Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK Folks,

I purchased my first Drymarchon (Unicolor Cribo) 2 months ago, she is a spectacular animal... Very beautiful... probably 40 or so inches. Heres the problem... When I bought her at the show she was super gentle, but as soon as I got her home she went ballistic!!! ( I ought to name her after my wife I suppose!) I have her in a 4 foot precision cage, temps 83 on the warm side during the day.. down to 73 at night, she has two hides that are the perfect size for her.. I try to keep the humidity around 55e%. She hardly ever comes out of the hides, but if she is out and she sees someone (she is in a low people traffic area)she goes bonkers and tries her best to nail them through the plexiglass. She will tolerate (although barely) handling but only if you happen to be able to reach in and pick her up when her head is turned around... Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong or what I can do to help calm her down a bit??? I have had bullsnakes that were like this initially, but calmed down after regular handling... This one doesn't seem to be getting any better and its one thing to get nailed by a 3 or 4 footer, but when she gets 7 or 8 feet I don't wanna be on the receiving end of her wrath... (very big headed girl)

Thanks for any input, I know some of you are getting a chuckle out of this one!

Scott

Scott,

I find my Unicolor and Blacktail Cribo's are more nervous than my Easterns. I would give her more time to acclimate herself to her new surroundings. I would also lower the temps on the warm side to about 80, mine seem to prefer a lower temp than my Easterns. When mine get upset they vibrate their tail and get into the S position and may strike occasionally. I have never had one actually bite me open mouth, usually just strike and tap me. With more handling they will eventually realize that you are not going to eat them. It is not good to let her strike the plexi since they may get a nose injury. Cover the cage front with paper or something to help her feel more secure. It may take more time, but be patient and she should come around.

Robert

>>OK Folks,
>>
>>I purchased my first Drymarchon (Unicolor Cribo) 2 months ago, she is a spectacular animal... Very beautiful... probably 40 or so inches. Heres the problem... When I bought her at the show she was super gentle, but as soon as I got her home she went ballistic!!! ( I ought to name her after my wife I suppose!) I have her in a 4 foot precision cage, temps 83 on the warm side during the day.. down to 73 at night, she has two hides that are the perfect size for her.. I try to keep the humidity around 55e%. She hardly ever comes out of the hides, but if she is out and she sees someone (she is in a low people traffic area)she goes bonkers and tries her best to nail them through the plexiglass. She will tolerate (although barely) handling but only if you happen to be able to reach in and pick her up when her head is turned around... Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong or what I can do to help calm her down a bit??? I have had bullsnakes that were like this initially, but calmed down after regular handling... This one doesn't seem to be getting any better and its one thing to get nailed by a 3 or 4 footer, but when she gets 7 or 8 feet I don't wanna be on the receiving end of her wrath... (very big headed girl)
>>
>>Thanks for any input, I know some of you are getting a chuckle out of this one!
>>
>>Scott