About 12-13 years ago, I brought a borneo stp to a show at the Milwaukee Museums, Snake Days and someone commented how risky I was being (not a fellow Herp Society member, but a patron). Well now I bring many to educational shows, some for display only in Vision cages and others for public interaction. I keep both and what I noted is that younger males tend to be more high-strung and less tolerant of handling. The females have been more consistent, but there are exceptions of course. Anyone who interacts with my snakes knows they are fun snakes. You have to hold them differently since their heavy bodies make them unconfortable when held like a ball python (i.e. don't expect them to wrap around your neck or arm). You have to cradle them like a baby most of the time. Then again, maybe thats why mine are so laid back!



I could write a book on public display of snakes, but to keep it brief here are some take-aways:

- never leave a snake unattended with a visitor/patron.

- never allow people to touch the head or yank the tail.

- always encourage patrons to sanitize afterwards to promote hygiene. I always soak my snakes before and after to hydrate them.

- avoid feeding the snake one week prior to transport and handling to avoid stress and possible regurg/defication.

- bring lots of paper towels, they love to urinate in public for some reason! If they were dogs I would claim submissive-urination, but that is not likely

- give them breaks when they get unsettled. Most don't like lots of movement and bright light in the beginning.



At some point they will be like big slugs. Below is a photo of the bloods I had on display last year where I had lots thrown into a ring called the "Blood Pit" and they were fine. All I had to do was leave a rubbermaid tub for them to crawl into like a big hid box. The pit was about 8ft in diameter.




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