Monty's First Photoshoot

Well, a bit of a story behind this. I'm not ashamed to say that I have still not handled Monty. I am actually really nervous! He was at the front of the tank this evening and I touched him on his tail and he recoiled somewhat, which made me even more nervous :) I did stroke him for a while but and half picked him up when he started to ball up. He them slithered off at a semi fast pace and went on his basking log. Don't be too harsh on me :) I so want to hold him, but god I am nervous.

Anyway, I took the opportunity to take some shots of his Lordship. I used a couple of focus points, just wanted to see detail at this stage more than anything. I used 2 cameras. a Sony RX100 and a Nikon D800 with a 1.8F prime lens.

http://www.shaggysworld.com/snake/shoot/1.JPG

http://www.shaggysworld.com/snake/shoot/2.JPG

http://www.shaggysworld.com/snake/shoot/3.JPG

http://www.shaggysworld.com/snake/shoot/4.JPG

Nice pics!

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Nice pictures of a very nice snake. As far as handling, you can do it! Take a deep breath, put on a glove, and swoop the little critter up. He'll be putty in your hands in no time. ;)

Beautiful!

has he hissed or struck? if he has, leave him be some more. otherwise I agree with Ziggy. take the leap of faith and scoop him up.

You even don't need gloves, it doesn't hurts when a ball python bites. Just do it ! [emoji106][emoji123]🏼


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No he has never hissed or struck or even looked as though he is going too . I just need to grow a pair :)

Monty, you take some beautiful pictures... My fav is the 3rd one, looks kinda 3-D i mean all of them do but the 3rd the most.. BEAUTIFUL PICS....:gj:

Thanks ! Many more pics to come I hope :) I have some interesting props for him.

HLH Reptiles has some informative videos on handling BP's, reading body language, and working with defensive behaviour.

Shaggy I love all your post. You and Monty crack me up :D

Those are some AWESOME pictures. can’t wait to see more of little Monty. For handling, its often times much better to be decisive and just go in for the snake (not with super-fast jerky motions obviously but with confidence go in and pick that beautiful little bugger up). If he’s not hissing and balled up the last time there does not seem to be much chance of him striking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AllThatInThemGenes

Shaggy I love all your post. You and Monty crack me up :D

Those are some AWESOME pictures. can’t wait to see more of little Monty. For handling, its often times much better to be decisive and just go in for the snake (not with super-fast jerky motions obviously but with confidence go in and pick that beautiful little bugger up). If he’s not hissing and balled up the last time there does not seem to be much chance of him striking.

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What I noticed was if I touched the tip of his tail he did not seem to like that an awful lot. Did not his, but seemed to make him jump. I almost had him picked up last night, but as I lifted him up he went off at speed :) Straight to the log. then just stared at me :) I was taking pictures for a long time, only a few inches from him and he was fine.

I have not seen pictures of you Shaggy but i know your bigger than Monty ;) don’t let him scare you

Don’t hesitate when you go to pick him up and before you know it he will be sitting in your hand. The tip of a snake’s tail is delicate, they know it and don’t really like attention put there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AllThatInThemGenes

I have not seen pictures of you Shaggy but i know your bigger than Monty ;) don’t let him scare you

Don’t hesitate when you go to pick him up and before you know it he will be sitting in your hand. The tip of a snake’s tail is delicate, they know it and don’t really like attention put there.

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Understood. Going to give it a go tonight!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by distaff

HLH Reptiles has some informative videos on handling BP's, reading body language, and working with defensive behaviour.

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Nice point, One thing i perform is a blow of air at the BP just to let them know that the owner is not looking to get bit but wants to remove you for something..... :gj: pretty hard for a strike if the snake is coiled up(head under body type coil)..

Shaggy,

One of the best parts about owning a snake, IMO, is building that mutual trust between yourself and your pet. I was very nervous when I had my first snake, but with time you learn to trust one another, and the shyness, for both parties, fades away. My new Mojave is already getting use to me from handling. If I go to hand her to my wife, she starts leaning back toward me :). You just gotta take the plunge. It's a bit nerve racking in the beginning, but trust me, it's worth it. My mother even asked me why I got another snake and how I can bond to a snake. Simple answer to her was that she doesn't understand and that you actually can bond to a snake. Take a deep breath, and go for it, just let him sit in your hand and let him be the judge of what he would like to do or where to go next. Show him that you mean no harm. You'll be fine. :) Great looking snake btw, good luck with it.

sharp pics:gj:

Ok so I grew a pair :) No gloves just went straight in. Me and Monty are now officially buddies :) Thanks for all you awesome advice!!! I just had him out for 5 mins tonight.

http://www.shaggysworld.com/snake/hold.jpeg

Gorgeous! What a cute tongue flick!

amazing

I went down to check on him this morning, as I always do and he is sitting in his water bowl. Never seen that before.

That is a sign of mites. could be nothing...but you want to be on the look out for tiny black dots left behind in the water bowl and on the animal (especially the head). I would deffently recommend checking everday because its a new snake and unfortunatly they sometimes to come with them. again, could be nothing.

Will check tonight. I had him out last night and there was no sign.