A stressed snake's body language will be different from normal. It may refuse to eat, rub its nose against objects, and start hissing or strike. The cause will be improper care or living conditions, such as the tank is too large with no hides or there's too much or little humidity.
When they're startled, some snakes will flatten their heads and puff up to make themselves look more intimidating. A snake may also act defensive or try to strike when cornered, so give it space! Remember - releasing a smelly musk and striking are a snake's only defenses, since it has no claws.
If you feel bones when you pick up your pet, or if your scaled buddy just looks thin and bony, he could be sick. Stiffness, strange posture, or unnatural movements—often called stargazing in snakes—are more warning signs. You'll also want to watch for tiny black or red specks, which could be indicative of mites.
Lethargy. If your snake doesn't move much or at all, and doesn't engage in their normal daily routine, they can be very ill. It's normal for snakes to hide, so it may be difficult to tell the difference if you're new to keeping snakes. One way to tell is by attempting to pick the snake up.
Some behavioural signs of stress while being handled include aggression (hissing, puffing up, biting) and cloacal evacuation (defecation). Reptiles that are comfortable with their owners will often display exploratory behaviour, e.g. tongue flicks while moving calmly around/on the owner.
Roaming or Escape Behavior
If your snake is continually roaming back and forward in your tank as if pacing or pushing its body up against the glass, it's looking for a way to escape its enclosure. This is a sure sign that it's unhappy.
They need a period of adjustment during which they can get comfortable with their new surroundings. The length of time required varies, but most people who deal with snakes agree that it generally takes 5 to 7 days. During the adjustment period, you should make every effort not to disturb or otherwise stress the snake.
Some snakes seem to enjoy a light massage down the length of their body, a head stroke, belly rub, or even a chin scratch, while others do not. Every snake has a different personality and may enjoy something different but being gentle and respecting your snake's boundaries are important.
Visible Ribs or Spine: If you can see the ribs and spine of your ball python, then it is likely underweight. Sunken Eyes: An underweight snake may have a sunken appearance around its eyes, which gives them a tired or sickly appearance.
Snakes have a low metabolic rate, so they don't need to drink water as frequently as mammals do. The amount of water they need to consume also depends on the species, size, and the environment they live in. For example, snakes that live in arid environments require less water than those living in humid climates.
In general, a snake is not an overly active pet. However, if it seems less active than it used to be, it may be nearing its shed or going into brumation. It can also be sick or the temperature in the enclosure is wrong. It may also feel overexposed, is gravid, or it just ate and took time to digest.
How Long Snakes Can Go Without Food. A baby snake will begin to seriously starve after roughly a week without food — and once that baby grows into an adult, members of most snake species can comfortably get by for at least two to three weeks.
At Tufts Wildlife Clinic, we most commonly see snakes that have suffered a bite wound from a dog or a cat or have been injured in the road. Obvious signs of injury include wounds along the body or if a snake seems unable to move part of its body.
The inability to hide from perceived threats adds to snakes' mental anguish, and many experience trauma due to failed escape attempts, the inability to explore, properly regulate their body temperature, or eat a natural and balanced diet.
Firstly, you shouldn't pick your pet up for at least 24 hours after they've eaten to make sure they've had time to properly digest their meal.
Some people may feel squirmy around snakes, but these reptiles offer company and stress relief for many people. Snakes are also low maintenance; they do not require daily walks and they are quiet during the day and at night.