Carpet Python Noises

[Cokacola]

I have read in various threads recently about carpet pythons "whistling" and it being completely normal. I have also been told by Anthony Caponetto that Carpet Pythons do make some noises when being handled.

I understand all about respiratory infections and am well read up on them, I currently have 1 Jungle Carpet Python and 1 Bredl's Python in my collection and both of them make slight whistling noises, both have been on 6 weeks of anti biotics, both are at the correct temperatures and yet these noises still have not gone away.

The Vet suggested that possibly this noise is not being caused by a respiratory infection.

I just wanted to check with other carpet python owners, do your snakes make noises at all? If so what kind of noises?

That would help me alot

[X5927alpha]

Sitka is my more skittish ball python. When I try to pick her up she almost always makes a little sighing/wheezing noise. It isn't respiratory infection (though she did have one months ago that fixed itself before I took her to the vet - $60 for nothing on her side of the bill). It just sounds like she is exhaling heavily. Once, she made a sound like a cat mewing. And I have two witnesses for that one. ^_^

Reshmar never makes noises...that I know of.

[Cokacola]

Sitka is my more skittish ball python. When I try to pick her up she almost always makes a little sighing/wheezing noise. It isn't respiratory infection (though she did have one months ago that fixed itself before I took her to the vet - $60 for nothing on her side of the bill). It just sounds like she is exhaling heavily. Once, she made a sound like a cat mewing. And I have two witnesses for that one. ^_^

Reshmar never makes noises...that I know of.

Thanks for that. I keep mostly Balls and they are all pretty much silent when being handled, except for occasional hissing when upset.

However I'm looking for carpet-specifics, do people find that their carpet pythons make noises at all not associated with aggression or defense?

[bhmorrill]

We have lots of carpets, and I would say the only ones that I have heard making noises like I think you are describing are usually heavier bodied ones. It seems like the ones with more girth do sometimes make a bit of noise when they inhale or exhale, especially when excited...like when being handled. But, as far as I can remember, I can't think of any juvies or babies ever doing this. I would say as long as you aren't seeing bubbles or extra mucus, then you probably don't have anything to worry about. Now you need to post pics of your kids!!!

[MPenn]

In my experience, you normally get more of the whistling type noises from IJ's than any other carpet. I have heard it from small ones as well as heavier ones, but mostly from IJ's.


I am curious about your carpets though. Do you know in fact that they had a respiratory infection before they were put on a course of antibiotics??? I would hate to see any animal put through that when in fact they were not even sick to begin with.

[Cokacola]

Thanks for your response guys. I'm still not quite sure about these snakes, because neither are huge carpets, the bredl's is a small 06 and the Jungle is about 1.3kg.

MPenn, the snakes were taken to the Reptile Vet and failed to make the noise in the consulation room (typical!). The carpet python did make it once and he just about heared it. He said that normally, he would have just recommended that we left it and see if it sorted itself out, but because the snakes are part of a collection, he'd prescribed anti-biotic injections (to be administered every other day).

There was no bacterial culture taken or anything like this.

The problem with giving prolonged antibiotics to snakes is that apparently it causes damage to their kidneys or liver and can shorten their life considerably.

They have had 6 weeks and made no improvement and I'm at a loss for what to do, the Vets fees have already run up into the hundreds.

Here in the UK, I got charged £40 just for the consultation ($80!!).

I am now trying to establish if this possibly isnt the respiratory infection, because I have been reading in certain threads that this whistling noise is well known in carpet pythons.

[seven]

i havnt beeen owning snakes for very long, but my carpet python does the same thing. ill notice if the house is quiet that while she sits in her cage she makes kinda like whistling noises. i have been i little concerned about it but not too much because there is no mucus or bubbles. she does make the sounds when i take her out but other wise she looks and acts really healthy. I alos own a ball python. She doesnt really seem to make much noise at all, which is partly the reason my carpet pythons noises are a concern to me. although my ball python is quiet the happy snake, she usually doesnt even hiss, i may have heard her hiss once or twice but thats pretty much the only sound that has come out of her. she is a very healthy snake though.

[Clear]

Yes some carpets do make a lot of noise, my recommendation would be to take it to a vet and send off some swabs for lab work. When I have labwork done its usually $80. If they do have something you will know exactly how to treat for it.