CLEOPATRA has given birth - long post but enjoy!

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

CLEOPATRA has given birth finally!

CLEOPATRA, my Columbian Redtail Boa Constrictor I bought back in April 12, 2001 at my first reptile show in Calgary has finally completed the cycle of nature in my care. After buying her from Gary D at this show, I mean after I haggled Gary to let me take 2 from him even though they were to young to be sold yet. I was very hyped to own my own Columbian Boas that after about 4 hours with Gary he felt they would be in the best care possible. I got her home with her brother and was so excited I did not sleep almost 27 hours till I felt they were perfect in there new home. Cleopatra pounded back hopper mice right to 3 lbs rabbit without a problem in every feed. Super aggressive on her food super tame in my care. Well finally it was around Christmas of 2003 and I thought she was almost 13 lbs and at the right age to try a breeding project of Columbian Boas matched up with Ramses she proved they had the right thing going. Although I helped a few people in breeding boas this was my 1st crack at it on my own 100%. With advice from Dan Uremovic in Calgary and Chris Marshell in New Brunswich and alot of reading and research I have been blessed as a grandfather to my very own Columbian Boa litter. As of Saturday March 27, 2004 at 1:12 AM she started the process of birth. I expected it was around this week but only by chance I decided to check in on her at the last minute and saw about 1/2 of the birth process. Either way it was something to see. Like I said before I helped people but never really saw this part of it ever other than videos. Even now I am shaking like a leaf after even chatting with about 8 people on MSN during the process. I took almost 280 photos of it and decided since I can not sleep I might as well get these pictures out to you all as soon as possible.

Cleopatra is a happy relaxed tired mother of a litter of 24 consisting of 1 slug and 23 live healthy curious strong boas.





Here I was so worried cause there were a few in sacks that are lighter in color and you never know what you got till you see it more clear and alive. I was trying to get into the cage but Cleopatra was rather angry with that and she moved so fast to counter my moves I decided I need a better plan to save all these guys.





A full view of what I was seeing of this birth process and there protective mother.



Here I finally got her out without to much hassle or danger to the young.



A close up shot on the slug. Its pretty neat to see this but you gotta wonder if there is a Sunglow Boa in there, lol.



Starting to organize the young but a few still in the cage.



Here is 1 of them trying its hardest to get that first breath of fresh air.



A real close up shot on the slug, was very hard to the touch in the beginning but after real soft like a sponge.



A few more added but still a few in the cage to open there own sacks.



Here is 1 with a cool head pattern and gonna be a keeper in my collection for a bit still.



Full count here in the tub being 24 in total, consisting of 1 slug and 23 live healthy strong curious Columbian Redtail Boas from Cleopatra and Ramses mating season of 2003 Christmas.



Well after a 40 minute clean up and sterilized cage Cleopatra was put back in her cage to relax in peace and wonder her cage thinking where her babies at or was this a dream, lol.



I would like to thank this site for letting me be part of a great experience and allowing me to share my history in the making with Cleopatra. Also Dan, Chris and Gary for teaching me the ropes and assisting me in my crazy way of asking questions and so on. And also thank you all for the support of responding to my past post of photos and Cleopatra cycle in mating in the past few months.

We here at BOAS-N-PYTHONS (me and Analisa) thank you all for the support, great words and help you all gave us in this process.

We may find it hard to let a few of these gorgeous creatures leave our little zoo here, but if you are looking to own captive Canadian Columbian Redtail Boas from us, give us a shout on our email or MSN chat. We will do our best to put great animals in great people' s care.

nemesisboaspythons@hotmail.com

Thank you.

Cya...

Tony Pharosx , BOAS-N-PYTHONS