Morelia Nauta

[TeamSlitherin]

Finally! Came home with the snake I've been drooling over for like a month. He is a beautiful yearling Tanimbar scrub python. I am completely in love with this little terror. He's such an amazing animal; indoor cell phone pictures will never do him justice. I have to admit, there were about 10 minutes during the "unboxing" period when I thought to myself, "DANNY! I don't think I can do this!" But I gathered my courage and managed to get him from the cup into the viv with no blood spilled. He's super intelligent, curious, and bold. No hiding for this guy. He's been strutting in full view, exploring his whole huge viv for hours. He ate immediately, postured at me like a demon for awhile....then I finally decided to have 1 handling session before I leave him be for the next week to acclimate (that is going to be sooooo hard). Although he was downright demonic in his enclosure, once I got him out and we both stopped being nervous, he was SUCH an awesome snake to handle! I don't think I've ever been so enamored by anything. He's wonderful. And he didn't even tag me once! (today):yes:

[TeamSlitherin]

There were moments I thought he would kill me...but then we became friends. For now.

[dannybgoode]

Congratulations - beautiful snake. Yeah they're intimidating at first but the calmer you are with them the calmer they'll be with you. Slow deliberate movements and you'll be fine.

Only my girl has tagged me just the once and has a couple more strikes. Take your time and build the trust - they're very intelligent and will remember ill treatment as much as they will good.

A good hook will help when trying to get him out - they're generally viv defensive in the extreme - but again will remember rough book work.

Main thing to do know and whilst he is still smell is to start recognising his mood. There will be times when he simply should be left alone and you'll start to learn his tells - an annoyed scrub can strike from coiled up so is more subtle than just it getting in an s shape.

Congratulations again and keep the photos coming.

[EL Ziggy]

Awesome critter Slitherin. Very nice score!

[TeamSlitherin]

Thanks, guys! Can't wait to snap some photos of him in the daylight. He's an awesome little guy. Went to check on him tonight because he's been hiding for a day and a half and he is definitely not a hider. Had to pull everything apart, because of course, he was in the last place I looked. (That is definitely the downside of having him in a viv that is too large...it's a hunt) When I found him, he appeared to be going blue even though he shed just 3 weeks ago! He was so mad, I will definitely be sleeping with 1 eye open.

[psychocircus]

Awesome snake. Don't see too many of them around in my area. Keep us updated with pics!

[dannybgoode]

Someone told me a fantastic quote about scrubs the other day and it's worth bearing in mind - their strike range is just a bit further than you think...

:)

[Scubadiver59]

Like my CP that launched itself about 24", 18" of it outside the enclosure, when I opened the door for feeding last week? :eek:

Someone told me a fantastic quote about scrubs the other day and it's worth bearing in mind - their strike range is just a bit further than you think...

:)

[toddnbecka]

Someone told me a fantastic quote about scrubs the other day and it's worth bearing in mind - their strike range is just a bit further than you think...

:)

I've seen my relatively small Candoia literally launch themselves from the top of their elevated shelves to strike a mouse in their tubs. I can easily imagine a much larger scrub moving with the same speed, and latching on unexpectedly if the mood stuck him or her, lol. Not so bad with a yearling, but an adult would leave a good bruise from the impact, more painful than the teeth methinks.

[dannybgoode]

I've seen my relatively small Candoia literally launch themselves from the top of their elevated shelves to strike a mouse in their tubs. I can easily imagine a much larger scrub moving with the same speed, and latching on unexpectedly if the mood stuck him or her, lol. Not so bad with a yearling, but an adult would leave a good bruise from the impact, more painful than the teeth methinks.

Scrubs strike ridiculous distances - perhaps the furthest of any non-venomous snake as a % of body length. A contact of mine is a professor over your side of the pond and is looking study scrub strikes. Will be fascinating to see the results if they do carry it out.

Will try and dig out a friend's video of his upset scrub...

[toddnbecka]

I once encountered a large adult black racer along a railroad track, and tried to catch it. Didn't have a snake hook or anything else useful on hand, so it was interesting, lol. That one actually "jumped" most if not all of its body off the ground several times striking defensively, then quickly (it was a racer, after all) escaped under a single piece of rail lying nearby. I'm 6'1" tall, and that racer's head was well above my waist at the top of its strike range. If it had been lunging forward more it may have tagged me, but it was a defensive display to make me back off rather than an actual "attack".

[TeamSlitherin]

I mean, look at that little angel face! He's done great so far. Eaten twice, shed once, and is actually basking for the first time today. He had a bad shed, as well, and somehow allowed me to soak him in water and manually remove his skin over 2/3 of his body length. Without biting my face off. In fact, it's been two weeks and he hasn't tagged me once! I love this guy.
37267

37268

37269

37270

37271

[dannybgoode]

Incredible snakes. Join the scrub python group on Facebook. It's just called Scrub Pythons - you'll see some ridiculously nice animals there :).

[TeamSlitherin]

Man, there are some gorgeous snakes in that group. Thanks, Danny! I tried to join, but they denied me. Womp womp. Still gorgeous photos!

[dannybgoode]

Did they say why. I can have a word with the admin. Worth joining.

[TeamSlitherin]

Nope, didn't say. Trying again for good measure ;)

[TeamSlitherin]

Figured it was time for an update on Apothis, my little prince of darkness. He just had a great shed and eats like a demon. Cell phone photos will never do justice to his beautiful iridescence!

[dannybgoode]

You just need a better phone! All mine of Stampy and Squishy are phone shots :).

Lovely thing - a Nauta and also a clastolepis would very much be on my scrub wish list. Do you get the feeling with him there's cognitive thought going on? They seem to watch and also consider what's going on. Very alert snakes.

[TeamSlitherin]

I’ve been taking them with an iPhone 7! Guess we need a day in the sunlight soon;) There really is no doubt in my mind that he has cognitive thoughts. Intellectually, he blows every other snake I’ve ever met right out of the water! This is one of the many reasons I can not have children. I mean, how can I pretend not to have a favorite?! He’s really fantastic. Smart as a whip, eats like a demon, moody, and HATES being woken up from a nap. Basically, he is me as a snake. He’s definitely defensive in his viv, but once he’s in my hands, he’s usually a lamb. A lamb who is also half shark and could change his mind about you on a dime. I have discovered, however, that he is largely a bluffer. He always acts like a big scary monster, but he’s only actually tagged me once. (The two times at the pet store don’t count)

[dannybgoode]

This is one of the many reasons I can not have children.

Just do what I did and just have one!!

They're incredible snakes - my retics are alert when I go in the room but just because they think they're getting fed.

Squishy and Stampy watch everything and consider everything.

[TeamSlitherin]

Play time!

[TeamSlitherin]

I have to distract him while I thaw his dinner. His scales are looking extra mermaid-like today.

[EL Ziggy]

Beautiful critter you have there Slitherin! Very sparkly, very sparkly. :)

[TeamSlitherin]

Beautiful critter you have there Slitherin! Very sparkly, very sparkly. :)

Thanks, Ziggy!! He's my little living jewel <3

[TeamSlitherin]

My little monster is growing! Doubled in weight since September and he's just shy of 4ft now. Still has his baby face, though <3

[TeamSlitherin]

When you notice the water bowl is leaning, so you push it into the substrate to straighten it out...not realizing a small but mighty scrub python was sleeping under there...this is the face that greets you.

[TeamSlitherin]

But by the next day, he's ready for an outdoor play date. Up 10 grams this week and getting bigger everyday!

[EL Ziggy]

What a cutie! :)

[IDvsEGO]

yeah, thats a cool snake

[TeamSlitherin]

Watching GOT, practicing his baby dragon poses. This guy is the best.

[TeamSlitherin]

I also believe it's safe to say he knows what the sound of a hair dryer means in this house! Playtime's over ;)

https://i.imgur.com/uZ3t5XHm.jpg

He grabbed the tongs along with his mouse. Rescue attempts were futile. No one wants to be on the wrong side of those teeth!:Wow:

https://i.imgur.com/iBcIM9Pm.jpg

[TeamSlitherin]

A few minutes of sunshine <3

[TeamSlitherin]

Getting bigger and more adorable by the day!

[TeamSlitherin]

This boy loves his quail. The head in the foreground was breakfast the next morning:rolleyes:
https://i.imgur.com/lL2KWKem.jpg

I also managed to catch a closeup of those teeth! Yikes.:eek:

https://i.imgur.com/DZZP6Gnm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9oP7B0fm.jpg

[VeedubDan]

What a beautiful snake! Looks like hes claimed your bed haha

[TeamSlitherin]

What a beautiful snake! Looks like hes claimed your bed haha

Haha, yes. He discovered early on that it is his jungle gym of power and, once planted, he cannot be removed. I discovered early on that if you allow him to find a position of strength (I.e. a bedpost or anything that he can cling to like the Kraken), then moving will have to be his idea. He is my favorite by a long shot ;)

[TeamSlitherin]

Forgot that I haven't updated this thread in a minute! My little one is growing swiftly. Tripled in weight since August and is about 4' 2" now.

[TeamSlitherin]

He loves to show his teeth.

[psychocircus]

Awesome thread and snake. You can definitely tell he's gained some girth. Looking forward to seeing him big!

[TeamSlitherin]

Awesome thread and snake. You can definitely tell he's gained some girth. Looking forward to seeing him big!

Me too! I have a feeling he's gonna be a big boy. Thanks!

[TeamSlitherin]

I think it's fair to say that hook training isn't working for us. And sometimes he gets bored of me and perches wherever he can find an edge.

[dave himself]

He's a stunning animal TS :Wow:

[TeamSlitherin]

I haven't updated this guy's thread in forever! Uploading picture here is alot of hassle for a lazy person like me ;) It seems my son has hit a heck of a growth spurt this summer! I couldn't tell for the longest time, since I see him so often. But it's pretty undeniable that my little one is not so little anymore!

I reluctantly gave him his first whole chick in August or so (previously, I'd been removing heads or legs to make them smaller for him) and since then, it's like he's on steroids. He is just over 5 feet in length these days and creeping up on 400g. When I got him 14 months ago, he was about 2.5 feet and 90 grams or so.

This guy really is a dream, though he's a stubborn little monster ;) If you are so inclined, feel free to follow him on IG @lord_apophis . I promise I actually keep his account updated :rolleyes:

[TeamSlitherin]

Bonus pic: chomping on his first live rat. I know, I know...it was a castoff from his sister, The Worl'd Pickiest Dumeril's:rolleyes:. He had never even had live before and I've never seen ANYONE gobble their food like that! He didn't even bother to come all the way out of his egg.

[ClockwerkBonnet]

Those are stunning photos of your snake!