Ribbon on the Ranch

[EasternGirl]

You have been infected by us...muahahahaha!!! Our job is done here. You didn't really think you could come on this forum and continue on with one garter did you?

Steve keeps Shyblue with garters...but ribbons can be hard to deal with...they are generally very skiddish and don't like handling from what I understand. I would think getting another garter would probably be good for her...I think putting another snake in always helps a shy snake to become more social...but I would probably get another garter instead of a ribbon. Just my opinion...not that you asked for it...lol. I'll let Steve give his opinion now....

[guidofatherof5]

hey steve,

there are a couple of what look to be southern or peninsula ribbons at the local pet store in town: light blue-grey backs split up the middle by a very pale off-white stripe. they're gorgeous. can garters and ribbons live together peacefully? i've read in a few places that garters do better in small groups. do you think getting a little ribbon for the tank would help or hurt Hydra? (i told myself i wouldn't get the multi-garter fever, but i think it's struck).

I have some large groups of radixes (10-15 adults) and they are doing great. One big happy family.
Not sure a Ribbon would be good at this point.
I by no means know a lot about ribbons but it seems they are very jumpy. That might not be the behavior you want shown to your Hydra.
Also keep in mind a quarantine time for any new snake.

[aquamentus_11]

yeah, i actually took one of them out the other day and it was pretty jumpy. it did settle down nicely once out though. do snakes learn from each other? i've never kept more than one at a time. i was actually hoping that a better eater might stimulate Hydra to eat a bit better herself. also, how long should a quarantine be?

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/husb...lk-thread.html

[aquamentus_11]

yeesh 60 days; if she hasn't starting eating by then, there'll be no need for the quarantine. although, by the time the 60 days are up and i would introduce the ribbon, she will be settled in (ideally). why the 60 days for cb's too?

[guidofatherof5]

Better safe then sorry.

[aquamentus_11]

agreed. how's shyblue doing? any new breakthroughs?

btw, if hydra didn't eat tonight, i'll be stopping by the pet store to take a look at them again. i'm not ignoring the advice you and marnie gave, just have my sights set at the moment. i don't have the equipment for another snake anyway. plus, the girlfriend says no more snakes, but we'll see.

[EasternGirl]

Time to get a new girlfriend then.... I will not get another man until I find one who loves snakes and well...many animals...lol. Well, I guess he would have to if he was going to come over here. I know the quarantine thing is tough...I am getting this new snake because I want a roomie for Hermes asap...but I have to think of Hermes and the fact that I wouldn't want anything to happen to him. You especially have to be careful with pet store animals. When doing a quarantine some people use plastic containers I think...since it's temporary...plastic tubs instead of making a whole additional tank for the snake. I think...you could ask other members about that.

[guidofatherof5]

agreed. how's shyblue doing? any new breakthroughs?

btw, if hydra didn't eat tonight, i'll be stopping by the pet store to take a look at them again. i'm not ignoring the advice you and marnie gave, just have my sights set at the moment. i don't have the equipment for another snake anyway. plus, the girlfriend says no more snakes, but we'll see.

Only that last one I posted about. Post 152

[guidofatherof5]

Today was a feed day for the group with Shyblue. She was the only one that didn't get fed as I was out of tilapia.
Shy was in rare form as she came out to see me while I fed the others. She even let me rub her back once.
I see her watching the radixes to see how they react to me. If they are crawling on my hands and arms she'll move right in with them.
It used to be that blinking would cause her to bolt. Today we had a staring contest and I was aloud to blink all I wanted.
I've also started talking more to her through the screen when she is at her most relaxed. She is really a fine snake and I hope we can become good friends.
These are all tiny steps but Shy is well worth all the time.