Finally! Meet Mortarion!

Kanadi · 08-21-16, 07:31 PM

Hi guys! Super excited to show off my baby!!! Just picked him up today! Ended up going with the 2-4yr adult male instead of the baby. I just couldn't say no to the green guy who's been sitting at their display desk for weeks cause no body wanted him. 8(

Super sweet when I picked him up and chilled with him. HOWEVER--! he did try to take a bite out of me when I was holding him. Just kinda pushed his mouth hard against my thumb knuckle and slooooooooooooooooowly opened him mouth. It was the weirdest thing. O_O

He seems to like his new tank; mom said she'd get me a longer tank for him since he's in an 18x18x18 (loves to climb the logs in the back). The guy who sold him to me told me to leave him alone for a week, to let him settle in and to feed him after a week just so he doesn't stress out.

Also, when I went to adjust one of the thermometers in his enclosure, he flew out of his hidey hole rock and tried to bite me!!! His mouth was open and everything. Should I be worried or is he just stressed cause he's in a new place? He was totally chill earlier today and all of a sudden he's trying to bite. =(

SWDK · 08-21-16, 07:53 PM

He is more than likely stressed a bit and grumpy from the move and new surroundings. Just being defensive bc that's all they have to protect themselves is a good bite. Keep up on making sure the husbandry is good and water is fresh and let him settle in. Congrats on the new hoggie!

Kanadi · 08-21-16, 08:37 PM

I figured that's what it was so I'm not too upset about it, just got surprised. lol. Hopefully in a week he's settled down enough to where I can start playing with him. x3

**Minkness** · 08-21-16, 08:38 PM

You must have super small hands! He looks giant! Lol

That attitude is part of the experience. I have one who started out easy and calm, but that was because he was super sick, and now he's more like how your green guy sounds.

Also, that slow bite on the thumb sounds like a feed response. You can attempt to feed him sooner than a week if you like and see if that calms him down. Ine if my females is like that. When hungry she's fast and wants to eat everything. When full, she's pretty chill.

Either way, he is a beautiful boy and I look forward to more updates. =)

Kanadi · 08-21-16, 09:31 PM

I do have tiny hands. XD He's a little under three feet, haven't had the opportunity to formally measure him. lol

Yeah I won't be able to feed him until this coming Saturday. =( I may be able to feed him either Tuesday or Thursday. The guy said he eats live mice. I don't mind feeding him live mice but my concern is that if he doesn't eat the mouse I won't have anywhere to keep a live mouse. >_> How could I get him to switch over to f/t mice?

SWDK · 08-21-16, 09:40 PM

Definitely try to get it switched over to frozen ASAP rather than sticking with live. You can simply wait slightly longer to offer food so he's good and hungry. Then offer the frozen mouse straight up or leave it in the enclosure over night and hopefully it will be gone come morning.

Kanadi · 08-21-16, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWDK

You can simply wait slightly longer to offer food so he's good and hungry

So I should wait for this coming Sunday to feed him a f/t mouse? Or should I wait a little longer? I just don't want him to be upset with me. DX

**Tsubaki** · 08-21-16, 10:51 PM

He looks great

you could feed Sunday and see if he takes it, you could always try to heat it up the first time!

**Andy_G** · 08-22-16, 08:13 AM

Awesome hog! That bite attemt was a hunger response. He thought he had lucked out and found a pinkie.

**Aaron_S** · 08-22-16, 08:21 AM

Hope he doesn't betray you to his brother Horus.

Albert Clark · 08-22-16, 08:33 AM

Snakes always stress a change of enviornment and especially a shipping experience would compound it. Give him time and dial in all your husbandry temps and percentages. The good thing about reptiles is they can withstand periods of time with out food. Just be sure to have clean drinking water.

**Minkness** · 08-22-16, 08:36 AM

If he is nearly 3 feet long....I bet he is a she....might want to have another source sex him for you.most males will stay under 20 inches.

Also, I agree with the process of making him wait maybe 2-3 weeks to feed him then iffer him f/t. That long of a wait eill not do any harm but will surely get him good and hungry! =)

macandchz · 08-22-16, 08:54 AM

congrats on the new hoggie. let us know how the feeding goes.

Magdalen · 08-22-16, 09:19 AM

OOooh he's a little chunk haha. I'd say she's probably just off on the 3 foot mark. If that is 18x18x18 he looks small in it. Just a thought. Either way congrats

Oh and it seems pretty normal for them to have tude. My guy likes hissing at me.

Kanadi · 08-22-16, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Hope he doesn't betray you to his brother Horus.

Omg! Someone who knows! XD he woulda been names sanguinius if he was red, but whatevs. Lol!

Ok, so I'll let him starve for a bit before feeding him and hopefully he'll be good to go.

I'm waiting to finish my probationary period with my exotic clinic to bring him in and have his full check up done, including confirmation sexing.