New BP Mom:O)

[BuddhaLuv]

Hi Everyone,
I'm a new poster on this forum but have visited and read many threads while gathering info before getting my BP. I finally got him on Monday and he is gorgeous. I got him from an awesome 501 Herp Rescue in AZ. I will post some pictures as soon as I am able too. He is about 2.5 ft and weighs 2.7 lbs (I'm not good with grams). I have him in a 20g long terrarium with hides, water bowl, heat lamp, newspaper etc... I plan on getting some aquarium paper this weekend to put on the back and sides. Plus I need to get a humidity gauge.

I have a couple questions for you all though

1. He is really tame and is used to being handled a lot. I held him for a short time Monday when we brought him home. He balled up on my hand and was stressed I'm sure. Then I left him alone until Thursday evening. He was cruising all over me, wrapping around me like a belt, up my arms etc... He seemed to be doing fine until one point when he stuck his neck out away from me and proceeded to 'hiss' at nothing in particular. Okay I'm sure it would have been quite humorous had someone else been there because I completely froze like he was going to eat me. I decided to put him away at that point. My question is: do they hiss only when they are pissed off or could it have been something random?

2. The Founder of the rescue told me on Monday that he thought "Tanveer" might be going into a shed soon. So he said not be alarmed if he doesn't eat when I try to feed him. I tried to feed him today by putting him in his feed tub (new to him) and offering him a f/t med. rat which he is used to. I dangled it in front of him but he seemed more curious of the tub in general and just began cruising around in it. I then placed the rat in the tub and thought I'd see if that worked but no such luck. At one point he even just slithered right on over it. Later today I did notice that "Tanveer's" belly is pink/peach looking and his eyes look cloudy-ish. Being new to snakes I am just second guessing myself I think but does this mean he is probably beginning the shed period and that is why he won't eat? If so, should I completely leave him alone until his shed is done? How long do I wait till his shed is over too try feeding him again?

Thanks for listening to my rambling!!! I just feel like a bad mom because I am so new to this

Namaste,
Kacie

[stratus_020202]

Sounds like a shed to me You don't have to leave him alone, but remember he can't see very well so he may be a little grumpy. Some snakes prefer to be left alone and will strike when they are in shed. Mine don't, but that doesn't mean your's won't.

I don't know why he was hissing. Maybe he smelled something funny. I don't feed in a separate enclosure, it increases your chances of being bit, and I don't like to handle mine after they have eaten. It could be stressful on them. That's just me though, and I know some people feed separately and have no problems. You do what you feel comfortable doing.

[llovelace]

I feed all mine in their tubs, easier for me less stressful for them, as far as the hissing goes, I have no clue, he didn't appear to be stressed or anytyhing from what you described.

[BuddhaLuv]

Hmm now I am pondering possibly feeding him in his tank after he sheds. The only reason I got a seperate tub to feed him in is because that is what he is used to per the rescue. Sigh... I can't wait till this is all not so new to me so I don't have to second guess everything that I do! Thanks so much for the feedback!

[Kysenia]

Read your bp Some of us feed outside the enclosure which I use to do but have switched to feeding in their tub since it is faster. Your bp will tell you whats up......there is a distinct difference between a tense/guarding/hissing/stalking bp then a relax and happy....As long as the feed on a regular schedule for you, either way is fine

[BuddhaLuv]

How long do I wait after a shed before I attempt to feed 'Tanveer'? He is in the Blue stage right now so I know he has several more days to go till he sheds completely but I just want to make sure I am prepared)

[Kaorte]

Just offer on a normal schedule. My snakes eat during shed cycles. It can't hurt to try

If you want to wait until after, you can feed right when the old skin is off. You don't need to wait any length of time.

[grim reaper in NY]

One key thing to remember is not to stress them out by trying to feed them day after day. Try once a week and if your snake doesn't take your offering, just refreeze it and try again next week. One thing to remember about our lovely pets is that even though they may not show outward signs of stress, they could still be trying to adjust to their surroundings. This is a period of adjustment for both you and your snake. The hissing may just have been your pet feeling things out to see how you would react, who knows? I have a snake that wants to be held everytime I go into my reptile room. When i walk in she comes right over to the front of the viv and raises up and waits for me to take her out. All I have to do is hold my hand next to the top and she climbs right out and wraps herself right around my bicep and lays her head on my shoulder and will stay there all day with no problem. We have just bonded and my wife, who couldn't stand to even touch a snake 3 months ago has bonded with another of our B/P's and she spends alot of time with her.
Remember, your pet has a personality all it's own, just like you do. From the sounds of things, he's just getting adjusted to his new surroundings and getting used to you as well. It sounds like you are off to a great start in establishing a great relationship with your snake and I'm sure you'll enjoy many years of companionship with him.
Oh, before I forget, if you feed frozen/thawed to your snake, I would only refreeze an uneaten rat once. If your snake doesn't take it the 2nd time, I would throw it away and start with a fresh one the following week. Just a suggestion, but that's how I feed mine...
BTW, congrats on your new pet!!!!

[gmcclurelssu]

^^X2

like grim said, they all have their own personality. as he gets accustomed to the new cage you should have more luck feeding and handling him. good luck!!