Profile: Ramón

[exwizard]

Its been about a year and a half since I picked him up as a baby of 2 months of age and Ive seen him grow and develop since then. When we first picked him up, he had some stuck shed on the top of his head but that is ancient history now. In fact, we have had shed problems before with him from time to time, but other than that stuck shed helmet he had a couple of months ago, even that really hasnt been a problem anymore, since I upsized his water bowl. Of course being that they are Brazilians and really need lots of humidity, both Rita and he have water bowls the size of swimming pools placed directly over the heat cable. That works really well. Meet Ramón, my '10 Brazilian Rainbow Boa that is just starting to get his adult colors.

Between him and Rita, he is a little more tempermental but its nothing major. Most of the time, hes as calm as can be. Right now hes slithering around inside my shirtsleeve.

As far as his size is concerned, Id guess around 1 lb and 3' long. Hes still young and has lots of time to grow.

A little history on him: September of 2010 we went to the Kanses City Reptile Show the first time and we spotted a pair of babies at Jason Kruses table and we picked up both him and Charro, with breeding plans a few years later. Anyway, Charro was let loose by our cat and never found again. A few months later in Des Moines, we found Rita and picked her up with these same breeding plans. Its really a lot of fun watching him grow and develop and right now hes following Ritas footsteps in his color change with each shed. :)

The first 2 pics were taken of him last year when he was a baby and the last 2 pics were taken today. First in my hand and then in his tub.

[Strutter769]

He's really cool Wiz. Looks like he's whitewalled during the day? Is that normal for him?

[exwizard]

Apparantly, he does have some whitewash on him. I guess I really havent noticed that before. Im not sure what causes that. All along I just thought it was his normal color. Interesting. :)

[Strutter769]

Whitewalling is my favorite trait of Rainbows. CRB's don't do it at all do they? I'll have to find the metachrosis thread.

[exwizard]

Whitewalling is my favorite trait of Rainbows. CRB's don't do it at all do they?

I dont know anything about Columbians to be able to tell you.

Is that what you call it, whitewalling? Now you piqued my curiosity.

[Strutter769]

Whitewalling is the "slang" term for metachrosis.

[exwizard]

Interesting. :)

[Trollbie]

What is it?

[exwizard]

Its when Rainbows turn white on the belly and sides. I still dont know enough about it yet but thats what I know so far.

[Strutter769]

Metachrosis - The power of changing color at will by the expansion of special pigment cells called "chromatophores," under nerve influence, as seen in many reptiles, fishes, etc

[exwizard]

Ramóns underside is white like that a lot day or night.

[Strutter769]

Ramóns underside is white like that a lot day or night.

That's really cool, Wiz. Maybe it's an age thing. Mine definitely only whitewash at night, but maybe that changes with age??

[Strutter769]

Ramóns underside is white like that a lot day or night.

Well, now that I read the definition, I find they make the change "at will," so maybe Tamón likes that look too! Maybe it had to do with mood? Hunting? Camouflage?

[exwizard]

No clue but I like the way it looks as well. :)

[Strutter769]

Here's a thread written by Cliff that has some info on metachrosis. The pics are expired, but are available on his Facebook page I believe.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/epicrates/86456-metachrosis-aka-whitewall-pictures.html

[Strutter769]

:hmm:Maybe it's the BRB's way of putting on a suit, or a tuxedo. You know, to look "dapper.":O_o:

[exwizard]

Here's a thread written by Cliff that has some info on metachrosis. The pics are expired, but are available on his Facebook page I believe.



http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/epicrates/86456-metachrosis-aka-whitewall-pictures.html
This makes sense esp when you consider when in the day the first pic was taken. It was late in the afternoon just before sunset.

[Snakesitter]

Here's a thread written by Cliff that has some info on metachrosis. The pics are expired, but are available on his Facebook page I believe.

Indeed they are, and here you go: Topic Whitewalling | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.210987005587801.57597.180092758677226&type=3)