what are the signs of a stressed out snake

[macandchz]

i read about stressed snakes all the time but what really are the signs besides it taking a chomp out of you.

[dross9615]

Nose rubbing, hyperactivity, laying in water bowls often ( also a sign of sickness.) Really all depends on the snake as well. Is your snake showing any of these signs or any othere

[Andy_G]

Refusal of food is also a common sign of stress.

[macandchz]

no. so far the only thing he's done in the yr i've had him is be a picky eater. and i understand that's pretty normal. he's very tame-idon't know if you can call a snake actually tame but he seems to enjoy being petted. i can rub him under the mouth, touch his head without him pulling away and he will stay tucked in the bottom of my shirt with his head out while i watch t.v. i tell everybody his favorite show is "snake city."

[Andy_G]

That's pretty normal for a male ball python. Sometimes it can be frustrating, but unless drastic weight loss is present, it shouldn't be a concern provided all other aspects of husbandry are being met.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by dross9615

... laying in water bowls often ( also a sign of sickness.) ...

Which sickness?

[Andy_G]

Perhaps he meant mites? Not really a "sickness" though...

[macandchz]

if you keep the substrate clean, keep the water supply clean and only have 1 snake, will that prevent mites? mac had them when we bought him and they took care of them before we took him home. i always thought he caught them from the other snakes he was in with.

[Andy_G]

Snake mites are introduced into a collection by snakes that have them and have been untreated for them. If you've had macnchz for a year and don't have them, unless you bring in a snake with them you probably will never get them.

[prairiepanda]

There would be a small chance of taking mites home with you after visiting pet shops or handling other snakes as well, though it's not very likely unless the source is a very serious infestation.

Another sign of stress not mentioned here is regurgitation of food. That can be a sign of illness as well, though.

Doesn't sound like your snake is stressed; he's acting pretty typical for a male ball. Keep an eye on his weight just to be safe, but I wouldn't worry about it.

[macandchz]

thanks for the info on stressed snakes and the info about mites.

[Albert Clark]

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Perhaps he meant mites? Not really a "sickness" though...

Actually mite infestation is a sickness. It's called ectoparasitism. More of a condition of having mites but still a sickness.

[Andy_G]

I suppose that's true...but then we are kind of splitting hairs here...well...since we're there I will play...lol... If you had an infestation...would you tell someone that your snake has mites, or would you tell them that your snake is ill with mites? Which do you consider would be more common to say or to hear? I know what my answer would be, Albert, but i am sincerely interested in the feedback on the matter.

[Albert Clark]

Originally Posted by Andy_G

I suppose that's true...but then we are kind of splitting hairs here...well...since we're there I will play...lol... If you had an infestation...would you tell someone that your snake has mites, or would you tell them that your snake is ill with mites? Which do you consider would be more common to say or to hear? I know what my answer would be, Albert, but i am sincerely interested in the feedback on the matter.

Well, ectoparasitism is nothing to play with. Either statement is acceptable. The usual one is my snake has mites. However some would say my snake is "sick"with mites.

[dross9615]

Yeah i guess i could have worded that better but yes i meant mites. Just running off with my thought to think of bad behaviors to see a snake exhibit