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Post by katt on Jul 14, 2011 2:45:31 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2011 3:18:23 GMT -5
My gosh, what a gorgeous snake! Her name fits her well ;D
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Post by katt on Jul 14, 2011 3:23:32 GMT -5
Thank you! She is an amazing creature. She is sooo docile and gentle and loves being with her people. Even if I go for very long periods without handling her much, she never becomes less mellow. She is content to hang out on your shoulders and slither around on the bed. I could not ask for a better snake.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2011 8:21:20 GMT -5
Very pretty pattern, and she is definitely big! My sisters snake always managed to go to the bathroom on me, so I like to look at snakes from afar now
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Post by Sherry on Jul 14, 2011 9:05:10 GMT -5
Wow, she is a beauty! And she does seem to love looking at herself in the mirror, doesn't she
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2011 10:38:00 GMT -5
Shiva is a real beauty, thank you!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2011 19:37:40 GMT -5
she's gorgeous. i've been looking into snakes and reptiles for when i leave home to go to school ;D how big do they typically get?
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Post by katt on Jul 15, 2011 14:41:29 GMT -5
she's gorgeous. i've been looking into snakes and reptiles for when i leave home to go to school ;D how big do they typically get? I HIGHLY recommend doing a LOT of reading on www.herpcenter.com for reptiles. Best site ever but be prepared with your thickest skin - people are a little brash and tactless in their approaches to people. The one serious downfall of that forum. Otherwise though it is the best online resource for ACCURATE info on reptiles. Balls are really some of the best snakes you can get. They can get up to 5 feet, though that is pretty big for a BP. I am 5'1" and Shiiva is roughly 3' (probably between 3-3' 6" I haven't measured her in a while). You can see from the pics how big she is. When you say "five feet" with a snake, it really isn't as big as it sounds once you see them and handle them. Balls are a great size for manageability, and they still get some heft to them. Corn snakes on the other hand, get longer, but stay pretty thin. Columbian Boas are big, and long. All 3 (Columbian Boa, Corn Snake, Ball Python) are docile snakes and good beginner snakes. Corn snakes have small cage requirements compared to the other 2. A 20 long is usually enough space for an adult as long as they get time out of the cage. They are long, but thin. Easy feeders - but they can over eat (unlike the other 2 where overeating is pretty rare) so that is something to keep in mind. They are very docile and curious, but also pretty active. They spend a lot of time exploring and like to slither around in your sweatshirt. They are sooo tiny as babies that you can really appreciate their growth - it seems they grow faster than the other 2 just because it is more noticeable. As a cool bonus, they also come in a HUGE variety of striking colors. They have low humidity and heat needs too, so it is much easier to meet their standard of care. Ball Pythons are a nice hefty snake that doesn't get too big. They are extraordinarily docile animals. I can go for months without handling Shiiva other than feeding times, and take her out and she is as calm as a puppy. I was bad about handling her this past year bc school was so crazy - but you'd think I handled her every day. (I wish I had, poor baby). They love being around their people but they are not super active snakes. They can be and will be active, but IME not as much as corns and boas. They will explore their cage at night so it is nice to have a night bulb that you can switch on to watch. They are content to hang around on your shoulders and cuddle up to your warmth - they give great neck massages! ;D They do require a decent sized cage - a 40 gallon breeder is a min adult cage size. They need floor space as they are terrestrial snakes not arboreal. They also have high humidity requirements which is tough. It is dry here and I can never get the humidity where I want it. Also, they are notoriously picky eaters. They can go on months-long food strikes. It took me months of wasted rats to switch Shiiva from mice to rats (rats are much healthier - higher in protein). Then when I did, she decided she ONLY wanted black hooded rats - the white ones were no good. Then she just Recently accepted a large rat. She has been eating 2 med rats a feeding because even though she was big enough for a large rat, she was just not interested. It sounds bad, but really it's not. It is just something to be aware of. Thankfully, any "wasted" rodents go straight to the ferrets for the night! Nothing goes to waste here! Columbian Boas are awesome animals. My next snake will be a CB. They get BIG (though not as big as true Red Tails). Up to 8 feet, though 6 feet is more average. They are pretty easy feeders. As a big snake, they need a big cage - min size 2x4 feet. They also need high humidity, though not as high as BPs if my memory serves me correctly. Pretty close to it though. They are very docile, but very curious and active. They will hang out on your shoulders, but they also want to go Explore! Each snake has it's own personality, quirks, and care. But I would recommend any of those 3 as a starter snake. Check out CL for rescues btw. They often have been handled enough that they are socialized (careful sometimes pet stores have wild caught babies - they can be socialized it just takes some extra handling in the beginning) and established feeders (be sure to ask if you go to a pet store if the snake has eaten for them yet). I LOVE snakes. Snakes and ferrets are my pets od choice. They are fun, social, and EASY to care for. And minus the initial set up which is spendy, they are very inexpensive to maintain.
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Post by katt on Jul 15, 2011 15:04:28 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2011 20:34:40 GMT -5
Pluto REALLY looks like he's a lavender morph. I love Anery Charcoals though. That's what I'm thinking about for my first corn. And Shiiva is sure a pretty girl! I love the coloring of BPs, but their thickness freaks me out for some reason. I'm always intimidated by them.
As far as looks, I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to get a green tree python. However, I've read that they can be quite the little hatelings. They're also not for beginners with their humidity requirements. Still, gorgeous animals!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2011 20:45:33 GMT -5
really? I'm freaked out by skinny snakes, which is why i was thinking of a bigger/fatter snake ;D they also eat less but more... if that makes sense. they eat a bigger meal, but less time. the green tree python looks amazing. they're so beautiful, and i wouldn't doubt that they have high humidity requirements. don't they come from somewhere hot and wet? i don't remember the place. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2011 23:21:47 GMT -5
Yes, GTPs are native to the rainforests of Indonesia. Pretty hot and humid!!!
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Post by kristin on Jul 19, 2011 11:01:07 GMT -5
Shiiva is so gorgeous! I've never seen a ball so beautifully golden before. She almost looks gilded! Oh and that Pluto is a looker, too. I second the plug for the Columbian Red Tails -- super sweet and docile snakes, easy keepers. Usually good eaters, too. Mine measured 9 feet at last shed. She's famous for turning non-snake people into snake appreciators and helping fearful people get over their snake phobias. She's horror-show huge when you first see her, but then you get used to it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2011 13:04:14 GMT -5
So Kristin, WHERE ARE THE PICS? ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2011 13:57:26 GMT -5
My lavender morph (Anyrthristic Honduran Milk) was a beautiful purple is now a lovely charcoal at 4 ft, this was a recent and fast change over about 3 sheds. Green tree pythons are not good for handling, and their teeth are large and painful if you get a bite. I love my ball python and recommend ball pythons as a first snake. Confirm the snake is eating if you get a baby one-you are better off getting a juvenile. We keep feeding charts on all the snakes to show history and feed for the customer to see at sale.
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