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Post by holajonathan on Aug 18, 2021 12:21:50 GMT -5
I like how the break through the egg shell, but rather than slither out into the world, they hand around for a bit longer inside the egg with just the head poking out. Yeah, oxygen requirements of the growing snake will reach a point where they exceed what is available inside the shell. They develop a 'baby tooth' called an 'egg tooth' which lets them slice through the shell (this tooth falls out later). Their ability to leave the egg is often limited by their yolk sac which is often still present when they poke their head out to examine the world. The yolk sac will be absorbed via their umbilical cord and once the cord detaches they will be free to leave. It can be hours, it can be days, I've had snakes pip weeks before they actually crawl out of the egg... Some breeders will estimate the date of hatch and will slice the egg days prior to the snake to provide oxygen, and some breeders will cut the egg due to anxiety that there could be a health issue preventing the snake from doing it themselves: there are much more experienced breeders than me that are 'cutting' eggs as standard practice. I've tried it out and am not personally a fan of this method.  Fun fact: A newly hatched ball python will subsist on the nutrients previously provided by the yolk and will ignore food until its first shed (usually 2 weeks after hatching). Depending upon the condition of the hatchling: it can potentially wait months before eating. Fun fact #2: A healthy adult ball python can easily ignore food for over a year. It often irks new snake keepers when their male ball python skips food (and behaves anxiously) during the reptiles 'perceived' breeding season. They must have a low metabolic rate. Being "cold blooded" helps in this regard, but they must also be able to turn their metabolic "thermostat" way, way down if they can go over a year without food! My cats fein starvation after not eating for 12 hours. I know nothing about ball pythons, but I would wager a guess that they have a very long life expectancy if their metabolism is that slow. |
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 18, 2021 14:18:58 GMT -5
They must have a low metabolic rate. Being "cold blooded" helps in this regard, but they must also be able to turn their metabolic "thermostat" way, way down if they can go over a year without food! My cats fein starvation after not eating for 12 hours. I know nothing about ball pythons, but I would wager a guess that they have a very long life expectancy if their metabolism is that slow. They can and do adjust their metabolism at will. They even have the capability to shrink the size of their heart and liver when not using their digestive system and after they consume a prey item can increase their oxygen intake up to 60X. I think the current consensus for life expectancy for a ball python is aprox. 30-40 years, however, questionable outliers have been documented at 60+. My oldest ball python lived to 32 years (I was his 3rd/final owner-for ~13 years), given what I have learned about ageing ball pythons and their adjusted requirements: I think I could now easily keep them 40+ years. Photo #147  Some chunks of Peach/Salmon Moonstone. This material was a bit of a challenge to polish as it had a tendency to fracture unevenly in my vibe and little sharp pieces would scuff up the entire batch. I had to rerun many of these pieces several times to meet my standards. There is some level of iridescence to the stones, but, my photographic patience quickly waned as the angle of visibility for this effect was extremely narrow and my camera could not seem to capture a decent photo. |
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Post by holajonathan on Aug 18, 2021 16:16:49 GMT -5
They must have a low metabolic rate. Being "cold blooded" helps in this regard, but they must also be able to turn their metabolic "thermostat" way, way down if they can go over a year without food! My cats fein starvation after not eating for 12 hours. I know nothing about ball pythons, but I would wager a guess that they have a very long life expectancy if their metabolism is that slow. They can and do adjust their metabolism at will. They even have the capability to shrink the size of their heart and liver when not using their digestive system and after they consume a prey item can increase their oxygen intake up to 60X. I think the current consensus for life expectancy for a ball python is aprox. 30-40 years, however, questionable outliers have been documented at 60+. My oldest ball python lived to 32 years (I was his 3rd/final owner-for ~13 years), given what I have learned about ageing ball pythons and their adjusted requirements: I think I could now easily keep them 40+ years. Photo #147 Some chunks of Peach/Salmon Moonstone. This material was a bit of a challenge to polish as it had a tendency to fracture unevenly in my vibe and little sharp pieces would scuff up the entire batch. I had to rerun many of these pieces several times to meet my standards. There is some level of iridescence to the stones, but, my photographic patience quickly waned as the angle of visibility for this effect was extremely narrow and my camera could not seem to capture a decent photo. 30-40 years seems like a long life given their relatively small size. Something good to tell people who want one as a pet. A lot of animals would likely have long lives if kept in captivity under ideal conditions. Rabbits can live 10 years in captivity, but most wild rabbits die (are eaten) in their first year of life. Good thing, too, since with a 30 day gestation period, up to 4 litters per year, and an average of 5-6 bunnies per litter.... we would be drowning in wild rabbits if the coyotes, owls, and cats didn't find them to be an easy, delicious meal. |
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 19, 2021 7:12:19 GMT -5
...we would be drowning in wild rabbits if the coyotes, owls, and cats didn't find them to be an easy, delicious meal. Yes, I find them to be an easy, delicious meal as well.   |
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Post by holajonathan on Aug 19, 2021 15:06:10 GMT -5
...we would be drowning in wild rabbits if the coyotes, owls, and cats didn't find them to be an easy, delicious meal. Yes, I find them to be an easy, delicious meal as well. Please don't tell me you feed bunnies to snakes... The snakes have got to eat. I know. But I'd rather imagine them eating something other than bunnies. |
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 19, 2021 16:21:38 GMT -5
Please don't tell me you feed bunnies to snakes... The snakes have got to eat. I know. But I'd rather imagine them eating something other than bunnies. Haha, rest assured the snakes don't eat the rabbits. I do. They are an excellent source of lean protein.  |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 19, 2021 17:00:10 GMT -5
Please don't tell me you feed bunnies to snakes... The snakes have got to eat. I know. But I'd rather imagine them eating something other than bunnies. Haha, rest assured the snakes don't eat the rabbits. I do. They are an excellent source of lean protein. When we used to raise snakes, we had three large boas that got to eat bunnies. We raised mice and rats for most of the snakes, but the rabbits we bought from a local rabbitry. They were raised for human consumption, so being eaten was their destiny. I've eaten rabbit myself, and I have also had them as pets. Just a part of life. |
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Post by holajonathan on Aug 19, 2021 20:47:24 GMT -5
Haha, rest assured the snakes don't eat the rabbits. I do. They are an excellent source of lean protein. When we used to raise snakes, we had three large boas that got to eat bunnies. We raised mice and rats for most of the snakes, but the rabbits we bought from a local rabbitry. They were raised for human consumption, so being eaten was their destiny. I've eaten rabbit myself, and I have also had them as pets. Just a part of life. My parents raised New Zealand white rabbits for meat when I was a kid. Only the mom (Snowball) was a pet -- the rest were meat. I've got no problem with humans or snakes eating rabbits. I think it's great if lordsorril raises them and eats them. Better than what you find at the supermarket in every way. With that said, could I grab that brown bunny and toss him in with a snake? Nope. Just as when I deer hunt I don't shoot fawns (even if the spots are targets, or so I've been told). Some sort of irrational ethical idea about baby animals, I suppose. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 19, 2021 21:00:38 GMT -5
My parents raised New Zealand white rabbits for meat when I was a kid. Only the mom (Snowball) was a pet -- the rest were meat. I've got no problem with humans or snakes eating rabbits. I think it's great if lordsorril raises them and eats them. Better than what you find at the supermarket in every way. With that said, could I grab that brown bunny and toss him in with a snake? Nope. Just as when I deer hunt I don't shoot fawns (even if the spots are targets, or so I've been told). Some sort of irrational ethical idea about baby animals, I suppose. I hear ya, holajonathan. I can't bring myself to kill any animal except for icky bugs. Icky bugs get no mercy. On the other hand, I will go out of my way to make sure all the good bugs (butterflies, praying mantis, katydids, etc.) are happy. Baby animals especially are so cute I couldn't hurt them even if they were being destructive.
Btw, I eat rabbit, too.
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Post by holajonathan on Aug 19, 2021 21:54:58 GMT -5
I have also been known to indulge in a roasted cuy (guinea pig) during visits to Ecuador, my wife's country of birth. If you're interested in what a roasted guinea pig looks like, search google for "cuy asado" (roasted guinea pig in spanish). If you're interested in what roasted guinea pig tastes like... Don't be.
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 20, 2021 6:55:11 GMT -5
I have also been known to indulge in a roasted cuy (guinea pig) during visits to Ecuador, my wife's country of birth. If you're interested in what a roasted guinea pig looks like, search google for "cuy asado" (roasted guinea pig in spanish). If you're interested in what roasted guinea pig tastes like... Don't be. When my sister was in Peru she had Cuy Chactado (fried), since they only eat it on special occasions it is not standard fair. At the time there was not an appropriate holiday and so she was forced to bribe a local restaurant (known for having the dish) $50 USD to acquire one and prepare it for her...she said they did a good job preparing it, but, the animal is small (relative to our chickens/rabbits) and the meat was super gamey... She told me to 'skip it' if I ever had the opportunity. |
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 20, 2021 7:12:12 GMT -5
Photo #148  Sagenitic Fluorite, or Flower Fluorite (whichever name you prefer). I couldn't round it out completely in the tumbler, I noticed that the stone was weakening at several points and was approaching its breaking point-so sent it to 500/1000/dry polish earlier than expected. I am pleased with the final outcome. Note: The same person who sold me this stone as part of their bulk rock collection also sold me the Kaleidoscope Prism Stone in Photo #145. I'm pretty sure the seller frequents this forum and will recognize these two stones and will probably laugh (maybe rage) when they realize that I'm going to send their entire rock collection through my tumblers. Muwahaha!  |
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Post by holajonathan on Aug 20, 2021 11:58:17 GMT -5
I have also been known to indulge in a roasted cuy (guinea pig) during visits to Ecuador, my wife's country of birth. If you're interested in what a roasted guinea pig looks like, search google for "cuy asado" (roasted guinea pig in spanish). If you're interested in what roasted guinea pig tastes like... Don't be. When my sister was in Peru she had Cuy Chactado (fried), since they only eat it on special occasions it is not standard fair. At the time there was not an appropriate holiday and so she was forced to bribe a local restaurant (known for having the dish) $50 USD to acquire one and prepare it for her...she said they did a good job preparing it, but, the animal is small (relative to our chickens/rabbits) and the meat was super gamey... She told me to 'skip it' if I ever had the opportunity.  She nailed it. Little meat. Lots of bones. Not fatty, but dark and oily. The true cuy lovers say the crispy skin is the best part. I had my first cuy around 2005 while studying Spanish in Ecuador. I was told that I should go to an outdoor market to buy a live one -- that way I could pick out a "gordito" (a fat little cuy). I found two gorditos and bought both, $5 each. I also received a recommendation for a woman who was supposedly a master cuy chef. I took her the cuys, paid her $10, and later that day they were ready for consumption. The 23 year old fearless gringo version of me ate both of them in a sitting -- cuy con papas -- or guinea pig with roasted potatoes. I have eaten some pretty strange things while in pretty strange places. Like giant moth larvae (grubs) in a tree house in the Amazon jungle. The grubs tasted fine -- like roasted peanuts -- although the texture was unpleasant. The cuy was at least as tough to stomach. It was a few years before it seemed like a good idea to eat another one. |
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 21, 2021 20:21:12 GMT -5
Photo #149  Chrysocolla with Chalcocite (copper ore) from Morenci, AZ. This stuff is brutal to tumble: fractures, shatters, refuses to shape evenly and has a 'chalky' texture that fights a polish, only managed a matte polish on these (and even that was a struggle). I would rather tumble fluorite/calcite any day of the week. Regardless...I have produced some really nice green and red/purple pieces. Here are some examples of the rough (notice dust continuously peels off):  Shown above will be mostly white/red/purple with some green veins. Shown below will be mostly white/green with some red/purple veins.  |
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 23, 2021 20:26:20 GMT -5
Photo #150  The bead glass photos are difficult: Making the pattern and then preventing the snake from ruining it... The young firefly ball python (fire/pastel morph) is in attack mode for the photo, it cost me a few drops of blood to defend the spiral design.  |
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 24, 2021 21:31:34 GMT -5
Photo #150 The bead glass photos are difficult: Making the pattern and then preventing the snake from ruining it... The young firefly ball python (fire/pastel morph) is in attack mode for the photo, it cost me a few drops of blood to defend the spiral design. Thank you for your blood sacrifice! Animals can be very difficult to work with...  |
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 25, 2021 19:50:31 GMT -5
Thank you for your blood sacrifice! Animals can be very difficult to work with... You are welcome! You always come up with a hilarious gif. |
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 25, 2021 20:22:14 GMT -5
Photo #151  Orange Ghost is an interesting morph: It is a form of hypomelanism (hypo = below, melanism = darkening of tissue via melanin). Hatchlings start off with an orange tinge and then slowly fade out to the colors of a regular hypo ball python as an adult (which is a light green color). Orange Ghost is uncommon these days because it is allelic (one gene copy will match) with common 'ghost' genes and without 2 specifically paired copies of Orange Ghost-will not produce one. My first male ball python was sold to me with one copy (Het) of the Orange Ghost gene (I didn't really care at the time)...since then I see it pop up every few years: I haven't been selectively breeding for it until recently. Side Note: I actually collected a clutch of eggs today for incubation from one of my Orange Ghost females. Orange Ghost is not really the focus of my breeding efforts so I put that clutch (#20) in my time lapse incubator. The father of the clutch (Photo #27) has a 50/50 chance of carrying the Orange Ghost gene...so I will not be surprised if none of the offspring express the recessive trait this generation. Fun fact: Hypomelanistic 'Ghost' ball pythons leave no pigment in their shed skin. And for you ball python morph aficionados: yes, the snake shown is definitely not a traditional orange ghost.  |
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lordsorril
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 29, 2021 6:18:27 GMT -5
Photo #152  |
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lordsorril
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Member since April 2020
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Post by lordsorril on Aug 31, 2021 21:31:16 GMT -5
Photo #153  In addition to the camera flash: I used a flashlight directly focused on the glass stone in the center to increase its illumination for the photo. Body language says this snake is considering a defensive strike or two...though I can tell by the long tongue flicks that it is having doubts. As constrictors with small hooked teeth-even a solid bite from a full-sized adult ball python will do minimal damage against anything larger than a rat. It quickly decides that biting me is not the 'best plan' and after a few photos promptly curls into a ball. |
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