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Post by Dezzi on Sept 4, 2010 16:36:22 GMT -4
So I love the fact that my room mates have animals! It makes for a bit of a full house sometimes but it's definitely interesting.
Tucker (my dog) came to live with me for a day and then my mom had HUGE separation anxiety and took him back home. We have their dogs, though (a Thai Ridgeback and a Yorkie/Dachshund cross) who are adorable. It's been interesting learning different training methods (they base their training off the book "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fenell) so it's been cool to see a new method in action.
They have one bunny (from the rescue) but she's not the most people-friendly bun ever. She has her moments, though. When the dogs aren't out we'll let her roam and she does come over to say hi but she prefers to be on her own.
Now, this is the part that I'm not totally sure about. We have snakes. Nine, to be exact. (Technically eight because the corn snake was just being looked after and is going back to his home soon.) The snakes eating the rodents is what gets to me. Yes, I understand they need to eat. I get that. Their feeders do get treated incredibly well before they're fed which I can respect. But walking into the kitchen with a rat unthawing in the sink is really disgusting. I've had a hard time with it.
The snakes themselves are pretty friendly, (most of them) and they're very beautiful creatures. But I have a hard time getting over their diet.
I do love our little Viper Gecko. He is only a few inches long (which is what they're supposed to be) and he eats small crickets. He's adorable! Oh, and the Axolotls are funky creatures as well! I love watching them eat because they suck up the water and food all at once and when they do so they float up really quickly... it's hilarious I should try to get a video. (They eat different kinds of worms)
So yeah, that's what my life in the animal world is like right now.
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Post by Hamsters82 on Sept 5, 2010 12:38:45 GMT -4
Cool, a Thai Ridgeback, they're neat dogs. That's neat that you and your roommates have so many animals! Another great dog book is a training book by Victoria Stilwell. I have her book and it was a great read and I teach Luke the same way too. I have to ask, but what are all the animal's names? I get you about the snakes, but at least they already come dead and you don't have to kill the animal yourself. At work we have to feed a Turkey Vulture, Screech Owl, and a Red-Tailed Hawk, so I know where you're coming from with the frozen rodents. They feed the snakes when we're closed to the public. Can you ask one of your roommates to instead thaw out the rat (or mouse) somewhere else? What we do is we put them in a bowl and put it out of sight so we can't see it or the public can't see it. Maybe your roommate can do the same? I mean you're just asking, you're not asking to get rid of the snakes, just to thaw their food somewhere else. Your roommate should be more lenient and understanding since you have rodents of your own and don't want to see something like that in the sink.
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Post by Dezzi on Sept 6, 2010 3:46:02 GMT -4
Well their mice feeder breeders (we have two snakes that do eat live mice only) are disturbingly adorable so I haven't gotten attached. I HAVE befriended their rat mother because she's a total sweetheart. I did ask if they could from now on thaw in the bathroom that I don't use and they've said that was cool. They're really chill about pretty much everything. So names are as follows. Houdini: corn snake that's going home soon Legs: carpet python, haven't actually seen her out of her hide so no idea how big she actually is. Dexter: Dumeril's boa, he's still young Christian: Motley Boa, super skinny. Still juvenile Patsy (aka gimpy): Sharp Albino Boa (she has a genetic defect that makes her have extra flaps of skin, they're actually really neat looking. I'll try to get pictures. About an inch across, still a juvenile. Sally: Brazillian Rainbow Boa, super skinny. Probably an inch diameter. She's teeny but such a sweetheart. Lucifer aka Lucy: pastel ball python. Absolutely the most sweet BP I've ever met. He's the kind of snake you can let anyone hold and he'll just chill on your shoulders or your arm. He's full grown, so a few inches around. Balls look smaller though because they're always curled up. Bella: normal ball python and our biggest snake. She's breeding age so 1200grams. She's probably about 3-4 inches diameter at her widest point. Eve: bumblebee ball python, the one picky eater who only eats live mice. She makes me sad 'cuz she's so pretty but SO sketchy to be around when she's hungry. She's still small, maybe an inch diameter? The Axolotls are Sid and Nancy. I can't tell them apart at all. Bianca is the bunny. Gambit is the Thai Ridgeback (he's first generation and has some issues, but he's such a sucker for snuggles) and Skyler is the Dorkie. Peter Parker is the Viper Gecko. Tarin and Billy are the breeder/feeder rat couple and should be included because they're going to be pets. Tarin is my buddy, she chills on my shoulder quite frequently. I love her. (She's the rat mother I mentioned earlier) And that's them all!
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Post by Hamsters82 on Sept 6, 2010 10:42:55 GMT -4
That's great that your roommates are fine with anything and have agreed to thaw out the mice/rats somewhere else!
Houdini--does he like to escape a lot? We had a Chinchilla, at Paws it was before I was there, who liked to escape and that's why he was called that.
Some of these snakes I've never heard of and had to look them up. The Carpet Python is actually nice looking and so is the Dumeril's Boa, I like it how it looks like they have a star shaped (or diamond shaped) all across their body. Very pretty.
The Motley Boa looks nice too. And yes, I bet Patsy looks a lot better than the pictures I'm pulling up on google. The ones there aren't too cool looking as you say she is.
The Brazilian Rainbow Boa is so pretty! I think they're the prettiest snakes I've ever seen. If ever a snake dies at Paws, I'm requesting that one, thanks for telling me about the breed.
The Pastel Ball Python isn't a bad looking snake either. I thought with the word pastel in there they'd be very light in color, but not much really. Another pretty snake worth having! We had a Lucifer one time, but it was a dwarf hamster, one of Harriet's seven. I didn't like the name, so I called him Little L.
We have a Ball Python at Paws, Wilma, and the same goes for her where she's always curled into a ball. I've only seen her stretch out once. We have two Columbia Red Tail Boas (or I've seen another name for them is Boa Constrictor) and both are great. They're the same as Lucy where they'll just chill on us. Sometimes they move around, which is cool.
Oh so that's what those weird creatures are called...Axolotls. Thanks, they are pretty cool looking.
How can a first generation (of any animal) have issues? Aren't they the ones that shouldn't and then future generations should? And why is the Gecko called a Viper Gecko? Do they strike more often for their food?
That's good that you'll be taking Tarin and Billy; I always felt bad for those feeder mothers. I saw some in pet stores and felt so bad for them (I was allowed back one time with my co-worker otherwise I wouldn't have seen them).
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Post by Dezzi on Sept 6, 2010 15:34:14 GMT -4
Houdini doesn't escape at all, his owner apparently had a fascination with the real Houdini and named him as a tribute.
The Motley Boa's morph is called an anery, so he's a little different looking than the ones Google images will pull.
Patsy isn't my favourite colour but her little extra skin flaps make her look cute. I call her Gimpy haha. Her morph (Sharp Albino) is more rare than the other albino (starts with a K but I can't remember exactly) but it's weird because she's soooo pale that when she eats you can see her food go all the way through her and turn into poop. It's gross yet fascinating all at the same time.
BRB's (Brazillian Rainbow Boas) are incredibly awesome creatures. As far as personality goes they're like any other boa and will be nippy when they're young. Sally gets handled so much that she's not anymore and because she's still so small if she tags (which is when they bite and pull away as opposed to actually biting and chomping down) it doesn't even break the skin.
Lucifer gets called Lucy and yeah he's kind of pretty. Did you look up the bumblebee ball python morph that Eve is? The nice thing about BPs is that the curling in a ball is their defense mechanism. It's VERY unlikely to be bitten by one because they usually hide their head inside the ball they make of themselves.
Gambit has issues because he is first generation from Thailand, so he's still got wild instincts. He doesn't have health issues, it's temperament. He has food and dog aggression as well as aggression towards some other animals. It's actually kind of funny because we have the snakes and one of the things they were bred to do is protect people from cobras and vipers as well as other animals. They've been working with him and he's apparently greatly improved from what he was but they're still careful, especially around other dogs.
Tarin and Billy are THEIR pets not mine, I just play with them a ton. They do love their pet rats (they don't get attached to the ones that are going to be killed and eaten) and so that's why Billy and Tarin are so friendly. I play with them more often than anyone else, though, because I have more spare time right now. Their feeders get the best out of life because happy animals are healthy animals and thus make for better quality food.
Oh, right, Peter Parker! I've heard different reasons for the name, one being they are similar in colour to some species of viper, other people say it's because they're food for vipers but no one is really sure. They're actually a micro gecko so he's only... 3 maybe 4 inches long? He eats insects but it's no different than watching a leopard gecko eat. Same style.
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Post by Hamsters82 on Sept 7, 2010 9:26:37 GMT -4
The Motley Boa's morph is called an anery ^Is that like a different color? but it's weird because she's soooo pale that when she eats you can see her food go all the way through her and turn into poop. ^Oh my gosh, that is pale! Almost like she's see-through! Lucifer gets called Lucy and yeah he's kind of pretty. ^Poor snake. He's a male, but has a female nickname, lol. Did you look up the bumblebee ball python morph that Eve is? ^Yes, but they didn't have nice pictures up on google. It wasn't pretty as the Rainbow or the other ones were. The nice thing about BPs is that the curling in a ball is their defense mechanism. ^Oh I never thought of it like that, but now that I can see that you're right. But if a snake is in a cage, what does it have to fear? They have to know the humans won't hurt them right? Gambit has issues because he is first generation from Thailand, so he's still got wild instincts. ^Ohhh....that'll be a tad hard to break him of that. Lots of patience you'll all need. It's actually kind of funny because we have the snakes and one of the things they were bred to do is protect people from cobras and vipers as well as other animals. ^That's good that he's improving. They're not that common of a dog, but I guess there are breeders of them in Canada? It seems like all of you did your research on the breed too since you're already working with him about the snakes. Their feeders get the best out of life because happy animals are healthy animals and thus make for better quality food. ^Oh good, they treat them with respect! The ones I saw at that pet store did not. It was really bad and overcrowded. Oh, right, Peter Parker! ^Oh now I remember why that name sounded so familiar, it was Spiderman's name, right? I've heard different reasons for the name, one being they are similar in colour to some species of viper, other people say it's because they're food for vipers but no one is really sure. ^Oh okay, thank you. He eats insects but it's no different than watching a leopard gecko eat. ^We have two at Paws, Leo and Bandit, and it's fascinating to watch them eat; they've very quick. There's another animal in with them now, but I have no idea as to what he is. He's much thinner, with a longer tail, is dull yellow to brown in color, and has an elongated mouth. I know he's lizard, but what is the question. *shrugs*
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Post by Dezzi on Sept 8, 2010 5:11:38 GMT -4
An Anery Motley boa is a slightly different colour... more grey with a pronounced tail. i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab10/Grete_J/Serpents/Eve4.jpg That's our bee, I found her picture on the classifieds she's listed on right now. She needs to poop in that picture, haha, which is why her tail is so fat looking. Think of how someone's hand looks to a snake as opposed to a bird of prey's claws. Once they're used to being handled they're fine. Lucy stretches out when he's out because he's learned to be comfortable and trusts the smell of his people. My roomies and I try to share as much info as possible because if the dogs are out I don't want to give him mixed signals and make his training more difficult. We've been doing as much research as possible. There are a few breeders in Canada (4th and 5th generation now) but he was imported from Thailand. Can you take a picture of the lizard you have? Are they all kept in the same tank? I'm surprised they're not fighting...
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Post by Hamsters82 on Sept 9, 2010 18:59:04 GMT -4
i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab10/Grete_J/Serpents/Eve4.jpg ^That's not a bad looking snake. That one is better than the ones on google. Think of how someone's hand looks to a snake as opposed to a bird of prey's claws. ^Oh I never thought of it like that before, but now I can see what you mean. Very interesting. My roomies and I try to share as much info as possible because if the dogs are out I don't want to give him mixed signals and make his training more difficult. ^Yes, that's good that you're all down to what you have to do so the dog doesn't get mixed up. but he was imported from Thailand. ^Whoa, that had to cost a bundle! Luke's father, I believe, was imported from France. Can you take a picture of the lizard you have? ^I'll try. He's very secretive, hiding all the time. Are they all kept in the same tank? I'm surprised they're not fighting... ^Yes, all three are in a cage together and surprisingly they leave each other alone. I thought as you did, wouldn't they fight? Nope.
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Post by Dezzi on Sept 10, 2010 16:15:49 GMT -4
Yeah Eve is a pretty good looking snake, much better in person. That's what usually happens with snakes, their pictures don't show their colours very well.
I have no idea how much Gambit cost to bring in, nor how much the other dogs they imported cost. They were going to do it as a business then realized the dogs had issues and didn't want them to get put down or anything.
I'm really surprised the lizards are getting along, that's really not normal. I'm guessing they're all healthy, have enough space, and have their temps/cycles regulated properly?
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Post by Hamsters82 on Sept 10, 2010 18:39:25 GMT -4
Pictures are funny that way, especially when you want to show how nice they are, but you have to really get a good shot with the camera. I'm really surprised the lizards are getting along, that's really not normal. ^Even for Leopard Geckos? Those are the two that are in with that lizard. I'm guessing they're all healthy, have enough space, and have their temps/cycles regulated properly? ^Yes, they are healthy! They get crickets almost every week, I don't feed them, my co-worker does. We have a nice size tank for them and have night and day lights for them. Is that what you meant by temps/cycles? I found out what it was today! I asked my boss and she said it's called an Italian Rock Dragon. Supposedly some person imported them (or bought them somewhere) to get rid of the insects his mother has. Now it's taken over one county and is adapting to our environment. m.bestofmedia.com/i/tcg/screenshots/D/Y/18646/zoom/29482.jpg^It looks like that only much smaller and is tan in color as well. I can't find any links on it on the internet. I got a picture of it, but it's on my cell phone.
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Post by Dezzi on Sept 12, 2010 15:21:06 GMT -4
Oooh I've seen those before. Yeah I'm REALLY surprised they are getting along with the leos. I've never heard of them cohabitating with other lizards well. When I talk about cycling I mean not only night/day lights but basking spots, ambient temperatures, season cycles, etc etc etc. I don't remember much of it from when I had a leopard gecko but I remember it was a pain.
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Post by Hamsters82 on Sept 14, 2010 13:07:40 GMT -4
Oooh I've seen those before. ^Oh cool, so you know exactly what I mean now! Phew.
I've never heard of them cohabitating with other lizards well. ^Maybe when it adapted to our environment, it had to cohabitate with other species of lizards. Yeah this one doesn't even go near our geckos unless they both found some crickets in the same spot.
When I talk about cycling I mean not only night/day lights but basking spots, ambient temperatures, season cycles, etc etc ^Ouch, I don't know. The only thing I know about them is what I researched off the internet and to turn off their day lamp when we close the place up at 4pm. Would you like me to ask when I go back to work?
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Post by Die Fledermaus on Sept 16, 2010 0:53:14 GMT -4
I am reading this, btw, I just have nothing to contribute.
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Post by Dezzi on Sept 22, 2010 14:10:49 GMT -4
Ha ha no worries Tom!
>>The only thing I know about them is what I researched off the internet and to turn off their day lamp when we close the place up at 4pm. Would you like me to ask when I go back to work?<< If you check out a reptile forum members usually have care lists of what works best for them and what their animals thrive on. Granted they are often full of breeders BUT they do have a lot of good info.
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Post by Die Fledermaus on Sept 22, 2010 15:47:56 GMT -4
I also have major issues with large snakes bred in basements, and live feedings which I know from pet store people I speak to are enjoyed by sadistic people. The sale of live rodents should be illegal. I am not fond of frozen ones either. The HSUS is opposed to reptiles as pets for various reasons (cannot be domesticated, for example); I am opposed to selling live animals that would normally be pets as food. Keeping a big python in a museum serves a didactic purpose; that is different from Joe Six Pack and his pythons in his basement watching live feedings with his beer-drinking pals.
And that is my opinion.
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