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)

[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?

Originally Posted by 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...

[toddnbecka]

Originally Posted by 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...

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]

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

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.
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[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.