New snake lover in need of tips!

[ZiggiGirl]

Hello everyone,

My name is Katy. I have recently purchased a desert BP from a local repticon just a about 2 weeks ago... She's a hatchling (I assume), She currently weighs only 53 grams, has eaten a one fuzzy (since I purchased her), and she is beautiful.

She has never bitten me, but she has nipped my dad. I am told by others that very young BPs ARE nippy and that they WILL outgrow it. To help keep my trust that she will continue to be friendly with me, I am holding her about once or twice a day, usually for about 10-15 minutes at a time. Every couple of days I leave her be, because I don't want to stress her. Sometimes, I place her in my bra (lol I know, waiting for the judgmental comments), but she seems to like it, it's a small space for her that is warm. She usually sleeps in there, I take her out when she starts to move after about an hour and place her in the terrarium. I know that there are various opinions on how long and how often you should handle your BP, I'd like to hear yours please

I use cypress mulch for her bedding, it holds moisture better than the newspaper that I was temporarily using for the first 2 days that I had her. The good thing is, in Louisiana the humidity is already high. I don't have to worry about misting the terrarium too often. She seems to enjoy bundling up and hiding inside/underneath it. I have taken a unique piece of driftwood from the river and place it in the terrarium at a specific angle, it is shaped like a rainbow. I often find her hanging on it just chilling out...

She's really sweet to me and I'm starting to get attached to her. Just a few minutes ago I learned that she is comfortable with me enough to come back to my hand when someone else is holding her. I sat her onto my boyfriend Alex's hands (after we both washed our hands), and she looked startled. I place her back onto mine and she was slithering around and exploring. After a few minutes, he placed his hands near mine and I gently sat her onto them, she got still and then came right back to me.
As a beginner snake lover, I have not had much experience with them except for garter snakes. Learning that my snake actually sorta "likes" me made my day. I feel so special!! I read and hear from some people that BPs don't bond with their owners, but I read that with others they do. I think it's a matter of what you believe and the connection that YOU hold with your snake.

Other than that, I'd love if y'all reptile veterans could help me out and give me some tips. At the same time that I have faith in myself being educated enough about BPs, I am scared that I will miss an important fact and harm my snake.

Thanks,
Katy
ZiggiGirl

[erich_7719]

First I would like to say welcome to the forum.

I think you are off to a good start with your new baby.

We have a normal, my wife's normal, that does the same thing as your does with you and your boyfriend. I look at this as who the snake is more comfortable around. IE.. if you hold the snake more than him then she is more familiar with your sent and trust you to be a "safe place".

Keep up with loving your BP and she will reword you immensely.

[EL-Ziggy]

Welcome and best wishes with your new BP. Can I ask how you're heating and controlling the temps in your enclosure? Has your snake eaten for you? I try to keep handling to a minimum with new snakes until they've had a few meals. As long as your husbandry is dialed in you should be good to go. Enjoy your new friend!

[Reinz]

Welcome to the forum Katy. Glad you are enjoying your girl so.

Best tip is to hang out here and read as many posts as you can. You will learn a lot.

Also you will see the same issues being presented regularly. Then you may be prepared if any strike you.

[ZiggiGirl]

Welcome and best wishes with your new BP. Can I ask how you're heating and controlling the temps in your enclosure? Has your snake eaten for you? I try to keep handling to a minimum with new snakes until they've had a few meals. As long as your husbandry is dialed in you should be good to go. Enjoy your new friend!

I use use a reptile under-tank heat pad. The heating pad is about 1/4 of the size of the tank. I chose this option over the heat lamps because of belly heat being more natural to them.

I have a 2 in 1 humidity percentage gauge and thermometer on the warm side (heating pad corner/section) that has a constant heat temperature of 83-86 degrees, and the other side of the tank is always 3-4 degrees cooler. The cooler side of the terrarium has a rock-bath that is big enough for her whole body to fit in if she gets hot.

She has eaten for me once, I've only had her for 2 weeks now.