I finally got around starting this thread. Not at all like I expected. I've had this snake for two weeks now and let him settle in the first week before I even tried to handle him. I attempted to feed him last week but he completely refused, opting instead to make a beeline for his hide. He's very shy and will go to his hide anytime he even sees me walk by the doorway (8ft away from his enclosure).
I left him alone again for another week and tried to handle him two days ago, he hisses but in a very non-threatening way. He looks to move away immediately. I went to grab him and he feinted a strike towards my hand (which I admit spooked me lol... he's easily the largest snake in my care at the moment) nonetheless he gave me the impression he's just bluffing and is obviously very nervous (I do believe he's wild caught).
I again tried feeding him today, this time I removed his hide since he went towards it immediately. This made him very nervous but he was clearly very interested in the rat I offered. He kept shifting his attention between me and the rat. I figured immediately he was willing to eat as long as I walked away, so I did. I was told he was eating live but did successfully feed F/T before he was shipped to me. I don't have appropriately sized rats for him yet so I thawed two small rats for him.
I'm trying to figure how to go about having a good handling session without causing too much stress to him. He seems very intelligent and aware. Any advice?
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