Opinions- Should I have a snake?

I think all of us newbs get frustrated from time to time. The temperatures don't do right, they of course don't want to eat, the humidity could be better, etc... I think if you just be persistent and make the necessary changes things will turn around.

If you are willing to put the time into it and see things through, then yes. If you are going to give up, then no. Just give it some time and things will get better. :rockon:

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Originally Posted by SeraphimScum

First... I'm a she. I don't know where or how you came to the conclusion I didn't want him. I am trying to be realistic and do whats best for him, if thats something you aren't familiar with or used to, then thats on you. Don't assume about me though ok?
I brought home Severance about a week before I joined here I believe, so about 2/10. So I have had him for about 2 months. I got him from a guy in NJ who needed to get rid of him because he had a small apartment and was having another baby and no longer had room for the tank and set up. He needed to make room for the new baby I suppose, I didn't question all to much about it. He had him for about 2 years I believe and said he was around 4-5 years. He told me that the last time he gave it a small rat he wasn't interested and should be ready to eat again because it had been a few weeks. At this time I had no clue that moving him would stress him out enough to not eat. I offered 3 different thawed/warmed frozen rats,once a week, and then one thawed/warm frozen mouse. I dangled it in front of him using tongs each time and also left it there for an hour afterwards each time. I then moved to live mice. This is /was my third attempt at a live mouse.
The set up I had was everything that the guy kept him in for 2 years. I just recently found out about Temp gradient and that he needed 2 hides etc. I just recently found out they are very picky/fussy eaters. I have posted about my set up and also took pics to it can be judged and asked for any advice. I stated I was willing to take all opinions and advice and change what was needed. I still am.
The stuff that the guy gave me barely kept the snake at 80 degrees. I went out and bought everything to keep him at about 92 during the day and 84 @ night and a digital temp and humidity thing to keep tabs on it. His first shed took almost 3 weeks and was in flakes. It was horrible. Luckily a nice person on here talked to me through pms and suggested what I do which helped bigtime.
I am trying to get this tempature thing down and now the gradient thing down. I didn't exactly have enough room in the other cage to do so, or atleast that I could think of.
I recently switched his tank to something larger but was suggested there was too much room so I will be adding more things to make it more closed in for him. Such has plants and drift wood.
As I mentioned I have always wanted a snake, but didn't think it was this much work. It's ok that it is but I also do exotic rescue ( non reptile) and thought maybe I just wasnt a good snake parent or doing the right thing by keeping him just cause I wanted him. I will keep trying and try to figure everything out with the help and advise of the kind people on here. I just wasn't sure if anyone would consider me a good enough parent to keep doing so and was second guessing myself. I just want whats best for him because I do care and fell in love with him.
He doesn't ball up when I pick him up but he does hiss. He has never attempted to strike at me but I do often get weary and sometimes afraid to pick him up because he does the s thing with his neck and I was told thats a striking position. I have no problems goin in the cage to clean, water etc and so far have been good with picking him up to transport him to a soak etc.

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Frist of all i didn't assume nothing about you, i said PERHAPS A.K.A. MAYBE he doesn't want him. It wasn't a fact. OK!! so you can calm on down, breathe, breathe there you go!! Yes I referred to you as he. Sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my bad, honest mistake. Jesus F-ing Christ you dont have to attack someone over a mistake.

Hm.. it you are willing and financially able to fix the setup to beyond standard, and it's just an issue of you not being able to handle the snake much, that is fine. These snakes neither need nor usually enjoy handling.. I would even venture to say that, being an owner who does not often handle her snake, you;d be better serving the snake than someone who likes to wear him as a necklace out to clubs, etc. :)
I think that as long as you provide basic attention to the animal (cage cleaning, etc) then handling is unimportant.

It sounds to me that you really care for the snake and you are willing to do what is right for the snake. There's not much I can add to what everyone else has said. Once you get the temps and humdity correct, and adding some additional cover for it feel more secure I'm sure that it will start feeding more consistantly. Good Luck.

Thanks all for the advice. I am still going to try here. I just sometimes feel like I am not doing it right and making him suffer because of my lack of education.
Cat... I wasn't aware that I attacked you.. I'm sorry if you feel I did.
I have someone in PMs willing to help me so I am going to be taking up his offer and hopefully I can get the ball rolling for this guy and get him eating soon. I know snakes can go months without eating but I am not used to animals like this and it makes me feeel soo bad. :(
I will update you all how he is doing and take new pics once I get the tnak set up properly.
Thanks again
Skyn

The thing with bps is everything takes time. Seems like you are now starting to get things where they need to be. Your bp might need a few weeks of correct husbandry before it feels comfortable enough to resume eating. If it is retaining its weight and is not exhibiting odd behaviors I think you are still okay.

I know it is hard, everyone makes mistakes with their first. Do not be too hard on yourself. Think of this as an opportunity to grow as a snake keeper.

The thing to remember going forward, and this goes to anyone thinking about getting a snake, is to research research research ahead of time and get its enclosure up and running long before purchasing a snake. That way you know you have it right and won't end up practicing with a live animal.

Good luck and don’t give up. It sounds like you really care and are trying, you will get it before too long. :sunny:

Personally I think you're turning into a great snake parent. You are obviously concerned enough that if you feel you aren't the right home for this snake you are willing to see it go to a more experienced person and that's a loving and smart thing to do if the situation warrants it at some point.

It may be a seasonal issue as this is a mature male snake and he may have breeding on his mind and not be terribly interested in eating. Our mature male has been steadily refusing ever since the breeding season started and hasn't lost any real significant amount of weight.

How long is this snake and do you have a current weight on him? Does he have a triangular sort of look to his body or is he fairly girthy?

I would focus on getting the husbandry settled properly and any changes to the enclosure done. Then wait solid week or even two with no handling and nothing other than water changes and cage maintenance before attempting to feed. Even good changes tend to stress out these shy snakes so you need to let it settle in a bit and adjust to the changes you are making.

If you can call around to some pet stores and find one that actually breeds rodents in the back try to get a rat fuzzy/crawler...a nice chunky one. You want a rat about 10 days old, one that still has it eyes closed but has developed a satin sort of coat (not still a pinky and not yet a pup). These tend to be very attractive to snakes as they move about and trigger a strike response but can't scurry around wildly. The only unfortunate thing is should he refuse the fuzzy rat, it cannot survive without it's mother and would be wasted.

You can pre-scent the room by putting the fuzzy rat into a container with a lot of ventilation. Put the container directly on the lid of the enclosure over where the snake is resting and leave them be for a good hour or so. Pick a quiet evening and wait till after dark. After an hour or so introduce the rat fuzzy into the enclosure close but not in the snake's face and try to make little to no noise or intrusion into the snake's space. You can safely leave a fuzzy/crawler rat alone with your snake overnight as this age of rat cannot possibly injure your snake.

It might not work but sometimes it does get a snake interested in eating again. Then you can slowly work up week by week to a more appropriate sized rat though I'd never offer more than a small rat/large weanling to a male ball python.

I am glad that you have a better feeling about things now. I can definately relate to the discouragement that comes from having a nonfeeding snake, while being a new keeper at the same time; I went through the same thing with my first BP. Now, years later, if one of them does go on a hunger strike, it is not any huge thing, but in the beginning it can be enough to make you wanna pull your hair out!
I agree with Jo's suggestion of getting a fuzzy; they are pretty harmless and will probably not be as frightening and less stressful.

He is about 4 feet long and I am going to try and get a weight in grams tomorrow on the kitchen scale. Its funny you say that the fuzzy is less frightening because he did almost seem scared of the mouse at first. He would look like he was going to strike then dark back away from him. For a while was out and about climbing the drift wood watching the mouse run around above him. The widest part of his girth is about a little smaller then a soda can. He looks ok and still not skinny but I can feel a difference when picking him up. Like i can feel something different on his back almost unless I am just being paranoid.