Announcing the Arrival of Nightmare!

[ArvadaLanee]

Our new baby boy has just arrived! My twin boys decided to name him Nightmare. I wanted to video the unboxing, but I am the only one home, and I couldn't hold my phone and open the box up at the same time. That box was taped up tight! When I did get the cup out, I gently removed the lid, and Nightmare started flicking his tongue like crazy and then digging into the paper to try to hide. Poor little guy. I quickly placed the cup into the viv, and he finished digging under the paper, and then stuck his head out to look at me. He stared me down for a good minute or so, before tucking his head back under the paper. It was pretty cute. I have gone in the room to check on him twice now, and he has moved around in his cup, but hasn't decided to come out yet. I want to take pictures, but first I want to give him some time to settle in, and get a little more comfortable. He is staying in my room for now, which is very quiet, and kept pretty dark as well. Hopefully, that will help ease his transition. His last meal was last Monday, so a week and a day ago. I plan to offer him a pinkie this coming Monday, unless the seller I got him from recommends something different. It is hard to tell with him hiding out in his deli cup, but he looks like he is a good size for being only 3 months old. I can't wait to see him explore his new home, and discover all his hides, and decor. As soon as I think it won't scare him, I will take pics and post them for everyone to see! Thank you to everyone here who shared advice with me, especially about finding a reputable breeder.

 

[Tavia]

Yay! Glad to hear he is there safe and sound!

 

[smigon]

Hooray! I am so glad things worked out for you, and Nightmare will have sweet dreams at your house with such caring owners.

Congratulations!

 

[ArvadaLanee]

Thank you! Nightmare was doing the cutest thing all afternoon! Every time in I went in my room to check on him and see if he came out of his cup, he was still hiding under the paper, but he would know I came into the room, so he would slowly stick his head out, and peek over the edge of the cup to check me out, and then slowly pull his head back in. It was hilarious! He finally came out of his cup at around 1:00, which I didn't see, and I had no idea where he was because there are 5 hides in there for him. At about 4:00, I did open the viv and find him, just so that the boys could see him once. I didn't touch him, or mess with him. I just lifted the hide slightly so the boys could see he was in there. I just wanted to let them see him once, since it will be a while before they get to see him regularly, or hold him. I wish I could have gotten a pic of him when he was peeking his head over the edge of the cup, but I didn't want to scare him, so I was trying to sit very still. I have a feeling he is going to have a fun personality, just from the little I've seen so far. He strikes me as somewhat curious, and perhaps a little brave. I guess we will find out!

 

[cornyjo]

How exciting �� sounds like a character right enough ! It seems like such a long time to wait at the beginning dosent it ? But so glad we did as our wee man eating well and looking great xxx still no shed though ? X

 

[Nanci]

So adorable! Do you have plenty of vines for him to hide in? That way, he'll be more likely to hide out in th vines, where he thinks you can't see him.

 

[Candy001]

We keep a little flashlight by the tank for my daughter to peer into the tank and see what hide out snake is in.

 

[smigon]

This will be the longest week of your and your kids' lives! It is SO hard to leave them be for that first week.

 

[ArvadaLanee]

As it turns out, I needn't have worried about not seeing Nightmare! We don't have a ton of vines, but we do have 2 medium sized ones. We used one to make a "tree" by draping it across a really cool piece of driftwood. The other is suctioned to the glass under his hammock so he can use it to climb up. He has been out and about every evening, and every morning, and not just in his vines. He has already been chilling out in his hammock, moving up and down his rock ledge, laying across the top ledge of the viv just under the screen top, checking out his water dish, crawling through and around his tall grass plant, and even spent a good amount of time just chilling in the front and watching us through the glass. He has discovered a place to hide that I hadn't even thought of, which is in the "roots" of his tree. By burrowing under the aspen, he found a hollow spot under his tree that he loves to explore. He seems just as interested in observing us as we are in him, as each time we go up to the glass to watch, you can clearly see him turn his head to keep an eye on us. Of course, that might be him just making sure we aren't trying to eat him, but at least his first response is not to hide right away. I thought for sure we would hardly see him for at least his first week, but he showed me! At least the wait to feed and begin handling won't be too hard since he is putting on quite a show! Lol.
The only thing I am worried about now, is escape. We have a screen lid with clips on it, I worry he will find a tiny gap (like in the corner) and squiggle his way out. I think I'll spend some time today (when he goes back into a hide for his daytime nap) and find ways to be certain there are not tiny little gaps. Perhaps I will also look into getting a better lid!