A dream made real, Mira the Vietnamese blue beauty rat snake

[Snagrio]

Had to make an adjustment. She had been inside the biggest bamboo stump for about 3 days and I was getting concerned that she couldn't get out, so I carefully took the piece out to tip over (really glad I made everything movable) and plugged it off with chunks of cork bark and super glue like I already did with the other two stalks for the same reason. She probably wasn't really stuck and just felt comfy/safe in there, but I was inevitably going to have to do this anyway because I'm sure it was only a matter of time before she truly DID get stuck as she grew in size, which she is doing, quickly.



On a lighter note, she and Hoco had their first hopper mice tonight (with bonus pinkies since I've still got all of those to go through).

[Snagrio]

Behold, a blue blue beauty.

[Snagrio]

My little queen out of a fresh shed.
(There's a light reflecting off her cheek in the second pic in case it looks like scale damage, I thought it was an injury too when I first looked at it).


She did bite me again, but it entirely my own fault. She was hiding in one of her floor hides which she doesn't usually do so I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find her in the first place, and then I brought her upstairs so my dad could see her, and having another person in front of her got her upset enough. Lesson learned.

Worst part is I was explaining to my dad how calm and handleable she has been compared to her species' reputation, only for her to nip my hand seconds after as if to prove a point.

[Bogertophis]

That's kind of a "typical" Beauty snake nip- she still has a "shorter fuse" than other snakes, so she gets upset (defensive) easier. That's a "brat snake" for ya, lol.
She's looking good though.

[Snagrio]

More of my baby girl.


Though she's quickly becoming not a baby anymore, look how long she is already.


Each handling session I'm learning more and more how to work with her. This time the lesson was never be distracted with anything else and give her full attention at all times. Kind of had to dig her out to get her since she was in a floor hide for a change and that meant moving decor out of the way. Well I tried to put things back in place while she was in my one hand and she did not like that at all and gave me a tag in protest. I got the message. It's also a balancing act of keeping up with her movements without spooking her, which doesn't take much. But we do eventually reach a point where she slows down and we both can relax which is nice.

Overall, definitely a "look, don't touch" snake for anyone else but me, but that's what my other two snakes are for.

[Homebody]

She's a stunner! Will she keep those yellows as she matures?

[Snagrio]

She's a stunner! Will she keep those yellows as she matures?

Both of her parents are the blue and white variety, so I'd say no. I did specifically want that type though as it allows the blues and steely greys to stand out more imo.

Father.


Mother.

[Homebody]

Oh, my! That's a whole lotta beautiful snake. Will your current enclosure be big enough for her when she's full grown?

[Bogertophis]

She's a stunner! Will she keep those yellows as she matures?

If you like the yellows/golden colors, you might prefer the Taiwan Beauty rat snakes, as I do. Much the same snake (size, markings & temperament-wise), just from another area that evolved slightly different coloration. (I used to keep some Taiwan Beauties- -they get big too, but when you get them as hatchlings & work with them, I didn't find them to be very nippy- just restless, more like a "racer" than a rat snake.)

[Homebody]

That pattern on her side looks like mosaic tile. Unbelievable!