I'm convinced the universe is mocking me, or I'm just torturing myself

[Snagrio]

For those of you who've known me on this forum long enough, you know my dream snake is a Vietnamese blue beauty. Well, the past week I've noticed a number of, interesting coincidences.

First of which, for some time I've noticed the icon for rat snakes on Morph Market is a VBB (I like to browse on there a lot for fun); a friend of mine even remarked how it looks like it's laughing (it's clearly not but humans gonna anthropomorphize).

Then I did a little digging and discovered that a much-lauded breeder of beauty snakes, including blues (Zerkle Reptile Co.), is not only based around the closest major city I'm next to, but even is a vendor for the area's monthly reptile show. And to top it all off, I just now checked their Facebook and there's a 3 day old post of baby blues hatching.

I say I torture myself with all this because I'm not in a position to get one for a while for several reasons. But the fact that the uncommon species I seek is basically just, right there. Definition of so close yet so far.

[Bogertophis]

If you think that rat snake is laughing, you don't know rat snakes. Then again, maybe he IS laughing, an evil laugh...& waiting for you.

I haven't kept any VBBs, but I actually prefer the colors of the Taiwan Beauty rat snakes & didn't find them hard to manage at all. They DO have an endless appetite, & they ARE fast & active snakes (more like a "racer"), but when handled from hatchling size, I didn't have many nips at all- much like other rat snakes I've lived with. But they DO get quite large.

Good luck with your VBB-dream.

[Snagrio]

If you think that rat snake is laughing, you don't know rat snakes. Then again, maybe he IS laughing, an evil laugh...& waiting for you.

I haven't kept any VBBs, but I actually prefer the colors of the Taiwan Beauty rat snakes & didn't find them hard to manage at all. They DO have an endless appetite, & they ARE fast & active snakes (more like a "racer"), but when handled from hatchling size, I didn't have many nips at all- much like other rat snakes I've lived with. But they DO get quite large.

Good luck with your VBB-dream.

The friend said he was laughing. I know better.

And the details you listed are why I'm interested beyond their aptly named "beauty." It's a perfect contrast to my BP in every fashion. More active, more feisty (not that I WANT to get bit obviously but more of a challenge), more size without being dangerous (as in one can't strangle me by accident as far as I'm aware), and I think at adult size one would be big enough to take any potential refusals my BP would have.

The size of course though is one of the reasons why the dream has to be on the backburner for now. By my estimations an adult would need something the size of my 125 gallon aquarium plus an extra foot or so in height for climbing purposes.

[Bogertophis]

With many of these [racer-type] snakes, if you handle them gently from hatchling size & learn to keep a light touch (never "over-restraining" them) you shouldn't get many nips. Of course, there may be exceptions, but that's been my experience- I'm a rat snake lover, & not because I like to get bit. (-I don't!) They're a safe challenge, as you said.

[nikkubus]

Whew, I know the feeling. Stay strong! When the time is right, you will be able to find them still, even as rare as they are.

[EL-Ziggy]

Whew, I know the feeling. Stay strong! When the time is right, you will be able to find them still, even as rare as they are.

^This.

I know the feeling too and as a person with impulse control issues it’s even tougher. I want an IMG boa and/or a Blackheaded python sooo bad, but I know it’s just not the right time so I’m gonna chew my nails and stay disciplined until the time is right. Stay strong!!

[Snagrio]

^This.

I know the feeling too and as a person with impulse control issues it’s even tougher. I want an IMG boa and/or a Blackheaded python sooo bad, but I know it’s just not the right time so I’m gonna chew my nails and stay disciplined until the time is right. Stay strong!!

If it helps, I straight up can't afford the snake by itself right now. So I'm not exactly fighting the urge to impulse buy because I can't impulse buy to begin with.

[EL-Ziggy]

If it helps, I straight up can't afford the snake by itself right now. So I'm not exactly fighting the urge to impulse buy because I can't impulse buy to begin with.

Thanks Snagrio! I was trying to stay optimistic and put a positive spin on things, but now that you put it that way I guess I can’t really afford a new critter either . Sure, I could “technically” buy the snake, but I’d have to divert funds away from other higher priorities like the mortgage, home and car maintenance, mama bear’s Amazon affairs, and the ever present child care (clothes/shoes/school supplies/glasses/braces/swimming/karate/band). Adulting is tough with all these responsibilities! 😀

[Snagrio]

Was waiting for this video. So feisty, though not quite as ornery as their bullsnake hatchling videos (granted I don't think anything can rival those ). They're so long right out the egg too, good lord. Like the size of a juvenile corn snake.

Maybe by next year I'll be able to get on their waiting list if there's another clutch.

[Bogertophis]

Those poor little snakes getting poked, prodded & teased. Not something I'd do, but otherwise this brings back fond memories of hatching out my Taiwan Beauty rat snakes- & yes, they're all BIG hatchlings! I like their diamond patterns, & personally I prefer the gold color to the "blue" beauty rat snakes, but they're all awesome. Taiwans have the black face masks too & plenty of sass! I find the hatchlings do grow out of it to be fairly normal rat snakes though- at least mine weren't "terrorists"? Thanks for sharing- it's a great video! Any idea how much they're asking for them?