WOW!!! She tried to kiss me!

[axwielding1]

Lapar is my Sumatran Borgersmai, who is now 3 ft long and pretty hefty.I've had her since september and she has been great to handle, never bit or struck at me, and only recently has adopted the "huff and puff" when I try to take her out of her tank.
Been pleased with her docile nature, and slow deliberate movements. This morning though, I found her just beginning to come out of her hide, so I walked up to the tank to check everything out when....WHAM! She struck out at me like lightening and shot back in her hide..I've never seen anything move that fast ever! There's no freaking way you'd get your hand away fast enough! Makes my Ball pythons seem slow, and they only eat live prey, and strike at about 8", my Bloods strike range seemed to be about 18" ! Pretty frigging impressive I thought. She's never even struck at a live prey item ever. She hit a F/T rat once, but nothing like this! I'm not sure what caused her to strike, maybe I suprised her. I didn't see much but she did hit her waterdish on the other side of her breeder tank!
Really cool!
ax.

[Big_V]

Yeah when i feed my little blood he/she (not sure yet)...goes completely psycho. I use a hemostat type instrument but it seemed the blood wanted my hand no matter what. Their striking speed is incredible for a heavy bodied snake. Its crazy and i know exactly how you feel.

[Borneoblood151]

Hey Ax,
I've got a few adult Borneo's that are proned to doing that too, at between 4-5 am if they haven't been fed for a few weeks. It's pretty amazing how fast these things can strike. Just imagine that being your hand, or NOT!!!!

-Angel

[axwielding1]

I took her out tonight and felt pretty intimidated...
She was fine though, and crawled around on my chest for about an hour while watching the Sopranos. Everyonce in a while she'd look at me and just stare. I could almost imagine her winking as if to let me know she's not to be messed with...
She certainly got my UNdevided attention! But now I need to get MY confidence back so she knows I'm boss.
Awesome snake!
ax.

[Smulkin]

Heh - my young sumatran red is also very "affectionate" in that way :P

[ethan]

I hear what your saying, these guys strike fast and with power.It good you took him out and let him crawl around for a while let him know your not whats on the menu.I've had my yearling dart out of thier hides and luckily I was able to pull out fast knocking over my light and lid.My buddy was standing there next to me laughing saying oh yeah they are really tame.I was mad, I think sometimes they just get startled or woken up from a bad dream and just strike at the first thing they see.

[beaglegod]

After feeding my Sumatran STP for the first time last week, whose only 2 feet, I felt intimidated about picking him up.Especialy since he seems so much more alert than my BP, turning his head to see my hand touching him. I flinched twice in antisipation of getting nailed, but the strikes didnt come and I had to talk myself into going for him slow and steady. They are fast..........REAL fast.

[axwielding1]

Yeah. She ate a large rat the night before, so I don't think she was hungry. I'm sure I must have startled her, although she startled me even worse! I nearly had to change my underwear!
Anyway, she was really great tonight and I kept her out for well over an hour. I rubbed her head and face, and really handled her. She was as nice as ever..
I'll NEVER forget what she's capable of, but need to keep control of things. Christ, if she was 7ft and struck at 4 ft, I'd have a hell of a hole somewhere!!
Take care.
ax.

[JonD]

Best thing is, get a hook to bring them out!! Most snakes are fine out of the enclosure;)

[beaglegod]

quote:
Best thing is, get a hook to bring them out!! Most snakes are fine out of the enclosure
-----------------------------------------------------
Im no expert but from what Ive heard STPs need a lot of support when picking them up due to their mass and weight. Otherwise organs can get injured or at at the very least it'll be a negative experience for the animal,and from what Ive heard they will let you know it was a negative experience. LOL :p

[Yve]

they're very clumsy animals....more so than a ball python...i find a blood does not grip well and can easily slide off of a hook....even when handling you have to take care in supporting them or they'll 'slide' off and fall.

[JonD]

Just meant, the hook could be used to bring em to the front of the enclosure. LOL Yve, actually picking it up with a hook would be like trying to balance a sausage on your finger!!:D

[Smulkin]

True enough. Mine is still quite a youngling at 14" and I am only hooking her on taking her out as she is still pretty cage defensive - she only gave me a peck on the first day but proved what a good kisser she was:

http://www.angelfire.com/ultra/brammer/reptiles/tagged.jpg

[axwielding1]

Nice tattoo you got there...
Real nice dentistry your snake has! I guess it proved pretty effective as well! LOL! They sure can get alot of wrist in there can't they!
ax.