Maynard- BRB Progression Thread

[theskyturnsgrey]

So I wanted to introduce everybody to the newest addition to my family!

His name is Maynard and hes a beautiful "normal" brb from Cliff over at Living Gems Reptiles (snakesitter on the boards). Wonderful animal and company as well. I'm ripping off BigSnakeGirl's idea and starting one of these threads (mainly for myself) to document Maynards new life here.

Got him set up in a T8 with an 80 watt rhp and so far so good. As soon as he got in the cage he made a beeline for the humid hide so thats the only pic I could get.

Hope this is the start of some great conversations with you guys and girls!

[bigsnakegirl785]

Haha the profile threads definitely aren't my idea, we've been doing them here since before I became a member.

Beautiful new addition, though! It will be fun to watch this one grow and change. How old is he?

[Albert Clark]

He looks fantastic! Cliff has some quality animals, good choice. With that t8 and the 80 watt rhp you are in good enclosure territory. Congrats.

[macandchz]

that is one good-looking snake. love his name!

[theskyturnsgrey]

Thanks everybody! He was born in August of 2014!

[jpsteele80]

Very nice, some of the best iridescence of any snake out there

[theskyturnsgrey]

Quick update and a few questions.

So after lettin Maynard chill for a couple of days (he had not left his humid hide on the cool sodenof his cage) I decided to try feeding...this did not go well and perhaps this is my fault. I removed the lif from his humid hide and tried to move him so that he would see the prey that was being offered. He took a very defensive posture rising out of the humid hide. He struck but I think they were defensive strikes as he did not take the prey. After a minute or so I decided to stop to avoid further stressing him out. He retreated back into his moss hide and i put the lif back on.

1. Should I be concerned that he has not left the cool side humid hide? I do have one on the warm side as well in addition to two dry hides.

2. When should I try feeding again and how should I go about doing it? I think trying to get him out of the hide was a bad choice and wont be revisiting that!

Thabks in advance people!!

[bigsnakegirl785]

Question 1: Nah, snakes do what they need to. As long as your husbandry is within parameters all they're doing is choosing the best spot for them.

Question 2: Give him a week or two before you offer again, and maybe try just waving the mouse/rat in front of the hide he's in. That's usually more than enough to draw my snakes out. The only one I need to dig up is my albino checkered. Even my problem-eater ball python will grab his food with me simply waving it in front of his hide.

For now, it sounds like he's still settling in, so give him time. If he acts the same way when you offer in 7 days, give him 14 days on the next offer. Some snakes take longer than others to settle in, and even a month without food isn't going to make a dent in his health.

[Snakesitter]

Love the new thread! Not that I'm biased at all. ;-)

Feeding tip: never move a new snake before offering food. They are stressed as is, and this can make them less likely to feed. Trust me, they will sense the food even without seeing it, and if interested will come to it themselves.

You have enough hides that he is just picking the one he likes best. Do double check your high-end temps, however, just to make sure they are safe. Remember, these snakes like it on the cool side.

I agree with waiting a week to feed. Let him get good and hungry, and de-stress more. Make sure you offer the prey item piping hot, and at or after dusk if you can -- these snakes are most active then. Wiggle it on the tongs if you can to draw further interest.

Good luck, and I look forward to regular updates!!!

[theskyturnsgrey]

Thanks Cliff, I really do value your input and commitment to your animals. (Shameless plug incoming: If any are interested in a BRB Living Gems Reptiles is THE choice to make for those interested in wuality animals and amazing customer service)

Temps are perfect 82 warm side and about 71 on the furthest end of the cool side. Humidity at a steady 95%. I guess I'll just have to stay patient (though it's killing me!) and wait until next week to try and offer food. Would you recommend removing the lid from his hide box to try and feed or leave it outside the opening? i do NOT want to streas him again.

[theskyturnsgrey]

Oh and thanks BigSnakeGirl too! It is much appreciated and I love the little community we have here!

[Snakesitter]

Awww thank you so much!!!

Your conditions are perfect.

I would try feeding first without removing the lid. He may be brave enough to sneak over and strike. If not, leave it right outside the hide door, turn out the room lights and leave the area, and come back in an hour. If it is still there, reheat, and then try removing the lid and offering again. If he still passes, leave it right by his head and check again the next morning. If still there, flush it.

Good luck!

[Snakesitter]

This is an excellent forum.

[theskyturnsgrey]

Awesome I will definitely try this and keep you guys posted.

[Snakesitter]

Please do!!! :D

[dannybgoode]

Lovely snake. Do like a nice BRB and Cliff produces some stunning snakes - congratulations.

Keep the photos coming, I'd love to see how he progresses...

[theskyturnsgrey]

Well after hearing what Cliff had to say I decided to wait a week to feed Maynard. Just walked up to my cage to find him out of his humid hide for the first time and also found a BEAUTIFUL intact shed. He also struck at his pinkie rat immediately! Gonna gove him some darkness time so he can swallow before I offer the second. Very pleased!! My god he is gorgeous with a fresh skin! In a few days ill attempt to take him out so I can get some better pictures!

[theskyturnsgrey]

And the second rat is gone! Gonna stop at two and not ruin a good thing!

[Snakesitter]

Good plan, LOL! Glad to hear he shed -- I bet that was why he was irritable.

[theskyturnsgrey]

So tonight was my first session handling Maynard and he is an absolute puppy dog! So inquisitive and gentle! Picked him up right out of his hide and he did not resist at all. He actually seemed really interested!

[theskyturnsgrey]

Another shot

[Snakesitter]

Great snaps! Sunlight or flash bring out extra color, FYI.

They are very curious critters, actually, and love to explore. They can be nippy though if you set them "free" to do so and then try and "recapture" them...even LGR babies (it seems to be a species thing).

[theskyturnsgrey]

Just a quick glamor shot on a nice sunny day!

[Snakesitter]

Awww sweet photo!!

[bigsnakegirl785]

He's quite the handsome fellow! They do tend to mellow out once they're older. :)

As for the recapturing comment Cliff made, that seems to be my Picasso's motto in life! I can set my hypo and normal down and grab them up and they're a-ok (as long as I do it slowly and not from above, like with any snake). My Picasso won't have any of it, that's how I ended up actually getting teeth in me, trying to place him back in his tub after putting him in a holding container. lol So far he rears up at me when I go to take him out but no more strikes/bites (yet).

This one seems like he'll be a right mellow guy, though.

[Snakesitter]

He better! Otherwise I'll have to lecture him by phone. ;-)