(Help!) BHP 4 month old - defensive & elusive

[Hanz Hapin]

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Not neccesarily.
There have been several discussions on this forum regarding some of the commercial outlets and I'm not going to get into that.

I saw that animal and for the price it certainly seemed like a good price for an entry level BHP. (And an attractive animal). I can't comment on its specific genetics as I didn't discuss it with anyone. I don't know why it was priced at 250, maybe they need to make space, maybe its the last one, who knows. There were animals at 400 that for me were more tempting and they were certainly difficult to resist though I was trying to keep my hands firmly in my pocket on the day. It all comes down to what you want and if you are happy to pay what the seller wants. If you are looking for specific traits you will pay more, the most expensive BHP I have was 3.5k and the cheapest 400.

Awesome!

Yes you are right. Im not sure about the whole genetic game yet as this is my 1st snake.

And I just realised you replied to my message last week. I didnt realise. Sorry Paul.

And thank you for your informative Advice. I truly appreciate it.

 

[Nero Egernia]

Why would you think your snake has a bad pattern because it wasn't expensive? Quality should be measured by the health of the animal, not based on colour and pattern. Believe it or not, one of my prettiest snakes (in my opinion) was one of my cheapest. Going by the picture in your avatar I'd personally say you've got a nice BHP. The increased melanin looks great.

 

[Foozil]

I agree with the above, a very nice snake. Nice buy.

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

Its all in the genetics. Plenty of BHP's out there at 250, some a 2000. Difference? Genetics.

 

[Hanz Hapin]

I agree with the above, a very nice snake. Nice buy.

Thank You Foozil
[doublepost=1520239700,1520239514][/doublepost]

Why would you think your snake has a bad pattern because it wasn't expensive? Quality should be measured by the health of the animal, not based on colour and pattern. Believe it or not, one of my prettiest snakes (in my opinion) was one of my cheapest. Going by the picture in your avatar I'd personally say you've got a nice BHP. The increased melanin looks great.

Thank you Nero Egernia. This is very reassuring. The only reason why I thought there was something wrong is because alot of people from the Expo told me it could have something wrong thats why they were selling it for a cheap price.

But you are right, it is a very nice & healthy snake. It settled in well actually.
I guess the defensive behaviour was because I approach him face on, and I realised he/she is very gentle when I pick him up from the back.

 

[Fall guys]

Thank You Foozil
[doublepost=1520239700,1520239514][/doublepost]
Thank you Nero Egernia. This is very reassuring. The only reason why I thought there was something wrong is because alot of people from the Expo told me it could have something wrong thats why they were selling it for a cheap price.

But you are right, it is a very nice & healthy snake. It settled in well actually.
I guess the defensive behaviour was because I approach him face on, and I realised he/she is very gentle when I pick him up from the back.

Sounds like they wanted u to take it back so they could pick up the stunner ;p

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

Going by the picture in your avatar I'd personally say you've got a nice BHP. The increased melanin looks great.

I agree. I love the high black animals and they normally fetch a really good price.
I have never had a problem with AA though some would disagree. I think you got a bargain. (I wouldn't have let it go for 250 with those markings. Nearer 400 in my opinion and I have seen one or 2 BHP's)

 

[Hanz Hapin]

I agree. I love the high black animals and they normally fetch a really good price.
I have never had a problem with AA though some would disagree. I think you got a bargain. (I wouldn't have let it go for 250 with those markings. Nearer 400 in my opinion and I have seen one or 2 BHP's)

This is a good sign, hearing a very positive note from Mr Paul Himself Thank you Sir! I appreciate it.

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

This is a good sign, hearing a very positive note from Mr Paul Himself Thank you Sir! I appreciate it.

lol. Mate I'm just a snake guy who breeds a few BHP's.

 

[Hanz Hapin]

lol. Mate I'm just a snake guy who breeds a few BHP's.

You Breed BHPs successfully, and thats enough reason for us newbies to look up to you sir THANK YOU

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

THANK YOU

And thank you

 

[Fall guys]

And thank you

No, thank you

 

[Nero Egernia]

I agree. I love the high black animals and they normally fetch a really good price.
I have never had a problem with AA though some would disagree. I think you got a bargain. (I wouldn't have let it go for 250 with those markings. Nearer 400 in my opinion and I have seen one or 2 BHP's)

Get some Paul. That way by the time I move over East I'll be able to buy some babies off you. Although BHPs wouldn't be first on the list.

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

Although BHPs wouldn't be first on the list.

Well they should be 1st on the list
We do have a couple of darker back animals but not at 250 lol.
(They are het axanthic though)

 

[Nero Egernia]

Well they should be 1st on the list
We do have a couple of darker back animals but not at 250 lol.
(They are het axanthic though)

Snake wise, it'd be the Diamond Python that's at the top of the list for me. Nothing comes close. Lizard wise, way too many to pick from.

 

[Flaviemys purvisi]

Snake wise, it'd be the Diamond Python that's at the top of the list for me

Anteresia perthensis for me all the way, all day every day.

 

[Bluetongue1]

I have only recently read through this thread and have a few comments to make with respect to your opening post…
It is helpful to understand the ecological circumstances of juvenile snake in nature. They are on the menu of a host of other animals, including large frogs, larger snakes and lizards, predatory birds (from Butcher birds up to raptors) and medium sized to larger native/feral carnivores and omnivores. Their challenge is to warm up and find a meal, without becoming a meal themselves. So in between basking and hunting, they seek a secure refuge where they can coil up and conserve body heat and also have a measure of protection from potential predators. Translating this into captive requirements, hides should be snug fitting with minimal space for anything else to enter. Where the snake can feel the roof of the hide plus a significant amount of the sides, then it will feel most secure.

Hides do NOT need to be shop bought. There are lots of cardboard packets that can be found in the house that make excellent hides, often better than those commercially sold. For small species hatchlings, hides the size of jelly, medicine or band aid packets, with a square section of the end removed, are appropriate. For larger hatchlings and developing juveniles, cardboard packets such muesli bars (x5), pack of soup or ‘Lean Cuisine’ type packets, with the same sort of hole (i.e. just big enough for the snake to slide freely through) are excellent. Another very effective and cheap hide is cardboard toilet rolls. Depending on the size of the snake, these can be joined, two or three together, to make artificial hollow branches. A length of sticky tape around the adjoining ends is all that is required to hold them firmly together.

The existing hide in your enclosure appears far too large for the size of the snake. If it were me, I would start by making up four or five toilet roll ‘hollow branches’, placed at roughly even spacing from one end to the other of the enclosure. Then as opportunity presents itself, I would add some cardboard box hides of appropriate size. Then observe the snake at various times and determine which style of hide it prefers. Ultimately the aim for me would be to would be to provide probably five of the preferred hides for an enclosure that size, that were evenly spaced across the temperature gradient.

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

Snake wise, it'd be the Diamond Python that's at the top of the list for me. Nothing comes close. Lizard wise, way too many to pick from.

Might just be able to help you out with one of those too.

 

[Imported_tuatara]

Probably one of the most civil threads recently with more than one page

 

[Hanz Hapin]

No offence, but that is not a good setup for a snake. You need to provide a warm area where the snake can hide and a cool area where it can hide.

Thanks for your input, The angle of the pic doesnt help.... but this enclosure is actually 1800cm Long, and has a Hot Basking side of 30-34degrees, and the other end is around 24-28 degrees, and much cooler under the hide. Cheers