Albino Pantherophis obsoletus obsoletus - Marshall

[dannybgoode]

Finley (my little boy) has really taken to reptiles and fell in love with an albino Ptyas korros.

Unfortunately I was at a store some way from where I live and had not had the requisite purchase permits authorised by my wife so had to pass. Plus it was somewhat more expensive than I had in mind for his first snake.

I then remembered my local store had an albino Pantherophis obsoletus obsoletus in so took him to see that and he liked it even more. The snake handled well and a quick chat with my wife and, much to my surprise it must be said, she was quite happy for him to get it.

Interestingly the parents and all other offspring were wild types, this one turned out to be a patternless albino. As some of you know I am not a morph fan but I'm telling myself this could have happened in the wild so I'm letting it go!

Just trying to source a reasonably priced set up and we'll be bringing him him so again store shot for now.

Meet Marshall

[Tsubaki]

Congrats on your new addition :D

[Scubadiver59]

Nice looking despite the lack of pattern!

[toddnbecka]

They're great snakes IME, even wild adults typically try to escape rather than strike or bite when picked up. I'd love to find a CB baby, but most I see are various morphs like white sided or "licorice stick".

[dave himself]

Congratulations Danny

[dannybgoode]

Congratulations Danny

Well Finley really!

Got a nice second hand Viv sorted so off to the woods one evening to collect decor etc. Can set up a really nice naturalistic Viv for this one...

[EL Ziggy]

Very nice critter Danny! You've got some real gems in your collection.

[dannybgoode]

Thanks Zig. Getting there! Couple more bits I want go complete the collection for now.

Tempted to make a trip on Wednesday to pick up a baby bull but we'll see.

[dannybgoode]

Quick update on Marshall. He's settling in well and blimey does he eat. Doesn't so much strike as just grab the head and swallow in one gulp. Never seen prey go down so fast!!

He's a little bit hissy and puffy in his Viv and likes to do his best rattle snake impression but other than that once he's out he's pretty good. Great snake overall :)

[dannybgoode]

As most of you know I only keep my snakes in naturalistic vivs. Marshall has been in a quarantine type setup for rather longer that I'd like due to house moves, the fact he's a complete escape artist, getting all the bits together etc.

Finally this afternoon Finley put this together for him. He's particularly proud of the wooden stick 'house' he built in the right corner as we look at it. I'm super proud of him - he's done a great job for a 4 yo.

http://www.dannybower.co.uk/photos/Obviv1.jpg

http://www.dannybower.co.uk/photos/Obviv2.jpg

http://www.dannybower.co.uk/photos/Obviv3.jpg

http://www.dannybower.co.uk/photos/Obviv4.jpg

[Tiny Boidae]

I saw this on Facebook. I think you guys did an awesome job with this and I'm sure that Texas rat is very happy with it as well.

[dannybgoode]

I saw this on Facebook. I think you guys did an awesome job with this and I'm sure that Texas rat is very happy with it as well.

Ty TB. Which Facebook group out of interest?

[Tiny Boidae]

The advancing herpetological group. I saw you recommend it to someone else a while ago and thought to join it myself. Really has inspired me with my own animals, so I hope you don't mind.

[dannybgoode]

The advancing herpetological group. I saw you recommend it to someone else a while ago and thought to join it myself. Really has inspired me with my own animals, so I hope you don't mind.

Quite the opposite. The more people who join that group the better. I too take much of my inspiration from there.

[dannybgoode]

Marshall is coming in really nicely. Now a little over 4 1/2 feet and has a lovely body tone to him. He's a typical rat - never full! He's eating a decent sized weaner rat every 7-10 days and that seems to be suiting him fine - they leave a good size bulge but he digests them so quickly.

Finley loves him too - like me he's happy to just observe them much of the time but we have the odd handing session. He's calmed down a fair bit although he still likes to musk!

http://www.dannybower.co.uk/photos/Fm1.jpg

[EL Ziggy]

That's awesome Danny. A handsome kid handling a cool reptile. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree aye? :)

[dannybgoode]

That's awesome Danny. A handsome kid handling a cool reptile. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree aye? :)

Thanks zig. I even had him handle the scrubs the other day. I was extremely watchful!

And yes, given my now Shrek like looks did look almost identical to the boy when I was his age. So much so he has thought photos of me were photos of him.

Really pleased with the obsoletus as well. Turning into a cracking snake.

[jjhill001]

Looks good Danny, I love the random fallen wood look to it.

[Scubadiver59]

My two Rats, my Taiwanese Beauty and Yellow Rat, have the same issue...they eat, the bulge is gone in 1-2 days, and they're always pooping! I clean their two cages almost on a daily basis!! :eek:

Marshall is coming in really nicely. Now a little over 4 1/2 feet and has a lovely body tone to him. He's a typical rat - never full! He's eating a decent sized weaner rat every 7-10 days and that seems to be suiting him fine - they leave a good size bulge but he digests them so quickly.

Finley loves him too - like me he's happy to just observe them much of the time but we have the odd handing session. He's calmed down a fair bit although he still likes to musk!

[Trouser Snake]

Beautiful snake and it's great how confident your son seems with him, any young kid that grows up loving reptiles can only be a positive thing for the future of the hobby, great to see, congrats to you both and good lad Finley!!

[dave himself]

That's a stunning pic of your wee lad and his snake, I wish our 3 lads were as interested in snakes. Two of them bolt as soon as a viv is opened and the other one looks like he's handling a stick of dynamite :rolleyes:, ah well at least the our wee girl is comfortable with them

[dannybgoode]

Looks good Danny, I love the random fallen wood look to it.

Thanks jhill. All Finley's work - he did the design. The snake love hiding under them too but rustle the leaves and wood with a rat and he's out like a shot!

@Dave - I've started him young :). To be fair he loves all animals down to his millipedes. I've given him the regius too (which cunningly saves me a space in the snake room as well ;) ).

@SD - yes they're greedy blighters for sure. He'll be on email adults before long but don't he'll go bigger than that. Costs far more to feed than my larger snakes because they eat so infrequently.