When the cervical musculature of a snake contracts, the head and neck are raised almost straight up, as if the affected snake is gazing at the stars. Hence the term stargazing. This seemingly innocent behavior is actually a sign of a potentially serious underlying medical problem.
"If he lifts his head five to 10 centimetres off the ground, his neck will flatten out like a cobra [and] in certain circumstances, you can hear an audible hiss." Mr Darch said if that warning hiss did not work, a snake would prepare itself to strike.
Head wiggling.
In many cases, this merely means your snake has smelled something new or interesting. If this happens every now and then, or especially during feedings, it's very normal and nothing you should worry about.
You can usually tell if the snake is about to strike by watching their tail. The positioning of the tail is what will eventually give them leverage and more lunging power. The snake will slowly move its tail into a tighter position and may even prop its tail up against something nearby to give it more leverage.
The hognose snake is sometimes called the puff adder. When it is threatened, it raises its head and puffs out and flattens the skin around its neck - like a cobra.
Rule Number 1: Don't Try To Outrun A Snake
The very fastest snake, the Black Mamba, can slither at about 12 MPH, and a truly scared human (even one with short legs) could probably exceed that.
At first, the zig-zag pattern helps the snake remain undetected. But upon exposure, it provides a conspicuous warning of the snake's dangerous defense. Most importantly the zig-zag can also produce an illusionary effect that may hide the snake's movement as it flees.
There is no need to be concerned if you notice that your snake is standing up. The action may indicate that they require food, better shelter, or a break from their tank. However, their health is not in any immediate danger.
Snakes don't have great memory or sight, so won't recognise the look of their owner. They only have a good memory for smells as they rely on smell to locate prey in the wild.
Snakes won't be receptive to your affection—they're wary animals who don't like being held, touched, petted, or passed around. It's stressful for them and puts them at risk of illness and injury, and because they don't whine or yelp, you may not realize that they're hurt.
What does it mean when a snake raises its head? This happens because your snake is intentionally raising its snout to drain mucus or other fluids from their mouth, rather than unintentionally having to raise their head due to a neurological issue.
Move away from the snake. We repeat, move away from the snake. That means don't walk up to it, poke it with a stick, try to pick it up, etc. We recommend retreating a safe distance away but keeping an eye on the snake.
South Australia
Sand dunes are common breeding grounds for snakes of this region. Most of the venomous tend to be in this area. This is because it receives large amounts of sun but at the same time allows for enough cover for protection.
As I said, however, this myth is partly true. Some species of snakes will actively “chase” human beings, such as the Central American bushmaster (Lachesis muta muta). An enormous and lethally venomous serpent, the bushmaster is well-known for this behavior.
Both venomous and nonvenomous snakes are extremely wary of humans and are not prone to strike. A bite is their last-ditch effort to avoid harm. Simply leaving a snake to do its job in the landscape is the best way to avoid a bad encounter.
The mice will attract rat snakes, who would actually help out, if you can tolerate them, he said. “When someone calls and says they have a snake in their house, I almost always predict that it's going to be a rat snake, that's the most common snake that gets in people's houses,” Sollenberger said.
Snakes have been known to show excitement and curiosity, too. “At the zoo,” says Dr. Denish, “we see snakes that are interested in new forms of enrichment like bedding, housing, or a new scent.” Some reptiles will also show pleasure at human contact.
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.
Try to handle your snake as much as you can so it gets used to being around you. Aim to hold your snake for at least 20-30 minutes each day so it has a chance to spend time with you. Avoid handling your snake 2-3 days after you feed it since it will need time to digest.
Copperheads tend to be secretive and prefer to avoid encounters with humans. If cornered a copperhead will hiss loudly, flatten its body and thrash or flick about, but usually without biting.