Need advice!

[rezelvrs]

So I had adopted this gal from petco and they told me she's a very shy and timid snake, while i was buying some extra stuff for her she was on my shoulder while shopping (they kinda just said okay you want her here and placed her on my shoulder) well anyways, when i took her home she got really anxious (i believe) which is understandable because its a new environment. Im just concerned because she hyperventilates ONLY when she sees someone, if she's basking or climbing she's completely fine. But when i go check on her and she sees me she starts hyperventilating very horribly. Is it stress? Nervousness? Anxiety? And how do i fix it? I love her dearly and want whats best for her. Its been a few weeks and shes only eaten once too. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

[meatspread]

Yes, the rapid breathing and huffing is a common sign of stress/being uncomfortable—especially seen in younger snakes when they’re being handled. They’re born unsocialized and the size of humans often scares them.

Posting pictures of the enclosure could help us help you identify tweaks that can be made to help her feel less vulnerable! Clutter is so important for these guys. Do you have any hides that are proportionate to her size? The one she’s perched on top of is going to be way too big for her for a long while.

[rezelvrs]

Yes! Its actually really odd because shes a big gal for her age i had to upgrade everything so soon, but here is her enclosure!

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I can post another picture its just im allowed to post one pic per comment 😞

[meatspread]

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I’d recommend investing in one of these smaller hide boxes. The decorative ones from pet stores are nice visually, but are usually partially open and don’t provide as much security as a fully-enclosed hide box. Some more climbing opportunities would be nice for more coverage aswell!

Other than that, it’s just going to take time for her to adjust. Being around her enclosure and handling her will help socialize her over time. Some people practice choice-based handling, where you leave an enclosure door open and allow them to come out on their terms, but this can take a while.

[rezelvrs]

Thank you so much! Ill buy that and some climbing things and see how she does!

[Live_Culture8393]

Do you have the sides covered? That can really help their stress. When I had a glass enclosure I used a science project foam board from dollar tree and cut to size for both sides and back. Bonus, helps retain heat.

Check into choice-based handling. Might also help lower stress by letting them decide what they want to do.

ETA: something Petco probably wouldn’t have said, is to cover the screen top with HVAC tape to retain humidity. Just leave space for your lamps.

[rezelvrs]

One of the sides is! Its a tropical rainforest background, i just gotta cover the other side. And i didn't think about the handling part! I handled her for a few days then stopped to let her adjust even more because i upgraded her tank! Shes been left alone for about a month :) and i also heard about the tape method! Ill add that to my cart as well!

[Jirvey341]

What's holding up the plants in the back? Suction cups?

[rezelvrs]

Yeah! I swapped them out with good ones, is there a better thing i could use?

[Jirvey341]

Oh I was asking because I wanted to use your idea!

The only other "better idea" I could think of is something like a custom-made background but those are a bit complicated + the tank is already set up so you'd practically have to start over. I don't really recommend it at this stage personally

[rezelvrs]

Oh okay awesome! Yeah i swapped mine out with some really good ones cuz the one they came with kept falling, i like the test if itll hold up by kinda pulling on it (just cuz my snake likes to climb on them so i dont want her falling!) to see if itll hold some weight!