Comfortable snake?

How can you tell if a snake is comfortable out of his/her tank?

if their just hanging out or exploring rather than trying to run and hide or getting defensive.

Whats the difference between exploring and hiding ? sounds stupid but i need a lil more clarification lol

Id like to know also

Just started holding our new guy today left him time to get comfortable to his new tub.

And well he wont stay still. i set him on the desk and he was gone :P

So idk if hes comfortable or not but when u make ANY slight movement that scares him he balls up and hides for a bit. Then will come out and start moving.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5240/firstdayout.jpg
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/8427/firstdayout1.jpg

Erm, okay... haha this is an oddly specific type question. An exploring snake is not looking for a hiding place, the one's that are looking to run will be fast, their tongues not flickering and they scurry away from any movement. They usually stick their bodies close to a taller object and slither away very quickly in search of somewhere they feel more secure.

An exploring snake will have tongue flickering often, but their flicker time is somewhat extended. They move towards objects with a more purposeful posture, not just to get away from them. Remember, their tongue is like a dog's nose, if they find something interesting they want to explore, they'll use their tongues, move slower, more cautiously, but nevertheless towards the object of their "desire."

Both my bps are the "exploring" type, in and out of their tubs--although the female is more timid and will bolt if something spooks her. They will come up to the side of the tub to "study" me by way of following my movement with their heads and flickering their tongue at me. Occasionally, if they're in my lap or in my hands, they'll even rear up and look me in the eye, but I get really unnerved and put them back because goodness knows I don't want to get bit in the face (because you never really know what they're thinking.)

When it gets used to its surroundings, it will be more comfortable, and act unhurried and not scared when it's out. Give it time. ;)

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

Id like to know also

Just started holding our new guy today left him time to get comfortable to his new tub.

And well he wont stay still. i set him on the desk and he was gone :P

So idk if hes comfortable or not but when u make ANY slight movement that scares him he balls up and hides for a bit. Then will come out and start moving.

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My male normal is like that. They all just have different personalities. Some just wanna explore others just wanna chill and be a wristband. Only time u need to worry about comfort is in the tank itself or unless it's a pissy one that is just striking at you all the time. haha

Well when we took him out today his tongue does flicker alot :P and he seems to go straight up.. I mean like straight up in the air. Like a pole. Then start to go backwards like he is trying to do a back flip lol

But ours seems to like to explore alot.

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

Well when we took him out today his tongue does flicker alot :P and he seems to go straight up.. I mean like straight up in the air. Like a pole. Then start to go backwards like he is trying to do a back flip lol

But ours seems to like to explore alot.

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We call that "periscoping" and it just means they are checkin' stuff out. Usually the more adventurous ones do it.

How can you tell if a snake is comfortable out of his/her tank? Ask them :rofl:

Thanks for the info guys much appreciated

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

We call that "periscoping" and it just means they are checkin' stuff out. Usually the more adventurous ones do it.

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Mine doesn't do that so much while out but I always wondered why he looked like he was trying to flip backwards. I also think I have an "exploration" type as he is pretty active and while he doesn't stay still much while out, he isn't flying off my arm like my CRB tries to do. He just moves slowly and calmly.

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Originally Posted by p3titexburial

An exploring snake will have tongue flickering often, but their flicker time is somewhat extended. They move towards objects with a more purposeful posture, not just to get away from them. Remember, their tongue is like a dog's nose, if they find something interesting they want to explore, they'll use their tongues, move slower, more cautiously, but nevertheless towards the object of their "desire."

;)

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Here is an example of a curious and exploring snake. And thanks to Dianna for posting it. I still think it's funny...


http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ongue+flicking

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

We call that "periscoping" and it just means they are checkin' stuff out. Usually the more adventurous ones do it.

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lol he does it non stop its so funny. He will go so high then fall backwards a bit then do it all over again lol

Falling backwards isn't periscoping. This: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ht=periscoping is periscoping.

I hear that you should not feed a snake in its cage because it will teach the snake feeding is when you open the cage and he may strike you.... But what if i left the mouse in the cage overnight... not actually holding the mouse with tongs .. would this promote the same response?

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Originally Posted by Laxhitman316

I hear that you should not feed a snake in its cage because it will teach the snake feeding is when you open the cage and he may strike you.... But what if i left the mouse in the cage overnight... not actually holding the mouse with tongs .. would this promote the same response?

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If it is a FT mouse, go for it. I know some people have very shy snakes that will eat the mouse over night. If the snake does not eat it over night, remove the dead mouse and try again in a week.

If it is live, you are asking for trouble. A live mouse unattended can possible cause some serious damage to your snake. If can chew and claw the flesh and meat off of your snake. It is better to supervise a live feeding, and if the snake refuses- pull the mouse out and try again in a week :)

I am currently using a F/t Mouse but the mouse that was given to me was about a week ago was freshly killed ... will this matter at all ? Btw he didnt eat a week ago i am reusing the mouse given to me

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Originally Posted by Laxhitman316

I hear that you should not feed a snake in its cage because it will teach the snake feeding is when you open the cage and he may strike you.... But what if i left the mouse in the cage overnight... not actually holding the mouse with tongs .. would this promote the same response?

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I, as well as many other keepers, feed all my snakes in their home enclosure. They aren't stupid. If you don't smell like a mouse and you don't look like a mouse then they shouldn't look at your hand and see food. You only feed once a week. If you go in the cage for any other reason other than feeding then no association between opening the cage and feeding should be made unless you are under feeding your snake and it it constantly hungry.

Thank you and btw K iv been reading alot of your posts your a big help =)

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I, as well as many other keepers, feed all my snakes in their home enclosure. They aren't stupid. If you don't smell like a mouse and you don't look like a mouse then they shouldn't look at your hand and see food. You only feed once a week. If you go in the cage for any other reason other than feeding then no association between opening the cage and feeding should be made unless you are under feeding your snake and it it constantly hungry.

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if you do nothing but just open the cage to feed your snake and clean the cage, they can get "trained" into having a feeding response when the cage is opened, it doesn't have to be underfed, its just all they know. breaking the auto-feed response once its there can be hard tho. Friends of mine have a few snakes that just have an auto-feed response, it almost look like he snake is chasing them until it realizes "oh, wait, thats not food", those snakes arn't handled at all unless I come over lol. watching some BHB videos it looks like they have some snakes that are like that also but, I don't know for sure.

but like Kaorte said, most of us feed in their enclosure and have no problems.

If my snake is biting me.... or striking ... I think it may want to go back into its home...:taz:

Seriously: after having a snake for a long period of time I have got to know many of my babies. I have one GTP he just loves to come out and explore so happy to roam around.

So I just say watch your snake I think it will let u know. Many ball pythons are shy so if u hold them for a period of time it will feel that it’s safe and come out and look around.

Now if a snake is not eating in its first 2 weeks is it ok to handle it at that point or no?

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Originally Posted by Laxhitman316

Now if a snake is not eating in its first 2 weeks is it ok to handle it at that point or no?

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Handling your snake will just make it even more likely to eat. It is best to get a snake eating consistently before handling.

im assuming you mean less likely correct?

Hi,

Yes. She means less likely. :)


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Yes. She means less likely. :)


dr del

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Brain fart!