This is my Bredli. There are many like it...

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Originally Posted by KingNoFace

I love Carpets... Beautiful snake. Love the morph :)

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Thank you, I agree! The whole carpet python complex is very interesting.

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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

He's a pretty one!


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Thank you. He really is. I didn't know if that would be my first thought but I have to say he definitely is pretty!

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Wowie, congrats!! :D What a cute lil dude!

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Thank you, thank you! I feel blessed for picking this specific Bredli. Because, of course, there are many like it... But, :D

Beautiful color and a nice size, too. Congrats

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Originally Posted by rock

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Sensational looking Bredli!

I'm glad I caught today's post.

There are 2 snake species I want right now and that's one of them. I'll enjoy your coming posts.

He looks great.

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Originally Posted by DLena

Beautiful color and a nice size, too. Congrats

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Thank you, he is exactly what I was hoping for.

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Originally Posted by Gio

Sensational looking Bredli!

I'm glad I caught today's post.

There are 2 snake species I want right now and that's one of them. I'll enjoy your coming posts.

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Glad you think so, Gio. I have to say, a Bredli would be a great addition to your nice collection.

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Originally Posted by Tigerhawk

He looks great.

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Thank you. I am just a novice but I do think he is an excellent example of a Bredli.

On to day 2.

I am happy with my customized tub set up. He seems to have settled in nicely. Early this morning he was perched on top of the wood branch and he is currently in his hide. I hope that is because he is comfortably regulating his temperature. Thank you to El-Ziggy for the specifics on the tub and Gio for his permanent enclosure.

Last night when the kids and my wife got home we found him squeezed into the top wall of the tub like a rock climber. Pretty cool. I did have to open the enclosure for the kids, not what I wanted to do, as I want him to rest for the week. But, I gave them one chance as they were so curious.

Side note, he is a quick mover! My only personal experience with something similar would be a southern black racer that we find outside here occasionally. Similar size and speed. Definitely not going to set him down next to me on a chair like I do the BPs!

Quick re-cap on yesterday for anyone who has not received a live animal via FedEx. First, it was very easy with the tracking Nick provided. Second, I opened the door just as they were walking away so I'm glad I was waiting.

First impression: How is a 2015 snake in such a tiny box?

Second: What a sweet snake. I had leather gloves (Thanks, Zig) and a kitchen tool ready as a modified snake hook in case he was a little snappy. Not needed. I was more afraid than he was.

Overall, very easy to order online and very happy with the results. Cheers to everyone here who helped me through the process and have left kind remarks.

And, yes, still holding out on a name but we have a few in the running.

A few pics, starting with the tiny box.

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Tiny tub, lineage/sex, and feeding dates?

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Good first look at his color and markings. I like!

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I love how Bredli climb and perch themselves. The first picture was from 11 pm last night when I checked on him. He was just resting draped across the branch. This morning he looked to be sleeping again all wrapped up in one spot.

Sorry for the picture quality shooting thru the tub. Makes me wish he was already in a permanent enclosure.

I will try to feed him today as I feed the BPs on Thursdays. The breeder stated he was eating large mice f/t. Seems hard to believe as he is so much thinner than my BPs and they eat the same size right now. I am also going to give him a live mouse, unless someone tells me otherwise, as that is what I currently feed the BPs.

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Yeah Rock, he'll most likely spend quite a bit of time perching or laying out in the open. Only one of my carpets uses their hides regularly. That's one of the things I love most about them. They make great display snakes. My Bredli is the only one in a tub and he should be moved by years end. All the others are in display enclosures. I feed all my animals f/t. I just don't see the benefits of live feeding. It's more convenient and economical for me to feed f/t. I would advise getting your Bredli on rats ASAP though. He's going to be a large snake that eats large prey items and those mice just won't cut it for long. All of my carpets transitioned to rats pretty easily but I did it early. Oh yeah, and they can eat larger prey than you might think. Your guy can eat a large mouse or rat pup easily. Any idea how much your Bredli weighs Rock?

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Yeah Rock, he'll most likely spend quite a bit of time perching or laying out in the open. Only one of my carpets uses their hides regularly. That's one of the things I love most about them. They make great display snakes. My Bredli is the only one in a tub and he should be moved by years end. All the others are in display enclosures. I feed all my animals f/t. I just don't see the benefits of live feeding. It's more convenient and economical for me to feed f/t. I would advise getting your Bredli on rats ASAP though. He's going to be a large snake that eats large prey items and those mice just won't cut it for long. All of my carpets transitioned to rats pretty easily but I did it early. Oh yeah, and they can eat larger prey than you might think. Your guy can eat a large mouse or rat pup easily. Any idea how much your Bredli weighs Rock?

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Yes, I do hope he continues being a great display snake. At this point I plan to move him from the tub to a 4x2x2 from Ed. I hope he is ready before the end of the year as well!

On my last call with Nick, I confirmed he was eating large mice. I asked about rats and f/t. He said to give it a couple of feedings after he arrives and then move him to rat fuzzies, etc..

F/t is definitely the goal for all the snakes. I don't have a problem with the mice for the BPs at this point because I watch and there have been no problems. Rats, on the other hand, could do some quick damage to any snake. I get the need for them though. Big snakes need lots of vitamins!

No idea what he weighs. Want to find out. Any scale suggestions?

Any kitchen scale will do Rock. I just found this one on Amazon. I need to order a new one myself. And no disrespect to Nick but rat fuzzys will be too small for your critter. My albino carpet is half the size of your Bredli and she eats (2) rat fuzzys per feeding. She's actually eaten rat pups but because I bought the (25) pack of fuzzys I have to feed those off first.

https://www.amazon.com/Salubre-Digit...%2Bounces&th=1

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...90371843098956

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Any kitchen scale will do Rock. I just found this one on Amazon. I need to order a new one myself. And no disrespect to Nick but rat fuzzys will be too small for your critter. My albino carpet is half the size of your Bredli and she eats (2) rat fuzzys per feeding. She's actually eaten rat pups but because I bought the (25) pack of fuzzys I have to feed those off first.

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I appreciate your quick and detailed responses, Zig. I agree about Nick, I am sure he is just giving me a baseline approach.

I asked today at the pet store to see rat fuzzies and they don't carry them. At least today. What they had was rat pups and although big to me, they're not much different than large mice.

That said, first feeding just happened and it was a success!!!!!!!!!!

I took video, he grabbed it from the perch and handled it fine. Feeling relieved. 3 live mice, 3 happy snakes. Guess I have to decide if I use a large mouse again next week or jump to the rat pup.

https://youtu.be/F9N-nZ1Cg_k

Congrats on the successful first feeding Rock. It's always nice when they eat right away. My female albino took almost a month to get going. That's one fierce little beastie you have there bud. I feel bad for the poor widdle mouse though :(. I think that's the biggest reason why I feed f/t.

Even f/t ones have the chance to get you. I was passing out rodents last night, and one rat pup looked so nice, like it was just taking a nap. Pretty, clean, soft white fur. I felt bad for it (sheepishly).


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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Congrats on the successful first feeding Rock. It's always nice when they eat right away. My female albino took almost a month to get going. That's one fierce little beastie you have there bud. I feel bad for the poor widdle mouse though :(. I think that's the biggest reason why I feed f/t.

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Thank you, thank you. I truly feel relieved when they eat because I feel like I've at least provided an adequate environment for them to feel comfortable.

And, yes, he does seem to be a fierce little beastie! Yeah, the poor little mouse. This one in particular was named Lil' Jon Cena. Never a good outcome. We've had a few Mighty Mouse, though, that have jumped about 6 inches in the air to avoid strikes. It will be good to move to f/t. I try to limit the kids involvement but they are curious when it's a first feeding.

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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Even f/t ones have the chance to get you. I was passing out rodents last night, and one rat pup looked so nice, like it was just taking a nap. Pretty, clean, soft white fur. I felt bad for it (sheepishly).


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Yeah, it's not like feeding pellets or veggies. They are pretty cute. It's best when they are wrapped up quickly and completely.

It's been almost a week and he fed properly last Thursday. I decided to open his tub and try to handle him this afternoon. It didn't go as planned. He is definitely not a ball python.

He was moving fast or seemingly ready to strike at me. He moved quickly if I touched him. I am not doing a good job of handling him. After a few minutes of trying to slowly work up to holding him I ended the session.

Any suggestions? It's really my inexperience, not his, to blame.

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Originally Posted by rock

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Looking absolutely great!

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Originally Posted by rock

It's been almost a week and he fed properly last Thursday. I decided to open his tub and try to handle him this afternoon. It didn't go as planned. He is definitely not a ball python.

He was moving fast or seemingly ready to strike at me. He moved quickly if I touched him. I am not doing a good job of handling him. After a few minutes of trying to slowly work up to holding him I ended the session.

Any suggestions? It's really my inexperience, not his, to blame.

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Slow but confident movement around the animal and gentle handling should calm it down over time. Definitely not a ball python for sure. My SD retic gal acts similar and keeps me on my toes and I've had her a year now. Just have to learn to read their body language and show them great respect in regards to interactions. May want to hook train it or tap train it so it learns that when a hook or tap is encountered that means it's not time for food and that handling is about to happen. Beautiful critter btw!


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Don't feel bad.

We get "so good" at reading and dealing with Ball Pythons, that different snakes can be a bit un-nerving. ESP. when we cannot read them yet, and they are defensive and FAST.

While "most" Ball Pythons ball up when they feel threatened and are easy to scoop up that way, many other snakes "s" up and whip around, ready to tag. Whether they actually tag or not, they will make a good show of it, and until you learn that snake better, you won't really know.

At this point the snake is still un-nerved by the change of home. It is beginning to feel secure in the new home and then comes that big, warm predator trying to "pick it off".
It got into a certain routine at its former home. Then it got through the stress of shipping, then a new home. Its quicker to go from zero to 100 then it was before.

Ball Pythons are easy. Even if you have a somewhat pissy or defensive baby, you can easily make them back down with the flat hand gently pushing their head down. That does NOT work with Blood Pythons, for example. I'm not sure if it works with this species, but probably not. You only want to do this if you have an aggressive hatchling, you don't want to add stress to fear.

Just when we fear we are about to die, or about to get eaten, the moments leading up to it are the scariest. So while you try to slowly and gently scoop up your baby, all it does is drag out the panic, and brings out the defensiveness and heightens it.

Yes, you have to be gentle. But you have to be deliberate. Use a hook and gently touch the snake on the lower neck. Not long enough to make it freak out and whip around. Very deliberately touch and at the same time move the hook into position that if the head whips around towards your hand, you block it a bit. Do NOT push the head or neck down, the hook is only there to block. Or you will have a snake that will fling itself around getting ever more upset.

So block and with the other hand scoop it up. Try to do this in a deliberate movement without taking to much time and effort. Yes, that head might snap around. The snake "might" want to tag you, but usually once you lift them, they are to worried to balance themselves rather then to bite the "branch arms" that are holding it up.

To get yourself more confident, wear a sweater with long sleeves. Those tiny teeth can't do any damage, and it will make you less hesitant and worried about it. If need be, wear gloves the first couple of times. Try to find thin ones, though, you need to "feel" the snake, so you don't accidentally hurt it. I've heard those thin soft leather gloves called "rose thorn gardening gloves" or something along those lines would be great. they are super soft yet I doubt you would feel those tiny teeth, and if you did, it certainly wouldn't hurt. Do this in a smaller room, carpeted, and try to be alone those first times.

Once you have the snake, try to be still as much as you can, while allowing the snake to move from hand to hand, if it chooses. Don't force it still or hold it fast, but don't walk or move around to much.

From then on, you just have to keep going. Learn to read the snake. Does it get more frantic the longer the handling? Does it calm down and stay calmer? For how long? Shoot for 10 minutes, but if the snake gets to agitated after 5, then do 5 minutes first few times. You want to return the snake to the bin before it gets frantic. Return gently, many people fear the snake turning back and tagging them as they release them, so they tend to rather "drop" that snake and pull back fast. Which makes the whole thing scary and stressful to snake and owner. Hold your hands still in and above the tub, allow the snake to return on its own, then move back and close the tub.

Most likely the first few times the snake will race back in a panicked hurry, but if you stay calm and patient each time, they will eventually slowly and calmly return to their tub.

It took me a while to read my Blood Python. Boy he huffed in the beginning and whipped that head towards my hands, I was sure he would strike. He had when I first got him. He never bit me. I am more confident now that most of it was "show", but we have to remember they do fear they are about to die.

Removing them from the home is always the most "stressful" moment, to snake and handler. Don't drag that moment out. Find a good position and go for it.

Sometimes, open the tub, and then close it. Nothing more. Sometimes open the tub, touch with hook, close the tub. Try to get the snake to realize "open the tub" does not mean I'm about to die.

I know I wrote a whole book here, and I'm not going to proof read it. I'm german, so excuse grammar and spelling ;)

I have never had a Bredli, so other more knowledgeable people might be able to help you better.

What I do have is a new snake that is a whole nother "ball game" from Balls, on top of it known to be wicked, and he was VERY nervous and defensive. To a point, he still is. We have come a very long way, but I don't kid myself that we are there yet.
However, I have learned to read him, he has learned to read me, and we are making progress.

I'm sharing what worked for me.

Just don't get discouraged, in a few month you will look back and laugh at that little fire cracker ;)

what a cool lookin little fella! i think he'll be your new best friend :P

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Slow but confident movement around the animal and gentle handling should calm it down over time. Definitely not a ball python for sure. My SD retic gal acts similar and keeps me on my toes and I've had her a year now. Just have to learn to read their body language and show them great respect in regards to interactions. May want to hook train it or tap train it so it learns that when a hook or tap is encountered that means it's not time for food and that handling is about to happen. Beautiful critter btw!


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Thank you for the compliment on him and yes, hook or tap training seems to be the way to go. I also spent too much time sitting outside the tub staring at him and deciding what to do. Don't think that helped in the slightest.

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Originally Posted by zina10

Don't feel bad.

We get "so good" at reading and dealing with Ball Pythons, that different snakes can be a bit un-nerving. ESP. when we cannot read them yet, and they are defensive and FAST...

Just don't get discouraged, in a few month you will look back and laugh at that little fire cracker ;)

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Nina, thank you for this. You are 100% on point about everything!

The ball pythons made it very easy for me, a new owner, to be relaxed. It is the whip around that you mention that the Bredli does that gets me ready to put him back down and unsure of his next move even if he is just exploring.

I will read your words before each time I handle him until I am comfortable and he feels at home. Thank you for the great ideas. Its just a matter of being comfortable with each step!

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Originally Posted by pythondad

what a cool lookin little fella! i think he'll be your new best friend :P

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Thank you! I am definitely working on it.

My Bredli is *very* head-shy, if I tried to get her to back off with my hand over her head I'd get bit for sure. I also found out by getting tagged that it didn't work on my JCP, and he's not crazy head-shy. So yeah, you do have to get used to the not-BP things. But you'll get it; go in from whatever direction he's not looking (distracting with hook or movement with your other hand or something will help), and scoop him up with confidence - even if you have to fake the confidence part. [emoji4]

Once he's a big muscular seven-footer who wants to go over *there* right *now*, like my girl, you'll wonder how baby snake was ever intimidating!


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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

My Bredli is *very* head-shy, if I tried to get her to back off with my hand over her head I'd get bit for sure. I also found out by getting tagged that it didn't work on my JCP, and he's not crazy head-shy. So yeah, you do have to get used to the not-BP things. But you'll get it; go in from whatever direction he's not looking (distracting with hook or movement with your other hand or something will help), and scoop him up with confidence - even if you have to fake the confidence part. [emoji4]

Once he's a big muscular seven-footer who wants to go over *there* right *now*, like my girl, you'll wonder how baby snake was ever intimidating!


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Good to know about the head. I've generally tried to stay away from it but it's difficult when he turns back around. I will definitely have to fake it before I make it here.

I've watched the videos and what you describe is exactly what I have seen done and I feel if I just bring him out from his enclosure it will all be okay...
But, he's fast. Did I mention that? Fassssssssst. lol

7 footer, eh? Maybe 8? From what I've read I think this will be the year he jumps 3 feet in length. Now is the time alright!

My Bredli is pretty placid now but he was a little flighty and snappy in the beginning too Rock. Don't sweat it. He should mellow out after a few more meals and time to settle in. You've already gotten some pretty good advice. I'll just reiterate that confident handling, hook training, and patience are the keys to success. If the confidence is a little shaky, like mine was after my Olive tagged me :), go with the gloved hand approach. This way you know he can't hurt you even if he did tag you and if he does he'll soon realize it's pointless. After he calms down take the glove(s) off and free handle him for a bit. Carpets are active and curious when you handle them but you'll get the hang of it soon. Keep those pics coming brother! Your guy looks awesome!

Thanks, Zig. You are exactly right. I hate to be the one to ruin him with my hesitations while handling. Gloves, long sleeves and hook next because he should get to know that I am not going to hurt him.

Side note, he has been in his hide a good amount of time. Comes out at night and sometimes during the day I think but I'm obviously gone most of it. Wondering if a RHP would help him want to bask more or if I should cover 3 sides of his opaque sterilite. His warm and cool surface temps seem to be in order although I've noticed that the UTH is not exactly flush to the underside of the tub with the tinfoil in between and foil tape on the outside securing it.

Overall, just a week, I know. On Thursday, I will feed him a mouse before moving to a rat for the 3rd feeding. Not sure if I will bother him for a weight check this week. He is definitely over 2 feet in length. Maybe around over/under 30".

And, yes, I love his natural coloring! I'll be interested to see what variation he will have from head to tail but in person he is vibrant and crisp in his patterns. I think it's safe to say the het for stonewash will remain non-visual.

Olive tag? Yeah, I'm sure that will get your attention!

if you want to weigh him without the added stress of having to set him down into another tub on the scale, and having to pick him up again, weigh him INSIDE of his tub. Weigh the whole thing right before you are going to handle him.

Then, when you have him out to handle him, have someone weight the tub with everything in it but him.

The difference is the weight of the snake ;)

Thank you, Zina. I might try it but I think the whole set up outweighs the only scale I have at the moment. Good idea, though. I remember doing the same thing at Publix when the kids were babies!

Dirty gloves, long sleeve shirt. Somewhat successful. Not a ball. I still love him.

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That's the spirit :)

Soooo ?? Did he tag? Or just put on a show ;)

no matter what happens, at least you can always say "but..he is beautiful!!!" ;)

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aww...and he looks so sweet and innocent :)

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Originally Posted by zina10

That's the spirit :)

Soooo ?? Did he tag? Or just put on a show ;)

no matter what happens, at least you can always say "but..he is beautiful!!!" ;)

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aww...and he looks so sweet and innocent :)

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He didn't tag me at all. He is very sweet. Just curious. He just wants to crawl around and smell my arm/shirt, etc... He did move his head back and get "shy" or "on alert" a few times because I am still just a terrible handler.

Because he doesn't slow down completely and ball up like a ball python I act like he's a great white shark ready to swallow me. Terrible thought, I know, because he truly seems non-aggressive and non-threatening. Just a baby python trying to be cautious.

I just don't know what to do when he starts heading up my arm towards me. Seems like he wants to come right up towards me, under my armpit or over my shoulder and when I pull him back he will swing around or back up in an S and then I make him nervous because I'm nervous. He waits a few seconds and then proceeds to wrap around me again.

I spent a few minutes with him and then put him back. Once he was back in the tub he moved around quickly and wanted to come back out so I guess I stressed him a little at that point by trying to keep him in and closing the top. A minute afterwards he was laying still on the floor so I put his hide back in, which he crawled into, and I put his branch back in.

I checked on him an hour later after dark and he was relaxed on top of his branch so I believe it was an overall successful outing as he wasn't too traumatized.

I will likely let him be tomorrow and just go into the room in the morning and evening to check on everyone and then I will feed him on Thursday and let him relax and digest until the weekend.

Fingers crossed, I still have a chance to be an okay papa.

You are NOT a terrible handler !!

Do not for one second think you are the only one that would rather not have a quick, defensive snake move towards the face, neck, arm, or any other area they could "chomp" down on.

Of course you will move him, and that moving/grabbing his body freaks him out and he whips around.

But that is all part of the "learning". In time he will learn even if he is touched or grabbed, it didn't kill him. He will not be so touchy anymore. At the same time you will learn that he is not coming at you to remove some flesh, every time ;)

Noone likes to get bit. Its not even the pain. The pain probably wouldn't even be a big deal, but its our instinct to avoid it, and to keep the snake from tagging us. And when they move so erratic and are so touchy and "whippy", we can't help but have our own little "oh crap" moment and just want that head to point the other way NOW.

Don't worry about it to much or over think it. Just by eating and growing, he will start settling down. The "new" routines will become "routine" and nothing to worry about. The handling will become "no big deal". I think you are to hard on yourself. Don't think anyone of us is so "great" at it naturally. When Sandor moved towards my face my stomach dropped a couple of inches...LOL. I know how hard they can hit and I knew if I grabbed him and moved him away he would most likely freak and whip around. And then...nothing happened.

And even if we get tagged one day. Most likely it will be almost a relief afterwards, because it can't be half as bad as our brain makes it out to be.

Just handle him. He isn't made out of glass and he will not break if you maneuver his body around. The only way for him to get over freaking out when grabbed or moved/maneuvered is for it to happen. Until it doesn't bother/worry him anymore.

Nice protective gear there Rock. He's got nothing ;). Truth is there bite isn't so bad. Check out my battle scar from the Olive :D. He'll soon realize you aren't going to eat him and he'll be putty in your hands. I'm curious to see the color and size differences in our Bredli as they grow. I believe yours is from the Price and Lemke lines and my guy is from the Afors line. Let's keep the pics flowing :).

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...psn5bl0kfo.jpg

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Nice protective gear there Rock. He's got nothing ;). Truth is there bite isn't so bad. Check out my battle scar from the Olive :D. He'll soon realize you aren't going to eat him and he'll be putty in your hands. I'm curious to see the color and size differences in our Bredli as they grow. I believe yours is from the Price and Lemke lines and my guy is from the Afors line. Let's keep the pics flowing :).

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Haha...oh gosh, that is quite the battle scar ;)

I wish I had made pics when that redtail got me. Oh, he got me GOOD. I don't have pictures, though, and I think its better this way in this thread, LOL.

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Originally Posted by zina10

You are NOT a terrible handler !!

Do not for one second think you are the only one that would rather not have a quick, defensive snake move towards the face, neck, arm, or any other area they could "chomp" down on.

Of course you will move him, and that moving/grabbing his body freaks him out and he whips around.

But that is all part of the "learning". In time he will learn even if he is touched or grabbed, it didn't kill him. He will not be so touchy anymore. At the same time you will learn that he is not coming at you to remove some flesh, every time ;)

Noone likes to get bit. Its not even the pain. The pain probably wouldn't even be a big deal, but its our instinct to avoid it, and to keep the snake from tagging us. And when they move so erratic and are so touchy and "whippy", we can't help but have our own little "oh crap" moment and just want that head to point the other way NOW.

Don't worry about it to much or over think it. Just by eating and growing, he will start settling down. The "new" routines will become "routine" and nothing to worry about. The handling will become "no big deal". I think you are to hard on yourself. Don't think anyone of us is so "great" at it naturally. When Sandor moved towards my face my stomach dropped a couple of inches...LOL. I know how hard they can hit and I knew if I grabbed him and moved him away he would most likely freak and whip around. And then...nothing happened.

And even if we get tagged one day. Most likely it will be almost a relief afterwards, because it can't be half as bad as our brain makes it out to be.

Just handle him. He isn't made out of glass and he will not break if you maneuver his body around. The only way for him to get over freaking out when grabbed or moved/maneuvered is for it to happen. Until it doesn't bother/worry him anymore.

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Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, Zina. Yes, I am hard on myself because I watch videos and think I should be able to do the same.

Truth be told, the only things I ever feared as kid was the dark, sharks and snakes. The dark I outgrew early and sharks I overcame around high school as I spent most of my life water skiing, wake boarding and diving in the ocean. Just had to face it. Fear of snakes, on the other hand, never abated. For all the time I spend outdoors I would rather come across an alligator than a snake.

So, when my 8 year old daughter wanted a ball python for her birthday 6 months ago I decided to empower her while empowering myself and getting over my final fear by facing it straight up. Needless to say, I am not perfect yet but I'm trying to get there. :oops:

On a lighter note, you know exactly what is happening! He does jump a bit sometimes when touched much more so than the BPs. When they ball up he instead "runs". I can tell he wants to interact and I'm learning in this short amount of time to watch him and trust his movements. Yes, being bitten would be a relief as I am sure it would not be bad at this point but I am trying to not give him a reason to as it seems it's not really what he wants to do. I'll go to bed with hopeful thoughts tonight! Thank you.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Nice protective gear there Rock. He's got nothing ;). Truth is there bite isn't so bad. Check out my battle scar from the Olive :D. He'll soon realize you aren't going to eat him and he'll be putty in your hands. I'm curious to see the color and size differences in our Bredli as they grow. I believe yours is from the Price and Lemke lines and my guy is from the Afors line. Let's keep the pics flowing :).

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Thanks, bud. It was that or full body armour. :)

Nice bite mark. Definitely could have been worse. Those Olives do get powerful!

I agree about their coloring and differences as they grow. Your Bredli is top notch and I think the Afors line is always my favorite in photos. I will try to grab a screenshot of my lineage.

This is Alpha's lineage. Yes, he has been named Alpha Omega. As in, "I am the Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end." ;)

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...age_920674.jpg

Photo courtesy of Nick Mutton's website. So it looks like Alpha is all Lazik line including the Stonewashed father. Should be interesting.

I had no idea you only so recently got over your fear of snakes.

Kudos on doing so well in all regards!

I used to have a bad fear of snakes, more of a phobia really. Where I grew up in Germany, there simply aren't any snakes to worry about. You most likely live all your life without ever seeing one.
So when I moved to the states and was warned about taking walks and watching where I step, it freaked me OUT. Esp. since there are so many venomous ones.
I even dreamed about snakes and getting bitten.

But here I am ;) My story on how I got over it is long and weird and I don't want to derail your thread. But its awesome how far you have come in such a short time. And for not folding when it becomes a bit more challenging.

btw. I still have a really bad spider phobia. You won't catch me handling any spiders, at least not on purpose..LOL

Thank you. It has been an amazing turnaround. A father has to do what he has to do. Of course, I went so far as wanting one for myself, hence the Bredli.

Happy for you as well and you are so knowledgeable about them too! Yes, you'll have to share your story sometime. And, Germany, what a wonderful place to grow up!

Spiders are okay, scorpions too. Roaches, not so much! :P

When my tiny baby water Python got me last week I jumped and flailed a little, and Kajura didn't even break skin. That time I jumped mostly because I wasn't expecting it (long strike range).

So far our snakes will usually strike *toward* their target before going in for real. If your little guy isn't doing that, it's probably a good sign he's not too ready to bite.

When he starts coming up your arm, remember that when he's (mostly) stretched out he's got less strike range than when he's essed up. When he's getting closer than you're comfortable with, slide your other hand under him back from the head, lift, and re-direct. If you've done or seen the snake treadmill thing with a snake going away from you out of your hands, it's the same thing. Just come in from the side or from below/behind the head so he's less likely to see your hand. When you're really sneaky about it they don't even seem to notice - hmm hmm, just another thing I'm slithering over. [emoji846]


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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

When my tiny baby water Python got me last week I jumped and flailed a little, and Kajura didn't even break skin. That time I jumped mostly because I wasn't expecting it (long strike range).

So far our snakes will usually strike *toward* their target before going in for real. If your little guy isn't doing that, it's probably a good sign he's not too ready to bite.

When he starts coming up your arm, remember that when he's (mostly) stretched out he's got less strike range than when he's essed up. When he's getting closer than you're comfortable with, slide your other hand under him back from the head, lift, and re-direct. If you've done or seen the snake treadmill thing with a snake going away from you out of your hands, it's the same thing. Just come in from the side or from below/behind the head so he's less likely to see your hand. When you're really sneaky about it they don't even seem to notice - hmm hmm, just another thing I'm slithering over. [emoji846]


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You are totally correct, he is definitely fully stretched out when climbing my arm and not in a typical strike position. The snake treadmill is definitely something I need to practice!