Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI

[dakski]

Wanted to share a quick story about Behira from tonight. I am really proud/happy.

She's deep in blue. However, her water's were drying out and I wanted to change them. I am not a fan of going into bigger constrictors cages unannounced or moving around in there while they are in there. Her being in blue didn't make me feel more comfortable.

I do not handle in shed and usually do not bother my snakes at all, but I wanted to refresh the water for both humidity and drinkability. I clean water for all my snakes and wash the bowls at least once a week, or as needed.

Anyway, I opened the tank and rubbed Behira with the hook handle, as I usually do. She gently hissed at me. I did it again, and again, a gentle hiss. No defensiveness, but definitely not a happy camper. I stroked her a few times with my hand and she let out another, quiet hiss, and then let me gently move her to her holding container for the 3 minutes it took to change water and clean bowls.

To be clear, Behira has never hissed at me. She's usually quite amenable. However, I've never handled her in blue either.

I've had and heard of worse reactions from snakes when in deep blue. I am really happy with her that she told me how she felt, but was calm about it, and let me move her anyway. We've worked really hard together for a long time to develop a rapport, and I couldn't' be happier with how either of us handled the situation.

I am probably looking into this too much, but it made me happy to know that even when not happy, she communicates that, rather than acting on that.