What Happens After the Unboxing | Feeding, Testing, and When Snakes Are Ready

What happens after the unboxing? In this video, I walk through my post-import process for snakes — including cage prep, mite prevention, feeding trials, nidovirus testing, and how I decide when animals are truly settled and ready. This isn’t a show preview. This is the behind-the-scenes evaluation process that happens before any animals are ever offered or moved forward. After importing snakes, the real work begins. Before expos, availability, or photos, every animal goes through a structured post-unboxing evaluation process designed to reduce stress, establish normal behavior, and protect long-term health. In this video, I cover: • How I prep cages in advance, including preventative mite treatment and proper air-out time • Why heat and environment are stabilized before animals ever leave their bags • How I assess behavior (hiding, soaking, perching, pushing) to gauge comfort • Feeding trials, including starting with frozen-thawed and transitioning when needed • Preventative parasite management and why timing matters • Tracking sheds and using them as a stress and hydration indicator • When and why I wait to sex animals • Why photography is always the final step — and never part of animal prep This process looks different depending on species, size, and history, but the principles stay the same. Not every animal moves forward on the same timeline, and I don’t force readiness. A proper show preview and availability walkthrough will be coming next — this video is about the standards and decisions that happen first. Thanks for watching. 🐍 Subscribe for more facility insights, breeding updates, and rare snake projects from DM Exotics. #SnakeBreeding #SnakeImport #ReptileHusbandry #SnakeCare #GreenTreePython #ReptileBiosecurity #ProfessionalBreeder #behindthescenes 🔥 JOIN THE DM EXOTICS COMMUNITY: 🐍 Patreon:   / dmexotics   🎥 Get early access, discounts, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive facility content — plus private Q&A sessions and import previews. 📸 Instagram:   / dm_exotics   Updates from our USA, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia facilities plus field expeditions across Southeast Asia. 🌍 Facebook:   / dmexotics   Community discussions, show announcements, and international reptile updates. 👕 Official Merch: https://dmexotics.creator-spring.com Support us with exclusive shirts, stickers, and anniversary drops. 📹 YouTube Shorts & Extra Clips:    / @dmexotics   Watch our most intense moments — snake strikes, behind-the-scenes looks, and previews of upcoming projects. 🧬 Website: https://www.DMExotics.com Learn more about our breeding projects, facility info, and upcoming availability. NOTE: We have turned on Super Thanks...if you enjoy our content and appreciate the tremendous amount of time, work and money invested in a project such as this, please consider helping us out. Website: https://www.dmexotics.com Instagram: dm_exotics Facebook: DM Exotics Twitter: @DanMulleary​ Email: [email protected] PLEASE SUPPORT OUR OTHER CHANNEL DMExplore: / @dmexplore Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I receive a commission if you visit a link and buy something on my recommendation. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra, and I only recommend products and services I trust. Like the music, click here for your free trial: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referra... HEADLAMPS WE USE: -Fenix HP30R https://amzn.to/3h2qOB0 -Fenix HL60R https://amzn.to/3sW8snH -Fenix HP35R https://amzn.to/3UHDQEM BOOK LINKS: A Guide to the Snakes of Papua New Guinea https://amzn.to/3JrsC0x Snakes of Sulawesi https://amzn.to/3zVr3EQ The Snakes of the Moluccas https://amzn.to/3d9aSLr The Pythons of Asia https://amzn.to/3OXRzSn NEW The Herpetofauna of Panay Island, PI https://amzn.to/3QzN16p 0:00 Intro 0:22 Cage Preparation 3:10 Mite Protocol 3:59 Nidovirus testing 4:38 Behavior and Observation 6:00 Excessive Soaking 6:50 Misting and Hydration 7:11 Stress Management 8:26 Feeding Trials 9:28 Parasite Treatment 10:57 Photography 11:26 Outro – Subscribe for More Wildlife Access