Some conflicting advice...

welcome to the forum. i don't have anything to add except... wow, what a great gift to get for christmas!!!!

if your brother picked up the heat pad from a petstore then it's a UTH (under tank heater) ;) no need to replace that. ;)

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

wow, what a great gift to get for christmas!!!!

;)

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Heck yeah! :)

You've got that right. It was a great gift.

I'll definitely get a thermostat too.

So my package came today with two new hides and some flexi-branches. I lifted the "experimental" cardboard pepsi 12-pack partial I was using and nudged him to make sure he wasn't sleeping. I picked him up to remove him so I could revamp his home and he went ape sh!t, snapping at me. I then dropped him (damnit...) about 3 feet onto a carpet. I totally believe what you all said about taking him out of his hide, I probably was too sudden or quick in doing so. I had him out for an hour last night and he loved it. I really hope he gets used to me (I know I can be unbearable at times).

I'll keep on keeping on. I appreciate all of your good advice and support. I'll definitely be spending some time on this forum.

If you're nervous about a bite from him, maybe get some gloves for taking him out, so that you don't react to his striking, and then once you have him out and settled, you can take them off.


I really think body language (yours) has a lot to do with it, animals sense apprehension and fear. I learned a trick from Adam, if any are in a strike position, and I need to go in their enclosure, I gently touch the top of their head with a water bottle, which causes them to duck their heads, then I just confidently go in and pick them up (if I need to move them).

Mine have learned pretty quickly that all that bravado isn't going to change the outcome (being picked up). I also keep my handling sessions short (about 15 minutes at a time) and once a day at most, some don't get handled every day, but they all get checked on daily.

Glad you plan to stick around! It's a great place!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

If you're nervous about a bite from him, maybe get some gloves for taking him out, so that you don't react to his striking, and then once you have him out and settled, you can take them off.


I really think body language (yours) has a lot to do with it, animals sense apprehension and fear. I learned a trick from Adam, if any are in a strike position, and I need to go in their enclosure, I gently touch the top of their head with a water bottle, which causes them to duck their heads, then I just confidently go in and pick them up (if I need to move them).

Mine have learned pretty quickly that all that bravado isn't going to change the outcome (being picked up). I also keep my handling sessions short (about 15 minutes at a time) and once a day at most, some don't get handled every day, but they all get checked on daily.

Glad you plan to stick around! It's a great place!

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Yeah, I think you're right, especially in the case tonight. I'm still a little "my God, I'm handling a snake" at this stage even though I constantly act like I'm tough. =D I'm certain that it's me that's the problem. So do yours strike a lot?

Welcome to the forum! You definately came to the right place.. :)
I was just wondering why you're changing the cypress to Eco Earth? Just curious..

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

Welcome to the forum! You definately came to the right place.. :)
I was just wondering why you're changing the cypress to Eco Earth? Just curious..

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I've read some good things about it regarding aesthetics and humidity. I don't mind the clean up thing. I've also considered newspaper too.

I get fanatical about new things and always try and provide the "best" possible scenario. Though I'm sure I've over spent and over worked myself with this philosophy once or twice... What do you think?

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Originally Posted by Quadrophenia

Yeah, I think you're right, especially in the case tonight. I'm still a little "my God, I'm handling a snake" at this stage even though I constantly act like I'm tough. =D I'm certain that it's me that's the problem. So do yours strike a lot?

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Hardly ever, unless it's feeding day - they love me!! :love:

Just kidding - my kiddos are used to me now, they do have their moods where they want to be left alone, but I haven't had one strike at me in some time. The younger ones are more prone to (just because they are the most vulnerable, and that's the only way they know to protect themselves).

Cool. =)

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Originally Posted by Quadrophenia

I've read some good things about it regarding aesthetics and humidity. I don't mind the clean up thing. I've also considered newspaper too.

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I think I spent the most money on my first, as I added, I became more practical - plastic bowls from Dollar Tree make fine hides, and much less expensive than the fancy ones at the pet store and the snakes only care that it's snug - they don't care what it looks like.

I also now use all tubs and a rack. I started with Cocunut husk bedding, then to aspen, and I've now gotten so tired of spot cleaning not really being clean, that I've converted all of them to newspaper - I LOVE it! So easy to clean when someone defecates or sheds and when it's clean - it's clean!