Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My water snakes, a broad banded named Jorge and a banded named Tito, are typically super laid back. Jorge's only nipped at me once, and that was because he was getting away so I kinda had to pounce on him. Well, tonight that changed.

I fed them yesterday (a large goldfish for each and 5 rosies for the two of them) and after that they always poo in their water dish. So I dumped and cleaned theit water dish and put it back in their terrarium but I noticed something. My laid back snakes are now super anxious, nippy snakes. I picked up Tito, the calmest snake out there, and he nipped at me no less than three times. Tried picking up Jorge, same thing except he did it four times and he almost got me once or twice.

I checked their heating pad and their light and everything's working like it always has... They don't have any bites and they look really healthy like always. But now all of a sudden they're trying climb the walls and nipping at me. I don't think one of them has gone into heat (which may or may not be possible) because they aren't 'courting' each other. One isn't constantly following the other and they aren't coupling... they just seem worked up. They've been going from swimming to tclimbing their logs all night. They're even being aggressive to something that's outside the terrarium, which they're usually too lazy to do.

Does the moon have anything to do with it? I'm totally at a loss here, it's a night like every other and they're normally very easy going...

Water snakes are inherently "aggressive" which is not to suggest that they're mean in any way, just that they may really "go for it" from time to time. If I recall correctly, these guys are fairly young still (early teen years). You have provided a heating pad, light, etc. which enhances their growth/appetite.
It sounds like your snakes are going through a growing spurt which especially in the case of nerodia, brings out their "aggressive" nature. Also, since two are together, this may inspire some competition (setting each other off).
My Banded will not intentionally bite me BUT if at ANY time she confuses me for something edible I have to be really quick to avoid being nipped. Nipped is the word, NOT bitten!
Sounds to me that you're doing everything right. Don't allow their little attitudes to overcome your confidence.
Michael

Yeah, they've settled down now.Before I put them back that other day I kept putting them down then picking them back up and I didn't stop till they let me pick them up without nipping, and I think that helped. I picked them up today and they were back to normal. Oo Weirdos.

Yeah, I think it's probably that they're going through little teenage phases. Also there was a full moon that night, and I can't help but wonder if that made them maybe a little more suseptible to having their little freak out? I know my dad worked as a CO in a mental hospital, and he said at the full moon the amount of people who check in rises dramatically. So if it effects us, maybe it has something to do with it.

ever thought that they may have contracted some sorta diseas maybe they got a bug and they don't feel all that well or its they have finally settled and their layed back character has turned into a i feel save in my sir-roundings and i don't like u being in here messing with my stuff. I hope u never thing of getting rid of them cause they are now rips, As tame and loving as my lizards it has not crossed my mind that if i'm with him and there is something wrong he will most defently tell me by biting me or worse.

The same abrupt change happened with my Arizona Mountain Kings a few days ago - a pair that I keep separately. From one day to the next they both became nippy without warning. I was quite taken by surprise.

The male used to be quite indifferent to being picked up and the female would dash for cover.

I (for now) attribute it to an upcoming shedding - I believe that because their eye sight diminishes prior to an ecdysis, they react more aggressively to compensate for it. The next few days will tell if I am right.

BTW, both of them almost always shed on the same day even though they are kept totally separate except for one week or two after hibernation. They can probably smell each other nevertheless and somehow synchronize - their food intake can be quite different which would suggest they should shed at different times.