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Just adopted Oscar (13yr old male BP)

G

Gsnake

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I just got Oscar free from Craig's list on Christmas 2010. The only other snakes I have owned are two garter snakes and I have had them for a couple of months. Oscar is a normal male and 13 yrs old. Eats live mice once a week. He came with his original set up and all supplies. I am letting him be for now. I almost got a kingsnake but then Oscar came along. Anyway I hope to learn a lot here.

aoscar2.jpg
 
I am enjoying my ball! My cat is too unfortunately. I think I have to move him because the cat is spending ALL of her time around his enclosure. I have to admit I am a bit shy about picking him up. Any suggestions on holding him for the first time?
 
You can put a towel over him before you pick him up or just pick him up from the opposite way his head is facing. Most Bps wont strike at you and almost none will once you pick them up, so once you get him out of his enclosure you shouldnt have anything to worry about. Try not to make any sudden movements while holding him especially by his face.
 
I did hold him once but he was handed to me. I never picked him up out of his tank. Maybe I will try tonight. Won't the towel sort of freak him out?
 
If he was friendly when you picked him up from his previous owner, chances are that he's gonna be laid back the rest of his life. I've got a few older balls and they are as sweet as a snake can be.

As far as the towel, it's just so that he can't see your hands coming at him. Same reason for coming in behind his head. I've got some that are too mean to hold, but I still have to take them out to clean their tubs. I just reach in, from behind the head, touch one on top of the head and it will quickly hide it's head beneath it's body. Then you can pick him up without worrying about him seeing your hand come towards him. As was said, once he's in your hands, he should "chill out".
 
Just relax! :D He's very unlikely to nip you and all I recommend is making sure he is awake and you are calm. Snakes can get a little startled if you grab them while they are asleep. I have loud cages-the doors have locks and I have to rattle the heck out of the keys to get them open! If you have clamps or something on the cage opening, usually they make a bit of a racket and will wake him up a little. Then just carefully lift up his hide and pick him up under his mid-body. I also will stroke their side lightly if i think they are still asleep. Make sure your hands don't smell like mice or other prey animals- wash up good!
 
Okay so tonight I will pick him up when he wakes up. He's on a definite schedule of being awake between about 8pm and 4 or 5 am. Then he curls up in his hide. The problem is the guy told me that he is "grumpy" right when I was putting him in my car. lol

He said he bit him twice but it was when he struck at a mouse and got the guy's hand instead so that seems pretty clear.
 
Gsnake said:
BTW my real name is Ruth. Ron is my room mate.
I should have that changed.
Click to expand...


Ruth, just start your own account so that there is no confusion as to who you are. Will be especially helpful (for you, and everyone else) in other sections of this site.

Did you pick him up? If the only time he bit his previous owner was at feeding time, you really should have nothing to worry about. I don't know the exact statistic, but I'll go out on a limb and say (at least with your average BP) 99% of the time that someone gets bitten, it's either a mistake at feeding time or quick movements in their face while in shed.
 
Haha, I get it now... Oscar the Grouch.

Congrats. I always like to jump right in so they know what to expect. Always wait 24 hours to handle after they eat. If he's been fed in the same tank he lives in, then use caution when grabbing him after a week of feeding. He might expect your hand as a mouse. DO NOT let him intimidate you. If he hisses and you back away, he will figure out that this attitude will make you leave him alone. Show him you will not back down and he will expect you not to (unless he's in shed/eating, then you should back away).

If it makes you feel better, start off with a hook. I won't lie, I've had to use one a couple times LOL. A paint roller handle or an "L" shaped curtain rod works fine, just don't hurt him. This makes good practice to see how he reacts.

Oh yeah, I missed the main point I wanted to make. Leave him alone for a couple weeks. Let him get use to the new sounds, smells (cat!), lighting, temps, maybe even new cage? In a couple weeks he will be venturing around the tank trying to find something new. This is a great time to introduce yourself.

If he is stressed he might defend himself so always keep him a good distance from your face and have a good bearing on how much he is coiled and how far he can stretch
 
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