Hi from Portland

Hello, I'm Chrissie and got this little guy in December off of a group chat from someone who was getting divorced and needed to re-home him. I've never had a snake before or even been around them but had been wanting a pet that doesn't shed (fur) or is otherwise too high maintenance. This is the perfect pet for me. I named him Krtek after an adorable little Czech cartoon character I randomly discovered on YouTube a few years ago. Krtek the Snek. I mostly just call him Schnekkie, though. I believe he's a granite but I really don't know. Is he really a boy? Also unverified information. I've worked to learn as much as I can to make him comfortable and thrive, and have prioritized building his trust, and the reward has been discovering the cutest little personality. Curious, relaxed, tongue-flicking little busybody happy to cruise around the table and keep me company as I draw, as well as do security checks. Kind of like a mall cop. I ordered a nice enclosure from Animal Plastics but they are several thousand weeks out, it feels like, so I build him little climbing toys and stack up flat boxes and cut little openings for him to explore when I have him out. He shed today and is full of energy. His previous shed was in March. Here are some photos.

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Cute little guy! He doesn't look like a granite to me, but he does look like an anery.

hypnoctopus said:

Cute little guy! He doesn't look like a granite to me, but he does look like an anery.

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Good to know! I know zero about morphology, but I love that they can change it up so drastically.

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Welcome neighbor! He is a cutie for sure, congrats! There is a DNA test for sex determination through Rare Genetics, if you're curious. If I remember correctly it's relatively inexpensive and you can get the sex results by sending in a recent shed. I've not used them, but I've read a fair number of positive reviews.

Enjoy!

-Tonya

SnakeCreations said:

Welcome neighbor! He is a cutie for sure, congrats! There is a DNA test for sex determination through Rare Genetics

-Tonya

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Thank you Tonya, I am curious! I will look that up

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He's adorable! I feel you on the downside of creatures who shed fur. I do love my mammals, don't get me wrong. But every time I sweep the floor, I wish mammals could shed once a month or so, all in one convenient piece like my darling corn snakes. [emoji16]
I love that you're entertained by entertaining your little guy. I always enjoy watching their personality come out once trust is established. Glad you found the forum, and hope to see many more pictures of your Schnekkie.

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Thank you Caryl! He's so gentle and curious, and I'm not sure yet, but it seems like he's learning that that two empty paper towel tubes I taped together as one long tube are his car. I take him out and return him to his enclosure inside of it. He's not in love with being handled, so being in the tube is a stress free way to travel. [emoji28]

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That's a smart work-around. I think a lot of people (especially non-snake people) underestimate their ability to figure things out.

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Welcome! He's cute; nice table too.

-s.

Caryl said:

That's a smart work-around. I think a lot of people (especially non-snake people) underestimate their ability to figure things out.

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Its pretty amazing to watch their little minds work!

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Eremita said:

Welcome! He's cute; nice table too.

-s.

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Thank you!

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Hello from Vancouver, across the river.
Krtek is beautiful!
Krtek will probably get big enough and eventually not mind being transported across your shoulders

liz08 said:

Hello from Vancouver, across the river.
Krtek is beautiful!
Krtek will probably get big enough and eventually not mind being transported across your shoulders

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Hello to you Liz! Thank you! I love my snake so much! I did a DNA test and it turns out he's a she, and she's been growing a lot! She shed July 31 and august 31, and now is about 35" long. I got an Animal Plastics enclosure for her that is 48" wide. She hasn't come out since it arrived mid August. I assume it's because it's very comfortable, and because of all the shedding.

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Krtek sounds very content in her new home!
My "Congo" also snoozes for long periods when he is shedding. Incidentally, people will buy the shed skins on ebay.
I love my snake buddy too. He's a phenomenal pet! No noise, no fleas! I have learned his digestive schedule...I take him out to the yard when I know he has to poop. He goes out there, and it keeps the tank clean.
And I believe they get to know and trust us, in their own way.

Great looking snake she seems really happy and glad you found out it’s a she! They are fun animals and extremely easy to care for once you have the basic necessities. I really enjoy mine I had one when I was a kid and it’s fun bringing one back into my life to share with my family.

Yes, they are great! So mellow.
We got a sunny day here, and Congo cruised around the lawn a bit.
We do this often, and if it's too cold, he will come up to my ankles and rear up a bit, to be taken in. I swear this is true, it's happened several times. They do learn to recognize us.

Hotwater84 said:

Great looking snake she seems really happy and glad you found out it’s a she! They are fun animals and extremely easy to care for once you have the basic necessities. I really enjoy mine I had one when I was a kid and it’s fun bringing one back into my life to share with my family.

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Thank you! I love watching her climb and explore the clutter I put on my dining room table. She's so smart and has figured out how to get down to the floor, though, oops. I put little videos of her on my Instagram stories. My friends seem to enjoy watching her do her thing.

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liz08 said:

Yes, they are great! So mellow.
We got a sunny day here, and Congo cruised around the lawn a bit.
We do this often, and if it's too cold, he will come up to my ankles and rear up a bit, to be taken in. I swear this is true, it's happened several times. They do learn to recognize us.

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Wow, Congo sounds amazing! It's great to have an animal's trust. I try to envision my snake's point of view so that I'm treating her how she'd like. Sounds like you and Congo have a great bond.

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