Reptile & Amphibian Forums

That's a nice one below, by the way!

Wish I had a picture of my big red female. I cleaned her cage this evening. Didn't have too much trouble getting her out and into the rubbermaid, but WHOA getting her back into her cage was an entirely different matter!

This girl is easily 7 feet and big around as a tennis ball. She's real smart and very confident - no hissing or rattling from her ever. But she did not want to go back in that cage and she wrapped her tail around my leg like a boa and squeezed to let me know just how she felt about the whole thing. A video would have been hysterical I'm sure. Try holding on to a snake that size while trying to unwrap it from your leg. At one point when I almost had her unwrapped, she wrapped the other end of herself around my other leg.

She eventually gave up and zipped into her cage and curled in the far corner pouting. It was just like a teenager flouncing into her room and slamming the door! "Well fine!"

I really enjoy her. She's sure got some personality.
-----
----------------------------------------------------------
Amy Claiborne

Don't let them take your wasted time. J.T.

Amy,

How old is your gal? Many of these reds seem to have the monster gene. Awhile back, Ginter stated that the founder female of the "Kingsville" line was a seven foot individual. Please post some pics of yours someday...

She's a five year old. Easily 7 feet and maybe more. She's a beautiful bright red. Her tail is so red, the black looks navy. She's really hard to take pictures of because she won't be still. I do have some somewhere, will try to find and post.

I'm pretty sure she's a Ginter bull.
-----
----------------------------------------------------------
Amy Claiborne

Don't let them take your wasted time. J.T.

Amy,

From a purely jovial (intended) and perhaps selfish point of view, you are doing us red bull fans a huge injustice in not posting some pics of your gal : ) Might be easier at that size to have someone cradle a snake of those proportions in their arms for a photo series, therefore adding an element of scale. Almost to that point with Big Red...

Thanks

Yes, PitFan is 100% correct, we need pics of the monster. Have a friend take some while you're tussling. Love pics of big Pits with size comparison.

Sorry, she doesn't cradle. She's a constant motion machine while being held. I'll see what I can do. I really would love to have a picture of her being held. All I have is in her cage or a rubbermaid.
-----
----------------------------------------------------------
Amy Claiborne

Don't let them take your wasted time. J.T.

It sounds more like she will cradle you! Get an assistant to take the photo next time you are snake wrangling.

It seems that most Pituophis (at least the ones that I have) have a determination to move, as in to separate themselves (holdee) from the holder when picked up or restrained. I have better luck with mine when they are cool and therefore (somewhat) lethargic. Definitely not like anything "boa" at all...

Keep trying, your efforts WILL be appreciated!

Mine will sit quietly in my lap if I cover them with something, like a towel or even my shirt tail. They like to feel hidden. At first they may be restless but once they think they are well hidden they relax. Mine are all rather small compared to your big beefy 7 footer, so when they get full grown that may change! LOL!