My New Friend Quicksilver the Purple Passion Ball Python

SerpentineDream · 02-20-16, 07:34 PM

Quicksilver arrived yesterday. He wasn't too sure about all this at first, but he quickly unballed and set about exploring his new home. He is exceptionally friendly and curious. He is named for his amazing mercury eyes. Our biggest challenge will be convincing him to eat F/T. He is a stubborn live feeder. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, but if anyone else has any I'm all ears.

**Minkness** · 02-20-16, 07:41 PM

Wow! Total beauty! Congrats!

Herpo · 02-20-16, 08:15 PM

He is very, very nice! And a beautiful enclosure to boot! Lucky little guy, isn't he?

**EL Ziggy** · 02-20-16, 08:22 PM

Very pretty snake. What morph is he?

SerpentineDream · 02-20-16, 08:37 PM

Purple Passion. My favorite morph ever, though I have also have a soft spot for Blue Eyed Lucy and Firebee.

**Minkness** · 02-20-16, 08:39 PM

What genetics make up a purple passion?

SerpentineDream · 02-20-16, 08:48 PM

Mojave and Phantom are co-dominant. Not surprisingly, Purple Passions are also called Mojave Phantoms.

If I was to breed him to a Super Phantom I should get 1/2 Purple Passion and 1/2 Super Phantom, or so says the morph wizard at World of Ball Pythons (I'm no expert and he's a pet, though I think his breeder was a bit disappointed that I wasn't planning to breed him because he is a very nice snake).

**EL Ziggy** · 02-20-16, 09:02 PM

My bad for not reading the full title! Duh!

Herpo · 02-21-16, 01:41 AM

Whether or not you choose to breed him, he is gorgeous!

SerpentineDream · 02-27-16, 01:39 PM

Quicksilver has grown comfortable enough that when he wakes up in the late afternoon he peeks out of his hidey hole to watch me. Eventually he slithers out to get a better look, then proceeds to cruise around his cage.

But he's not very brave yet. If you pick him up you still get a ball.

I still can't believe how beautiful his mercury eyes are....

Sylphie · 02-27-16, 01:42 PM

He's sooo stunning! <3

jpsteele80 · 02-27-16, 01:55 PM

WOW he is absolutely beautiful

mysticmoon · 02-27-16, 02:53 PM

He is stunning, congratulations.

Albert Clark · 02-27-16, 04:01 PM

WOW! Great pickup! As far as the frozen thawed transition is concerned, its all in your presentation and your vigilance. Younger bps are more apt to switch over than adults. Actually more in the presentation.

SerpentineDream · 02-27-16, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

WOW! Great pickup! As far as the frozen thawed transition is concerned, its all in your presentation and your vigilance. Younger bps are more apt to switch over than adults. Actually more in the presentation.

I'm going to attempt his first feeding tonight. He is still a juvenile and is eating medium adult mice. His breeder attempted to feed him a mouse that another snake had killed but not eaten and he refused it, but I'm not sure how it was presented. I think he then went back to feeding him live until it was warm enough to ship him.

My game plan is to thaw the mouse in warm water and dry it off. Right before I offer it I'll hold its face up to a heat lamp for just a few seconds so that the end I'm offering is nice and warm, then open its mouth so he can smell its saliva. Then I'll hold its rear end in the tongs and make it do a little frantic mouse scurrying away puppet show if he doesn't seem interested. Hopefully he'll strike. If he does I'll offer a few gentle tugs to simulate struggling and seal the deal.... Does that sound like a good plan?

He's going to be moving from mice to rats pretty soon and if it can be helped I do NOT want to be feeding him live rats, for the sake of all involved.