🐍✨️ Many people believe that the friendly nature of others, regardless of species, is an invitation to carelessness. However, a cautious approach is always appropriate. Just as you kneel before dogs rather than bend over in an intimidating manner, you give even the tamest snake a moment to assess the situation. The power of a good relationship lies in the calmness with each other. I personally don't like being rushed. If something is urgent, just tell me it is urgent and I will adjust my speed. If you tell me to hurry instead, I feel rushed, which can make me irritable.

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Oh no! 🔥✨️ A brand new water basin! Dakota looks super skeptical. How audacious was I in remodeling his home? My corn snake is so sweet, he could never become toxic. And I almost feel guilty about having removed the withered dragon tree that Dakota loved so much. But change is inevitable. Sometimes we have to let go of what we are used to in order to make room for improvement. So Dakota, get your swimming trunks out and have fun! 🩳🐍🫧

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Snakes become milky a few days before shedding, called "blue phase". This is because a fluid accumulates between the old and new skin, separating them. But why do the eyes also turn cloudy? This is because, unlike leopard geckos, snakes do not have eyelids. Instead, they have a spectacle scale covering each of their eyes.

Today, 4 days after this photo, Dakota has shed his skin and is now climbing around looking for the white mice he is so convinced of.

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Dakota, nine years ago today. Dakota was almost 3 and I was 29. Dakota hasn't changed much, but I'm different now. I find that time can be really confusing. Nine years isn't really a lot, but somehow it is.

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Dakota is the only one of my animal roommates who would most likely never snap or bite. But because he's a snake, people are afraid. A 2008 study showed that the sight of a snake silhouette triggers stress in babies as young as 8 to 14 months old. So it's not something learned, but innate. Other studies have confirmed similar reactions in non-human primates. But the stress reaction does not automatically lead to a fear of snakes. As early as the 1980s, it was recognized that rhesus monkeys only react fearfully to snakes after they have observed it in other monkeys. It was an advantage for our ancestors to be able to recognize a snake quickly and react immediately. For one thing, venomous snakes pose a danger, and for another, our ancestors were also natural prey for giant snakes. But Dakota is just a harmless corn snake that strangles its prey.😇

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A final prayer whispered as darkness consumes.

(I don't really feed my snake live prey)

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✨️ Once every five to six weeks it's time for the ultimate skin care routine. Dakota relies on a full body exfoliation. ✨️

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Watch out! 🐍

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My corn snake Dakota is simply the best 😁

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Dakota's hobbies: Snaking, climbing, digging, hiding.

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