| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| matco |
Posted - 16/11/2011 : 22:23:33
Hi all, love the site and thought I'd register to say thanks for all the helpfull tips and information.
I live in Worcestershire.
I had been looking at owning a snake for a few months, carefully reading up on them and asking advice from a very knowledgeble snake expert boasting 30+ years experience and owning many snakes.
I am now the proud owner of a Royal which I've had for 2 weeks and 3 days.
The snake(sorry not named yet) is roughly 18 inches long.
The vivarium is 2x1 has orchid bark with a tree bark hide and an infra red bulb on a dimmerstat.
I'm obviously very new to this and would like to talk about how the snake has been so far and if anyone would like to give advice it would be greatly appreciated.
Feeding
I feed it weekly and has fed twice in two weeks since having it and has not been a problem at all(feeding on half size mice,thawed during day then warmed in water) the snake in general seems very timid untill feeding day when becomes very alert and coils up ready to strike, it takes the mice quite strongly without any issues.
I then don't handle for two days.
On the feeding day after it has eaten it occasionaly opens its mouth again as if to ask for more, should I be feeding another mouse?
I feed on sundays, today(wednesday) I noticed opening the mouth again almost like yawning? or need to up food?
Handling
When handling it always seems very nervous, I always move to pick up very slowly and avoid the head, I only handle for 10mins max as dont want to stress it.
Sorry for the very disjointed rambling, just trying to think of everything.
And yes I will name her/him once I found out sex etc
Thanks again for all the info included on this site, I will look forward to speaking to you all and any advice you can give.
Will also post pics soon.
Many thanks Matt |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| matco |
Posted - 22/11/2011 : 12:54:26
Hi just put up a few pics |
| Animal |
Posted - 18/11/2011 : 23:50:12
Hi and welcome  there is loads of great info and people on here, and as others have said, pics please |
| jhk2005 |
Posted - 18/11/2011 : 09:09:39
Hi and welcome Matt, you sound like your doing a grand job there, despite the 'head-shy' nature of these beauties they do get better with regular handling :) |
| matco |
Posted - 17/11/2011 : 23:27:50
Hi thanks for the great advice, I increased the handling time this evening and seemed to work, the snake becoming settled and uncoiling then having a mooch around. As you say big movements tend to stop them in their tracks so you wait a while and they back to it again. I was starting to worry my snake wouldn't want to go out but judging by how it was trying to explore I think I'll have a job stopping it!
Thanks again, Matt |
| carlycorn |
Posted - 17/11/2011 : 09:52:29
A hide can be something as simple as a small cuppa soup box with a hole cut in, my second hide is a toilet roll tube, just because hes so small and with his bowl and rocks and hides, i cant fit much more in his rub. Theres lots of stuff around the house that they love to play in I just make sure that nothing i put in is sticky or has sellotape on it. This saves on buying expensive gear every week, they grow out of things quickly im told...even those half coconut shells are £5 on the high street, save money and recycle :) |
| carlycorn |
Posted - 17/11/2011 : 09:30:08
Welcome Matco, I struggle to determine whether its me shaking or the snake, maybe both.
The babies get used to you real quickly but they dont like the sudden movements, takes my royal about 10 minutes once out to unball or let go of my hand and become nosey, then there's no stopping him. If i make any big movements he doesnt like it and balls up again..another 10 minutes before he will come to explore again. When he is in nosey mode I like to take him into different rooms, just to watch him licking the air to smell whats going on i think...
Just takes some time and patience, ive had my royal about 3-4 weeks now and he still gets nervous when being handled on a wednesday after being fed sunday, i give him the extra day to digest because he seems to hate being picked up anytime before...
My OH also nags me about my "marathon" snake handling sessions...TBH as long as the snake is in a nice temperature, ill hold him for as long as he seems comfortable to be out, if he balls for more than 10 minutes and doesn't come out, i put him back...his way of showing me thats enough...or a sandpaper bite lol
My snakes from Ross-on-Wye, so not far from you. The shop owner there offers a free 6 month check on all his animals as long as you are prepared to take them to his shop.
Anyways happy snake keeping...such lovely creatures :) oh and put pics up :)
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| Tawfik47 |
Posted - 17/11/2011 : 08:51:25
Hi Matt and welcome to the forum
Blitz (My RP) do the shaking thing after his meal, so i think it's not a big thing, everything is going well with your snake, been worried is a must when u r new to royals but with this forum and with all great ppl in here don't worry about a thing
hope we will see some pics soon we like to see other's balls if u know what i mean |
| sultanheart |
Posted - 17/11/2011 : 08:14:22
welcome here |
| boomslang |
Posted - 17/11/2011 : 00:21:02
Hello and welcome As bats said rats are better,but he's eating and new so id leave him on mice until he's settled in and abit bigger/used to you.Then change him over once he's all settled in etc. |
| n/a |
Posted - 16/11/2011 : 23:04:47
I've noticed snakes shaking if they encounter anything unusual, and I've seen one of my royals shaking just before a meal. I understand this is totally normal; plus the royal spider morph is capable of exaggerated wobbling (peculiar to this morph and offshoots) but is one of the best royal feeders.
Don't think you need to worry; interesting, but just a snakey mannerism. |
| matco |
Posted - 16/11/2011 : 22:48:08
Thanks for the encouragement, it has helped put my mind at rest.
I will try get another hide this wkend and maybe something to climb on.
The shop who I brought from has a very experienced keeper and I did mention to him I would be bringing the snake back for a health check and any questions I may have, so will probably ask if should go to a bigger meal.
Another question you may be able to answer is that the snake seems to shake a little, not all the time not sure if its nervous or normal?
Other than that seems very bright and moves well.
Thanks for welcolming me, Matt |
| GMac |
Posted - 16/11/2011 : 22:41:51
hi and welcome. |
| n/a |
Posted - 16/11/2011 : 22:31:01
Hi and welcome!
They often yawn after feeding; sometimes to re-align the jaw. Sometimes they yawn well ...just because they yawn, bless them!
Rats are better than mice in the long term, as they get a lot bigger - easier to feed one rat than several mice to an adult royal. I follow a guide on this forum that recommends feeding 10/15% of the snake's weight.
Royals ARE nervous when being handled; they wince away from your hand but ...funny, they do love to come out and be handled, bless them.
Your setup sounds great though personally I like to give them at least 2 hides but sounds like everything's going well, feeding, handling wise - congrats! |
