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Another Gaboon Question
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by Rmitchell on March 13, 2005
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OK I read a post about this before, but here it goes anyway. I have three new WA Gaboons (I’ve had them for about 5 weeks) They are imports. I notice the larger female twitching her head when I approach the enclosure. The other post said it may be for feeding or breeding, but these three still are not eating, & I house them separately. Just wondering if since they are not feeding or breeding what could this be. Also this same female sits on top of the hide box, & looks up as if she is waiting for something to fall, but when I offer food she runs from it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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RE: Another Gaboon Question
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by emtnurse on March 13, 2005
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The head twitching kind of worries me. I could be dead wrong, but that sounds like a neuro-motor problem the snake may have. I have seen this in snakes before, wild caught, and they did not survive in captivity. Hopefully, this is not your case. This is just an assumption I came up with. Like I said, I could be wrong. Bryan
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RE: Another Gaboon Question
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by emtnurse on March 13, 2005
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Also, with the female with her head up, this is called "Star Gazing." This is a bad thing. I know other people on this site are more knowledgeable than myself. If Phobos reads this, he may be the one to ask. He gives very good information. Bryan
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RE: Another Gaboon Question
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by stopgetinpopped on March 13, 2005
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How do you offer the food to the gaboons. ie tongs, live ,dead, do you touch the snake at all etc etc.
To my knowledge "star gazing has not been observed in gaboons.
It sounds to me like you are spooking the snake first. Imports can be really sensitive to improper "food delivery"
I think it has more to do with cage setup (security) and the way that you offer the food to them.
Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens
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RE: Another Gaboon Question
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by stopgetinpopped on March 13, 2005
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Also keep in mind that 5 weeks for a gaboon, let alone wild caught ones is like skipping brunch to us.
are they young? adult?
Need more info.....
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RE: Another Gaboon Question
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by Phobos on March 13, 2005
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Hi Robert:
Many species in the Bitis family "Head Twitch" commonly, no worries mate. I have discussed this behavior on this and other forums many times. I have discovered (my assesment)that this is sort of "Leave me alone" message. I have seen many snakes (Bitis) in zoo collections do this when I check them out through the glass. My Rhino and Horned Puff Adder feed like champs but on ocassion still do this. They won't take food when offered and recoil defensively. My Bush Vipers (A. Squamiger) also do this when they are annoyed.
Remember these WC animals are really stressed from the experience of capture & transport. The less you bother them in the short term the faster they will adapt. Terry's post gives you some ideas on presentation. I will just add you may want to try is at night or in the early morning.
Good Luck,
Al
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RE: Another Gaboon Question
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by FLVenom911 on March 13, 2005
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Hey Robert,
Generally WC Gaboons do feed pretty well im my experience. Head twitching like Al said is common. My CH 03 does the same thing along with my CH 04 Rhino. I wouldn't worry about the feeding. Just give them ample places to hide and keep em hydrated.
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RE: Another Gaboon Question
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by Rmitchell on March 13, 2005
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That makes since the head twitching meaning leave me alone because this is the only one of the three that have struck at me. As far as the spooking thing about the star gazing I have a basement that is about 900 sq ft. that I remodeled & insulated for a snake room. I go down all hours of the day & night. Last night I went down & did not turn on the lights on the side of the room with the gabby’s & noticed the snake doing this. So I don’t think I spooked them. I’ve tried feeding live, f/t, pre-killed, & even live gerbils. I know that they can go a while without food, but I don’t know how long the guy I bought them from had them without them feeding. I only move them once a week when I soak them. Anyway again any info is appreciated.
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RE: Another Gaboon Question
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by Phobos on March 14, 2005
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Byran:
That's a good attitute to take Bryan but you were right to bring up those points. "Stargazing" is something I worry about but I've never seen it, thank god. This is one of those fine details you get from experience with a species and learn from a forum like this one. I have never seen any mention in any textbook about this "head twitching" Bitis does, but it's a cool behavior. Since is not so healthy to interact with our collections as you would a dog or cat, we can only sit and observe. People ask all the time; what do you do with them? I observe their behavior and learn is my answer.
Al
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