Quick Question

[Rea]

So I'm new to bloods, got my first one about a week ago, and I was wondering if this was normal. My little albino red blood boy sat through a 2 hour trip home from the herp show I got him from, and then a short foray to show him and my girlfriend's new boa to a friend. He did wonderfully, sitting very patiently and breathing normally despite the circumstances. Until we got home and I went to put him in his new tub, when he flattened out. And I do mean completely flat. It freaked me out, since even when I picked him up again, he stayed as flat as a board. He looked like he got run over. Might seem stupid for me to be wondering on this if it's normal, but for someone who deals with balls, burmese, and boas, it was kinda freaky. I was just wondering if that's normal when they stress or not. And any other little quirks I need to be on a look out for. Thanks ahead of time!

[Tim Mead]

Rea,
You might look at that deflated posture as a dog growling..It doesn't serve as a warning to anything but us humans who have learned to read these snakes..There must be a reason behind it, Like an improved fighting stance (without feet, LOL) for better striking perhaps..
But it tells human keepers that the animal is uptight..One might close up the habitat and wait for another time to handle OR if one is savy they might pick up the animal and handle it until the tension has subsided..There are times when the animal might be so bent out of shape that its difficult or not going to happen..But with a little snake whispering (confidence & no fear) that the battle can be won by the keeper..IMO,

[Rea]

It's actually happened to me twice and both times I handled him until he calmed down, which doesn't take long. He's stopped doing it since we've put some crumpled up newspaper in for him to hide in, so we're guessing it was just a stress thing, But is it normal for bloods? I've never seen a snake flatten out so completely before. Has anyone else had this happen, or is he just a weirdy? XD

[DNACurtusK]

I've had a few babies do that. They flatten themselves out. You wouldn't think it was possible. Always when they are scared or insecure. They always stop doing it once they're settled in, at least the ones here anyway.

[Rea]

Awesome ^^ Thank you guys for your help. If anyone has any other quirks I should know about, I'd love to know!

[DNACurtusK]

Yeah when they're small they like to hide. Wether you give them a hide or crumple up newspaper for them to hide under, that should definately help.

[Tim Mead]

Quirks, LOL, I got more then they do..
When watching prey their tongue may hang half way out..
They can pee fluid without a urate stone..
When in blue they may turn on their side and look dead,LOL, its normal, must be in a deep sleep kinda thing..
Many are anal retentive and worry new keepers..But its a good thing..
when you get a turd you'll wow..
Like many other species their capable of quite a color/ shade change..Its cool too see..
They'll also wag their tail if irritated and sometimes when their frisky.. in a males presence..
Their kept a wee bit cooler than most other pythons and boas..
OH, most of the reds today are Sumatran origin, the malaysian animals are for the most part a thing of the past..

[gaiaeagle]

Quirks, LOL, I got more then they do..
When watching prey their tongue may hang half way out..
They can pee fluid without a urate stone..
When in blue they may turn on their side and look dead,LOL, its normal, must be in a deep sleep kinda thing..
Many are anal retentive and worry new keepers..But its a good thing..
when you get a turd you'll wow..
Like many other species their capable of quite a color/ shade change..Its cool too see..
They'll also wag their tail if irritated and sometimes when their frisky.. in a males presence..
Their kept a wee bit cooler than most other pythons and boas..
OH, most of the reds today are Sumatran origin, the malaysian animals are for the most part a thing of the past..

Also, don't be alarmed when it takes them 3 months to shed. Ours don't shed very often at all. The balls shed about once a month. Our bloods shed once every three months or more.

[dragonboy4578]

You will be amazed how long they can go without pooping, but when they do you will be shocked, and wonder where they kept it all!!!