View Full Version : Xena!
Trollbie
05-15-12, 01:50 PM
I didn't want to make a thread for this little one until I took her in to get her sexed just to make sure haha
So while the guy at my local pet shop was popping her, he got poop squirted in his face :D
She also managed to escape the very first night I had her, which was at my parents' house... :wacky: You can imagine the start to my mom's morning when I told her :D But it my defense it was her fault because she didn't believe that the air hole I made was big enough, and argued with me till she had it her way. Hopefully she learned her lesson and will stay out of at least my snake keeping... (Moms... sigh). Thank goodness I found her pretty quickly because turning my parents' house upside down would not be fun at all...
She's clearly a character! :) According to the pet shop, she's half the size of what a newborn RTB should be, but they said she looks healthy and that she's pretty. So maybe she's making up for the size with her character lol.
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/5a665ab5.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/7c8d11bb.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/866f5ae0.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/3b448bd1.jpg
Rogue628
05-15-12, 01:56 PM
Awww! She's certainly curious!
BTW, that is a columbian BCI. She looks exactly like mine except her pattern is a bit cleaner (not as speckled as mine). Notice the orange on her tail :)
Trollbie
05-15-12, 02:00 PM
Awww! She's certainly curious!
BTW, that is a columbian BCI. She looks exactly like mine except her pattern is a bit cleaner (not as speckled as mine). Notice the orange on her tail :)
Yeah she's a lot like the other Colombians I've seen. Luigi was pretty much the first I've seen that color. I guess Xena looks like her mom. Although I don't think I've ever seen her mom.
I think the name definitely fits her haha. I didn't know what I'd do if she turned out to be a male...
Rogue628
05-15-12, 02:07 PM
Like most snakes, they all change a bit in coloration from babies to adults...some are just more noticeable than others.
Congrats on getting both of them. These guys are great animals to keep. Easy to keep and usually always good with handling. I adore my little girl :) Unfortunately I haven't found a name that fits her personality lol And she's my third columbian bci. I had two several years ago and definitely wanted another when I got back into keeping again.
Enjoy them! :)
Trollbie
05-15-12, 02:17 PM
Like most snakes, they all change a bit in coloration from babies to adults...some are just more noticeable than others.
Congrats on getting both of them. These guys are great animals to keep. Easy to keep and usually always good with handling. I adore my little girl :) Unfortunately I haven't found a name that fits her personality lol And she's my third columbian bci. I had two several years ago and definitely wanted another when I got back into keeping again.
Enjoy them! :)
I named her Xena because I'd rather think she was badass enough to live rather than lucky :) I think she's proving herself to be just that :D
I enjoy them already. Definitely no regrets nor doubts about taking on both of them. :yes:
RandyRhoads
05-15-12, 02:17 PM
Awww! She's certainly curious!
BTW, that is a columbian BCI. She looks exactly like mine except her pattern is a bit cleaner (not as speckled as mine). Notice the orange on her tail :)
BCI... What makes you say that.......
I don't understand "half the normal size of a neonate" She was born at 17 inches. 15-20 inches is "normal" and she was almost dead in the center lol...
Trollbie
05-15-12, 02:19 PM
BCI... What makes you say that.......
I don't understand "half the normal size of a neonate" She was born at 17 inches. 15-20 inches is "normal" and she was almost dead in the center lol...
Probably because she isn't a true red tail (BCC), which is good because BCCs get a lot bigger than BCIs :)
RandyRhoads
05-15-12, 02:20 PM
Probably because she isn't a true red tail (BCC), which is good because BCCs get a lot bigger than BCIs :)
Why do both of you keep saying BCI....?
Trollbie
05-15-12, 02:28 PM
Why do both of you keep saying BCI....?
Because she doesn't look like a BCC! Haha
BCI=boa constrictor imperator --> common boa
BCC=boa contrictor constrictor --> true red tail boa
Is she a BCC?
Trollbie
05-15-12, 02:29 PM
Go read through Luigi's thread :) People explain it there much better than I can because I didn't know the difference till yesterday lol
RandyRhoads
05-15-12, 02:31 PM
Because she doesn't look like a BCC! Haha
BCI=boa constrictor imperator --> common boa
BCC=boa contrictor constrictor --> true red tail boa
Is she a BCC?
Lol I know what they mean but thanks for the breakdown! I was told they were BCC when I bought them. And this boa book I have...Uhh from the pictures and explanations in there it appeared to be true....
BarelyBreathing
05-15-12, 02:35 PM
I agree with Randy. She seems to be a great size for her age, even if she IS a BCC.
Trollbie
05-15-12, 02:37 PM
Lol I know what they mean but thanks for the breakdown! I was told they were BCC when I bought them. And this boa book I have...Uhh from the pictures and explanations in there it appeared to be true....
I was confused why you were confused lol.
Well I just learned about this yesterday, so what do I know. I was just curious though, I still want them even if they turn out to be pythons. ROFL!
RandyRhoads
05-15-12, 02:38 PM
I was confused why you were confused lol.
Well I just learned about this yesterday, so what do I know. I was just curious though, I still want them even if they turn out to be pythons. ROFL!
HAhahahaahaha red tailed pythons.... :yes::yes:
Trollbie
05-15-12, 02:43 PM
HAhahahaahaha red tailed pythons.... :yes::yes:
You never know these days lol
lumpbump
05-18-12, 12:35 PM
Nice snake. I like how her head spear is unbroken from nose all the way to her first saddle.
lumpbump
05-18-12, 01:02 PM
Lol I know what they mean but thanks for the breakdown! I was told they were BCC when I bought them. And this boa book I have...Uhh from the pictures and explanations in there it appeared to be true....
So you trust the people who sold you the snakes 100 percent? Novice keepers that turn into novice breeders, who themselfs dont understand what they have then pass on the ignorance to people who dont do their homework. Not trying to insinuate anything about anyone here. Merely making a point that people do bad things with good intentions.
Sometimes when BCC X BCI breedings take place out of just that, "I can breed em so why don't I" mentality, a keeper is left with a ton of crosses and because they are unable/unwilling to take care of 20 snakes for the duration of their lives they get sold off to novice keepers who believe what they are being told by the petshop or breeder. Weather it be deception by omission or purpsefully lieing, it happens.
Heres the strange part that makes it possible. Something like 80 percent of humans believe what they are told in good faith, weather it be true or false. On the other hand the other 20 percent do their homework and find out for themself before accepting whats being told to them as true or false.
I wish I could go back to the beginning and harvest my collection from the wild but thats probably not going to happen, short of someone inventing a time machine, but I do believe that you get what you pay for. Take the time to do the research and find breeders who have a great reputation if your wanting something specific. If your ok with what ever thats cool too just don't be so certain in what you have and if you breed your snakes be honest to yourself, your friends and family, and peers. "I don't know" is an acceptable answer!
Trollbie
05-18-12, 01:07 PM
So you trust the people who sold you the snakes 100 percent? Novice keepers that turn into novice breeders, who themselfs dont understand what they have then pass on the ignorance to people who dont do their homework. Not trying to insinuate anything about anyone here. Merely making a point that people do bad things with good intentions.
Sometimes when BCC X BCI breedings take place out of just that, "I can breed em so why don't I" mentality, a keeper is left with a ton of crosses and because they are unable/unwilling to take care of 20 snakes for the duration of their lives they get sold off to novice keepers who believe what they are being told by the petshop or breeder. Weather it be deception by omission or purpsefully lieing, it happens.
Heres the strange part that makes it possible. Something like 80 percent of humans believe what they are told in good faith, weather it be true or false. On the other hand the other 20 percent do their homework and find out for themself before accepting whats being told to them as true or false.
I wish I could go back to the beginning and harvest my collection from the wild but thats probably not going to happen, short of someone inventing a time machine, but I do believe that you get what you pay for. Take the time to do the research and find breeders who have a great reputation if your wanting something specific. If your ok with what ever thats cool too just don't be so certain in what you have and if you breed your snakes be honest and your friends and family and peers "I don't know".
He did say that he has a book about boas, and based on what he found in the book, agreed that they do look like BCC to him.
jaleely
05-20-12, 04:00 PM
i love that last pic of her. she's really cute!!!
Trollbie
05-20-12, 04:05 PM
She loves being in my hair haha!
She ate for me too! She didn't take an adult mouse, but she ate a fuzzie at least. :D
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/f36acd44.jpg
jaleely
05-20-12, 05:24 PM
aww i'm so glad she has a good home! poor lil thing had a rough start! aww!
Trollbie
05-20-12, 05:52 PM
aww i'm so glad she has a good home! poor lil thing had a rough start! aww!
She makes up for it with her character haha. She's already a handful but what can you expect from someone being born on April fool's. Like me! :D
I love her and I still can't really believe that I have her!
Without a doubt not a Rtb.
Trollbie
05-22-12, 10:19 AM
Without a doubt not a Rtb.
Why do you say that?
Trollbie
05-22-12, 10:56 AM
The saddles..
What about them?
They create circles not found in Bcc's, it seems your set on way you want them to be...
Trollbie
05-22-12, 11:41 AM
They create circles not found in Bcc's, it seems your set on way you want them to be...
I've stated multiple times within this thread and Luigi's thread that I'd rather them be BCI since BCI stay smaller and seem to be a little easier to care for. But if their BCC that's fine too.
I'm asking you why you think they're BCI simply because I don't really know how to tell BCC apart from BCI, but would love to learn how. I don't know where you're getting that I'm set on them being one or the other... They were sold to the person I got them from as BCC, but most members seem to agree with you that they are not BCC. All I want to know is how to tell the difference.
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/jay0133/IMG_7383.jpg
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/jay0133/IMG_7344.jpg
Those are true red tails notice the extreamly difference in the tail, and shape of the saddles.
Being sold as a bcc is what's done by shisters to make a little more.
Trollbie
05-22-12, 11:54 AM
Could they be a cross?
Trollbie
05-22-12, 11:57 AM
Those are true red tails notice the extreamly difference in the tail, and shape of the saddles.
Being sold as a bcc is what's done by shisters to make a little more.
I'm pretty sure he got them for pretty cheap actually. But I am by no means trying to argue that whoever sold them to him knew what they're talking about.
So you think they're Colombian, right?
I would say with out a doubt Colombian bci not bcc. They could be muts as well, that's just anyone's geuss. The only thing that does matter is that you like them, wich you seem to do. If you ever need anything just pm me. I'm trying to find you a chart not, used for identification.
Trollbie
05-22-12, 12:05 PM
I would say with out a doubt Colombian bci not bcc. They could be muts as well, that's just anyone's geuss. The only thing that does matter is that you like them, wich you seem to do. If you ever need anything just pm me. I'm trying to find you a chart not, used for identification.
Thank you! I still plan on counting scales... Lol
You could do that but with the vast majority of mixes out there, counting is just a guess.
Trollbie
05-22-12, 12:12 PM
Okay. Do you also think that Xena will grow up to look like Luigi? Color wise
Rogue628
05-22-12, 01:43 PM
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/jay0133/IMG_7344.jpg
Now THAT is a beautifully red red tail :)
What locality? Pardon the ignorance but I'm still learning
Trollbie
05-22-12, 01:56 PM
Maybe I shouldn't have named her Xena lol. Just got tagged for the very first time. Little punk haha.
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/6bed16e4.jpg
RandyRhoads
05-22-12, 01:58 PM
We're you trying to snuggle with her again.. I told you that would happen...lol..
Trollbie
05-22-12, 01:59 PM
We're you trying to snuggle with her again.. I told you that would happen...lol..
No lol. I was just checking her temps. She is in her log and I didn't even touch her.
hellosugaree
05-22-12, 02:56 PM
Cute snake. Like most snakes--the babies are adorable. Pretty soon she will be a monster though ;) My snakes seem to love hair too. It's always fun to spend 30 minutes trying to pull them out of my wife's hair!
alessia55
05-22-12, 03:00 PM
Aw, so she gave you a love bite :) What a cutie
Is she eating for you yet?
Trollbie
05-22-12, 03:01 PM
Cute snake. Like most snakes--the babies are adorable. Pretty soon she will be a monster though ;) My snakes seem to love hair too. It's always fun to spend 30 minutes trying to pull them out of my wife's hair!
She'll still be adorable! :D
Trollbie
05-22-12, 03:02 PM
Aw, so she gave you a love bite :) What a cutie
Is she eating for you yet?
She got me twice! That means she loves me lots right? She didn't take an adult mouse, but she ate a fuzzie at least :)
She got me twice! That means she loves me lots right? She didn't take an adult mouse, but she ate a fuzzie at least :)
You need to switch them over to rats.
alessia55
05-22-12, 03:06 PM
You need to switch them over to rats.
This. Asap.
In the past I've found the easiest method with boa constrictors is to just simply wait. Offer a fresh killed rat in 15 days, if they don't eat wait another 15 days. If your boas are healthy this won't hurt.
Trollbie
05-22-12, 04:28 PM
You need to switch them over to rats.
Luigi is on rats. What size rat should she be eating?
A rat pup, I don't know forsure. She won't eat anything she can't handle.
Trollbie
05-22-12, 04:32 PM
A rat pup, I don't know forsure. She won't eat anything she can't handle.
My BRB is on rat pinks, is that too small for her?
My BRB is on rat pinks, is that too small for her?
I have know idea what size meals a brb can handle
Trollbie
05-22-12, 04:49 PM
I have know idea what size meals a brb can handle
I meant are they too small for Xena. She's bigger than te BRB. But I already have a bunch for him so I'm asking if I could feed them to her too
I meant are they too small for Xena. She's bigger than te BRB. But I already have a bunch for him so I'm asking if I could feed them to her too
Well if the pinkies smaller or the same size as the largest part of the snake there is not much point to feed them. Some keepers choose to feed multiple food items in one feeding, I don't condone this.
Trollbie
05-22-12, 04:56 PM
Well if the pinkies smaller or the same size as the largest part of the snake there is not much point to feed them. Some keepers choose to feed multiple food items in one feeding, I don't condone this.
Ok I'll try rat pup. Thanks!
lumpbump
05-23-12, 02:07 AM
Suitable food item is one that leaves a decent lump in the stomach but not so big as to cause spacing of the scales to show the undercolors.
Bcc vs bci in saddle shape and count. Bcc have a batwing type or peaked saddles and generally a lower saddle count from snout to vent like 16ish. Bci dont have batwing shaped saddles and a higher snout to vent saddle count like 22. Head shape is also different between them. If your really serious you can do midbody scale counting and ventral scale countings and compair to documented scale countings.
hellosugaree
05-23-12, 08:37 AM
I meant are they too small for Xena. She's bigger than te BRB. But I already have a bunch for him so I'm asking if I could feed them to her too
Don't be cheap. Just get appropriately-sized items ;) Find someone who has a smaller snake that wants them.
Aaron_S
05-23-12, 09:22 AM
Don't be cheap. Just get appropriately-sized items ;) Find someone who has a smaller snake that wants them.
She has them for her BRB....
I appreciate Jay coming here and mentioning BCI. I did the same in Luigi's thread.
On the biting, I bet you're tinkering too much with her and the enclosure. I would recommend less handling in general.
Oh and yes she should colour up like Luigi.
she looks great i love her tail
Trollbie
05-23-12, 10:58 AM
She has them for her BRB....
I appreciate Jay coming here and mentioning BCI. I did the same in Luigi's thread.
On the biting, I bet you're tinkering too much with her and the enclosure. I would recommend less handling in general.
Oh and yes she should colour up like Luigi.
I had to switch her to a bigger tub over weekend and I also fed her so I haven't been handling her. I was just checking her temps :( she didn't strike at me when I changed her water last night though.
Could she be unhappy with the substrate? I have her on reptibark but she seemed happier on aspen.
Trollbie
05-27-12, 10:47 PM
She ate a decent size rat pup today! She struck at it the second she noticed it, "killed" it well and got it down like it was nothing. And now she's fat and happy.
I'm proud and relieved :)
Trollbie
05-28-12, 12:11 AM
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/38431bef.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/b6db0b1a.jpg
marvelfreak
05-28-12, 01:50 AM
I really like how nice and even her saddles look. A very clean looking boa.
Aaron_S
05-28-12, 07:38 AM
If she tosses that pup up then you'll know it's a BCC ;)
Glad to see she's eating well for you.
Tosss that analog hydrometer out.
Trollbie
05-28-12, 11:40 AM
Tosss that analog hydrometer out.
Lol no worries, I just put that in there to get a general idea for the humidity. It's pretty accurate though. I salt tested it for a week.
Trollbie
05-28-12, 11:42 AM
If she tosses that pup up then you'll know it's a BCC ;)
Glad to see she's eating well for you.
LOL! I could go my entire life without cleaning a regurge... :wacky:
Aaron_S
05-28-12, 11:45 AM
LOL! I could go my entire life without cleaning a regurge... :wacky:
Let's hope you do. They aren't fun. Not only do you clean up a partially digested meal in all it's glory you then have to worry about why the snake did! It sucks two fold.
Trollbie
05-28-12, 11:47 AM
Let's hope you do. They aren't fun. Not only do you clean up a partially digested meal in all it's glory you then have to worry about why the snake did! It sucks two fold.
Why do BCCs have a tendency to do that?
lumpbump
05-28-12, 02:07 PM
Wow that rat is huge. Id be careful how big you feed. If you don't have good husbandry a large meal can rot in the snake. Id feed an item half the size of that rat to a boa that size or increase feeding to 10 to 12 days.
Trollbie
05-28-12, 02:10 PM
Wow that rat is huge. Id be careful how big you feed. If you don't have good husbandry a large meal can rot in the snake. Id feed an item half the size of that rat to a boa that size or increase feeding to 10 to 12 days.
She's got the right temps.
lumpbump
05-28-12, 02:20 PM
Too big trollbie. Thought you'd get an idea but I have to be blunt. Your snake cant even coil properly with such a large meal. Buy a scale and shoot for 20 percent of total snake weight a month. Divide that by 4 for yearlings and feed a meal that size every 7 days.
That is a whole bunch of unmessary math. The rat is a tad to big, in 14 days feed a smaller sized item. Not coiling properly has nothing to do with size, a lot of animals fed dead rats don't constricted properly any ways.
Trollbie
05-28-12, 02:52 PM
But if the temps are right, she shouldn't have issues digesting properly, right?
RandyRhoads
05-28-12, 02:54 PM
That is a whole bunch of unmessary math. The rat is a tad to big, in 14 days feed a smaller sized item. Not coiling properly has nothing to do with size, a lot of animals fed dead rats don't constricted properly any ways.
Seriously. When she was born she didn't even coil around pinks or mice.
Trollbie
05-28-12, 02:56 PM
Yeah last weekend when I fed her a fuzzie mouse she didn't either.
Seriously. When she was born she didn't even coil around pinks or mice.
Yea I had one boa who would coil for 10-30 minutes one feeding and the next feeding just grab it from my Hempstats and coil for 30 seconds.
Lankyrob
05-28-12, 04:27 PM
Are boas that different from pythons in terms of prey size? I would be perfectly happy with that bulge in any of my snakes :)
lumpbump
05-28-12, 11:11 PM
The snake cant coil after eating. Not as in constricting. As in its stomach is distended and cant. Nevermind. This thread is good as dead. Only keeping it alive by posting.
Trollbie
05-28-12, 11:23 PM
She's coiled in her log right now
Aaron_S
05-28-12, 11:38 PM
Why do BCCs have a tendency to do that?
My only non-scientific reasoning would be it's own stomach gut flora can't handle the large items. I don't really know why but it's common amoung the suri and guyana's I've dealt with.
On the size thing, that's not a size I would normally feed my snakes as I prefer smaller meals but it shouldn't hurt the snake if it keeps it down and everything. I personally would skip it's next feeding.
Trollbie
05-29-12, 01:25 AM
My only non-scientific reasoning would be it's own stomach gut flora can't handle the large items. I don't really know why but it's common amoung the suri and guyana's I've dealt with.
On the size thing, that's not a size I would normally feed my snakes as I prefer smaller meals but it shouldn't hurt the snake if it keeps it down and everything. I personally would skip it's next feeding.
She's still holding on to it and I hope she will continue to. I'm for sure not feeding her next weekend. I did see her come out of her log today, so at least she can move lol.
Aaron_S
05-29-12, 08:07 AM
She's still holding on to it and I hope she will continue to. I'm for sure not feeding her next weekend. I did see her come out of her log today, so at least she can move lol.
I know it's a BCI so my original post to the size of meal was more of a jest about the original seller (not randy) calling it a BCC.
Trollbie
05-29-12, 09:06 AM
I know it's a BCI so my original post to the size of meal was more of a jest about the original seller (not randy) calling it a BCC.
I got that lol. I don't expect her to regurge or be a BCC. But I don't think it's THAT big of a deal for her to eat that size rat as some (not you or jay) are making it to be. My BRB had a lump like that once too. It took him a week to digest, but he was fine. Just skipped a feeding and all was well. Now I know to go with a bit smaller size...
Trollbie
06-18-12, 09:41 PM
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/dd4e9952.jpg
Trollbie
06-18-12, 09:42 PM
She's growing like weed!
alessia55
06-18-12, 09:48 PM
She's growing like weed!
No kidding! :yes:
Trollbie
08-29-12, 08:03 PM
This snakezilla cannot stay out of my hair haha
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/868F90AF-887C-4F08-9F81-1D5BC54130C4-5589-00000446B5EF9FB6.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/8D0700D2-6E6F-496D-B61E-2B5BD05CB59F-5589-00000446A4F1EB74.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll256/Czechish/54E85A99-EA2C-4479-8605-D9F8E7C6D4E0-5589-00000446AAE23D2E.jpg
alessia55
08-29-12, 08:13 PM
Nice hair accessory ;)
Trollbie
08-29-12, 08:15 PM
Nice hair accessory ;)
I'm a trend setter now! Haha
rmfsnakes32
08-29-12, 08:51 PM
Very cute my snakes all love my hair even my 7 foot boa loves to snuggle in my hair it feels really weird but I love it and as regard to prey size all of us have screwed up at one point and fed to large thats how we learn so dont get to worried just skip a feeding and feed smaller next time! I remember the 1st time I did that with my 1st snake she was 8 months old and I was told by someone she should have been eating mediums when she was just eating weiners so I fed her that size it look to big in her tummy 2 days later she regurged that whole rat! Never again will I doubt what is the right size! Hope you never have to deal with that its nasty. I have also since learned to do a visual check on them everyday when I up the size of prey so if a regurge happens you can clean it up before it smells the whole house up. You don't have to handle just lift up or peek into hides and a general sniff will tell you if all is well!
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