Quote Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
This snake was handled often for public interaction? Is the previous owner the only one? As a rule, older snakes can be more upset by being re-homed, but they don't all follow the rule, especially if this snake was handled & got more "social time" than most do.

IF this snake feeds easily for you after a week, I'd play it by ear...see how he acts. Most rat snakes are not as shy as BPs- they're naturally more outgoing & this TP probably is also. I think you can trust your hunches on this one.
I'm unsure whether this snake was used in the owner's reptile programs or not; TPRSes are not a native species here obviously, but I think if he were a program animal, it would not be as frequent as some of the native or conservation species. But, it's very possible he has been, as that is the owner's job.

The snake had an initial owner who had him the first two years of his life, and is now with his current owner (for 7-8 years). I appreciate the philosophy of leaving him alone for a few weeks no matter what, and I will be pretty busy over the next month, so I will likely be not interacting with him as much when I first get him, anyway. At any rate, I do think I can read what the snake's attitude will be and I'll adjust the interaction level for him.