Curious Behavior

[Bogertophis]

Yesss, that's what I like about them. I wanted one that would kinda look at me (at least in my direction...lol). Looks like I may have gotten lucky, which is the main reason I wanted to wait for an expo. I wanted to actually interact and hold them before making a decision. I figured 3 weeks before the expo. would've been plenty of time, but nope. Thankfully the only problems I ran into after getting him home were low humidity (I misted multiple times a day with Zilla - Tropical Mist) and his hides are too large. Paper towels solved that issue until my new hides arrive tomorrow. My oldest daughter also went home with an albino. She's in love.

6 ft. is really about the size I'd prefer, which is the main reason I was wanting a female, however, a certain male yellow pastel had different plans for me. Can't wait to get him eating. Gonna feed on Monday. I want to get him eating at least 3 consecutive meals before handling him regularly. Fingers crossed....

Wait, you just GOT a snake? -or 2, counting your daughter's? Do tell! We need DETAILS!

I don't have a preference between gopher & bull snakes...gopher snakes tend to stay smaller & lighter in body, but both are intelligent & easy pets. Like nearly all rat
snakes, the Pituophis 'family' tends to be curious & interactive, easy to feed on f/t, & reliable about knowing we're not their "food". I've kept many king snakes & love
them too, but some of them can be a little 'food-focused' when handled...not all, just some. If the Pituophis group has any drawbacks it's their need for sizable housing-
they can be pushy & restless because that's how they live in the wild...actively hunting. Some will rub their noses, make sure screen is both tough & soft: I make my
own cage lids for glass tanks, & for this type of snake, I used 2 layers...soft smooth nylon screen for inner-facing layer, & 'hardware cloth' aka welded wire, for outer.

BTW, gopher & rat snakes need good ventilation & glass tanks work best, with full screen tops. Please don't treat them like a ball python!

Snake bites from any harmless snake (BPs or bulls or whatever) are like getting fast & multiple pin-pricks...if you do any sewing, it's like when you miss...
& if not, it's like an injection at the doctor...but faster. Paper cuts & other non-snake injuries are worse, lol. Most snake bites are avoidable...learn to interpret
their body language, & don't confuse a snake by handling & thereby smelling like their food. Snakes rely on scent to identify, not vision...if you forget, your snake will "remind" you...