Cloud Strife

[EL Ziggy]

Cloud is looking great BSG!

[Albert Clark]

Wow, he looks terrific! Congrats on keeping him so healthy. Thanks for the progression update.

[AlexCrazy]

Such a cool snake! how did you get him all wet for the photo like that? sooo pretty!

[bigsnakegirl785]

Thanks everyone, it took awhile to thin him out! This is what he looked like before I implemented his new diet.



And this is what he looked like in the middle of his winter fast, which was later that year.

Originally Posted by AlexCrazy

Such a cool snake! how did you get him all wet for the photo like that? sooo pretty!

You mean this one?

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

I sprayed him with a water bottle. I no longer do this though, as I feel it's stressful on my snakes (I've had snakes strike at the water bottle, and the water is rather cool even at room temp, too). If I have to spray their enclosures, I try to refrain from spraying them directly.

[toddnbecka]

Hmm, I guess spraying with a water bottle could be stressful to a snake, for sure cats and dogs don't like it, but I don't see how it should feel much different than a rainstorm to a snake. I don't usually bother with a spray bottle to maintain humidity, I just dump some water directly onto the cypress mulch when it gets too dry and let it soak/spread naturally.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Neither do I, only really spray my retic's enclosure, because I can't exactly pour water into her paper towels and mix them up like with EcoEarth, or put the paper towels in water and ring them out like sphagnum moss.

My general experience with using spray bottles is that spraying the enclosure is basically useless if you want to maintain humidity.

[Albert Clark]

So, Cloud went on weight watchers! I have a couple of ball pythons that need a referral. Haha.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

So, Cloud went on weight watchers! I have a couple of ball pythons that need a referral. Haha.

Just space out feedings and reduce prey size, that's how I got Cloud to thin out and is the most recommended method of slimming a snake out. It's also safer, because if a snake is too overweight just stopping food altogether can cause a death from fatty liver disease (I don't think ball pythons are as prone to this as boas though, but just to be safe).

It may take awhile to slim out though. It took Cloud a year to slim out.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I think Cloud has grown a bit since last August...hmmm....

From last August.


From this month, in the same exact tub as the photo above. He was measured 6'3" last November, so he couldn't have been much smaller in August, so I would not be surprised if he's now reached 6.5' with that kind of size difference. I'm going to try to get him measured in November and see for sure. He also weighs 8 lb 14.7 oz, so despite not seeming to have gained any girth, he's put on a few ounces in weight.



Some other photos from the past few days.

[ManSlaughter33]

Augh hes so gorgeous

[bigsnakegirl785]

When I first got him to the trailer I had to buy some of this Carefresh-like bedding to hold him over, since Petsmart was closed (it closes at 5pm which really sucks). Now I have to get off my lazy butt and replace it since he appears to be going into shed and this bedding absolutely sucks for humidity. His belly was flushed pinkish but he hasn't gone dark yet, so for now it's a waiting game.

He's also been coming out and exploring a lot lately, just about every time I go into the snake room he's either in the middle of crawling around, or is laying at the front of the enclosure, staring out. The past 1.5-2 years he's pretty much lived in his hides and despite being in the same room the majority of the day, I almost never saw him out. Not sure if it's the bedding, the new smells in the enclosure (I had to bring the other enclosure from my father's and leave the one he was in at the apartment but I'll be bringing it to the trailer ASAP), the fact there's rarely anyone in the same room anymore, or what. He's even climbing in the tree now.

[trailblazer295]

Nice pics, hope my little guy becomes more active too.

[Albert Clark]

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Just space out feedings and reduce prey size, that's how I got Cloud to thin out and is the most recommended method of slimming a snake out. It's also safer, because if a snake is too overweight just stopping food altogether can cause a death from fatty liver disease (I don't think ball pythons are as prone to this as boas though, but just to be safe).

It may take awhile to slim out though. It took Cloud a year to slim out.

Thanks bsg, I have taken your advice on the slimming tactic and now I can already see some minor advances. Thanks. It's my female normal and female pastel that are just out of control. I will stick with the smaller meals spaced out over a longer period of time.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Thanks bsg, I have taken your advice on the slimming tactic and now I can already see some minor advances. Thanks. It's my female normal and female pastel that are just out of control. I will stick with the smaller meals spaced out over a longer period of time.

Good to hear! Are they out of control as in being bitey/food driven? If so, they may get used to it after awhile.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I've got quite a few pics to catch up on!

As an update, he ate his last meal for the winter ~3 weeks ago, and I dropped his temps a few days ago. He's started leaving sperm plugs in his water dish again, and continues to mostly disregard his hides. He's very active, inquisitive, and responsive, which is weird because he's basically lived in his hides for 2 years. lol (I'm thinking it's the decreased foot traffic.)

He's all out of large rats for now, so he'll be getting a few rabbits once I bring him out of his fast before I order some more.

Some from the other night:

He's NOT enjoying being forced into this bucket while I was wetting his bedding, but after almost getting stuck under the bathroom door, in the bucket he goes. Usually he sits there and behaves once I get him in the bucket, but this time he was slowly creeping up the sides, so I sat the lid down on top of the bucket. Didn't snap it into place or anything, and he gave up that easy. lol


Hanging out:


And some from the last few weeks or so:

Waiting for his turn to eat.


Then he zipped into his hide to watch me as I fed River, he was following me around in anticipation. lol


And he finally gets his turn, bending the rat neatly in half in his enthusiasm. :P