New snake owner questions

I'm curious as to know how the whole not handling for a week thing came across. Was it based on research or an old wives tale? I handled Merry and pippin all the time and they seem to like it a lot. Pippin especially is really relaxed when he is sitting on my palm. Merry on the other hand likes to hiss a little when I take him out and then settles down no probs. Both of them have eaten three times for me and they have a really glossy skin tone :D

I wonder the same, mine is so easy going and relaxed, he seems right at home when I am handling him. Even in the store he was the same way.

IMO I think its up to the individual snake. Some of them need a lot more time to adjust than others.

Err on the side of caution - exploratory behavior's going to surface - new people, new house, new enclosure, new smells, new movements constraints (or freedoms), et al - can be potentially unnerving and at very least they will want to get to know it better. At first being held doesn't differ much from being in a new enclosure - they are both equally foreign in terms of all the new aspects above. They can stress and consequently go off feeding - not always known as the most cooperative eaters - its better safe than sorry even though there are clearly exceptions to every rule.

All hail the wise Smulkin! By the way, ur avatar cracks me up totally :mrgreen:

MORE COWBELL!!!!!! LOL!!!

I paid $125CDN (~$90USD) for mine from a petshop, but they special ordered it from a local breeder for me. I probably could've gotten one cheaper buying directly from a breeder, but that petshop was very good to me when I was a youngster, treating unhealthy herps I got from other places for me and giving me countless hours of advice so I don't mind letting them make a little money off me. Not to mention, I got a healthy good feeder, so I'm satisfied with the deal.

chong_python: that's $175CDN, right? so only ~$130USD. And I don't think there's too many breeders in NF you could buy direct from so you would have otherwise had to pay for shipping.

At the end of the day, the long term costs of keeping a BP will far outweigh the initial purchase price. Still nice to save a few bucks though ;)

Welcome to the forum, DM1975! I hope we can see pictures of your new little guy soon!

hhw...that's a good point we should remember, that it's better to spend a few extra dollars to suppport a really good (rare!) pet store!

my first snake i broke this rule and she turned out fine. My second snake i didn't and he turned out fine too so i guess it's all up to you and if your willing to risk it.