Quote Originally Posted by catalystsupreme
I agree, perhaps he doesn't really want him, because my first was a impulse buy and i was so determined to reserch, study and learn what i needed to know. After two weeks of having him and basically becoming an expert(yeah right!!) he was so relaxed that he never refused to eat and he doesn't even ball up any more when i go to handle him. If you really want him give it a good try, after you have exhausted all options maybe consider giving him up
First... I'm a she. I don't know where or how you came to the conclusion I didn't want him. I am trying to be realistic and do whats best for him, if thats something you aren't familiar with or used to, then thats on you. Don't assume about me though ok?
I brought home Severance about a week before I joined here I believe, so about 2/10. So I have had him for about 2 months. I got him from a guy in NJ who needed to get rid of him because he had a small apartment and was having another baby and no longer had room for the tank and set up. He needed to make room for the new baby I suppose, I didn't question all to much about it. He had him for about 2 years I believe and said he was around 4-5 years. He told me that the last time he gave it a small rat he wasn't interested and should be ready to eat again because it had been a few weeks. At this time I had no clue that moving him would stress him out enough to not eat. I offered 3 different thawed/warmed frozen rats,once a week, and then one thawed/warm frozen mouse. I dangled it in front of him using tongs each time and also left it there for an hour afterwards each time. I then moved to live mice. This is /was my third attempt at a live mouse.
The set up I had was everything that the guy kept him in for 2 years. I just recently found out about Temp gradient and that he needed 2 hides etc. I just recently found out they are very picky/fussy eaters. I have posted about my set up and also took pics to it can be judged and asked for any advice. I stated I was willing to take all opinions and advice and change what was needed. I still am.
The stuff that the guy gave me barely kept the snake at 80 degrees. I went out and bought everything to keep him at about 92 during the day and 84 @ night and a digital temp and humidity thing to keep tabs on it. His first shed took almost 3 weeks and was in flakes. It was horrible. Luckily a nice person on here talked to me through pms and suggested what I do which helped bigtime.
I am trying to get this tempature thing down and now the gradient thing down. I didn't exactly have enough room in the other cage to do so, or atleast that I could think of.
I recently switched his tank to something larger but was suggested there was too much room so I will be adding more things to make it more closed in for him. Such has plants and drift wood.
As I mentioned I have always wanted a snake, but didn't think it was this much work. It's ok that it is but I also do exotic rescue ( non reptile) and thought maybe I just wasnt a good snake parent or doing the right thing by keeping him just cause I wanted him. I will keep trying and try to figure everything out with the help and advise of the kind people on here. I just wasn't sure if anyone would consider me a good enough parent to keep doing so and was second guessing myself. I just want whats best for him because I do care and fell in love with him.
He doesn't ball up when I pick him up but he does hiss. He has never attempted to strike at me but I do often get weary and sometimes afraid to pick him up because he does the s thing with his neck and I was told thats a striking position. I have no problems goin in the cage to clean, water etc and so far have been good with picking him up to transport him to a soak etc.