Profile: Introducing “Heliodor”

Snakesitter · 08-29-12, 02:10 PM

We saved the top pick for last….

As some of you will recall, about twelve months’ back, Living Gems Reptiles lost one of our top males, Hills, to an unexpected respiratory infection. Hills was one of the most vibrant orange males we have ever seen. He was named for the legendary New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008), in honor of this snake’s love of climbing: Hills would always break for my head the first chance he got, and end up wrapped around the top of it. He is pictured below, and the shot does not do justice to the richness of his color:

Before he left us, however, Hills managed to pull off one important trick: he “got busy” with his mate Alexandrite, and left his genes with us in the form of 17 gorgeous bouncing baby Brazilians.

Holdback selection was tough, as there were at least three top picks of each gender. After some time, however, we managed to sort it down to two of each sex.

At long last, we would like to introduce “Heliodor,” named for a semiprecious gem in the same family as emerald. She was the litter’s top pick -- uncommon for a female with this subspecies -- and, out of all the litter, she is one that inherited her sire’s love of climbing -- she heads right for my glasses and the top of my head like a human jungle gym every chance she gets.

The first three shots are from outside, and were taken in strong sunlight:

Right Side
This shot shows why she was my first choice as a holdback. Great color, strong crescents, friendly personality -- and female.

Left Side

Top Shot (this one is washed out)

And one from inside, to put the top color in perspective:

Top Shot (color accurate)

We hope young Heliodor continues to flourish in our care, and in time, ascends to same great heights of color as her must-be-proud parents.

Thank you for reading,

Rainbowsrus · 08-29-12, 02:32 PM

Now THAT'S a holdback. Easy to see why she was an obvious pick.

Snakesitter · 08-29-12, 05:14 PM

Thanks Dave!

CK SandBoas · 08-29-12, 05:19 PM

She is gorgeous!!!

Snakesitter · 08-31-12, 02:53 PM

Thank you KK, I'm pretty happy with her!

Strutter769 · 08-30-12, 10:14 PM

C'mon Cliff! Quit dipping your snakes in iodine and calling them red!! :-)

But wait, how'd you keep the spots so bright then?

Hills' gifts to us are all just amazing.

Snakesitter · 08-31-12, 02:54 PM

Actually, I use markers. ;-)

Hills done good, and I look forward to seeing what his babies produce in another few years.

TheBoogieDown · 08-30-12, 10:23 PM

Wow, just... wow. That is one beautiful snake.

Snakesitter · 08-31-12, 02:55 PM

Thanks BoogieDown! Her friendly attitude is icing on a pretty cake.