a little Sandor in the sun..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jowens

He's a very handsome guy, zina10. How frequently do you handle him?

---

Usually about 4 times the week or so ? Not on the day of feeding or a couple days after.
Time wise, it usually ends up being 15 minutes or so, a little less or more at times ;)

Is he still skittish when you remove him from his tub?

Not really skittish. He will lay still while I approach and only move a little. At the most I will get a long exhale or huff while picking up.

If I'm "slow" or "hesitant" about it, it makes it worse, as if that worries him. Its not that I rush and scoop him up, but I move deliberate and he is fine with that.
He actually gets better if you give him more time. For the first few minutes he stays very still (preferably to being psycho, though, lol). Then he will start moving around.

The things that he does not like, is when he gets touched while he explores or is being handled. By touched, I mean like grabbed, or "petted". Esp. if he doesn't see it coming. But all that happens is that he flinches a bit and turns around to see what "touches" him ;)

So actually that will be something I'll start working on. Gentle stroking, picking up and setting down during handling and a lot more "touch" so he learns it won't hurt him.

I think slow but consistent is the key with them.

Of course you get the odd "puppy dog" that seems perfectly at ease, sweet and curious from the get go, seems like nothing bothers them. Some of those are bad feeders, though, so it can come with a draw back.

Most are a bit defensive as hatchlings but tame out nicely with time and patience.

And then you have the odd fire breathing dragon that is a psycho and will never get 100% trustworthy. You can get them to the point of being able to deal with them, but for the snakes and owners sake, they shouldn't be forced to endure frequent handling. Just enough to accept maintenance and the possible medical emergency.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zina10

Doesn't everybody do that ?? hehe...

Yes, his colors just pop outside. He is also gaining a lot of "tangerine" in his color. From a light orange to a deeper reddish orange, esp. on the sides of his neck. He always looks so big in pictures. I thought he was so small when I got him. I have a Ball Python his age that is heavier then him. And I do not ever power feed!!

I need to weigh him again, but he was only 300 something grams when I got him. But I bet he is closer to 500 gr. now. I can't wait to see your new baby, so exciting :)

---

Zina, I finally got around to weighing my Sumatran babies today. Apparently, Blood babies must be A LOT larger than Sumatran babies. My female weighs in at 270 grams and the male is only 247 grams...

Thank you for the detailed info, Zina.

I have two Borneos and a Sumatran, none of which I've had longer than seven months. They are all pretty easy to deal with, if a bit evasive when I actually go in to remove them from their tubs. I probably only handle them a couple of times a week each though. I have been wondering if I need to handle them more frequently.