First time owner, and addicted!

[Dojomojo]

I got my BP a week before X-mas, and just finally got to handle the little one bare handed(except exam at pet store). Odd thing is, i used to catch a lot of snakes when i was a wee lil pecker head, almost got fanged by a baby something or other, and had a garter get loose out of its box (i was 11) and into the house, never to be seen again. Went to handle my snake after a week of acclimation, and suddenly found myself scared witless. don't know why, but tonight i got over it and I am so happy.

Modded the acu-rite therm/hygro, and stuck it in her tank, then threw the gloves and said screw it, bite me if you want. Needless to say she and i hung out for about two hours. Its really hard not to make sudden moments when you have your pet licking your armpit hair. She was very relaxed, comfortable, only got into strike position when i farted. Soft, strong, curious, and just so damn cool. I now know why it was called an addictive hobby/lifestyle.

I guess i lucked out, got her/him from petsmart, and shes eaten like a champ so far. Got a 40 gal. long for the tank, got the heat just about right, damn humidity is the only problem i have. Sphagnum here i come. This is kinda a HEY, I DID IT type post, and a thank you to all of you who have posted the questions i have, the ones who have made the care sheets, and those who have taken time to find nifty mods and DIY tricks to help the sheltered slithering friends we all share a bond with.

If anyone has anything they want to modify, or have questions about modifying, let me know. I cant buy anything hi or low tech without modding it and inevitably pissing off my wife. should have seen how she reacted to the 360 i tricked out for "us"



Sorry for grammar, and endless sentences. Liquor played a factor in getting my sack back for snakes.

[singingtothewheat]

You will get over the being afraid part and yes, you will be addicted

[Dojomojo]

You will get over the being afraid part and yes, you will be addicted

I think im pretty much over it. I had to laugh. Ive got quite a few tattoos and i couldnt beleive i was scared to get bit, especially by a constrictor. Im still trying to figure out what was causing me to be scared in the fist place. i used to love any and all snakes, except rattlers. fast SOB's.

Should i really worry about the snake going near my face? Smells of meat from a dinner going to make her hungry? After reading posts, I am really surprised my snake is relaxed as she is. Just needs to stop tickling me.

[DShaw]

Im still afraid of mine when it gets near my face but then again Ive only had him for 2 months now

[BabysMomma]

Eventually you'll get familiar with her body language, and you'll be able to tell when she's interested in biting vs when she's just plain interested. Baby does the cutest little thing where he puts his nose up to my lips if I make kissy noises, he's just investigating the noise but people go nuts when they see it.

[WingedWolfPsion]

He's unlikely to be interested in what you ate for dinner, but there is a small risk that your breath might trigger some reaction. It certainly does in green tree pythons. It's a much smaller risk for ball pythons, but it is probably wise not to allow your pet to roam over your face either way.
Reptiles have a small but real risk of carrying salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract--since they of course crawl through things when they defecate, you should always treat your reptile as a potential source of this pathogen. Wash your hands after handling him, don't kiss him, and don't let him kiss you, basically.

Most other pets can carry these bacteria as well, by the way--hand washing is always a wise idea. Cats and dogs carry a long list of zoonotic pathogens--reptiles only really carry the one.

[BPelizabeth]

As far as getting close to your face.....I think you will get use to the signs that your snake gives you. I have 3....2 I totally trust no problems....1 is fiesty as all get out. Mine will give you little nose kisses...(actually they just bump noses with you)...these are my snake kisses...lol. No mouth stuff as you can possibly get Salmonella. The fiesty one...ahhh ....no...she would take advantage of any situation to get one over on you. Still a baby so maybe she will chill with age. Yours already sounds like she is pretty mellow. You will get to know the signs and as you get more....(which is always..lol) you will see how different each one is personality wise.

[mechnut450]

lol the fart must of stunk for the snake to react prolly a smell/taste over load for it ..

you know all the claims of salmonella and reptiles seems over rated (to me) yeah if your smart and practice proper cleaning /handling process no problem. but i never gotting sick when i had an iguana, the snakes or anything while handling them and the dinner came (delivery) and the iguana would eat off my plate cause my dinner smelled better than his (9we have the same things ) buy i never had an issue. i think i been sick more since the iguana died (flus and cold ) than when he was around.