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LRRoberts0122
08-13-14, 12:57 PM
So she seemed very shy. She was a LOT smaller than I expected ~ like the size of a baby, but the container confirmed she was my girl. I'm worried that she hardly ever got fed, but boy, was she a lively one!

When I went to pick her up she tried to hide her cute little face under herself, and then just bolted off. She is barely bigger than a little hatchling, and just darted off onto me, faster than lightning and crawled down my leg and under my computer, lol. (It was off, no worries.) I didn't want to hurt her, so I didn't try to grab her. She did fall onto the floor, but it was from my knee, and she kinda slid down the side of my leg. Don't know if that counts. She's okay though. :)

Then she made it easy on me and crawled into the corner. She was really scared of me, so I scooped her up and quickly put her in her terrarium. She's been hiding from me since. Poor girl. But I gotta say, not once did she try to bite. And I gave her plenty of reasons and opportunities, being ill prepared to handle her. I should have prepared for anything. I just didn't think she'd be that small, and I was scared I would hurt her. :(

She seemed to be warming up for a bit. I only got 4 hours of sleep, so I closed the blinds, turned the heat lamp off, and took a nap for 4 hours, to let her get used to her new area without stressing about me being around.

Her terrarium is on my desk, next to where I work, so she can see me all the time. I'm hoping that this will help her understand I'm not a threat to her. It's only when I look directly at her (she's so cute I can't help it!) that she gets scared and hides.

I provided her with a ton of hidey holes. She has the log (her main hidey hole), and a little thing I like to call a "jungle gym" because it has a branch for her to perch, a hollowed out log, and another area where she can crawl through the bottom, and exit through a hole near the top. She really likes that, but she seems to prefer being in the top right of the cage, perched on top of the jungle vine I got, hehe. At least when I'm around. I think it's cute that she likes to be perched on top of it. It's really adorable. She sits there like a little green tree boa.

Is it okay that I watch her sometimes? I think she's really pretty, and she's so cute when she's moving about, and exploring. But she seems to get really nervous when I look at her. She doesn't get defensive and has never tried to strike, or go "s" pose, but she tries to hide the minute I come into view.

If anyone has a crash course on what I should be doing at this stage, please let me know.

~ Thank you.

franks
08-13-14, 01:03 PM
That's perfect. Watch her, change her water, enjoy her, but let her settle in before handling. I would wait until it eats, give her a few days to digest, then start the handling. At first you can hold her in her cage if she is "flighty."

LRRoberts0122
08-13-14, 01:07 PM
Great! :) She's so sweet though. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body. I'll be feeding her Sunday, so I'll wait until next Wednesday until I try to handle her. I just don't want a repeat. I have a cat, so if she escapes, she could be in some serious danger. :(

But she was quick! I watched her very carefully after her little fall, and she's fine. Just hanging out up near the top, I'll try to get some pictures when I can.

Kera
08-13-14, 01:14 PM
Make sure the lid is locked tight, and don't underestimate a snakes strength! I did and almost lost my carpet once lol. If it would make you feel better when handling, go into a room with very little furniture, like a bathroom, and hold her in there with the door shut and drains closed. That way she won't be as hard to find if she does get out of your hands, and your cat won't be waiting for her to fall. Every time I hold one of my snakes my dog (though tiny) sits and watches and waits, like the snake is a treat lol. Best wishes with your new gal. :)

LRRoberts0122
08-13-14, 01:27 PM
Thank you!

I'll handle her in her cage for a little while. Maybe that will help her a bit. My boyfriend (long distance) will be coming for two months in two weeks. I'll try to handle her in her cage for a little while. We'll try taking her out when he gets here, as he's had a corn snake and two ball pythons before, lol.

I am a bit worried about her escaping, but I don't think she can. I got a terrarium especially for reptiles, so the top is on a sliding track, and it secures in the back via two clips that snap into place when it's fully shut.

And it's also got a little lock I put on the front for good measure. I could care less about a snake crawling into bed with me. I don't want my cat to think it's a living toy! :'(

Kera
08-13-14, 01:31 PM
Okay, yeah I had one of those for Bindi when she was a little smaller and she never got out of it. :) Best of luck with the handling, and exciting for your boyfriend to come!!

LRRoberts0122
08-13-14, 02:54 PM
Thanks for the reply! I don't think she'll get out. She sure likes to sit up at the top though, hehe. I'm sure she'll be fine.

She just gets so scared when I'm around. I hope she's not too stressed out by me. I won't try handling her for another week, let her settle, get some food in her and then digest it before I try again. She's very cute, and as soon as I can, I will get some pictures! :) Her colors got much lighter than her baby picture.

Obsidian_Dragon
08-13-14, 03:27 PM
I got a new baby yesterday and she's also one to FLEE if she catches me looking at her too closely. Such little weenies!

Even my MBK, who has been with me a bit longer, sometimes hits the reverse gear and vanishes into his substrate when I walk in. Not always, but sometimes. Goober.

LRRoberts0122
08-13-14, 05:04 PM
I got a new baby yesterday and she's also one to FLEE if she catches me looking at her too closely. Such little weenies!

Even my MBK, who has been with me a bit longer, sometimes hits the reverse gear and vanishes into his substrate when I walk in. Not always, but sometimes. Goober.

Haha, glad I'm not the only one. She's super cute. Congrats on your new baby! :) They're so adorable, it's ridiculous!