Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm really excited about my new snake. She is gorgeous. I'll put some pics up later. Shes about 3 1/2' and great coloring. I carefully dumped her in the vision cage I have set up for her and she immediately turned to face me and acutally sort of charged me! That was scary! She's very very fiesty right now, so I'm going to let her have some peace and quiet for a while. This is my first elapid and hope that this snake will calm down a bit. Anyone else have a similar experience with the first day?

Hi Thantos- I would not count on it calming down that much although it is certainly possible. I would recommend that you buy or build a trap box that will make your life much easier when you have to clean the cage or give fresh water. A lot of hide boxes have sliding gates for doors but even a wooden one with a hinged door will be better than none.

I have a 4 footer that I've had for months and she hasn't calmed down yet. She's very moody. Sometimes she is better if I tail her, while other days she won't stand for it!

Some days she naps all day, and others she is non-stop sniffing and probing and huffing, and will hood at any movement and faux-strike (usually closed-mouthed) when you pass. Then I'll have company and want to show off her beauty and she will casually look up like an old burmese python. LOL!

I do my best not to remove her any more than necessary. I have a long scoop that I use for spot cleaning but, occassionally, I have to remove her to give things a good cleaning.

Oh...and be ready for the eternal crapfest. There are times when she goes every other day and, due to their fast metabolism, it's usually kind of runny and smells to high heaven! Also, they fart like an old man. Cracked me up the first time I heard it!

But they're beautiful and fascinating creatures. I'm as enthralled with her now as I was the first day I saw her.

Houston Reptile Enthusiasts

Stay on your toes. I am sure you must already know this but your new snake is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Nothing wrong with that as long as you never get bit. Some Elapids can be a real handful even for experienced keepers. I am not saying you are not experienced. You probably are and know exactly what you are in for, just be careful and enjoy!