the snake in the direction you want it to go. A tight grip tells a snake that YOU are getting ready to eat IT. If you feel like it just wants to eat you I would try feeding it more, feeding it in a separate cage, or use tongs to feed. Also, pick a feeding schedule and stick to it unless the animal is in shed and never handle it on feeding day. Good luck.

She definatley holds on and tries to sink her teeth in as much as she can. It is impossible to hold her lightly because she is real long and thin, and she moves so fast. When I take her out to feed her I ussualy just let her keep her teeth in me, because if I take her mouth off she just clamps on again. She will only take one fuzzy at a feeding, witch is always is a feed box once a week. When I try to catch her in her tank, she will not try to bite me until I get a hold on her. Could I feed her more than once a week? I'm not too sure if she is getting enough, and I worry that she is not growing enough. She is around 3 1/2 months old about 15 inches long, but she is still at her thickest part not even quite the thickness of a marker and her hear is still little. Does anyone know if the radiated and the blue beauty should compare in size for that age? My friend just got a 4 month old blue, and she is huge compared to mine.

Thans Kim
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0.1 radiated rat(100% het albino)
1.0 okeetee corn
1.2 ball python
0.1 red tail boa
0.0.1 chinese water dragon

My radiata have down nothin but calm down more and more as I've had them. They were complete spaz's when they were hatchlings. So be patient. Also, if the snake feels like biting is getting it somewhere, it will continue to do it.

As far as blues and radiateds comparing in size, the blue should be much bigger. Average HATCHLING size for Blues is 15 inches. I had an average last season of nearly 20" out of egg. This year I had a larger clutch, but smaller eggs and an average just over 15". I've never had a hatchling under 15" out of egg. And most are nearly 24" within the first month or two.

I haven't gotten a chance to breed my radiateds yet, as I'm still looking for the "perfect" male for my two girlies. But they were over a month old when I purchased them and probably just around 12 inches in length. I've seen juvi's that must have been 10 inches or less.

But good luck and keep us up to date as to how things are going? By the way, is your little one just a normal or an albino. I didn't catch any earlier talks...

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Conrad
Too Fast Reptiles
www.toofastreptiles.bravehost.com

Thanks for the help. I hate to say it, but I think I am going to trade her for another corn. I was talking to my frind who owns the local reptile shop, and he said he would do it for me. I hate to give up animals but I just can't stand the constant battle with her. She is 100% het albino.
Thanks Kim
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0.1 radiated rat(100% het albino)
1.0 okeetee corn
1.2 ball python
0.1 red tail boa
0.0.1 chinese water dragon

before you do anything. Make sure you are getting a good reading, right on the bottom of the cage AND inside her hot side hide box. Use a good thermometer, not one of those dial ones that you stick on the side of the cage. A higher than recommended temp can make snake pretty darn aggressive. Heck, it can make people pretty darn agressive.

You can also try feeding her more than once a week, as it sounds more like a feeding strike. Try once every four days or so.

Good luck.
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phflame

I don't really know what to say. I don't know if your radiated is the exception or if mine is! I have a young radiated ratsnake that is absolutely an ANGEL! She never even tried to bite me, and she is one of the nicest snakes in my entire collection. I guess radiated ratsnakes have very diverse temperments. Best of luck!

Nathan

I unfortunately lost her. About fifteen posts up (IBD???) I was trying to see if anyone knew why she may have died. Thank you though.
Kim
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1.0 okeetee corn
1.2 ball python
0.1 red tail boa
0.0.1 chinese water dragon

Hi, sorry about your loss. As far as my knowledge goes, IBD (inclusive body disease) is only transmitable through boas and pythons. Unless modern science that I am not familiar with proved otherwise. However there could easily be other reasons. Are you familiar with Cryptosparidium? It is a disease of the intestinal tract that can effect all reptiles. It is a disease that is worth researching, because it can wipe out an entire collection! My cousins were once into reptile keeping and their whole collection was killed off by Crypto. It is contagious through feces and there is no known cure....yet.

There of course could be possibly hundreds of other reasons, but this is the big one that came to mind because it can be devistating. As long as you take the proper precautions, the chances of contracting deadly diseases in your collection are slim. Cleanliness if of utmost importance in the prevention of Crypto. I dont' want to scare anyone, I'm just laying down the facts. I may be a little paranoid because I've seen the disease first hand. Anyway......

Best of luck to your present and future reptilian endeavers!

Happy Herping!

Nathan Foster