Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, everybody!
Just wanted to say "hello."
We're wrapping up a CRAZY semester here (I'm a teacher) so I've been lurking only and even then only occasionally.
The snakes have been busy, too. The hypo/hypo pairing has been courting non-stop since October 1 and the dh sunglow/albino and hypo/arabesque het albino pairs are going strong as well.
My anery/dh ghost and nic pairs are showing "signs" but may be shy or waiting for a REAL temp drop outside. It's still pretty warm here in Central Florida.
Anyway, just wanted to wish everyone good luck.
Also, in a personal note, my girlfriend and I got engaged over the Thanksgiving holidays and we're excited about that.
To stay on topic, here's a pic of the three pairs that are "keeping to task."
Good luck everyone. It's all over this coming Monday, so I'll hope to have more time to post.
Aaron

Congratulations and welcome back!
-----
Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.1 Ball Python, 1.0 Hog Island Boa, 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 1.1 Saharan Sand Boa

Thank you so much, Lauren!
We're very excited (and thank you for the welcome back).
We're keeping our fingers crossed for the all of these litters.
Good luck to you, too!
Aaron

what are those pvc fittings for in the cages

Looks like water dishes to me...
-----
Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.1 Ball Python, 1.0 Hog Island Boa, 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 1.1 Saharan Sand Boa

They probably hold disposable water bowls.
jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Both of those guys are correct. I'm also using some stuff called Dri-Dek and cutting a hole into it so it holds the water bowls in the front right hand corner of the cage. I can probably take some pics and post a more full explanation of the set up if you're interested.
Aaron

I've used Dri-Dek for years. Works good for me.
You can see it in most of my adult boa photos.
jsc

-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I saw that in one of your posts and couldn't believe it.
That's really cool. It adds a little bit of time to the cage cleaning, but there are so many benefits.
I worked at a kennel for a long time as a kid and we used it for the dogs. What made you think of it?

Works the same as with kennel animals. Keeps the animals up above the poop and nasty stuff. Keeps the substrate out of their mouths. Keeps the paper down. Wanted to keep the animal above the wet, in case they tipped the water bowl.
Works fine in all regards. Easily cleaned and disinfected.
jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Plus I think it gives the snakes "traction" and something to help them shed.
Ha, we sound like a commercial.

I think we're going to get that cold snap Sunday night. Mid 40's into Monday morning. That will be a big change.

EXCELLENT!
As much as I hate the cold, I like what it makes the snakes do.
Are you in Central Florida, too, then?

Yes I live in Tampa. Moved here from Arkansas

I'm in Palm Bay on the other coast and moved here from Memphis, TN. I used to work in Arkansas.
Small world!
Where in AR are you from?

How did you guys like living in Arkansas?
jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I loved it. I'll be going back in a couple of years. I'm down here to buy snakes. This weather is killer but I miss the woods.

I was actually living in Memphis and working in Arkansas. Where I lived, I could cross the bridge over the Mississippi River and get to work in West Memphis, ARE faster than I could get to a bunch of places in Memphis.
I like Florida a lot better. I'm definitely planning on staying.

Just south of Little Rock in Benton. Right where the mountains start.

Benton, huh?
I've driven through Benton many a time.
You just came down here to buy snakes?
Wow!
Yeah, the snake market is a lot better down here. You'll definitely be a "big fish in a small pond" when you go home with your snakes.

Yea I've been breeding and selling boas since 76. This is an attempt to add diversity to my stock. You know strange and unknown genetics. I just love finding big boas in the ads that have been someones pet. I don't have to raise them for years and they are virgins most of the time. I've picked up about a dozen large females so far. Buying this way I can usually pick them up for about $100 bucks each.
Since the boas are paying the rent, I thought I'd stay a few years and enjoy the weather. Who knows I might pick up some new genetic trait from one of these unbred snakes, it's kind of like collecting WC with unknown backgrounds. You never know what your going to get.
Anyways I'm looking to get about 40 or so new breeders and then heading back to Arkansaw

Didn't Forrest Gump say that too? lol
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Yeah, that IS fun. You can get a lot of them for free if you get the word out that you're a "snake person" and can wait.
It's always funny to go and see what people have. They'll tell you they have a 9 foot peruvian and you'll show up to a 6 foot colombian. Most of the time, it just seems that someone wasn't honest with them.
Good luck with your acquisitions though. Its sounds like a lot of fun! I’ll keep my eyes open for you. I’m only 2-3 hours away from you.
Aaron

Thanks and good luck with this years breedings.