Look what followed me home

[ZinniaZ]

Yeah, I know! We have to be sure to stay friends NOW!

Meaning Anna Beauty and me. NOt stalking you Michelle!

[Michelle.C]

Meaning Anna Beauty and me. NOt stalking you Michelle!

haha! I figured. Seriously though, you don't want a 9' Old World Rat Snake chewing on you. So, good idea. Make friends now, less pain later.

[ZinniaZ]

She is mellow and docile right now. Have to leave her alone and let her settle in, but then I plan to be sure to get her handled because I really enjoy her and I don't want to wreck ehr personality!

I do have a few questions. I think I misunderstood the breeder's instructions on enclosure requirements. I checked some BB care sheets and one said they should be in no smaller than a 20 long even as hatchlings. I thought she could be in a tub for a little while and then I'd move her to my 20 gallon Visionarium, but am thinking the tub is too small. Any input? And if she needs the larger space, should I move her immediately or let her settle in in the small one for a week then move her?

Second issue-- once she is settled in an enclosure, whichever that may be, how often do you handle yours? What is optimum to help them be comfortable without overfacing them>?

[Blu Mongoose]

Nice blue beauty! I know you will enjoy her so much!!

[Bruce Whitehead]

Wow... congrats, they truly are an exquisite snake aren't they?

I think she ended up in the right home.

[Michelle.C]

I do have a few questions. I think I misunderstood the breeder's instructions on enclosure requirements. I checked some BB care sheets and one said they should be in no smaller than a 20 long even as hatchlings. I thought she could be in a tub for a little while and then I'd move her to my 20 gallon Visionarium, but am thinking the tub is too small. Any input? And if she needs the larger space, should I move her immediately or let her settle in in the small one for a week then move her?

Second issue-- once she is settled in an enclosure, whichever that may be, how often do you handle yours? What is optimum to help them be comfortable without overfacing them>?

If she's a yearling (and younger), a 15qt (and above) tub is fine. People like to give Blue Beauties lots of space because they are semi-arboreal. If there is plenty of room in her tub, I'd much rather use a tub over a tank. If it's a small tub, go ahead and replace it with a slightly larger one.

My pair isn't really what you'd call "friendly". They are tolerant as long as you don't have a snake hook or camera, but they still dislike me. I handle them a few times a week for a few minutes. Just to check them over and try and keep them calm for future handling.

Now when my eggies hatch, I'm going to holdback one and try to make it a bit more friendly than my semi-evil duo.

Handling them a few times a week won't hurt anything. Just make sure she's eating, pooping, etc. If she's doing all of that, you aren't stressing her out by handling her.

[ZinniaZ]

That was the impression I had of them, personality wise. I really hope this little girl maintains her sort of curious and docile temperament. Her mom is like this but her dad is a bit evil, according to the breeder. She needed to not be bugged by the time she was all set up tonight though. She gave a little rattle as I put the last dish in her tub and tucked her in. So, I think I;ll put her in the next size tub tomorrow and let her be quiet for a while. YAY. I just love her.

She is approx seven months.

[ZinniaZ]

Wow... congrats, they truly are an exquisite snake aren't they?

I think she ended up in the right home.

Thanks Bruce, that is a really kind thing to say. I hope I am a good home for a long long life for her.

She is really physically beautiful-- I am surprised how much better they look in person. I don't know if I would have ever looked at another snake if I had seen her first...

[Kysenia]

What a beauty GRats

[Ayla]

Nice looking little beauty right there! Be sure to update us with pics ALLLL the time! She's gonna be a big'n!