Wiggles, the Children's Python

[Homebody]

It's Wiggles's third hatchday and I haven't gotten him anything. Fortunately for me, he's a snake and doesn't know it's his hatchday. Maybe, I'll get him one of those Hol-ee Roller dog toys other keepers have suggested to me, but I'm not sure what size to buy. The holes make me nervous. I wouldn't want him to get stuck. A large one would probably be o.k., but I'll have to see one in person before I buy.



There won't be a party either. Wiggles is sleeping off last night's dinner. So, it's looking like it's going to be a super chill hatchday. But just because we won't be celebrating, doesn't diminish the fact that his third hatchday is a cause for celebration. I love the little guy so much and I'm so happy he's in my life.

[Bogertophis]

Happy Hatchday, Wiggles!

That's a good idea to check out a Hol-ee Roller ball in person, & remember not to let him play right after a meal also, as he'll be fatter then. I think he'll probably like it. One good thing about them is that they'd be easy to cut with scissors IF a snake ever got stuck.

[OatBoii]

Happy Hatchday Wiggles!! What an exciting time c:

My mother used to have several mastiffs, and I remember seeing those types of balls. I believe there are definitely ones where I wouldn't be worried about Wiggles at all, but there are others I would be. I think an in-person look is probably for the best. Please send pics if you find one though!

[Homebody]

Some pics of Wiggles during a rare daytime play session.

[Bogertophis]

He's pretty creative & used to exploring. So when are you going to hide his food & see if he can find it? (not that containing him after that would be fun...)

[Homebody]

He's pretty creative & used to exploring. So when are you going to hide his food & see if he can find it? (not that containing him after that would be fun...)

Good question. The foraging exercise I had planned was to hide a Reptilink and a hopper and see which he'd go for first. So, i thought I would wait 6 months, until he's firmly established on Reptilinks. That day's coming up (9/14), but it's probably a good idea to start off with something simpler. Today's feeding day. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Homebody]

I'll let you know how it goes.

As an enrichment activity, it was a resounding success. As a method for feeding him, it was a resounding failure. To prepare, I just warmed the Reptilink in my hand. I can get it to about 92F that way, and that's usually sufficient. I hid the link in a small box and placed it in his play tent. I filled the rest of the tent with crumpled newspaper (my recycling bin was empty). He found it within 5 minutes. I was really impressed. But he came back out of the box without the link, and started searching again. My theory is that, while he didn't want the lukewarm Reptilink, it did whet his appetite. So, he went searching for something else to eat. I let him search for about a half hour before changing the plan.

Next, I decided to just place the Reptilink on his basking spot reasoning that the link's temperature was the reason he found it unappetizing. He showed more interest this time. He wrapped it. Nuzzled it, but ultimately left it. So, I removed the link. He had been playing with the link for an hour at this point, and still didn't want it. I was afraid he was getting sick of it. I figured I'd give him a little break, then target train his as I usually do.

That worked. The target training went perfectly. I put a little extra heat on the link by warming it in a bowl of hot water. Judging by his quick strike and wrap, he appreciated that.

So, I think the problem was temperature of link. I'm not really sure how I can keep it from cooling during the exercise. I could put extra heat on it. He found it quickly, so that might work. Or, I could just wait until he's really hungry, Like after a shed. Anyway, we both had a good time. We both learned something. So, I'd say the exercise was entirely worthwhile.

[Bogertophis]

Very interesting results. I can see where a snake with heat pits are going to be more in tune with the temperature of the prey (or link, in this case).

BTW, my Spotted Python has done a few things differently this year: this is the first year that she went off eating for several months in the winter. She's normally fed pre-killed prey from tongs (temps. vary) & has always been voracious- but this year her appetite took a few months to return after her winter fast.

Then last night as I was feeding snakes, she appeared to be hungry, but then didn't take the prey from the tongs, so I just left it. Sure enough, in a little while she snarfed it down. (-so obviously, it wasn't warm! And I make no attempt to warm prey for her, EVER.) She did the same thing with a second item I left for her (both small weaned mice*). I should note that her prior (& light) meal was only about a week ago, so this was really a bit soon to feed. (I don't stick to a strict schedule with my snakes, & at times it can be 3 weeks between meals, but usually it's 2 weeks.)

Also, fyi- she is about 15 years old. And she's well-fed, neither skinny or overweight. And for perspective*, she is about 4' long but has a somewhat narrow gape, so small mice are a better fit, & for her size, 2 is not inappropriate.

Very interesting & alert snakes, Antaresia. Great choice for a pet, though maybe not for a very first time keeper, just in case you get a nippy one. I understand some are, though mine has never been a nipper. (And at least they can only do small nips- )

[Homebody]

Despite how closely related our two snakes are, they are very different. I wonder if that's due their differing species, age, sex, our different styles of care, or just plain old personality. I guess it just goes to show that there are a lot of different ways to be wonderful.

[Bogertophis]

Despite how closely related our two snakes are, they are very different. I wonder if that's due their differing species, age, sex, our different styles of care, or just plain old personality. I guess it just goes to show that there are a lot of different ways to be wonderful.

I absolutely agree- snakes are individuals, always. You can only learn & assume generalized things about the species, but then you have to go from there & learn about the one YOU'VE got. So I appreciate you sharing your observations & experiences here. Anyone who thinks a snake is a snake like all the others of the same or similar species has a lot to learn. Keeps things interesting-