Sushi - Progression Thread

[fadingdaylight]

I have been meaning to get around to this for a little while now. I have actually had Sushi for 6 weeks, but I will start from the beginning. I apologize for being long winded here, but this has been a significant event in my life.

A little backstory here, I have been absolutely terrified of snakes for most of my life. When I was a kid, I was out on a Cub Scout hike and I almost stepped on one, and it left a mark on me. Years later, while I was in basic training, I had another, almost identical, encounter. I also had some ingrained idea in my head that I hated sushi, or that it could kill me, or something like that, until a few months ago, when I tried it and realized I love it.

A few months ago, I started taking an interest in snakes, in spite of my fears, and of course turned to looking at the types commonly kept as pets. After a few weeks , I decided that a ball python would likely be the best choice for me, and went about researching their care requirements, husbandry, etc. I decided to swing by Petsmart to see if they had one that I could get a closer look at. At this point, I had no intention of actually buying one, and certainly not from a pet shop, I just wanted a better feel for what I was considering.

Anyhow, they had 3 BPs when I went by, 2 normal and a pastel. One of the two normal was darker than the other and caught my eye. I asked the lady if I could hold it, to which she obliged, to my surprise (this makes me wonder how these poor animals get by, being picked up by random people all day). It was an exhilarating experience, and when I went to put the snake back, it constricted around my wrist as if to say "I don't want to go back" (yeah, yeah, don't personify the reptile, I know, I'm just describing a fleeting experience).

My wife wanted to handle the pastel, which refused to be taken from it's enclosure. We were told that they had all just arrived that day. We were also told (incorrectly) that they were all a month old. And a few other inaccuracies. Anyhow, I realized that one I had handled showed no warning signs of health issues, mites, or even fear. Long tongue flicks, uncoiled slowly, etc., and seemed to be okay with me handling it. So naturally, I did what beginners do, and went back and bought it. But, I'm really glad that I did. In spite of the horror stories coming from these big box pet shops, Sushi has been a true success story. Eats like a champ, is alert and curious, isn't fearful or reactive/aggressive.

Sushi has not yet been sexed, I refrained from doing anything unnecessary during the first few weeks, focusing on feeding and settling in instead. A vet visit, to the closest reptile vet, for a fecal and probing, is in the near future, so gender will be announced in the coming weeks.

Here is a picture from the first night, March 1.



More to follow shortly...