Red Sided: Questions

[05brandon50]

Ok so its been acting really weird lately. For the past few days its been pacing through its cage like crazy. Its like pushing against the walls of the terranium and just going everywhere. I tried feeding her but she turned her nose up at it. Its always out and just acting really wierd. Whats going on and should i be concerned???

[guidofatherof5]

Ok so its been acting really weird lately. For the past few days its been pacing through its cage like crazy. Its like pushing against the walls of the terranium and just going everywhere. I tried feeding her but she turned her nose up at it. Its always out and just acting really wierd. Whats going on and should i be concerned???

They go through phases sometimes. Weather changes can make them act strange.
Don't worry about the not eating. Keep offering and more than likely things will return to a more normal routine.

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, somethings going on but I wouldn't get too overly concerned. Jewels, my puelblan milk snake(6 year old female 4ft) just went through the same thing. She has been very restless, rooting around the enclosure, poking around the top, just won't settle down. She also refused fresh f/t pinkies when she was due to be fed, which is unheard of for her. Finally today, nearly a week late, she accepted a freshly killed mouse and dang near took my hand with it. I mean, she was downright vicious, like she wanted to kill it but it was already dead.

Amy (garter in my sig) has been feeding well but also not her usual self. Both snakes are aware of the day length changes because the room gets natural light from a window. Also, the barometer has been rising steadily and is higher than it has been in months. Maybe this has something to do with it, I'm not sure. It's just one of those mysteries.

The concinnus pair I had for about 2 decades would show obvious signs of distress when the barometer would change rapidly to a very high or very low reading.

[jitami]

How's the temperature in her tank? Too hot will make them try to get away from the heat and be very active doing so. Second, are you sure she's a she? Males this time of year are often very active and off feed looking for a mate.

[guidofatherof5]

How's the temperature in her tank? Too hot will make them try to get away from the heat and be very active doing so. Second, are you sure she's a she? Males this time of year are often very active and off feed looking for a mate.

Great questions. That's what is so good about this forum. So many minds all working towards the same goal.
The care of our snakes and helping other with theirs.

[ConcinusMan]

Those are good questions to consider. I concur. Also, do not underestimate the influence that changing day length has on garters or any diurnal reptile. Often the change in day length can have a very strong influence even if temperature is dropping while day length is increasing or visa/versa.

I can't stress enough that the day length needs to be consistent and appropriate for the latitude your snake comes from, and of course you can manipulate it to make them think it's a certain season.

The term "spring fever" doesn't just apply to humans. Many animals start acting strangely when the day overtakes the night in length. Especially if those animals are genetically "programmed" to respond to that change. (animals that are native to areas far from the equator)

Jewels, for example, is native to an area in So. Mexico where there is only about 10 mins difference between winter and summer day length. She knows it's winter by slightly cooler temperatures and very dry in the winter. Warmer and humid in the summer.

Garters respond very much to changes in day length.

[05brandon50]

Well she/he is like your milk, shes rooting around her tank and poking and going up the sides of the tank. I turned off the heat lamp thinking it may be too hot or something and now she just sits in her water dish. I am misting the tank because i heard that when a snake stays in the water bowl its because of humidity issues but i have the heat lamp turned off and we havnt been running our air conditioner. My corn snake it normal so idk whats going on? I mean, shes never ever ever under her hide anymore(unlike before where thats all she would stay) and shes just restless. Im so confused and im getting concerned

[jitami]

No reason to get too concerned just yet. Do you have a thermometer in her tank? That would be my first suggestion, just to make sure the temps are ok. Oh, and some garters just like to soak, but have you checked her well for mites? (sorry if this was covered earlier... didn't go back and re-read the entire thread) Mites would make her active and would cause her to soak. Just another thing to check of the list

[ConcinusMan]

Most of the time, the soaking is a thermoregulation thing. Water holds heat, and at the same time, releases it slowly. In other words, while the temperature changes around the water, the water is slow to change. It probably just felt good and was the right temperature.

[05brandon50]

Oh ok. Well shes back in her hide, sorta, so maybe things are back to normal. Ill try feeding her again tomorrow as well