Living Gems Babies: Litter 2015-C

[Snakesitter]

On Saturday, January 16, the final litter from LGR’s 2015 breeding season arrived. Dad Ceasarion and Mom Onyx produced a litter of 19 bouncing baby Brazilians.

Sire

Pictured on his fifth birthday.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1718/23994356004_1442ba1393_z.jpg

Dam

Pictured at age seven and a half, while she was basking away on the heat.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1655/24109622851_edefaa6e13_z.jpg

Babies

Mom chose to delivery in her water bowl:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1622/23994359274_23b959bde4_z.jpg

The babies scattered pretty quickly. Some went far….

Babies huddled in the far corner. Can you count the tiny heads?
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1496/24540285181_83f2aba4c9_z.jpg

Some, not so far…

This baby staked out a claim on the edge of Mom’s water bowl.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1695/23995697343_04b6f290e0_z.jpg

And some just decided to have fun:

Mom makes a wonderful playset.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1602/24596329686_c8ed93a379_z.jpg

Note Mom’s duller orange. She used to be one of the most stunning orange females in our stable, but a few years back experienced the odd color fade that some Brazilians undergo, one that no one has been able to crack. As a testament to her intense original color, she is still orange...most animals go dull brown. I’m hoping that the cross between two intense orange lines will produce some even more intense babies, and am confident enough in that result that I will hold back several of them to improve our lines.

On a sad note, here was also one stillborn. RIP little one.

As always, thank you for reading.

[Jocarp]

Sorry to hear one was stillborn, but congrats on the great looking group! Look forward to seeing how your holdbacks turn out! I can't wait until I can get back into the BRBs and your threads make it more difficult!!! :freakedout:

[dannybgoode]

Beautiful. Cheered me right up this morning. Progress pics requested and required. Shame I'm not in the US as it's gladly have one of these!

[Snakesitter]

Thank you! I can't wait to continue tempting you. ;-)

[Snakesitter]

Thank you! Maybe I'll find a way to slip a few over the UK.... ;-)

[reptiledude987]

I have a question for you. I recently got a very small brb that supposedly had the high red parents. Im told that its just under 2 years old but was under 30 g. apparent he was only being fed just enough to keep him alive. Ive had him for a few months now and he has more than doubled in size since I got her. What Im wondering is if they get a more intense red as they grow and mature?

[Snakesitter]

Two years and only 30 grams? That owner should be shot. I would write a bad report on Fauna in a heartbeat.

They do develop color as they age and grow...but that usually happens by this point. Color is typically at adult levels by between 18 and 30 months of age.

Then again, I've never seen a two-year old that tiny, short of a medical reason. Maybe he will catch up? I cannot say for sure. Please do keep us posted though on his development.

[Albert Clark]

Two years and only 30 grams? That owner should be shot. I would write a bad report on Fauna in a heartbeat.

They do develop color as they age and grow...but that usually happens by this point. Color is typically at adult levels by between 18 and 30 months of age.

Then again, I've never seen a two-year old that tiny, short of a medical reason. Maybe he will catch up? I cannot say for sure. Please do keep us posted though on his development.

Thanks Snakesitter for all your hard work bringing those beautiful brb's to the forefront. Congrats also for the terrific clutch! Feel bad for the dead hatchling.

[reptiledude987]

Two years and only 30 grams? That owner should be shot. I would write a bad report on Fauna in a heartbeat.

They do develop color as they age and grow...but that usually happens by this point. Color is typically at adult levels by between 18 and 30 months of age.

Then again, I've never seen a two-year old that tiny, short of a medical reason. Maybe he will catch up? I cannot say for sure. Please do keep us posted though on his development.

I believe the actual age to be closer to a year and a half but was told 2. Also the weight is an estimate but probably pretty close. Ive had him around 4 months and hes gone from the original skinny weight to a nice plump healthy weight and around 14-16" to around 24-26".

I didnt get him directly from a breeder. honestly have no clue who the breeder was. I got him from a friend that it was given to from whoever it was that bought him and kept him for the 1.5-2 years.

Do you think once hes at a proper size he will ever be capable of breeding once I get a female? I dont really mind if he cant just curious if this can be deterimental to his ability to breed. If he spends the rest of his life with me simply as a pet and never breeds its ok. Im just happy that hes healthy and growing.

[Snakesitter]

It happens -- the reason snakes have such large litters is that all of them are destined to grow up. 19 out of 20 is still pretty good, and the little one's genes will live on though his siblings.

[Snakesitter]

And thank you for the kind words. :-)

[Snakesitter]

That's good growth and good news!

I suspect it will not affect his ability to breed, but only time will tell for sure.

Regardless, make sure you are prepared for all the responsibility that comes with breeding -- caring for and selling a litter of little nippers is a lot more work than people realize, and many end up rehoming them for almost free, which hurts the breeders who work so hard over the long haul to make the trade in these pets sustainable.

Either way, good luck to both him and you!

[Jim Smith]

Your snakes are amazingly beautiful. Every time I see someone post a photo of a BRB on any other site, I think of your animals and mentally compare them. I always end up not leaving any comments about their animals so as not to discourage the other BRB owners. Believe me, if I ever take the plunge into keeping BRB, you will be the first person I contact. Gorgeous snakes!!!

[Snakesitter]

Thank you so much, Jim! We've spent years working to assemble a top stable, and I'm glad to see people appreciating the results. We will be here for you whenever you are ready!

[EL Ziggy]

Beautiful BRB's Cliff. Awesome gene pool and selective breeding at it's finest :).

[Snakesitter]

Thank you, Ziggy!!!!