Differences in Personality

[jjhill001]

Baird's Ratsnakes are often considered to be one of the most docile colubrids that you can get. I just wanted to document some of the differences I've seen between my pair.

My female is getting bigger than my male despite having received the same exact amount of food. She is one of the most defensive snakes that I've ever dealt with. She is the only of the pair that has ever struck at me defensively and has a feeding response rivaling some kings that I've had.

My male on the other hand is much more slim than the female. He's never offered to bite and is much more inclined to be handled. His feeding response is much more calm and deliberate. He politely picks the mouse off the tongs.

I find this difference in personality and body type of two snakes in almost identical setups and feeding schedules to be very interesting. I'm planning to contact the breeder I got them from and ask him if he's noticed a difference in personality/growth pattern between the males and females.

[Bandit]

I've noticed this before with other snakes. It's interesting to see how individuals of the same species can be completely different. Even more so, siblings. It really goes to show you how snakes are much more complex than a lot of people think.

[DollysMom]

^^^ so true. It is something that almost feels like the world's best kept secret!

[Sylphie]

That's normal to me too. Every of my snakes is totally different, even if they are the same species, same age etc. One of my Russians is totally laid back, super curious and friendly, while the other is shy, has monster feeding response and really don't like being handled. The same for corns, one is calm, you can do with him anything while the other will try to avoid you as much as possible, will try to jump off your hands etc.

[Minkness]

Agreed to everytjing. My MBK, which I got because of all the positive feedback about that type of snake, turned out to be quite the opposite. My male BP hisses all the time and if I am handling him wants nothing more than to get away. Female BP is unusual in that she is generally out in the open and not hiding. She never hisses and is a 'cuddler' when held. Each one of my 5 hoggies is different as well. I hot a female and all she did was hiss and strike when I got her (and according to her previous owner, she would musk everywhere too). She never musked me, and after tlsome time calmed down on the defensiveness and now just does laps in her tub till she gets tired, then curls up in the middle and just watches things. The other female, while equally active, has never hissed, flared up, struck or any of that and is so calm that children and people usually against snakes have handled her with ease. One male is like her in personality but a bit more shy. The other two are like the hissy female. One hisses and flees, the other hisses and puffs up and aproaches you all 'I'm big and bad' like. (He's barely a foot long though so I laugh lol). Oh, and the MBK was traded for a young carpet, who are notorious for being shy, nippy, and difficult to feed at first (or switch their food), and the one I got has never struck or even postured to strike, is always out on her climb or in her plants watching things, and only hides after a big meal or when in shed. She readily takes mouse fuzzies or rat pinks and is very easy to handle since she explores a little at first, then settles in for 'cuddles'. None of the hoggies settle in for 'cuddles'. So, out of 8 snakes I have 8 very different personalities, and I love each one! Even the grumpiest lol.

(Note, I know snakes don't cuddle, just beat word I could think of)

[Sasha2]

My corns are all different. Noodle is outgoing and loves to be out, Pixie is shy stays mostly hidden but is handleable, Khan is a handful, musks me every single time I get him out.
My boas are opposites as well, male is skittish and shy, female is bold and outgoing, yet they are handled the same amount.