Bonsai! Russian Rat Snake (Progression)

[hilabeans]

It’s happened. I have snake. After months of lurking, learning, preparing and anticipating, we have a beautiful addition to the family. Allow me to introduce Bonsai, my Russian Rat Snake (elaphe schrenkii). Bonsai is my first ever snake and I am ridiculously excited about him.

Technically his mom is my 13-year-old daughter. She has been asking for years for a snake because she loves them so. I’ve always said no because, … well, because snake!? Until one day it dawned on me that I didn’t have to say no. All of a sudden it became a research project for her and me both, and we’ve had an amazing time together learning all there is to know about pet snakes. For those of you with pre-teen/teen daughters, wonderful mother/daughter bonding moments can be tough, if not darn near impossible, to come by. So this project has been an unexpected and delightful gift!

I came into this thinking a BP was the way to go and quite accidentally stumbled upon the elaphe schrenkii in a few new and old threads (thank you redshepherd & zina10!). I can’t begin to brag enough on this little guy. I am blown away by his outgoing and curious disposition. Even as a wispy hatchling, he’s so personable! He’s eaten eagerly and immediately for me. He’s rarely out of view and actually comes to the sides of his tub to check us out when we’re around him. Not to be all project-y with human emotions, but he really seems to have a ton of self-confidence! And is not at all persnickety about husbandry. A little warm spot with a UTH of about 80-82 degrees, some hides and clutter, and a water bowl about does it.

My pics aren’t great, just crappy camera phone. But he’s so content to just hang out in my hand and let me sweet talk him for as long as I feel like it. I really can’t say enough about him! This snake is AWESOME and we love him!











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