Tanimbar Amethystine

[dannybgoode]

Beautiful snake. Are you going to get him?

They are extraordinary snakes. My pair

[TeamSlitherin]

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Beautiful snake. Are you going to get him?

They are extraordinary snakes. My pair

They are truly stunning. Stampy Cat is, hands down, my favorite snake on the forum! I really want him. But there is a reptile convention coming up in 10 days or so. I've never been and I thought it would be a good opportunity to shop around as well. I like him alot, but he's also the only scrub I've ever seen in person! So, I'm thinking it would be best to take it slow and see what catches my eye at the show. We are going to be forever-friends, after all.

[dannybgoode]

Originally Posted by TeamSlitherin

They are truly stunning. Stampy Cat is, hands down, my favorite snake on the forum! I really want him. But there is a reptile convention coming up in 10 days or so. I've never been and I thought it would be a good opportunity to shop around as well. I like him alot, but he's also the only scrub I've ever seen in person! So, I'm thinking it would be best to take it slow and see what catches my eye at the show. We are going to be forever-friends, after all.

If you have the money and really want a scrub then Dan Mulleary of DM Exotics would be my go to. You may or may not see one at the convention - they're not all that common. Dan has interesting stock in and will advise on locality, temperament etc.

That nauta is very pretty though - how much are they asking for it out of interest.

As to my pair there are already noticeable differences in behaviour. She is much more edgy - always ready to strike and will suddenly darts off. Open her tub (still in quarantine) and she is out straight away to check out what's going on. She strike feeds without hesitation.

He is more timid, open the viv and he'll stay hidden. Remove his hide and he stays curled up - get him out and he'll tolerate handling but he's more nervous. He tends to only drop feed as well. He'll sometimes strike but more often than not he prefers for the rat to be left. He is currently a good bit smaller as well.

I'll get a couple more feeds in as they currently are then start pushing them along a bit. Their growth is rapid so need to keep up food wise without overdoing it.

[toddnbecka]

Unlikely you'll find a scrub at a reptile show, they simply aren't very common. The size of the nauta is good, but I prefer calmer critters, or at least that don't bite when handled. My IJ carpet was a holy terror as a hatchling, struck at literally anything that moved, but she calmed down and grew out of that.
I'm looking for a pair of savu or maybe mackloti, CBB generally have better dispositions than scrubs, and easier on the bank account as well.

[dannybgoode]

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Unlikely you'll find a scrub at a reptile show, they simply aren't very common. The size of the nauta is good, but I prefer calmer critters, or at least that don't bite when handled. My IJ carpet was a holy terror as a hatchling, struck at literally anything that moved, but she calmed down and grew out of that.
I'm looking for a pair of savu or maybe mackloti, CBB generally have better dispositions than scrubs, and easier on the bank account as well.

A lot of scrubs do chill out completely. Calm confident handling is the key and you just don't stick your hand in the viv before assessing the situation each time for example. I know plenty of people who handle theirs with no issues.

That said most are extremely viv defensive making even simple things like sorting water bowls potentially tricky. And of course the odd one remains very difficult.

Out of the viv they generally calm down. To counter though they are such alert snakes, so fascinating to observe that ownership can be quite alluring - addictive even as I'm finding out! But yes they are a challenge and not for everyone.

Can I say I'm 100% confident I'll be able to manage them? Actually no - but I've gone into ownership eyes wide open. Spoke to a number of people before committing and would not have entertained taking on an adult. Even the experience people I've spoken to have said that they are extremely cautious when dealing with someone else's scrubs. I have also sourced CB is a few generations old - in fact they're from one of the oldest captive lines and the parents are ok temperament wise.

As an aside my IJ was a pussycat from day one and remains a very calm snake and in a way I wish he has been more feisty to gain some experience. But then I'm getting that from Mrs Olive and the scrubs whilst they're babies.

You do make some excellent alternative suggestions though. Mackloti are incredible snakes as are Savu. I actually have the chance on a Savu pair but they are just a bit pricey. Olivaceous - if you can find them - can be added to the list.

But that said, scrubs are something else. Nothing quite like them.

[TeamSlitherin]

Good to know! I had actually been looking at Dan's clutch of beauties. His web page has been pulled up on my computer for days, in fact, as I've been scouring the internet for breeders in Southern California. Good to know I'm looking in the right direction!

They are asking $375 for the nauta, which seems about normal from what I can tell? He's not as small as I thought he was, but I forgot to ask about age. The disadvantage to buying from a pet store is that there are many questions they likely can't answer. The associate was very helpful, though, and pulled him out for me to get a better look. He said the little guy has a good disposition for a scrub, just very curious and ultra-alert. He came right to me to figure out who the monster was that kept sticking her face near his viv! Fearless little bugger.

They move so differently than any snake I've handled before. I guess rather similar to a carpet (I test-drove a cute IJ before I decided on my Dumi). Even when he tagged me, it wasn't like a usual snake strike. It was like he went to rub his face on my hand with an open mouth Weird.

Still, I think even with 2 bites in under a minute, I left the place with an unrelenting smile. Is that what love is? Do I have the strength to wait till after the show? These are my first world problems.

[dannybgoode]

$375 sounds fair. I paid around $500 each for mine but then they're from an exceptional line. They are one of the few snakes week appear to have cognitive thought - even when it comes to biting it sometimes seems considered as opposed to merely an instinctive defensive action.

As T&B says you're unlikely to see any at the convention but then there's always Dan. If I were your side of the pond it's where I'd be spending my money.

And no - once the scrub but bites it's difficult to go back. I keep looking at other localities but (un) luckily I can't house any more anyway so window shopping it is.