Wiggles, the Children's Python

Interesting "pet tent" idea. What works best for you, only you can say. Seems to me that you could be distracted either way- have you thought about setting a timer with a loud bell to go off? Like a kitchen timer- they typically go for an hour- if that's not enough, just re-set. I think we're all doing multiple things these days, & anyone can easily get their attention derailed. (I sure can, lol.)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Interesting "pet tent" idea. What works best for you, only you can say. Seems to me that you could be distracted either way- have you thought about setting a timer with a loud bell to go off? Like a kitchen timer- they typically go for an hour- if that's not enough, just re-set. I think we're all doing multiple things these days, & anyone can easily get their attention derailed. (I sure can, lol.)

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A timer's a good idea. I've got one of those Google Homes. I can set that for any time I like.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

A timer's a good idea. I've got one of those Google Homes. I can set that for any time I like.

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I use my kitchen timers all the time, like when damp-drying laundry- I'm often multi-tasking. At least you'll be reminded to check back before too much time goes by- as long as you can remember what it was for? :rofl:

Wiggles's new activity station:

https://i.imgur.com/5zMaTXU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jedv6nf.jpg

Can't wait for warmer days when we can go for a picnic in the park.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

...Can't wait for warmer days when we can go for a picnic in the park.

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Are you planning to roast mousicles too? Or just make s'mouses? :rofl: (You KNOW we'll need pix!)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

(You KNOW we'll need pix!)

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I really can't wait to see him in sunlight. I've seen him a few times on my window sill during the daytime and he looks like a different snake. The reds, that earlier made us think he might be hypo, really come out. He's also really iridescent. If only the camera is able to capture it...

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I really can't wait to see him in sunlight. I've seen him a few times on my window sill during the daytime and he looks like a different snake. The reds, that earlier made us think he might be hypo, really come out. He's also really iridescent. If only the camera is able to capture it...

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Yes, apparently the iridescence is typical for these snakes- Yiva looks impressive in the sun, once the weather warms up. The very dark colored BCI that I used to have was also stunning in sunlight.

Wiggles took his Reptilink unscented for the second time last night. I only had to starve him for two weeks this time, so that's progress. Target training while I'm transitioning him has complicated the process.

My goal for last night's target training was to target him out of his enclosure so that I could clean it. The problem was that Wiggles didn't want to come out. He was clearly interested in the target. He stayed focused on it for a really long time, but just wouldn't come all the way out. Eventually, he decided staying in his enclosure was more important than eating and started ignoring the target. If he ignores the target, I can't feed him. It'll undermine his training. That would be fine except I'm also transitioning him to Reptilinks and it's more important that he eats the Reptilink.

So, I rebooted him. I closed up the enclosure, turned off the lights, and waited a couple hours. I also decided to dumb down the training. I'd reward him for any movement toward the target. It worked. The enclosure didn't get cleaned, target training went just o.k., but the Reptilink feeding was an unqualified success. Since that was the most important priority, I'm very happy.

Today is Wiggles's 1st gotcha date. One year ago, I drove 3 hours down I-95 to Maryland where picked him up from a guy in a Wawa parking lot. My first impression, "He's so small." Having only ever kept an adult ball python, the difference was startling. I'd seen pictures, but they were all close ups that made him look much bigger. Since then, he's grown from about 120 grams to about 240 grams. So, he's doubled in size. I still think he's tiny. I probably always will. He's also successfully completed target training, though you never really complete target training, and I've transitioned him from mouse hoppers to Reptilinks.

This year, I'll continue with his target training. I'd like to teach him to target over greater distances. I'd also like to introduce non-food reinforcers, because I'd like target him more often than I can feed him. I'd also like to add foraging exercises to his enrichment activities. It'll be fun to hide a mouse and a Reptilink and see which he goes for first. I'll likely also start desensitization training. I don't handle him much. It's just not my favorite thing, but other people like handling him, so I don't want him to be stressed.

I'm also updating his enclosure. I've replace his huge climbing branches his bench with bamboo reeds and a net I wove out of twine. I'll post updated pictures once I'm done. I've notices Wiggles likes to squeeze himself into small spaces. so I'm mulling over ideas for hides that are snug but expand as Wiggles grows. If all goes well, Wiggles's 2nd year with me should be as fulfilling as his first.

While that would be "interesting" to see what he'll choose between a mouse & a Reptilink, it might also set back his acceptance of the Reptilinks- are you sure you want to risk that?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

While that would be "interesting" to see what he'll choose between a mouse & a Reptilink, it might also set back his acceptance of the Reptilinks- are you sure you want to risk that?

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Agreed. It would be more problematic now. In 6 months, when he's well established on Reptilinks, then, it will be interesting.

I replaced Wiggles's climbing branches and wooden bench with bamboo stalks and a twine net.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/JRF5dXo.jpg
They're much lighter and it really opens up the enclosure. At the same time, increases the size of his climbing area. When Wiggles finishes shedding, I'll find out if he likes it.

I also thought that it's about time I posted a more accurate rendering of his tub furnishings.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Bma7Lip.jpg
One of the many advantages of having a tub is that you can fill it with things your snake will enjoy without worrying about how it looks. I fill it with clean packaging I fish out of my recycling bin. Currently, it has layers of insulating paper and cardboard tubes topped off with the bag my son's laptop came in. In addition, there's an beer mug with a cracked handle, a rolled up placemat, an old brick, leftover bamboo, a stainless steel serving tray I haven't figured out what to do with just yet, and a water bowl. If he soils it, I toss it. Even if he doesn't soil it, I toss it eventually. There's always new shapes, textures and smells in my recycling bin to replace them with.

Speaking of re-using packing materials (& the nice thing about small snakes), I've used those molded "paper mache" things that are used to pack around electronics & such- they're like a clamshell with 2 halves. I've had some with all sorts of strange convolutions, so I cut 'doorways' & used them as snake hides- snakes LOVE that sort of thing to explore. Plus they're brown (cardboard) so not a garish color to look at, & they have texture for traction. Obviously, as with all cardboard, when they get dirty or wet, in the trash they go, but fun in the meantime.

I'm curious to see how Wiggles likes his "hammock"-:D Good idea- & I bet he'll enjoy the "change of scenery"- it's nice to have snakes that don't freak & stop eating if something changes. I've been known to change things up on my rat snakes- they're very adaptable too. It's more like life in the "real world", & I think new experiences contribute to a snakes intelligence, as with most all creatures. Let's face it- life as a captive snake can be pretty BORING.

I have often joked that because I focus less on aesthetics and more on providing interesting stuff for my snakes, a lot of my enclosures look more like the city dump than a lovely slice of nature, lol.

Lori Torrini just released this video on using trash in the snake playpen yesterday. This seems like a great thread to share it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHhp...el=LoriTorrini

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Originally Posted by Caitlin

I have often joked that because I focus less on aesthetics and more on providing interesting stuff for my snakes, a lot of my enclosures look more like the city dump than a lovely slice of nature, lol.

Lori Torrini just released this video on using trash in the snake playpen yesterday. This seems like a great thread to share it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHhp...el=LoriTorrini

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I'm less focused on aesthetics also, & FYI, I've been repurposing clean cardboard boxes for many years as hides & snake toys. I've never once seen a snake get their teeth caught on cardboard- so I don't know where she got that notion from? :confusd: And a good box-cutter is perfect for cutting holes (doorways)- I actually have THREE of them, one in the garage & one at each end of the house because I'm always using one. (Do be careful though- they're very sharp!) Anyway, I just watched the somewhat long video & have a few thoughts about it.

I like those exercise tents- I may look into those. I do wish she'd stop calling everything "trash" though- I prefer "recycling" myself. All that cardboard is recyclable, unless a snake takes a dump on it- but that's not often & you can still just cut that part off & recycle the rest. I've never tried giving my snakes the giant crumpled paper (I usually flatten it & shred it) but I think that might be fun.

I agree with her that you should not use plastic (bags+). Also, I wouldn't use styrofoam or packing "peanuts"- I don't believe they're innocuous (they off-gas a chemical smell).

***I disagree with the video on using boxes or bags that dog treats came in: Pet foods of all types are always getting recalled for salmonella contamination, & we're often reminded to wash our hands after handling any commercial pet foods to avoid illness. I wouldn't care to share such germs with my snakes either- so please do consider possible contamination with any "trash" you use.

For my smaller snakes, a FAVORITE thing is an empty Kleenex box- & I leave the attached inner plastic flap on too. I have one snake in particular that loves to have her dinner in a clean Kleenex box- & she'll often sleep in there for a day or two afterwards. When it's feeding time, I deliver the Kleenex box with her prey inside, & she goes in completely on her own to find it. The cozy privacy, for snakes that "fit", is very enticing. :D

Something I just thought of- I mentioned elsewhere that I repurpose my clean business papers via my paper shredder into a layer of cage "litter" for most of my snakes. If you have a snake that likes to burrow, save up a good-sized box that's nearly full of your paper shreds & let your snake dive in. :D I bet you won't see them for a while, & don't be surprised if they're smiling when they reappear. :snake: Much like kids playing in a sandbox.

Wiggles took his third unscented Reptilink last night, so I now consider him officially converted. This is the method works for Wiggles: I thaw it out in my hand, dip it in hot water (110F+), and tong feed. It seems to be the dip that does it. I don't know if it's the water diluting the link's scent or the heat it puts on it. Probably both.

I'm making Wiggles a couple new hides. His current hides are too large. When he hides, he crams himself into the rear third of the hide struggling to create the pressure he needs to feel secure. After a lot of thought, I came up with this design:
https://i.imgur.com/OtDplsj.jpg
Sorry for the blurry pic, but you get the idea. It's a trapezoidal wedge. Now when he crams himself into the rear of the hide, the sloping sides and top will make it easier for him to create the pressure he needs to feel secure. The sheet on the left shows the top and bottom. The circle shows the size of his current hide. The sheet on the right shows the sides and front. I'll build it out of plywood and coat it in polyurethane. I'll cut a door in the front panel with my hole saw. I'll secure the top with a hinge on one side and a latch on the other. Should be a fun project if those diagonal cuts don't give me too much trouble. I'll post again once I'm done.

The foam surrounding his warm side hide is repurposed packing material from my son's new laptop. The gap that once held my the laptop safe and secure, now, keeps Wiggles safe and secure.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/akTuYZp.jpg

Wiggles weighed in at a surprisingly svelte 238 grams, a mere 8 grams more than his last weigh-in three months ago. He's been averaging 35 grams of growth. Is this the start of his slower adult growth, or is it just a hiccup? Time will tell.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Wiggles weighed in at a surprisingly svelte 238 grams, a mere 8 grams more than his last weigh-in three months ago. He's been averaging 35 grams of growth. Is this the start of his slower adult growth, or is it just a hiccup? Time will tell.

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Correction: He's 13 grams heavier, not 8 grams.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Correction: He's 13 grams heavier, not 8 grams.

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I suppose he had one foot on the floor during the first weight? ;)

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Correction: He's 13 grams heavier, not 8 grams.

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Final correction: The scale read 338 grams. When I subtracted the weight of the bowl and feeder (105 grams), I should have reached a total of 233 grams, 8 grams more than his last weigh in.

This is one of the few times I've seen Wiggles climbing on his new net.
https://i.imgur.com/nWF8xB9.jpg
I still haven't seen him in the new hide I made for him. That's o.k. I think it just takes snakes a while to accept new furnishings.

Nets (& rope hammocks) are great exercise & supply the traction snakes love- as long as there's no holes small enough for them to get stuck in. :gj: Really not an option for ball pythons, but our slender Antaresia pythons (& my rat snakes) are well-suited for this. It does take most snakes a while to trust & try out new furnishings, but once they do, they usually enjoy.

Wiggles just struck my glove while I was changing his water. He was partially in his hide, but the part that was out of his hide was wound up and ready for action. I thought the gloves would be too unappealing for him to strike, but I was wrong. Next time, I'll stop and tap him out of food mode before I put myself in range.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Wiggles just struck my glove while I was changing his water. He was partially in his hide, but the part that was out of his hide was wound up and ready for action. I thought the gloves would be too unappealing for him to strike, but I was wrong. Next time, I'll stop and tap him out of food mode before I put myself in range.

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:rofl:Now you know...no glove goes untested for Antaresia- :snake: Though had you blown the scent of the glove to him, he may well have reconsidered his wasted effort. ;)

Gloves are still providing the "motion" snakes go after- so with some of my reactive rat snakes, I block their view (when they're peeking out of a hide) with a ping-pong paddle- it works great- just lets them know "nothin' to see here".

Lesson learned.

I remove my "trigger happy"/food driven snakes when I do cage maintenance. Easier for all involved.

If you don't want to do that, I think you are on the right track with letting him know you are there and no food is coming.

Keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by dakski

...I remove my "trigger happy"/food driven snakes when I do cage maintenance...

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Even for water changes?

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Even for water changes?

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I sure wouldn't. I almost never take a snake out for "maintenance" unless the whole place needs changed. Why stress them?

Exactly what I do depends on "who it is" though- I know what I can get away with for each of my snakes. :cool: Or how to let them know it's just me, not food, anyway.

Once in a while (when I want to "live dangerously") I use both hands- one with wiggling fingers ("LOOK OVER HERE!") & the other to swipe the bowl. :rofl:

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Originally Posted by Homebody

...Next time, I'll stop and tap him out of food mode before I put myself in range.

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Well, that didn't work. He struck the hook, then my gloves. It occurred to me afterward that he's due for a shed. Maybe that's why he's acting so crazy.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Well, that didn't work. He struck the hook, then my gloves. It occurred to me afterward that he's due for a shed. Maybe that's why he's acting so crazy.

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That's one reason I don't advocate or use "hook training"- hooks aren't so good for a snake's mouth & I've HAD snakes that grabbed & hung onto a hook. A more harmless way to "change the channel" they're on is a brief spray mist of cool water in the face. And no, it's not being "mean"- snakes in the wild can be seen drinking rain that falls in their face too. (I also use scent- I blow my scent from across my hand in their direction & watch for them to get the message that it's me & not food. And sometimes I use something like a box lid to block their view. What works the best depends on the snake & the mood they're currently in.)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That's one reason I don't advocate or use "hook training"- hooks aren't so good for a snake's mouth & I've HAD snakes that grabbed & hung onto a hook. A more harmless way to "change the channel" they're on is a brief spray mist of cool water in the face. And no, it's not being "mean"- snakes in the wild can be seen drinking rain that falls in their face too. (I also use scent- I blow my scent from across my hand in their direction & watch for them to get the message that it's me & not food. And sometimes I use something like a box lid to block their view. What works the best depends on the snake & the mood they're currently in.)

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The box lid worked. I thought he might try to strike the hand holding the box lid, but he didn't. I'm still puzzled by the change in behavior. Last night, he was in the same posture he's been in the past few nights, half out of his hide coiled and ready to strike. Hopefully, his upcoming shed will chill him out.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

The box lid worked. I thought he might try to strike the hand holding the box lid, but he didn't. I'm still puzzled by the change in behavior. Last night, he was in the same posture he's been in the past few nights, half out of his hide coiled and ready to strike. Hopefully, his upcoming shed will chill him out.

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Just interrupting their view does wonders for many snakes- & most of our pets aren't motivated to go around it. Best of all, there's nothing about a cardboard flat that a snake can hurt themselves on.
"Hook training" sounds flashy, but it's just not my choice, & I've tried various ways to disrupt their desire to strike. (Hint- choose a box lid or other object that's big/long enough so your hand is NOT within reach- especially for a snake w/ heat pits.)

Crazy Bitey Wiggles is gone. Curious Delightful Wiggles has returned. Long live Curious Delightful Wiggles!

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Crazy Bitey Wiggles is gone. Curious Delightful Wiggles has returned. Long live Curious Delightful Wiggles!

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You scared me for a second there- all I saw was the word "gone" & I was thinking he escaped again. :P Hey snakes are entitled to have moods too.

I finished my trapezoidal wedge hide, but I'm very disappointed with it. It's been sitting in Wiggles's enclosure for weeks, but I haven't seen him in it even once. He'll bask on top of it, but he won't go in it. As a result, I've relegated it to his tub with the recycled packing material. If Wiggles doesn't use it there, I'll relegate it to the garbage pale. Photos of the finished product:

https://imgur.com/ZCgeftM
https://imgur.com/yUD07lL.

My wife did such a nice job decorating the top too.

I'm not sure if was the theory or the execution that was flawed. Oh well, I haven't let it stop me from innovating. His current hide could be described as the love child of this design and my son's laptop packaging that Wiggles loves so much. I'll post about that design once I know whether it works or not.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I finished my trapezoidal wedge hide, but I'm very disappointed with it. It's been sitting in Wiggles's enclosure for weeks, but I haven't seen him in it even once. He'll bask on top of it, but he won't go in it. As a result, I've relegated it to his tub with the recycled packing material. If Wiggles doesn't use it there, I'll relegate it to the garbage pale. Photos of the finished product:

https://imgur.com/ZCgeftM
https://imgur.com/yUD07lL.

My wife did such a nice job decorating the top too.

I'm not sure if was the theory or the execution that was flawed. Oh well, I haven't let it stop me from innovating. His current hide could be described as the love child of this design and my son's laptop packaging that Wiggles loves so much. I'll post about that design once I know whether it works or not.

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Wow, you both worked hard on that- it looks really cool- that's sad that Wiggle's isn't appreciative- not yet anyway? I think it might just take a while longer for him to accept it (new materials smell funny)- & maybe he doesn't care for what's inside? Try some moss or something snuggly in there. Or put a "snake-snack" in there, lol.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Wow, you both worked hard on that- it looks really cool- that's sad that Wiggle's isn't appreciative- not yet anyway? I think it might just take a while longer for him to accept it (new materials smell funny)- & maybe he doesn't care for what's inside? Try some moss or something snuggly in there. Or put a "snake-snack" in there, lol.

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Yeah, I put too much into that hide to toss it willy-nilly. It'll get a good long stay in the tub before consider throwing it out. To use a baseball analogy, it disappointed in the major league so it's been sent down to the minors. If it does well there, it'll get another shot at the big leagues. If it doesn't, well, that'll just be too bad.

Wiggles and I had a fun time today. It's the last weekend of the month, so I decided to clean his enclosure. Usually I put him on/in an activity station while I clean both his upper terrarium and lower tub. I decided on a different strategy this time. To make it easier on Wiggles and me, I decided to just clean the half he wasn't using. Later, I would clean the other half. He was in the terrarium, so I decided to clean the tub. Unfortunately, Wiggles found my activity very interesting and he came out to investigate. Since, I couldn't supervise him while I was cleaning, I put him in his pet tent, and, since he was out of the enclosure anyway, I decided to clean the whole thing.

Once I was finished, I decided to put him back. First I spent some time, watching him as he explored his tent and the various recycled containers I had filled it with. I really enjoy watching him go in and out and though all the boxes and bags. Then, I unzipped the flap to let him out. I put my hands in front of the enclosure such that he had to cross them to get out. I'm been trying to teach Wiggles to trust me enough to climb onto my bare hands. He's done it before, but he's still pretty reluctant. He took a while to think it over. He tried to get around them, but, when he saw that he couldn't, he took the chance and climbed out onto me. Once he was out, I put my hand in front of him again, and he climbed on my hand again. At this point, he had been out of his enclosure for quite a while, so I put him back. Seeing Wiggles's trust in me growing is very fulfilling.

I think a lot about what I would say to anyone considering a Children's python as a pet. What is it about these snakes that makes them special? I've decided that, in short, I would say this, "If you're looking for a small, easy to care for, and fun to interact with snake, they're tough to beat."

Great setup there! Reading this made me realise I really need to add a Children's Python Care sheet to https://ballpythonbreeder.co.uk/

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Originally Posted by bpbuk

Great setup there! Reading this made me realise I really need to add a Children's Python Care sheet to https://ballpythonbreeder.co.uk/

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Also an Australian Spotted python- they're slightly larger than a Children's python, but otherwise VERY similar. ;) Either one is an excellent pet.

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Originally Posted by bpbuk

Great setup there! Reading this made me realise I really need to add a Children's Python Care sheet to https://ballpythonbreeder.co.uk/

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Thanks. I look forward to reading it.

I crafted a new hide for Wiggles out of craft foam sheet, and, boy, I'm gonna tell you, this stuff is a lot easier to work with than plywood. You can cut it precisely with a pair of scissors! I used silicone sealant to glue it together because sealant remains flexible when dry and it's waterproof. I made it wedge shaped, roomier in the front and more snug in the back. so he can choose how snub he wants to be. It's just a larger version of the laptop packaging he loves so much.
https://i.imgur.com/krlkrv6.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/imO9Oei.jpg

Wiggles's latest Serpwidgets measurement:
https://i.imgur.com/xK2i7HK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FyTL2TR.jpg
It's 2.56 inches more than his last measurement on February 5th. That's surprising growth since the previous quarter he only grew 0.81 inches. Can't wait to see what next week's weigh-in shows.

Better watch out, I think he's part Anaconda- he's gonna be YUGE! :D

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Better watch out, I think he's part Anaconda- he's gonna be YUGE! :D

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Maybe not "YUGE!", but it's looking less likely he'll top out at 3 ft. The book says, even in the wild, they reach 3 and a half. I was just hoping he'd stay shorter than his enclosure. The extra size will make him a little less delicate to handle. I just just worry he'll feel cramped.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Maybe not "YUGE!", but it's looking less likely he'll top out at 3 ft. The book says, even in the wild, they reach 3 and a half. I was just hoping he'd stay shorter than his enclosure. The extra size will make him a little less delicate to handle. I just just worry he'll feel cramped.

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His growth should slow down at least. To compare, spotted pythons "can" get over 4'- but at 15 years, mine is just about 4'. Both stay a very nice size to handle or house, IMO.

I started putting ice in Wiggles's enclosure and he's loving it. His cool side ambient has been a bit high lately (82F). I don't have central air-conditioning, and it's been hot and humid lately. So, I reached into my recycling bin, grabbed a couple 32oz water bottles, filled and froze them. I use one during the day and switch to the other at night. I put it in the lower tub. Cold air sinks and there is less air flow there, so that's where I reasoned the ice would be more effective. It's only resulted in a 5F drop, but Wiggles hasn't left the tub since I started, so I'm thinking he likes it.

I know all about "hot & humid"-:rolleyes: And I'm glad that's working for you & especially for Wiggles. Hang in there!

Wiggles weighed in at 243 grams tonight. 10 grams more than his last weigh-in on April 18th. It's looks like the 8 gram increase last quarter was no fluke. Just shy of three years old, Wiggles's growth has started to slow down.