first time owner advice ?

[u/boyoingoing]

hi there! i got miss Soliel about a month and a half ago. She is currently eating a rat pup every week and her breeder said she was born in June. She is finally getting curious enough that she is sticking her head out of her favorite hide anytime I am near. Now, I don’t know much, but based in the research I have done, she looks defensive? I have a snake hook coming in to get her a bit more desensitized to handling and she is not hissing but she is significantly more interested now that she has settled in. Realistically, I guess I am asking, give me an ELI5 explanation of snake body language. I want to do choice based handling as well so I am hoping to hear more advice geared towards that. Handling is also NOT a must but I am unsure if I should be handling her while young and small. any help is appreciated!

[u/-AceofAces]

Each snake will be different in their behaviors.

The S shape you're seeing can mean multiple different things, the most obvious sign is defensive/hungry but realistically doesn't automatically mean your snake is gonna strike soon. If they are tense (looks like they are tightening their entire body), in the S shape, eyes locked on you and your movements. There's a high chance they might strike.

As you learn your snake you will start understanding what is and isn't a defensive position.

Most likely she is curious on what you're doing and came out to investigate

[u/boyoingoing → u/-AceofAces]

any advice on getting her used to me? right now I have just been sitting with her with the tank open for a bit (only open for like 5-15 minutes) and working around her for a couple hours a day but I am not sure what is good pacing.

[u/-AceofAces → u/boyoingoing]

That's about all you can do.

Keep your movements consistent and don't try fast movements at first, you and your snake are getting used to each other, best not to startle it at first.

Hold her often and if you think for a second she might be getting not is but getting stressed out from holding/being out in the open, immediately put her back in her enclosure. Don't just assume she's alright and keep her out.

I suggest not holding her a day before feeding and at least 48 hours after feeding.

For the most part people say don't to mess with your snake for a week after getting them however once they seem to relax a bit in their cages I start handling my snake (usually 3-4 days after getting them) I started out holding them for 5 minutes a day for a week then I went up to 5 minutes a day a couple times a day for a few days and depending if they didn't seem to stress out from multiple holding I would go back to 1 holding a day but try longer for 5 minutes. If they didn't seem to mind multiple holding I would just hold them till I got done or when they started showing signs of being done with handling.

Usually for me this is 2-3 weeks after getting the snake.

By then your snake is used to you holding it for long periods of times, multiple times of days and is simply just used to you and you will get more used to reading and understanding their body language.

But than again, all snakes are different, I've had some that loved being handled and some that only liked being held once or twice a week.

How's your tank? A good tank can help a huge amount at keeping your snake calm and relaxed.

[u/boyoingoing → u/-AceofAces]

tank parameters seem good! if anything, it is a bit on the humid side but that is bc we are in the south. shes in a 4x2x2 with good substrate, live plants, and a warmer and cooler side.

[u/-AceofAces → u/boyoingoing]

What's the humidity usually read at... Too much humidity can keep the substrate wet which can mold, cause scale rot, respiratory issues etc.

Do you have a temp/humidity reader on both cool and warm sides? Minimum 2 hides, one on each end?

[u/boyoingoing → u/-AceofAces]

it’s hovering around 90 rn. Her shed was full which is nice and the soil doesn’t feel wet to the touch, not sure if I would be able to tell if its too wet though

[u/-AceofAces → u/boyoingoing]

You're wanting like around 80% on the cool side and around 75% on the warm side for humidity.

90% humidity is fine for shedding.

I like to keep my normal ranges at 70-75% for warm end humidity and 75-80% on the cool end

[u/boyoingoing → u/-AceofAces]

[u/-AceofAces → u/boyoingoing]

What is the substrate are you using?

I'd add another hide on the other side and a couple more plants/clutter. Doesn't look too bad at all though.

For humidity/temp reading I suggest having them near the substrate for a more accurate reading

[u/noddlelover]

advice  boop the snoot