But how do you comfort a "fearful" snake? I was told when I got him that he was just kinda snappy, but from what I've observed, he's actually terrified of me. I got him on Sunday, and I get that he's probably stressed out. I've only taken him out once the day I got him to take out the disgusting bedding he had in his tub and again to today to clean his pee and wipe the tub down. I put him in a sack both times. The first day, he struck at me but didn't connect. Which was to be expected since he had been riding in the car all day in his tub, not a sack. I'm not worried about getting bit but I just feel bad that he has clearly never been handled. Most BPs settle down after they've realized that you're a nonthreat right? He seems ridiculously smaller than my (picky and a bit underweight) male Zeus. Granted the new guy is only a few years old and Zeus is like 6 or 7. Maybe I'm just not used to the real attitude of balls, because mine are so incredibly docile, but this guy is CONSTANLY in a defense mode and I have to move very slow and be very gentle or he gets so afraid.
Sooo I gave him a much smaller hide and clean paper towel for substrate. I did offer him a baby rat, just taken from the mom about a week ago, and he struck at (a feeding strike not a defensive strike) then retreated to his hide.
I'm gonna give him another week or maybe two before offering again. Anyone have any other suggestions?
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