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  1. #1
    Registered User Chuckles's Avatar
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    Question First time snake owner

    I just rescued an adult Bp from a local reptile rescue. I went in quite often to visit him before I finally brought him home and each time he was more than happy to be held. The day I finally brought him home he was beginning to go into shed. His eyes were blue for the first several days so I left him alone since I read that they get nervous during that time. His eyes are back to black now and I just held him for the first time since bringing him home and he was clearly very nervous. He didn't strike at me but it was dramatically different from when I held him at the rescue. I suppose my question is: is his continuing nervousness common for a Bp who hasn't shed yet? Or is he uncomfortable in his new home?
    I'm planning on feeding him tomorrow to keep to the schedule he was on there, but I kind of was hoping he'd be more comfortable with me by then.
    I don't know whether I should try holding him more to get him accustomed to me or leave him be so that I don't stress him out. Advice?

  2. #2
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    Id say it's mostly the change in environment but could be a bit of both. Give him some time alone to settle. Is he in the same cage that he was in at the shelter? Also make sure he has a few hides. I know one of my girls gets nervous if she doesn't have enough hides in her tank

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    Chuckles (09-28-2014)

  4. #3
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    Re: First time snake owner

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuckles View Post
    His eyes are back to black now and I just held him for the first time since bringing him home and he was clearly very nervous.
    Has he shed yet or just cleared up from the blue?

    Some of them can get crankier than others during their shed cycle. On top of that he's in a new environment with new everything.

    I'd just let him be until he sheds for now. You might want to consider skipping this first feeding tomorrow if he hasn't shed as well. He'll be fine without it, and it'll be less stuff for him to deal with for now.
    Last edited by 200xth; 09-28-2014 at 12:04 AM.

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  6. #4
    Registered User Chuckles's Avatar
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    Re: First time snake owner

    He's not in the same cage, but he's in a tub that's about the same size, the only real difference is it's not in a rack. He has only one hide for now, but there's a reptile show in town next week and I'm gonna get him a replacement and probably a second one.

    He hasn't shed yet. Just cleared out from the blue. Yeah, skipping the first feeding's probably a good idea.

    Also- his humidity has gotten a bit high sometimes, up to 80ish%. Is that dangerous for them? When I notice it's high I take the lid off for a few minutes to lower it. It's a tub and I'm only able to keep the humidity consistently down if I have a mini fan blowing over the lid.

  7. #5
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    High humidity runs the risk of respiratory infections. If you drill larger holes in the tub, that will allow more humidity to escape. As a temporary hide, try sheets of newspaper or cut in half a cereal box. Even upside down bowls with holes cut into them work well. Doesn't have to be anything fancy

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  9. #6
    Registered User Chuckles's Avatar
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    Re: First time snake owner

    I'll try some more holes.

    I'll see what I can find for a makeshift hide for now.

  10. #7
    Registered User Chuckles's Avatar
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    Re: First time snake owner

    Update, woke up this morning to a complete shed. I even held him for a bit because I needed to switch out his hide for a new one. He seemed a bit less nervous.

    A side question- it's not a problem that there was a bit of blood in his shed right? I looked him over and saw no injuries on him so I assume it was just part of the shed.

  11. #8
    BPnet Lifer Skittles1101's Avatar
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    Where was the blood? It's usually normal to see a little blood near the cloaca...
    2.0 Offspring, 1.1 Normal Ball Python, 1.0 Pastel Ball Python, 0.1 Albino Ball Python, 0.1 Pinstripe Ball Python, 0.1 Banana Ball Python, 1.0 Pied Ball Python, 1.0 Normal Hognose, 0.1 Veiled Chameleon, 0.0.1 G.pulchra, 0.1 P.metallica, 0.1 M.giganteus

  12. #9
    Registered User Chuckles's Avatar
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    Re: First time snake owner

    It was just a smear on the newspaper.

  13. #10
    BPnet Lifer Skittles1101's Avatar
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    Re: First time snake owner

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuckles View Post
    It was just a smear on the newspaper.
    I wouldn't worry about a little smear. Congrats on the first successful shed!
    2.0 Offspring, 1.1 Normal Ball Python, 1.0 Pastel Ball Python, 0.1 Albino Ball Python, 0.1 Pinstripe Ball Python, 0.1 Banana Ball Python, 1.0 Pied Ball Python, 1.0 Normal Hognose, 0.1 Veiled Chameleon, 0.0.1 G.pulchra, 0.1 P.metallica, 0.1 M.giganteus

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