Here's hoping... - Page 2

TxScarlet15 · 07-09-14, 11:16 AM

That's a pretty little one. I got an albino king from petsmart once, that little bugger had the nastiest attitude I ever saw. It was worse than the black racers that my sister would regularly catch and release. Eventually had to give him to somebody with more experience.

Obsidian_Dragon · 07-09-14, 07:53 PM

TxScarlet15, they warned me that this one was pretty bitey, but I've seen no sign of it yet. They said he used to strike at the glass at people's fingers, etc, and I've never seen it. He's not acted defensive while I've had my hand in there moving stuff around, either. Seems like he'd rather hide than bite.

Maybe he felt more insecure at the pet store than he does here? Who knows! We'll see what happens when I try to handle him for the first time this weekend.

I've had miserable luck with pets lately--I'm having to return my cat to the shelter after 5 years because of behavior problems I have failed to resolve, and I feel like utter crap about the whole thing. If this little noodle ends up not working out for me for some reason I think I'll just cry and give up pets all together.

Kera · 07-09-14, 08:39 PM

Very pretty! Lol a good name (if you were interested in pokemon) would've been diglette.

**EL Ziggy** · 07-09-14, 09:15 PM

Don't give up on your snake OD. Commitment and patience are definitely virtues with new snakes. If you feed it, keep it warm and gently handle him from time to time he'll bring you years of happy moments. Hang in there.

Concept9 · 07-10-14, 08:02 AM

Grats on the MBK.

I world of advice. Your cage looks kinda open. I would cover three sides with paper or something and add a bunch more foliage/hides in there to give him some more added security.

sharthun · 07-10-14, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Concept9

Grats on the MBK.

I world of advice. Your cage looks kinda open. I would cover three sides with paper or something and add a bunch more foliage/hides in there to give him some more added security.

I agree with Concept9 and EZ, I have two glass terrariums that I cover 3 sides with cork tiles. Provides more security.

BTW, when you do handle him and he does bite, don't freak out and put him back in his enclosure right away. Just stay calm and confident. He will learn that you aren't going to harm him.

Obsidian_Dragon · 07-10-14, 12:51 PM

EL-Ziggy, who said anything about giving up?

I've only had the bugger just under a week!

Sharthun and Concept9, I will probably end up covering the sides here too. As to more hides--I can do that, too, but he's only ever been spotted using one. 3 hides plus the plant would be plenty, I thought--he's usually burrowed in the substrate, anyway. The entire darn floor of the thing is his hide.

And I doubt I'll bat an eye if (when!) he bites me. Between my mom's fear biting dog and my time with horses, I'm good at both 1) not flinching away when bitten and 2) staying calm.

sharthun · 07-10-14, 01:22 PM

Awesome! Look forward to him growing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obsidian_Dragon

EL-Ziggy, who said anything about giving up?

I've only had the bugger just under a week!

Sharthun and Concept9, I will probably end up covering the sides here too. As to more hides--I can do that, too, but he's only ever been spotted using one. 3 hides plus the plant would be plenty, I thought--he's usually burrowed in the substrate, anyway. The entire darn floor of the thing is his hide.

And I doubt I'll bat an eye if (when!) he bites me. Between my mom's fear biting dog and my time with horses, I'm good at both 1) not flinching away when bitten and 2) staying calm.

TxScarlet15 · 07-12-14, 12:20 PM

Any updates? How's the little guy doing?

Obsidian_Dragon · 07-12-14, 11:35 PM

The little bugger is mostly hiding from me! Four hides to choose from and he's decided to just dig in the substrate, forever. If I didn't see subtle changes in substrate to show me that he DOES indeed, emerge sometimes, I'd start to wonder if I still had a snake!

It's very hard to start taming a snake you never see, ha.

I did catch him last night--and so I brought him out and he damn near lost his mind, as I imagine unhandled babies are wont to do. No attempts to bite, just FLEE...until he finally realized that he wasn't getting anywhere. Then he sort of was relatively quiet in my hands for a minute until I put him back. I kept it short. And while he didn't bite, he did musk. :P

I'm not sure if I should take out some of the substrate so I can find the bugger, or just leave him be for now since he clearly wants nothing to do with me.

virtuousvixen · 07-13-14, 03:26 PM

my 4 year old Cali King still likes to bury in his substrate, and i still have trouble finding him. I tend to just slowly wiggle furniture around until he slowly pops his head up from somewhere