A dream made real, Mira the Vietnamese blue beauty rat snake

Wow! From this:
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
to this:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...32/unknown.png.
Ain't nature crazy?

I like their big eyes & "bandit mask" too. Yup, nature's got this.

She is really looking so good Snagrio ! Great work you are doing with and for her.

Bit of an overdue update, but a number of things have changed. Went to the local show the other week and got some larger cork bark flats to make more stable platforms for her climbing shelves and used the smaller pieces that used to be awkwardly jigsawed across the brackets on top of the slabs to serve as hides.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
She greatly appreciates these changes.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
I also got crews of springtails and isopods for all 3 of the snake enclosures to go bioactive which is nice.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
And finally, after her most recent shed I have some exciting news. Her blues are starting to come in! :D
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675

I can totally see why she appreciates the upgrades. :gj: Especially that "sky-hide"- very nice. She's growin' like a weed, too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I can totally see why she appreciates the upgrades. :gj: Especially that "sky-hide"- very nice. She's growin' like a weed, too.

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Indeed, this is her full length now and she's not even halfway done. :O
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675

https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
Didn't musk this time, but she did take a swipe at my other arm.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
Don't think she'll ever not be short-fused. :rofl:

Only time will tell if she ever mellows out- but that would be boring anyway, right? She's making sure you get your money's worth. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Only time will tell if she ever mellows out- but that would be boring anyway, right? She's making sure you get your money's worth. ;)

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That IS part of why I got her yes. She adds a little more spice to my life for sure. :colbert2:

So the past couple of days have been rough... She unexpectedly had a REALLY bad shed, just pieces everywhere. Even after putting her in a container with wet paper towels for a bit, soaking the substrate and giving her a day to try and slough off the rest, she still had quite a bit left. Had to manually rub and carefully peel off the rest, which of course was mostly her lower neck up to her head. To her credit she only bit me twice during the process.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
I was dutifully keeping things humid while she was in blue, but I think what happened was I sprayed everything except the hide she was under (so I didn't disturb her), and she never left that hide so she was bone dry the whole time. That and just before she shed she went up to the highest platform where it's the driest which no doubt didn't help.

Bad sheds are NO fun! But I'm glad you helped her get it done- that's what I'd have done. Many snakes don't bite for helping them shed, but this isn't typically one of them, lol.

Also forgot to add that she's already surpassed my corn in weight despite being half his age (he's 122 grams, she's 124). And she was only 33 grams when she first came home to me. Crazy. :O

Within just the past couple days, she's gained a lot of confidence and attitude.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675

Any other occasion I'd see her out in the open she'd crinkle up and freeze. Not this time. Met me head on at the glass and gave those long, slow tongue flicks. She wasn't scared. She was mad. :rofl:

She was oddly quite calm when I handled her the other day. Though I think that was because she was resting at the coolest corner of the enclosure and was a bit sluggish as a result.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675

Wow! She's somethin'.

I love those "rat snake attitudes" too- aren't they fun? :D Though my current snakes are more mellow, with one exception- my Korean rat snake- he's quite sassy. I especially love that rat snakes interact more with their "cage furniture"- they do seem to get more confidence with height to climb in & on- many feel (& are) safer in trees in nature.

Can't believe she's not even a year old yet given her size.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
It's always an event getting her out, especially if she's been warming herself. Not too bad after she's been in my hands for a few minutes though.

You asked for it! :rofl: But I think it's fun having a more high-strung snake that gives some challenge- you learn to have "light hands" & really understand how you're being perceived by the snake- it's a sense of accomplishment "when it works". ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You asked for it! :rofl: But I think it's fun having a more high-strung snake that gives some challenge- you learn to have "light hands" & really understand how you're being perceived by the snake- it's a sense of accomplishment "when it works". ;)

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I did, I did. And she is completely worth it. :gj: Miraculously I didn't get bit this time as she was on a basking shelf when I got her out and thus full of energy (i.e. on an even shorter fuse than normal). I've been trying to use a snake hook with her but she's too lithe and fast so I basically have to "chase" her into a corner until I can carefully grab enough of her body to get a comfortable grip without leaving too much of her front end free that she can whip around and tag me while maneuvering out of the enclosure.

It's been a challenge, but I welcome every second of it. Still can't believe it sometimes when I have her in my hands and it's like, "Wow, I actually did it, my most wanted snake is right here in the flesh."

My Korean rat snake is a lot like that- he hates being handled because it means being restrained- when I need to take him out, I take away his hides & he'll usually dash around his tank but he obviously remembers my touch & the process, as he doesn't try to bite- he's just squirmy while I take him from his home & then let him crawl into his pillowcase while I clean his home. His pillowcase is inside a secure plastic container, I might add. If this snake was ever loose on the floor, I'm quite sure he'd been in full defense mode & not at all fun. But as it is, he "knows the drill". He's not easy to restrain, as he's a very robust (strong) six-footer- he only tolerates brief handling with a light touch.

https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
I love the blue scales along her belly. They're like a prelude to how she'll look as an adult.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
I've noticed that handling sessions with her go best if I get her out while she's buried in the substrate under one of her hide boxes (which she weirdly tends to do). Since she's cooled down at that point and by the time she's "up to speed" she's already in my hands and used to it. No chasing her around, no tail wagging, no musking, no biting, it's just overall easier and less stressful for both of us.

It's been one thing after another this past week and a half. :sigh2:

So, shortly after the last post she went into shed. And me not wanting another repeat of her last shed that went horribly I was extra vigilant with the humidity. The shed went perfectly and I went to check on her, and after holding her for a few minutes she started to drool, a lot. Globs of saliva even. After extensive discussion with other circles over a very obvious RI scare, it was suggested she might have just had a big drink. When I got her out it was less than an hour after she shed and judging on where the shed was and her position at the time, she passed by the water bowl and most likely drank a lot of water so such a suggestion was plausible. Of course I kept a very close eye on her but even after more checkups in the coming days she never did it again, was acting her normal alert, cranky self and ate as always.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676

Skip to now and I had noticed she was in one of her ground bamboo stalks that she likes to hide in sometimes. Except she had been in there for almost a week which was unlike her since she tends to move around more frequently than that. She wasn't quite stuck and I was able to coax her out with some careful prodding of the handle end of a snake hook, but it was obvious she was packed tightly in there and would inevitably get stuck as she grew. Took both it and the other ground stalk out until I can seal them off like I did for the standing ones.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676

Hopefully there's no more shenanigans for a while because, ugh... I already am extra paranoid with her just because of her young age and her being my most wanted species, so she isn't doing me any favors. :disbelief

That's how it goes, sometimes. I've had snakes drool on me too after just taking a drink of water- definitely startling until you figure them out, & the longer the snake, the longer the drool. :D

I'm not sure that she'd actually get stuck in that tube, but it's not very convenient if you cannot get them out when you want & need to- probably best to install a permanent cork in it- :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That's how it goes, sometimes. I've had snakes drool on me too after just taking a drink of water- definitely startling until you figure them out, & the longer the snake, the longer the drool. :D

I'm not sure that she'd actually get stuck in that tube, but it's not very convenient if you cannot get them out when you want & need to- probably best to install a permanent cork in it- :cool:

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Probably not now, but considering she's not even halfway done growing I can see it as a very real possibility later down the road. Don't want to chance it. :colbert:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'm not sure that she'd actually get stuck in that tube, but it's not very convenient if you cannot get them out when you want & need to- probably best to install a permanent cork in it- :cool:

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You could try to cut the tube lengthwise and connect the two sides with hinges. Your snake could feel secure, but you'd also be able to remove him if you needed to.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Homebody

You could try to cut the tube lengthwise and connect the two sides with hinges. Your snake could feel secure, but you'd also be able to remove him if you needed to.

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What a creative idea! See, this is why we need a forum with multiple opinions & experience-:cool: I sure never would have thought of that-:D

She's getting long.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
ngl she had me sweatin'. She was chilly from lying in a cool spot but it didn't take long for her to reach her normal sassy attitude. Genuinely wondering if I should just let her bite me on purpose (not provoke her to do it mind you but kind of just let it happen if that makes sense) so I get used to it while she's still growing and not full size. I don't have the greatest pain tolerance in the world so I do everything I can to prevent bites (keeping her head away unless she's calm enough to slide across my hands/arms), but if it would be better to build up a "tolerance" of sorts then it'd probably be for the best?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

She's getting long.
ngl she had me sweatin'. She was chilly from lying in a cool spot but it didn't take long for her to reach her normal sassy attitude. Genuinely wondering if I should just let her bite me on purpose (not provoke her to do it mind you but kind of just let it happen if that makes sense) so I get used to it while she's still growing and not full size. I don't have the greatest pain tolerance in the world so I do everything I can to prevent bites (keeping her head away unless she's calm enough to slide across my hands/arms), but if it would be better to build up a "tolerance" of sorts then it'd probably be for the best?

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Speaking from the perspective of someone who has had a spicy snake or three - most snakes have to reach a pretty high level of stress before they decide that biting is their best option. Personally I'd rather implement some behavioral strategies to eventually reduce fear and habituate the snake rather than just deciding to learn to accept bites.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Caitlin

Speaking from the perspective of someone who has had a spicy snake or three - most snakes have to reach a pretty high level of stress before they decide that biting is their best option. Personally I'd rather implement some behavioral strategies to eventually reduce fear and habituate the snake rather than just deciding to learn to accept bites.

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^^^ This exactly. Besides, what if she finds out that you taste good? :rofl:I prefer to avoid snake bites & I much prefer that my snakes don't feel like they need to defend themselves, so it's a win-win.

A big ol' image dump of the young queen, still as moody as ever. :P
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...895&height=671
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671

Hard to get pics where she isn't hanging halfway in the air with how she never stops moving and hates my phone for some reason, but to her credit, despite not being able to handle her for an extended period of time, she didn't bite me during this handling session. Ran all around of the enclosure and musked on me beforehand, but I count my blessings where I can. ;)
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

........

https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671



.....to her credit, despite not being able to handle her for an extended period of time, she didn't bite me during this handling session. Ran all around of the enclosure and musked on me beforehand, but I count my blessings where I can. ;)

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And people wonder why we're so fascinated with watching our snakes- that's a really cool shot! (And for some odd reason it made me think of Wavy Gravy? :D)

As for the lack of bites this trip, I'm thinking she decided to reward you for leaving her alone for so long? :rofl:

Yesterday, my dear Mira had her first birthday. She has tripled in both weight and length, and flaunts her size as if she knows it. :cool:
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671

Looking great! A YEAR already! :gj:

Wow! such a beautiful snake.

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Originally Posted by Ruby

Wow! such a beautiful snake.

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Don't they have great "eyeliner"? :D (I used to have Taiwan Beauties- they're gold & black, but otherwise closely resemble Mira the Blue Beauty.)

Over 2 years old, and she has to be pushing if not surpassing 8 feet long. Surprisingly didn't bite me here. Once she's actually out of the enclosure she's not too bad to handle, though she still musked a little and was hissing and huffing the whole time so she's still got that beauty snake sass in spades. :P

https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...503&height=671

So, what's the verdict? You've had her for a couple years. She's an adult. Is she everything you dreamed of? Disappointed? A bit of both? It's obvious you care for her, but how does she measure up to your expectations?

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Originally Posted by Homebody

So, what's the verdict? You've had her for a couple years. She's an adult. Is she everything you dreamed of? Disappointed? A bit of both? It's obvious you care for her, but how does she measure up to your expectations?

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She's beauty, she's grace, she tries to bite me in the face. :rofl:

In all seriousness, she's exactly what I hoped for. Gorgeous, big, blue, and is just the right amount of a step up challenge where she's not super placid but not overwhelming either. I know every time I deal with her she's going to be unpredictable and keep me on my toes, but the risks aren't too great that it feels daunting (her bites barely do all that much and she doesn't have the strength of a large python/boa). All hints of her shyness has gone, and her impressive size has given way to radiating confidence. Feeding time is always a spectacle, she goes all out to what you could call a murderous degree. She doesn't care that the rats are already dead, they're double dead by the time she's done. That and I frankly find her crankiness whenever I so much as look in her direction endearing, reminds me of myself. Girl after my own heart. :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

She's beauty, she's grace, she tries to bite me in the face. :rofl: ...

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I think we need a thread for poetry dedications to our snakes- :D I like your description too...you two make a great team.