My first snake!

[Thomas.]

Hey everyone,

This topic may seem pointless to some, but I need to tell someone about the exciting news! I've been researching certain snakes for just over half a year, yesterday was my 17th birthday, the only present I was expecting was a "Smither's pack"; which contains the enclosure, environment and equipment. However I received more than I expected, my parents surprised me with my first spotted python.

I was really shocked, didn't know what to say, he is absolutely gorgeous, he is about 15cm long, I don't have a name for him yet and I don't know what sex he/she is. He is very snappy, but only because his nervous and hasn't had a good feed for a while, which I’ll be feeding him tonight. When I get the chance I will take some photos, but for now I thought I would gossip about my beautiful baby.

Anyway thanks for listening.

[PeeJay]

Thats not pointless! im excited! cant wait to see your photos.

I remember when i got my coastal carpet python about 3 yrs ago for my 21st, a heap of my mates gathered up some funds and walked into my party with a whacking great enclosure and a voucher for a snake of my choice! It was awesome. heaps better than socks and jocks!!!

[trader]

Congrats Thomas and a very Happy Birthday to you! What a wonderful surprise!

You may want to let your new pet settle in before you handle or feed it. I guess with the researching you have done before hand you know about having hides available for your python? What size of enclosure is it in?

Enjoy...

Cheers, Judy (aka herptrader)

[shamous1]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would hold it against you for being excited about getting your first snake, or second snake, or third snake or 21st snake and so on.

This is what this site is all about. People sharing each others experiences, excitement and knowledge. Good on you and good on your oldies. (I wish my oldies bought be a snake when I was a kid - but ever since I left the live eels in my mums laundry sink I never seem to be allowed to have one)

[rhipuss]

Ohhh!! im so happy for you!! I have an 10 month old coastal and im still as obsessed about her as the day I got her.Her names karma.I love her to bits.She got out for the first time tho the other day.not fun at all.I cried till 2 in the morning while crawling round trying to find her. i found her 3 days later behind a picture on the wall.
Hey this is my very first posting!!! wish I had found this site b4.

[dickyknee]

Yeah happy birthday mate ,
good luck with the new critter , keep us posted on how he settles in and once he does settle gets some pics for us to look at .

[hobbo]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU and congrats on your first snake. i would love to see pics when you can

[kelco]

happy birthday to ya and enjoy ya first snake and hopefuly many herp experiences to come ....enjoy

[martin]

its great ha . I have just purchased my first also , i have had him for 2 days now and he wont stop striking also , i think he needs a week to get used to things also

[Hsut77]

Congrats on the addition!! Am very jealous, I am still waiting on my licence! have my enclouse all set up and tested!!! Am busting, checking the mail every day!! Sorry a bit off the point, Happy Birthday mate and enjoy.

[cyclamen]

i just brought a childreni, stroppy little girl she is. bitten me 3 times. little bugger. how long till they stop biting and striking.. and start playing nice....when i brought my carpet she is a softy, never striked, funny the difference in species
CONGRATS on ur bday pressie. its great when u get suprised.

[Thomas.]

Thanks everyone. I have a couple of questions regarding my baby

1. She/he is due for a feed, last night I tried to feed him a pinky, but no luck. I moved the food back and fourth for a while, then placed the pinky in her tank. Can anyone give a number of suggestions about persuading her to eat?

2. At the moment my heat pad is covering 1/3 of the tank, it's on 30*C, it's controlled by a thermostat, but I'm confused, should I turn the heat pad off anytime during the day or night.

Thanks for your help. (I'll try and get some pics today )

[triptych_angel]

Give her time to settle in, if she is striking the glass put a towel over it so she cant see anything, leave her for a week or two before feeding (it wont hurt it). Good Luck and Happy B'day.

I wouldnt turn the heat mat off. As long as there is a cool end she can go there if she needs to.

Cheers
Emz

[Thomas.]

Thanks for the advice, I just read another topic regarding feeding and it said the same thing. Thanks for that.

[Ashleigh:]]

You must post heaps of pictures when she is settled in Thomas!