The Art of Befriending Your BP

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Originally Posted by OmNomNom

MiceDirect has been really good to me so far, my picky guy will only eat dark-colored rodents and I called ahead of a show to see what they had and they sorted out and brought me a big bag of dark colored, frozen rats. .....and of course he still won't eat f/t, but I'm working on it.

My bp is totally fine with me handling him, the only time he's ever been snippy was when I moved him into a new tank and swapped out his old hide with a new one to try to get him to move over the hot spot. I was well out of striking range, it was more like an adorable, cranky pout than a biting attempt!. However, as fine as he is with me, if I give him to anyone else he immediately goes in to ball-mode and won't come out. Even with people who've raised snakes and know how to handle them, yet he's never done that with me. So it really does seem like not only can they recognize your scent they can recognize "unfamiliar human" scents as well.

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My Clyde has done this strike attempt while out of range. I too took it just to be a cranky pout lol. I have only had him going on 4 weeks now so I am taking it easy and try not to bug him too much but still handle him regularly even if it is just petting him while he is still in his enclosure.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

It is unnessary and cruel to break limbs of prey, or twirl them to make them dizzy.

Either feed live responsibly without torturing the prey item, or stick to f/t.

I feed live exclusively. In over 15K live feedings, I've never ever incapacitated the prey prior to feeding them off. It's simply not necessary. :mad:

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I've actually never fed live, so I wouldn't even know how "risky" it is to the snake, or the likely-hood of either rodent or snake suffering. If possible I'd like things to be as painless for both parties involved! Breaking limbs.....yeah no...just no.

And by "twirling" I don't mean swinging them around like a bolo! Good heavens, no, a little twirl doesn't harm them any more than spinning around quickly in a circle does to us. I don't want to give you the impression that I'm not very concerned about the humane treatment of feeder rodents, or lazily suggesting things out of no-where. I'm new to keeping BPs, can't say I'm doing much more than still learning at this point, but when it comes to other animals, rodents in particular....let's see...yeah, I'm well over 15k in terms of numbers that I've handled and cared for. :) I'm always more than happy to help or provide suggestions when it comes to their care, housing, or humane ways for sacrificing in the hopes of improving the care of not just our reptiles, but the animals we provide as sustenance as well. I would never suggest something that I thought was cruel.

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Originally Posted by OmNomNom

I've actually never fed live, so I wouldn't even know how "risky" it is to the snake, or the likely-hood of either rodent or snake suffering. If possible I'd like things to be as painless for both parties involved! Breaking limbs.....yeah no...just no.

And by "twirling" I don't mean swinging them around like a bolo! Good heavens, no, a little twirl doesn't harm them any more than spinning around quickly in a circle does to us. I don't want to give you the impression that I'm not very concerned about the humane treatment of feeder rodents, or lazily suggesting things out of no-where. I'm new to keeping BPs, can't say I'm doing much more than still learning at this point, but when it comes to other animals, rodents in particular....let's see...yeah, I'm well over 15k in terms of numbers that I've handled and cared for. :) I'm always more than happy to help or provide suggestions when it comes to their care, housing, or humane ways for sacrificing in the hopes of improving the care of not just our reptiles, but the animals we provide as sustenance as well. I would never suggest something that I thought was cruel.

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I'm still not sure what twirling or making them dizzy is supposed to accomplish, though.

Prey items don't enter the enclosure in attack mode and go after the snake. Most will curiously explore the new surroundings, stop to clean their muzzle, sniff around, etc. Twirling an animal to make them dizzy immediately puts them into a fearful state, and one that would cause them to be MORE likely to lash out or respond negatively, than one who is well fed, well hydrated and in general good health and not stunned or dizzy.

Heh, yeah, this is where not having ever fed live becomes obvious. ;) In my head, it works something along the lines of mouse dropped into cage, mouse: "ZOMG IT'S A SNAKE!", snake: "NOMS!", mouse: "NEVAH!!!!" *bite bite bite claw bite struggle bite claw epic battle ensues* "NOOOOOooooooooooooooo"

Okay maybe not so dramatic as that....my head is a strange place...Generally they aren't the brightest of critters on this planet, but I have met me some mean and crazy little buggers once in a while that I wouldn't even want to get my fingers near, much less me poor snake. Most of the time though? Eh. Guess they probably wouldn't even know what a snake is or what to do with it. Either way...I am so happy Shen started to take F/T! Heh.

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Originally Posted by WarriorPrincess90

I've never had a problem with BPs trying to bite me. But my boas are a different story. I came home smelling like IHOP one day and my BCI bit me when I tried to take her out. Some snakes are very sensitive to changes in smell. I know she is. Lol. The others don't care as much, but I have learned that my BCI is one of those sensitive babies. :rolleyes:

Your technique should help her get used to you. The fewer things that change the better I think. But it sounds like you have a sweet, social girl. So you shouldn't have a problem regardless. I'm helping my new baby BP get used to me by sticking him in my shirt while I watch TV a couple times a week. That way he can "hide" and be warm while smelling me and getting used to my scent. :)

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Feels like a silly question but do you mean wrapped up in your shirt or under your shirt against your skin? Sorry if that's a weird question lol

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Originally Posted by omnomnom

mouse: "zomg it's a snake!", snake: "noms!", mouse: "nevah!!!!" *bite bite bite claw bite struggle bite claw epic battle ensues* "noooooooooooooooooooo"

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rofl!!!

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Originally Posted by OmNomNom

Heh, yeah, this is where not having ever fed live becomes obvious. ;) In my head, it works something along the lines of mouse dropped into cage, mouse: "ZOMG IT'S A SNAKE!", snake: "NOMS!", mouse: "NEVAH!!!!" *bite bite bite claw bite struggle bite claw epic battle ensues* "NOOOOOooooooooooooooo"

Okay maybe not so dramatic as that....my head is a strange place...Generally they aren't the brightest of critters on this planet, but I have met me some mean and crazy little buggers once in a while that I wouldn't even want to get my fingers near, much less me poor snake. Most of the time though? Eh. Guess they probably wouldn't even know what a snake is or what to do with it. Either way...I am so happy Shen started to take F/T! Heh.

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In most cases, they nail them so fast, mouse/rat never knows what hit them.

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[QUOTE=OmNomNom;1899496]Heh, yeah, this is where not having ever fed live becomes obvious. ;) In my head, it works something along the lines of mouse dropped into cage, mouse: "ZOMG IT'S A SNAKE!", snake: "NOMS!", mouse: "NEVAH!!!!" *bite bite bite claw bite struggle bite claw epic battle ensues* "NOOOOOooooooooooooooo"

The funniest thing I have ever envisioned in my head. Little mouse with shield and sword. Little snake that breathes fire rofl. I only feed live just watch the whole thing go down who knows you might learn ssomething it's all science-y and stuff

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

In most cases, they nail them so fast, mouse/rat never knows what hit them.

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unless its my Normal LOL... He's so lazy its depressing haha He just kind of reaches out grabs it and neglects to coil real hard LOL

I think its a product of being fed F/T and not live

Where as my lesser nails coils and devours like he's never eaten before, coming from a little wee guy who was force fed 3 times just over a year ago, he's come a long way