A dream made real, Mira the Vietnamese blue beauty rat snake

Bad sheds are NO fun! But I'm glad you helped her get it done- that's what I'd have done. Many snakes don't bite for helping them shed, but this isn't typically one of them, lol.

Also forgot to add that she's already surpassed my corn in weight despite being half his age (he's 122 grams, she's 124). And she was only 33 grams when she first came home to me. Crazy. :O

Within just the past couple days, she's gained a lot of confidence and attitude.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675

Any other occasion I'd see her out in the open she'd crinkle up and freeze. Not this time. Met me head on at the glass and gave those long, slow tongue flicks. She wasn't scared. She was mad. :rofl:

She was oddly quite calm when I handled her the other day. Though I think that was because she was resting at the coolest corner of the enclosure and was a bit sluggish as a result.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675

Wow! She's somethin'.

I love those "rat snake attitudes" too- aren't they fun? :D Though my current snakes are more mellow, with one exception- my Korean rat snake- he's quite sassy. I especially love that rat snakes interact more with their "cage furniture"- they do seem to get more confidence with height to climb in & on- many feel (& are) safer in trees in nature.

Can't believe she's not even a year old yet given her size.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...506&height=675
It's always an event getting her out, especially if she's been warming herself. Not too bad after she's been in my hands for a few minutes though.

You asked for it! :rofl: But I think it's fun having a more high-strung snake that gives some challenge- you learn to have "light hands" & really understand how you're being perceived by the snake- it's a sense of accomplishment "when it works". ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You asked for it! :rofl: But I think it's fun having a more high-strung snake that gives some challenge- you learn to have "light hands" & really understand how you're being perceived by the snake- it's a sense of accomplishment "when it works". ;)

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I did, I did. And she is completely worth it. :gj: Miraculously I didn't get bit this time as she was on a basking shelf when I got her out and thus full of energy (i.e. on an even shorter fuse than normal). I've been trying to use a snake hook with her but she's too lithe and fast so I basically have to "chase" her into a corner until I can carefully grab enough of her body to get a comfortable grip without leaving too much of her front end free that she can whip around and tag me while maneuvering out of the enclosure.

It's been a challenge, but I welcome every second of it. Still can't believe it sometimes when I have her in my hands and it's like, "Wow, I actually did it, my most wanted snake is right here in the flesh."

My Korean rat snake is a lot like that- he hates being handled because it means being restrained- when I need to take him out, I take away his hides & he'll usually dash around his tank but he obviously remembers my touch & the process, as he doesn't try to bite- he's just squirmy while I take him from his home & then let him crawl into his pillowcase while I clean his home. His pillowcase is inside a secure plastic container, I might add. If this snake was ever loose on the floor, I'm quite sure he'd been in full defense mode & not at all fun. But as it is, he "knows the drill". He's not easy to restrain, as he's a very robust (strong) six-footer- he only tolerates brief handling with a light touch.

https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
I love the blue scales along her belly. They're like a prelude to how she'll look as an adult.
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...507&height=676
I've noticed that handling sessions with her go best if I get her out while she's buried in the substrate under one of her hide boxes (which she weirdly tends to do). Since she's cooled down at that point and by the time she's "up to speed" she's already in my hands and used to it. No chasing her around, no tail wagging, no musking, no biting, it's just overall easier and less stressful for both of us.