Apollo is not being a good boy and he looks pink.

So it has been a week since a got Apollo. He ate two days ago so I decided to get him out and weigh him (398g). He was ok when I got him out of his hide but when I was going to get him out of the plastic tub I used to weigh him in, he struck at me. It’s a miracle I didn’t drop the container. So now I am going to be snake shy of course. What is the best way to keep me from getting bit? I’d rather not have a snake I never see nor touch. Also his body seems a little pink. Temps are fine. 92 in hot hide, 84 ambient on hot, 80 on cool. 52% humidity. The thermometer probe is on the glass of the UTH and is controlled by a thermostat with the probe between the UTH and tank. Here are some pics https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a0394e209f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a0e8ac2ac4.jpg


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Might be going into shed. Hard to tell on white snakes. It's an uncomfortable process for them. I'd just leave him be.

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Could be the dog down there on the floor that's pretty close to the snake

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You should be leaving him alone to settle in...you've only had him for a week...you are lucky he ate for you, but you are at fault for him striking...he should be allowed
to settle in for as long as it takes for him to eat 3 times at normal intervals. You don't need a weight on him this minute...just be patient, he's scared! He's in a new
place & there's this giant (you!) hanging around too...:O and instead of worrying about HIM, all you can worry about is being "snake shy" & "not getting bit"? :confusd:

P.S. If you are so afraid of a snake bite that you might drop the container he's in, what are you doing with a pet snake?

P.S. Apollo is just being a snake...he's defending himself. Practice patience...learn to read his body language...nearly all bites are preventable.
You earned this one. Try to imagine how HE feels.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You should be leaving him alone to settle in...you've only had him for a week...you are lucky he ate for you, but you are at fault for him striking...he should be allowed
to settle in for as long as it takes for him to eat 3 times at normal intervals. You don't need a weight on him this minute...just be patient, he's scared! He's in a new
place & there's this giant (you!) hanging around too...:O and instead of worrying about HIM, all you can worry about is being "snake shy" & "not getting bit"? :confusd:

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Ok. Thanks for the info. Could’ve been presented a little different. I read 5-7 days for adjustment but I can definitely wait 3 feedings. No need to be condescending.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You should be leaving him alone to settle in...you've only had him for a week...you are lucky he ate for you, but you are at fault for him striking...he should be allowed
to settle in for as long as it takes for him to eat 3 times at normal intervals. You don't need a weight on him this minute...just be patient, he's scared! He's in a new
place & there's this giant (you!) hanging around too...:O and instead of worrying about HIM, all you can worry about is being "snake shy" & "not getting bit"? :confusd:

P.S. If you are so afraid of a snake bite that you might drop the container he's in, what are you doing with a pet snake?

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P.S. it’s my first snake. I think most people don’t want to get bitten and I wasn’t actually going to drop the container. It was just surprising.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jcd5v

Ok. Thanks for the info. Could’ve been presented a little different....

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I think it was your thread title, blaming the snake for being afraid of you. I will always side with the snakes...;) They get enough blame already.
:welcome: It does get easier to "read" them, but it takes time...they are worth knowing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I think it was your thread title, blaming the snake for being afraid of you. I will always side with the snakes...;) They get enough blame already.
:welcome: It does get easier to "read" them, but it takes time...they are worth knowing.

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Oh ok. I guess I did make it seem that way. Yea I’m watching some more behavior videos. I’ll make sure to leave him alone for the next couple of feedings. I just wanted a weight to better choose his prey items. Thank you for your help! Do you have any ideas about the pink?


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There's 2 kinds of pink:
When a BP (of any color or morph) is going into a shed cycle, their ventral side (underneath, 'tummy') often has a pinkish tint prior to shedding...it's normal.

When an albino snake is small (young), they often look pinkish all over...that's because you're seeing their blood circulation showing thru their pale color, at least
until they get bigger & put on more "padding".

I'm thinking it's the second one you meant? You should see some other hatchlings, like albino king snakes...you can see all sorts of things thru their nearly-trans-
lucent skin & scales when they're young, besides looking pink all over. They do outgrow it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

There's 2 kinds of pink:
When a BP (of any color or morph) is going into a shed cycle, their ventral side (underneath, 'tummy') often has a pinkish tint prior to shedding...it's normal.

When an albino snake is small (young), they often look pinkish all over...that's because you're seeing their blood circulation showing thru their pale color, at least
until they get bigger & put on more "padding".

I'm thinking it's the second one you meant? You should see some other hatchlings, like albino king snakes...you can see all sorts of things thru their nearly-trans-
lucent skin & scales when they're young, besides looking pink all over. They do outgrow it.

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Ok cool. I just wanted to make sure there’s nothing wrong with him because it was the first time I’ve seen the pink on him.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jcd5v

Ok cool. I just wanted to make sure there’s nothing wrong with him because it was the first time I’ve seen the pink on him.


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Or maybe he's blushing...jkg! :D

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Or maybe he's blushing...jkg! :D

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Lol. That’s got to be it!


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You have to be careful to only tell age-appropriate jokes around him, y'know...:rofl:

He is a youngster. I didn’t embarrass or piss him off too bad bc he’s doing his nightly round of the tank.


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As far as avoiding (preventing) snake bites:

You are most likely to get bit when you approach a snake. They do NOT recognize us visually, they don't see that well so to them, we're big & scary, and
instinctively they assume we're a predator heading their way. Same for when we pick them up...the only thing that normally picks them up in the wild is a
predator that is about to have them for dinner.

They DO learn to recognize our scent (their best sense) & our touch. Predators move quickly...so don't. Predators grab for their neck (or tail, as they're fleeing)
so don't. Snakes don't bite the ground they crawl on...so try to be the ground under them while they get used to your scent & touch. Never try to restrain their
head to prevent a bite...they don't like that any more than you or I would appreciate our next door neighbor putting a choke-hold on us instead of just a friendly
wave hello.

Don't worry...snakes would rather not bite us. But if you rush them, you force them to defend themselves.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

As far as avoiding (preventing) snake bites:

You are most likely to get bit when you approach a snake. They do NOT recognize us visually, they don't see that well so to them, we're big & scary, and
instinctively they assume we're a predator heading their way. Same for when we pick them up...the only thing that normally picks them up in the wild is a
predator that is about to have them for dinner.

They DO learn to recognize our scent (their best sense) & our touch. Predators move quickly...so don't. Predators grab for their neck (or tail, as they're fleeing)
so don't. Snakes don't bite the ground they crawl on...so try to be the ground under them while they get used to your scent & touch. Never try to restrain their
head to prevent a bite...they don't like that any more than you or I would appreciate our next door neighbor putting a choke-hold on us instead of just a friendly
wave hello.

Don't worry...snakes would rather not bite us. But if you rush them, you force them to defend themselves.

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Do you have a specific breeder or snake owner that YouTube’s that you prefer? I’ve been watching videos but everything is so conflicting. For example, I just watched a video that said you should grab them as quick as possible. Also do you feed inside or outside the enclosure bc that’s another one that I see a lot of conflicting information on.


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Also since I didn’t see it mentioned yet... best time to weigh is after they’ve had a bowel movement. Weighing two days after feeding will give an artificially high weight because there’s still an entire prey item in the animal.
On the biting and not wanting to get bit subject.. no one “wants” to get bit. But as a snake keeper it’s no longer a matter of IF, but WHEN you will get bit. Luckily a ball python bite, especially from a juvenile, is not unlike being attacked by a barrage of cotton balls lol


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jcd5v

Do you have a specific breeder or snake owner that YouTube’s that you prefer? I’ve been watching videos but everything is so conflicting. For example, I just watched a video that said you should grab them as quick as possible. Also do you feed inside or outside the enclosure bc that’s another one that I see a lot of conflicting information on.


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I've kept a lot of snakes for a LOT of years...since well before YouTube, lol. Don't believe much of what you see on YouTube...many try to impress for ratings & their
own "15 minutes of fame". :rolleyes: So no, sorry...I watch very few YouTubes, I learned by doing. I don't like bites either, not only because they're a (little) ouch, but be-
cause it means I failed & scared my pet. Better to slow down & communicate...they aren't stupid, they do learn, & scaring them isn't helpful in the long run. I rarely
get bites, I've taken many snakes to "meet & greet" the public for education, & I've never had one of my snakes try to bite anyone, ever. They're goodwill ambassadors.

And I ALWAYS feed inside a snake's enclosure...that one's been around forever & it's all wrong. There are plenty of ways to signal to a snake that you aren't going to
feed it..."hook training" is one way (& most here prefer that), though personally for my snakes, I blow air across my hand thru the vented top so they get my scent...
they back off immediately (as if to say "Yuck! you're not what I ordered, I wanted a rat!"). The problems with feeding in another cage are (1) a hungry snake is ready
to bite the first thing coming their way before they eat, but afterwards too! Some stay in "feed mode" for hours or even a day or two. (2) many snakes are shy feeders
and when you handle them, even just to put them in another place to feed, some will NOT eat BECAUSE you handled them; & (3) handling a snake that just ate may also
cause it to hurl what it just ate...it's stressful, even if you manage not to get bit. BPs stay a nice size & aren't that feisty, compared to some other snakes that are really
dangerous to try to handle to put in another cage, & then later to return them; BPs are more likely to just refuse to eat...they are ambush-predators, meaning they like
to lay in wait where they feel secure, until clueless prey happens to pass by them, close enough to grab. They're fussy eaters, better to stick with good habits for them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Also since I didn’t see it mentioned yet... best time to weigh is after they’ve had a bowel movement. Weighing two days after feeding will give an artificially high weight because there’s still an entire prey item in the animal.
On the biting and not wanting to get bit subject.. no one “wants” to get bit. But as a snake keeper it’s no longer a matter of IF, but WHEN you will get bit. Luckily a ball python bite, especially from a juvenile, is not unlike being attacked by a barrage of cotton balls lol


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I keep hearing that. I think it’s more of the anticipation I guess. If that makes sense. I’m sure it won’t hurt. I’d rather get bit by a snake than a cat. I’ll probably feel better about it after I do get bit to be honest.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I've kept a lot of snakes for a LOT of years...since well before YouTube, lol. Don't believe much of what you see on YouTube...many try to impress for ratings & their
own "15 minutes of fame". :rolleyes: So no, sorry...I watch very few YouTubes, I learned by doing. I don't like bites either, not only because they're a (little) ouch, but be-
cause it means I failed & scared my pet. Better to slow down & communicate...they aren't stupid, they do learn, & scaring them isn't helpful in the long run. I rarely
get bites, I've taken many snakes to "meet & greet" the public for education, & I've never had one of my snakes try to bite anyone, ever. They're goodwill ambassadors.

And I ALWAYS feed inside a snake's enclosure...that one's been around forever & it's all wrong. There are plenty of ways to signal to a snake that you aren't going to
feed it..."hook training" is one way (& most here prefer that), though personally for my snakes, I blow air across my hand thru the vented top so they get my scent...
they back off immediately (as if to say "Yuck! you're not what I ordered, I wanted a rat!"). The problems with feeding in another cage are (1) a hungry snake is ready
to bite the first thing coming their way before they eat, but afterwards too! Some stay in "feed mode" for hours or even a day or two. (2) many snakes are shy feeders
and when you handle them, even just to put them in another place to feed, some will NOT eat BECAUSE you handled them; & (3) handling a snake that just ate may also
cause it to hurl what it just ate...it's stressful, even if you manage not to get bit. BPs stay a nice size & aren't that feisty, compared to some other snakes that are really
dangerous to try to handle to put in another cage, & then later to return them; BPs are more likely to just refuse to eat...they are ambush-predators, meaning they like
to lay in wait where they feel secure, until clueless prey happens to pass by them, close enough to grab. They're fussy eaters, better to stick with good habits for them.

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In the cage it is then. That’s what I had decided and what I did the first time I fed, but a friend brought it up again today. It makes a lot more sense to feed inside when it all factors are considered.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jcd5v

...I just watched a video that said you should grab them as quick as possible...

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Here's the thing: if you like getting bit, you should follow that advice, because when you keep acting like a predator to a snake, it will never learn to trust you & relax.
Me, I enjoy handling snakes that know they have nothing to fear from me, & it's up to US to convey that thru the way we handle them.

Can you imagine being a snake...nearsighted, deaf, & then here comes this giant creature that grabs you! -like a predator would! Does that seem friendly to you?

I've talked to snake keepers who persist in doing things like that...they insist that snakes can never be trusted not to bite. Wonder why...:rolleyes: If you want to be trusted,
you have to be trustworthy. It's a "two way street".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Here's the thing: if you like getting bit, you should follow that advice, because when you keep acting like a predator to a snake, it will never learn to trust you & relax.
Me, I enjoy handling snakes that know they have nothing to fear from me, & it's up to US to convey that thru the way we handle them.

Can you imagine being a snake...nearsighted, deaf, & then here comes this giant creature that grabs you! -like a predator would! Does that seem friendly to you?

I've talked to snake keepers who persist in doing things like that...they insist that snakes can never be trusted not to bite. Wonder why...:rolleyes: If you want to be trusted,
you have to be trustworthy. It's a "two way street".

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Makes sense. I am actually fear free certified with dogs and cats and have seen how that approach can really make a difference in their vet visits so I think your approach is the one I’m going to take. Let him get used to his home and let him know he’s going to get everything he needs.

Do you recommend messing around in his cage pretty frequently? Just like changing water more often than normal (not like moving stuff around) just so that he’s getting used to my hands being in the cage and my scent?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jcd5v

... I’d rather get bit by a snake than a cat. I’ll probably feel better about it after I do get bit to be honest...

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Snake bites aren't a big deal (other than giant snakes or venomous, of course). If you want to know what snake teeth feel like, poke your finger with a safety pin, &
then multiply that by 20 or so. A bite will bleed a little but it's rare for a harmless snake bite to even get infected. Of all the pets you can get bit by, snakes are the
best: dogs do a lot more damage, as do cats (and carry LOTS of germs!)...even a cute little parakeet can take a chunk of skin. Snake bites generally heal quickly
because very little damage is done...just a series of little pin-sticks...you'll probably be disappointed, lol. Try not to jerk your hand away though...when you do that,
you can break off the snake teeth under your skin...they can be very hard to see & remove, not to mention it's hard on your snake's mouth.

I've gotten bit twice by juvenile BPs. One drew virtually no blood (~200g BP), just 3 tiny drops, and was more an adrenaline rush than painful. The other didn't even manage to break any skin. A bite kind of feels like someone giving you a strong prod with a small piece of the sharp side on velcro. Way less painful than a cat scratch or even scratches I get from my dog when he is too enthusiastic about his "shake hands" trick and gets my forearm. I doubt it would be much different at 400g since I've raised one up to 1,000g and the head size change between 200 to 400g was not that much. Maybe a few more tooth-marks, but not likely any deeper or more painful.

The other was a 80g BP who bit me clean on the lip! Absolutely no blood drawn or marks at all, and even less painful.

Both were my mistake. The first I had set a newer snake on top of the table nearby while I wiped down his tub for cleaning, when I reached for him (halfway between the front and side/below), he grabbed my thumb; he's a very shy guy as I've learned, so I accommodate him a bit differently now for his comfort.

The 2nd was one who failed to shed her tail and I was inspecting it to decide on if a damp cloth would get it or to leave it for the next shed, but due to forgetting my glasses, I was closer than I should've been, somewhat looming over her in my lap, and paying attention to the wrong end. Didn't even see it coming and didn't even feel remotely painful... more of a shock that I realized after she had bit my lip.

Here's what a ~200g BP bite looks like.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...275d226abd.jpg

Don't mind the blood toward my palm, that was just smeared there from the other spot when I was putting him back before I took the pictures.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0c278bb543.jpg

Once I washed up, only 2 of the tiny marks were even visible at all, no scabs.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Snake bites aren't a big deal (other than giant snakes or venomous, of course). If you want to know what snake teeth feel like, poke your finger with a safety pin, &
then multiply that by 20 or so. A bite will bleed a little but it's rare for a harmless snake bite to even get infected. Of all the pets you can get bit by, snakes are the
best: dogs do a lot more damage, as do cats (and carry LOTS of germs!)...even a cute little parakeet can take a chunk of skin. Snake bites generally heal quickly
because very little damage is done...just a series of little pin-sticks...you'll probably be disappointed, lol. Try not to jerk your hand away though...when you do that,
you can break off the snake teeth under your skin...they can be very hard to see & remove, not to mention it's hard on your snake's mouth.

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Yea the vet I work with told me she got bit in vet school and to not jerk. I’ve been bit by an amazon parrot and I will tell you that was the worst bite. She didn’t let go either. Bled everywhere and then almost passed out from all of my blood.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jcd5v

Makes sense. I am actually fear free certified with dogs and cats and have seen how that approach can really make a difference in their vet visits so I think your approach is the one I’m going to take. Let him get used to his home and let him know he’s going to get everything he needs.

Do you recommend messing around in his cage pretty frequently? Just like changing water more often than normal (not like moving stuff around) just so that he’s getting used to my hands being in the cage and my scent?


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That reminds me...I've never had one of my snakes bite a vet, no matter what they do. When your snake learns to feel safe with you, it appears to carry over to others.
"Fear-free certified with dogs & cats" sounds like much the same...:gj:

And no, at least not for the first couple weeks just let him settle. Right now, it's like he was abducted by aliens...when a snake is re-homed, it's very scary...in the wild
they learn their way around in order to survive (where to hide & where to take shelter), so a new place is confusing & even threatening. What some people do is take an
old shirt they've worn (so it has their scent) & put in in the cage for the snake to lay on & get used to. Personally I don't bother, but it couldn't hurt, it's not a bad idea.

BTW, if you reach into the cage to "tidy up", you are more apt to get bit...;) your snake won't connect that with "you" yet, he doesn't yet know or trust you. But it won't
really take long...you have plenty of time once he's more relaxed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That reminds me...I've never had one of my snakes bite a vet, no matter what they do. When your snake learns to feel safe with you, it appears to carry over to others.
"Fear-free certified with dogs & cats" sounds like much the same...:gj:

And no, at least not for the first couple weeks just let him settle. Right now, it's like he was abducted by aliens...when a snake is re-homed, it's very scary...in the wild
they learn their way around in order to survive (where to hide & where to take shelter), so a new place is confusing & even threatening. What some people do is take an
old shirt they've worn (so it has their scent) & put in in the cage for the snake to lay on & get used to. Personally I don't bother, but it couldn't hurt, it's not a bad idea.

BTW, if you reach into the cage to "tidy up", you are more apt to get bit...;) your snake won't connect that with "you" yet, he doesn't yet know or trust you. But it won't
really take long...you have plenty of time once he's more relaxed.

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Yea hopefully 20 years or so. Thanks for the help! I’m gonna take it slow from here on out.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jcd5v

Yea hopefully 20 years or so. Thanks for the help! I’m gonna take it slow from here on out...

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Anytime...that's why we hang around here, 'cause we love these animals & want them to be understood so they are well-cared for. A snake that's frightened & bites
all the time will soon become a tiresome & unwanted snake that's "free to any home". I've taken in my share of those & turned them around into calm sweet pets.

BTW, don't think we don't know how hard it is to leave a new pet alone to settle in for a few weeks...;) but it's easier when you understand why. I think you'll be
good at this...you seem to get it. :snake:

Bogertophis has given you some amazing advice here. He is spot on.

I have seen so many people get snakes off of craigslist whose owners put them up for free on Craigslist because they were "bitey" or "mean", only to turn around and be docile, handleable, sweet pets. In the right care these snakes will do a complete 180 and never try to bite a person again. I suspect that much of these snakes acted out because people get them, and immediately start showing them off to their buddies, not allowing the snakes to settle in.

I definitely don’t want him to end up “free to good home.” I’ve always viewed pets as a commitment for life bc they never asked to be kept as pets. We forced them into it so if I can’t give them the best care possible then I shouldn’t have pets.


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Originally Posted by Treeman

Bogertophis has given you some amazing advice here. He is spot on....

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Thanks, except that I am not now, nor have I ever been, a "he". :wuv:
:rofl:

Wellp...my most sincere apologies! :crying::crying::crying:
Some may remember me doing this to Deborah not too long ago....Get it together Sean!!! (hits self in face)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

Could be the dog down there on the floor that's pretty close to the snake

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My first little girl, Freya, only struck out once and it was because my dog was in the room. Lesson learned, snakes have their own room now and dogs are not allowed in!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by mandymg86

My first little girl, Freya, only struck out once and it was because my dog was in the room. Lesson learned, snakes have their own room now and dogs are not allowed in!

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I will definitely kick them out next time. I wasn’t doing a very good job of thinking like a snake, but I will do much better next time.


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@Bogertophis has given you lots of great advice. I would have mimicked a lot of what she said.

She's a very experienced keeper with lots of knowledge. She's definitely trustworthy, so I'll just say "copy that" since you seem very receptive to her advice.

I'll just chime in with this: you are much better off learning here than from YouTube. Granted the internet is a fantastic resource, it's also a fantastic platform for false information and well, just plain stupidity. People can put videos on YouTube with no experience or common sense whatsoever. Granted the same can happen here, but here you'll be able to find the experienced, reputable keepers pretty quickly.
So, learn from the right people, cross reference multiple sources and learn from your snake. Just watching YOUR animal and learning body language, mannerisms, etc... will go a long way.

As for bites, I always say this: you hang around the barber shop long enough and you're gonna end up getting a hair cut. Hang out with clowns, you'll wind up with paint on your face. Keep snakes long enough, you're going to get bit.
The good news is, unless you get into some larger snakes it won't hurt much. Cat scratches, stubbed toes, hang nails, hamster bites, biting your cheek/toungue, a bee sting, a tattoo, a wedgie, etc, etc..,etc.....all hurt worse than a bite from a snake (again, until you're talking big snakes).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Thanks, except that I am not now, nor have I ever been, a "he". :wuv:
:rofl:

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You know... I thought you were a man also. There have been a few times you've said things that made me think you weren't though. Your user name seems like a Male name to me:oops:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SquirmyPug

You know... I thought you were a man also. There have been a few times you've said things that made me think you weren't though. Your user name seems like a Male name to me:oops:

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My "nickname" comes from one of my favorite snakes (Bogertophis subocularis, aka Trans Pecos rat snakes) & was meant to inspire curiosity & maybe a giggle. ;)
Sorry for any confusion, no big deal...de nada. Truth is, I don't guess everyone correctly either. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SquirmyPug

You know... I thought you were a man also. There have been a few times you've said things that made me think you weren't though. Your user name seems like a Male name to me:oops:

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Guilty of the same. After reading through this post, I have to say, I honestly look forward to her advice. It's been spot on anytime I've posted questions or concerns, and a lot of her answers help me become a better handler.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

My "nickname" comes from one of my favorite snakes (Bogertophis subocularis, aka Trans Pecos rat snakes) & was meant to inspire curiosity & maybe a giggle. ;)
Sorry for any confusion, no big deal...de nada. Truth is, I don't guess everyone correctly either. :D

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I knew where your name was from :) and it isn't confusing haha just more of a surprise because I'm usually pretty good at guessing, both because of the name and the way you speak.. errr... text... type.. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mandymg86

Guilty of the same. After reading through this post, I have to say, I honestly look forward to her advice. It's been spot on anytime I've posted questions or concerns, and a lot of her answers help me become a better handler.

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Are you following me though the forum?? :O:P

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Originally Posted by SquirmyPug

Are you following me though the forum?? :O:P

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Maybe...[emoji6]

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by mandymg86

... I honestly look forward to her advice. It's been spot on anytime I've posted questions or concerns, and a lot of her answers help me become a better handler.

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Thank you, that makes my day. But just for the record, I have no desire to be the only source of information here...like most keepers, I have areas of specialty & areas
where I defer to others. I have kept ball pythons in the past, & I've bred some kinds of snakes in the past, but I never bred ball pythons, nor do I stay up on all of the
morphs, for example. What makes a forum like this so special is that we have many voices to chime in with their best information on various topics...many heads are
better than one. We don't all agree on everything either, & that's where your own experience & common sense comes in, when you decide what to trust & what to try.
There are many members here whose input I value & thank also. It's all about doing our best for the :snake:ssssss.

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Originally Posted by mandymg86

Maybe...[emoji6]

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OOOhhh.. well then... you don't have to hide in the shadows and around corners to follow me ;) haha

So now that I’ve added a few more snakes to the collection and have a really docile mystic ghost bp, I’ve decided I’m going to take it super slow with Apollo. I’m going to try just lifting his hide and standing by the cage for a few days. Then I will touch him for a few days. And then I will finally pick him up for short periods of time. I think by going this slow it will help introduce me as not a predator.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jcd5v

So now that I’ve added a few more snakes to the collection and have a really docile mystic ghost bp, I’ve decided I’m going to take it super slow with Apollo. I’m going to try just lifting his hide and standing by the cage for a few days. Then I will touch him for a few days. And then I will finally pick him up for short periods of time. I think by going this slow it will help introduce me as not a predator.


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Re "lifting his hide and standing by the cage..." -that may or may not get you the response you're after ;) -many years ago when I was in a local pet store (where they
knew me well as an experienced snake-keeper) they asked me to take a look at a rat snake they had trouble with, always biting them when they tried to take it out to
show. Obviously this kept killing their sale.:rolleyes: What they were doing "wrong" was taking the hide away, then trying to pick up the snake: from the snake's perspective
a huge scary predator was coming right at him & now he had nowhere to hide! :O Panic! Not a "mean snake" at all: all I did was slide my hand under the hide to gently
touch & then lift out the snake...he never bit me, & never got upset, though I'm sure he was surprised, lol. That was a yearling Everglades rat snake by the way...I ended
up taking the little cutie home. (I'm an easy sell for rat snakes, lol.) Anyway, you are welcome to try what you described...snakes aren't all the same, but remember their
best senses are touch & scent...the way I gently touched that snake told him I wasn't a threat. When a snake gets to know you, they'll recognize your scent & that can be
used to reassure them (from a little distance) when you approach also.

You aren't the only one that doesn't feel comfortable risking a bite, that's why many like to use a small snake hook (or really anything similar, even the cardboard tube
from a roll of paper towels) just to gently touch the snake without getting "within range". Just pay close attention to his reactions, that will tell you if you're on the right
track. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Re "lifting his hide and standing by the cage..." -that may or may not get you the response you're after ;) -many years ago when I was in a local pet store (where they
knew me well as an experienced snake-keeper) they asked me to take a look at a rat snake they had trouble with, always biting them when they tried to take it out to
show. Obviously this kept killing their sale.:rolleyes: What they were doing "wrong" was taking the hide away, then trying to pick up the snake: from the snake's perspective
a huge scary predator was coming right at him & now he had nowhere to hide! :O Panic! Not a "mean snake" at all: all I did was slide my hand under the hide to gently
touch & then lift out the snake...he never bit me, & never got upset, though I'm sure he was surprised, lol. That was a yearling Everglades rat snake by the way...I ended
up taking the little cutie home. (I'm an easy sell for rat snakes, lol.) Anyway, you are welcome to try what you described...snakes aren't all the same, but remember their
best senses are touch & scent...the way I gently touched that snake told him I wasn't a threat. When a snake gets to know you, they'll recognize your scent & that can be
used to reassure them (from a little distance) when you approach also.

You aren't the only one that doesn't feel comfortable risking a bite, that's why many like to use a small snake hook (or really anything similar, even the cardboard tube
from a roll of paper towels) just to gently touch the snake without getting "within range". Just pay close attention to his reactions, that will tell you if you're on the right
track. ;)

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Great advice! Thank you for your help!


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Hey, by the way...is he eating OK for you now? If not, don't handle yet...make sure he's eaten a couple times, then work on hanging out together.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Hey, by the way...is he eating OK for you now? If not, don't handle yet...make sure he's eaten a couple times, then work on hanging out together.

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Yes! He’s fed 3-4 times like a champ.


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Awesome! So yeah, he can handle something new now...

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Awesome! So yeah, he can handle something new now...

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I’m hoping my newest one will be just as good of an eater and I wasn’t just lucky with him.


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