Some of you remember my post earlier this month about my Lindheimeri that I got from a dealer in Las Vegas. I had posted comments about my success with "taming the dragon", and several members replied back, amused at my inexperience.
Some replies pointed out that the snake did not look in good health. Despite being sleek, he was slim, side scales were noticeably loose and he was lacking girth. He died after 10 days in my home, possibly from internal parasites not apparent.
The dealer was as much at a loss as I was to explain the snake's death. He's been in business for years, and is a frequent advertiser on Kingsnake.com.
I'm happy to say that he immediately offered a free replacement. I had my choice of another Tex Rat, or even a Bairdi. As tempting as the copper colors and safe reputation were, I selected another Tex Rat. Something about their willingness to defend themselves from harm quite intrigues me…
My replacement arrived on the 24th, and what a surprise! The bag smelled cleaner than last time, but was much heavier. Imagine my surprise when I pulled out a 6-foot snake; half again as large as my original snake.
Snake #2 looks much healthier. He has proper weight & girth, sleek & shiny scales, and is more active and insistent when handled.
He presents a unique challenge, however, due to his size. Key hide spots were too small and I had to replace them; I had to buy a dark, glass salad bowl almost 11 inches across for his water dish!
The second snake also has not bitten! He has only lightly musked once, on his first or second day home.
When handling, I speak to him quietly for a moment, touch his sides to avoid surprises, then gently life with both hands. He handles amazingly well. At times, he insists on climbing down, and is more assertive & rambunctious than snake #1 was, but I interpret his behavior as a sign of better health.
At no point, however, have I seen either snake be "nasty", "mean" or "foul tempered". They may have gotten a bad reputation for defending themselves when molested and being very good at it. (Like some other famous Texans, the Comanche.)
My Cal King is named Ranger, and you don't know how tempting it was to name my new Tex Rat "Danger". (Ranger & Danger - chortle!) For his Texan heritage & fierce reputation, I named him Comanche. Then I made a treaty with him that each of us has honored so far. I'm pleased with progress so far.
I've placed him in my closet while I clean his "room", placed him on the pool table and allowed him to climb down to the floor, and held him as we walked the halls between rooms of the house. He submits and is calm whenever I firmly grasp him.
When placing him back into his vivarium, he slowly & smoothly climbs down, without being hasty nor jerking resentfully.
On his 5th day he was offered a small rat, but he only lunged at it to scare it away from his soaking spot and refused further interest. I'm not concerned about his lack of feeding his first week home; a new snake often takes several days to acclimate.
Actually, my concern so far is how shy he is. When placed in my closet, he immediately hides behind something or in a box. When placed back in his vivarium, he immediately dashes to his soak pool (dish).
He has only occasionally climbed on his 5 branches. When he is resting on branches, or poking his head out to survey around him, he is very alert to my movements, and will move his head to follow me with his gaze if I pass by. He hides if I approach, however.
Each day I handle & work on gaining trust. Hopefully in time he'll be out more and will be more inquisitive and less shy. I'm confidant that I'll reach the point where he will even enjoy being handled, and look forward to being let out to explore & discover new frontiers.
Ever forward!!
Link
