substrate attitude change?!

My female blood was kept on newspaper, in a tub, by me for a few months since I got her. I put her briefly into a tank with coco fiber. She buried into it, and got really, REALLY NASTY when I went to remove her. She was literally like a different snake; really nasty.

I set her back up into a tub with newspaper last night. Now, I went to remove her, and she is just fine. No S-curve.. nothing.

Maybe the substrate caused it? I have no other explanation. But I am definitely keeping her tubbed on newspaper from now on.

She probably felt more secure buried in the coco so when you tried to remove her she got defensive. That would be my best educated guess.

Could be. What would happen is this: I would slide the tank out from the shelf.. she would hurriedly snake-out her head from the substrate, and strike. It happened a few times, and I used a snake-hook-type object (okay, it was a hooked deer antler. I am a bit backwoods, but it works!) to try to let her know that it was not a feeding time.. she got really upset and actually flailed around when I did pick her up with the hook and had her in my hands.

Now, in the tub, she just sits there and lets me pick her up.

Usually these guys in particular act WORSE when they are not feeling secure in the enclosure. It's when they are most content it seems that they are easly handleable.

Glad you got her back situated again though lol.

That makes sense. I was almost thinking "what have I gotten myself into? I know that a lot of sources say that bloods are all nasty devils, but I believe that individual snakes are different.. and that they are not all nasty."

I will definitely be keeping her in the tub! :)

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

That makes sense. I was almost thinking "what have I gotten myself into? I know that a lot of sources say that bloods are all nasty devils, but I believe that individual snakes are different.. and that they are not all nasty."

I will definitely be keeping her in the tub! :)

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That's how we keep all of ours. We use the blue Scott towels as bedding. They each have a water source large enough to soak themselves in. They're all pretty much happy as a clam, lol, with exception of a couple that have 'unique' attitudes, lol.

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

My female blood was kept on newspaper, in a tub, by me for a few months since I got her. I put her briefly into a tank with coco fiber. She buried into it, and got really, REALLY NASTY when I went to remove her. She was literally like a different snake; really nasty.

I set her back up into a tub with newspaper last night. Now, I went to remove her, and she is just fine. No S-curve.. nothing.

Maybe the substrate caused it? I have no other explanation. But I am definitely keeping her tubbed on newspaper from now on.

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What do you mean "S-curve"?

Have you monitored the humidity level with both coco and newspaper? It's more apt to be in the high range with coco and more apt be in the low range with newspaper. Using cypress mulch (high humidity) I have always found the shedded skins in one whole piece, a good indication. They just burrow in it and come out the other side like new, with the intact skin under the mulch.

Your experience sounds like she was in feeding mode. Instinctually they burrow in substrate while lying in ambush:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ522jlkM2k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvXkrwfVlGI

Keep her on newspaper if you wish, it's more convenient, cheaper, easier to keep the housing clean, and keeps them easily exposed and readily available for showing (esp if no hide is used). Collectors are more likely to use newspaper vs the casual pet keeper/hobbyist.

Which do think snakes would rather have? Try it and see for yourself. Assuming her housing is large enough, line half her cage with newspaper and half with substrate. The proof is in the pudding.

I have 8 snakes (2 within the last 24 hours :P). All kept separately in tubs ranging from 10 gallons to 60 gallons and all in cypress. Removed daily for handling and feeding. Cages tapped first then opened after a minute. Just knocking on the door, letting them know I'm coming in. Calmest removed 1st, least calm removed last. They have come to learn what to expect. If parts of their body (not head) are visible thru substrate then start with that to remove them. If not, or if merely the head is exposed, then start a few inches under the substrate opposite the head. Creatures of habit they are and will adjust. The process takes time and so is not feasible for collectors.

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Originally Posted by JoeNapoli

The process takes time and so is not feasible for collectors.

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Care to explain that? What exactly is a "collector" and why don't they have time? :confusd:

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Originally Posted by Kara

Care to explain that? What exactly is a "collector" and why don't they have time? :confusd:

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Apparently from what I have gathered from this 'gentleman's' posts, those of us that have more than a couple snakes are 'collectors', and apparently we do not spend the proper amount of time with each individual animal, nor do we care for them in the proper manner, lol.

Bwahahahaha! Bless his heart.

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