Your one stop reptile community - Newbie to RTBs ... Hi! and first question.

OneSickPuppy · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 03:37 AM

Its amazing how big the online community is for pythons and boas. Its a shame that people actually own them, have no clue about them, and dont go searching for knowledgeable people online for help. I took in my first ball python from someone who had no clue why the snake wouldnt eat (im sure the 150 watt uv light didnt help with that). Having spent my childhood catching everything that moved at the bayous and ponds near my house, I couldnt pass up taking in my first python and trying my hand at giving the snake a proper home. A while later, Lillith is a healthy regular female ball python that seems to actively seek out human contact and im contemplating cooking one of those rats in my freezer to see if they taste good with sauteed onions and mushrooms as Lillith seems to imply.

Like any newbie should .... i have a question about something that is a bit disturbing to me. A few days ago my girlfriend brought home an RTB that has already become another child in our home. Being used to ball pythons, im used to very young snakes that instinctively have a fear of people. Even my het albino ball, Raziel, occasionally sucks in air and shows threats.... a far cry from the day he arrived arrived from the only welcomed ring of my doorbell striking at everything within 10 feet of him. This little rtb, Loki (if he turns out to be male), has no fear. Everything just seems to be of interest to him. He wants to stick his little black toungue at every nose and finger around. Fast movements and even my german sheperd dont spook him in the least. Is this normal for young RTBs? Is this little one going to surprise me and suck up a f/t pinkie like a puppy goes after a pork chop?

Brandon27 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 08:02 AM

I think you will be suprised at how docile and calm RTB's can be. My little guy, Maynard has never been afraid of people...even at 18''! He's 30'', now and has never refused a meal and eats like a mad-man! BTW...welcome to rtb.net! I'm sure you'll find that this is a one-stop-shop for any questions, concerns, problems, or jst pics....everyone here is a caring snake-owner and will do anything in our power to help you along the way!

Shadrach · #3 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 11:18 AM

Nothing uncommon there! And Welcome to RTB

Heidi · #4 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 11:50 AM

You'll find some that are afraid of their own shadow and some that just want to check out everything to everhing in between. My male will bump a leaf on his tree and retreat and my little girl will bump a leaf and have to inspect it thoroughly. Don't let them fool you though, they could get moody, even the most docile of boas.

MED04 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 11:57 AM

You feed your ball python rats with sauteed onions and mushrooms??!!?

Just kidding!! Welcome to RTB! As far as the boa being pretty docile, they are - for the most part. He may have a huge feeding response and totally flip out when he's in blue, but you will find all that out soon enogh

Congrats on your newest addition!

VoodooChile · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 12:58 PM

I have 2 large boas that arent scared of anything, and a smaller one I got when it was just under a yr old...Never scared, very docile.
Then I have the new one that just came in...hasnt bit me yet..But I know she will..we are having shedding problems, and she is very skittish..
Just different personalities

Welcome to the site

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 01:06 PM

Ive had Ruby for over a year and only got bit because of my stupidity, holding a rat in one hand while trying to move her to her feeding tote.

rachel132002 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 01:09 PM

My female redtail was a whack job when i got her but is now calm as a puppy and i have a male pastel that's all mouth and hisses and bluff strikes when he's in the viv but you go in and grab him and he just shuts up and calms down. Young boas can be a bit RAAR but it's always to deal with the gob factor as youngsters than when they're 8ft lol. Boas are awesome snakes though and are my favones to get out for a play and if anyone ever asks to handle one of my snakes that won't bite or poo on them i get my big boa out and everyone's liek wooaahhh but they're the calmest of all my snakes and so beautiful to look at especially at night when they lighten up and sprawl out across their tank. As for feeding prob and boas it's nearly non-existant unless there's a REAL problem lol my boas will eat any rodent anyway anytime lol they're living dustbins so you'll have fun there.

Enjoy, Rach

OneSickPuppy · #9 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 04:43 PM

thanks. really scared me a bit that something might be wrong since he has no fear whatsoever. if Loki is alive and well in 6 months, we hope to be able to get another one. I have to draw the line at getting more experience first with their husbandry before adding another one to the household.

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #10 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneSickPuppy

thanks. really scared me a bit that something might be wrong since he has no fear whatsoever. if Loki is alive and well in 6 months, we hope to be able to get another one. I have to draw the line at getting more experience first with their husbandry before adding another one to the household.

Make sure to quarentine when you bring a new animal into your collection

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