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RickJ · Dec 29, 2006, 05:12 AM

RickJ is a proud poppa again. I'm so happy I just can't resist showing him off. My sons are very excited about their new brother - but my daughters don't quite share the same enthusiasm yet. I think they'll come around though. Haven't thought of a name yet; I'm thinking about Reggie.

It's a Ball Python. Rick is in 7th heaven.

NeedKarma · Dec 29, 2006, 05:21 AM

Sure they're when they're small but...

:)

RickJ · Dec 29, 2006, 05:37 AM

Hehe, they get up to 4 feet long.

s2tp · Dec 29, 2006, 05:52 AM

Aww yay for Rick...

You're a nail biter! Haha

Awesome snake though

RickJ · Dec 29, 2006, 05:59 AM

Funny you mention that. I quit biting my nails 3-4 times a year, but then I lose it and chomp them all off again. A wicked habit it is!

Yes, awesome snake! Today I'll be off to the store to pick up some cool stuff for his home. He ate the day before yesterday so I have to wait for the thrill of watching him eat.

NeedKarma · Dec 29, 2006, 06:03 AM

A little mouse for the baby?

roogirl · Dec 29, 2006, 06:43 AM

Wow what a gorgeous snake, lovely patterns. Reggie sounds good. I have a pic with a children's python called Cuddles wrapped around me - I can understand why he is called Cuddles.

SINGLE4 · Dec 29, 2006, 06:47 AM

Hi Rick! Nice "addition to the family"! Even though it is not cute or fuzzy!:p

What do you keep the "little bundle of joy" in? A glass cage? (Sorry... don't know much about snakes as pets).

RickJ · Dec 29, 2006, 07:02 AM

I have a 40 gallon aquarium for it. Yes, it will eat mice; just about once a week, though - so I won't bother with "keeping" mice. I'll just pick one up from the store once a week.

magprob · Dec 29, 2006, 03:07 PM

Nice snake! I once owned a common Boa. I didn't really know how to feed it so after about three months I started feeding it full sized RATS! In two years, it was humongus! It got so big that I began to fear it.
One day, it was on my shoulder and I wasn't paying much attention to it when I realized it had wrapped around my neck and was squeezing tighter and tighter. I couldn't get enough leverage to pry it loose and I was starting to need some air. I busted out of the door and into the street, staggering and pleading with someone to please help me. Children beagn screaming and running away, I chased them begging for help in a choked, raspy whisper. They just screamed louder and ran faster.
I spotted a lady watering her yard so I headed in her direction. She turned and faced me as I came to within four feet of her, screaming, she sprayed me with horror filling her face. The snake bolted from the cold water and loosened its grip just enough for me to get a better hold and pull it loose, enough to gasp in urgently needed, life giving air.
The mail man had watched in horror as the events transpired. He decided to help me and within a few short minutes, I was free of the snakes crushing grip.
Nice snake Rick. :cool:

J_9 · Dec 29, 2006, 03:10 PM

Beautiful snake Rick.

We had a corn snake recently and we named him Colonel.

Glad the wife gave in.

magprob · Dec 29, 2006, 03:14 PM

Looks like a female, is it?

Nez · Dec 29, 2006, 03:39 PM

I looked on YouTube,and saw pythons doing all sorts of nasty things,none of which could be posted here.So instead,I thought this might send a shiver down your spine. :D

magprob · Dec 29, 2006, 04:28 PM

Yeaaa! I just gots ta have me one of them! YIKES!

RickJ · Dec 29, 2006, 05:10 PM

Hehe, yep, pretty teeth they've got, huh :)

I picked the Ball Python because of their easy disposition. Also, as a general rule, they don't "bite" things. They kill things by squeezing them to death. Those teeth are not meant to penetrate, they're just meant to stop whatever critter they've caught for dinner from getting away - until they can get their body around it to give it a big hug.

... then when they're getting it down the gullet they manipulate their mouth so that those teeth push the yummy down their throat.

I can't wait until next week to watch it in action!

s2tp · Dec 29, 2006, 06:27 PM

Heya I recognize that picture, I believe the snake was actually electrocuted on that fence... thats why it was biting it...

I like snakes well enough, but I don't think I could ever have one as a pet.

A friend of my moms, her husband caught a rattle snake, and has been keeping it in a tank in his garage... yes I know its illegal, but he's all stoked about it. His poor wife and daughters are so scared and fed up they were trying to think of ways to get rid of it. She was thinking of hooking a hose from the muffler to the tank and making the snake die that way... but her husband would be PISSED if he knew she did anything. I think one of the daughters finally called animal services as a 'neighbor' and they came and got the snake... lol.

Ok that was just my snake story, ciao!

sadiesmom · Dec 30, 2006, 07:56 PM

He is a handsome lad!

RickJ · Jan 3, 2007, 10:37 AM

We fed Reggie for the first time last night.

Too Cool!!

We put the mouse in his home and he didn't seem to care. We thought "Oh Crap, this will be one of those finiky snakes that wants frozen food or something"...

Then my son picked up the mouse and dangled it in front of Reggie's face and he snatched that mouse in the blink of an eye!

Watching him work that thing down was awesome!

... shhh, don't tell PETA :p

Myth · Jan 3, 2007, 10:37 PM

Awsome snake... wish I could talk the hubby into letting me have one... maybe... or a dog

RickJ · Jan 4, 2007, 05:04 AM

The snake will be far less maintenance than a dog. I don't have to walk it and it only eats and poops once a week...

My kids have guinea pigs that are a royal pain in the butt. They stink - and they eat and poop a lot. Cleaning out the cage is a pain. I've got indoor-outdoor carpet in the bottom of the snake home so when he poops, I'll just take it out, hose it off and put it back in.

I've had him 8 days now and he hasn't even pooped yet.

Low maintenance is nice.