Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok so I am getting married next year about this time. March 6th to be exact. Anyhow...my girlfriend and I want to incorporate our snakes into the ceremony and we decided that when the minister pronounces us man and wife after we kiss, that we are gonna have our snake bags near by and take them out and drape them around us as we walk down the aisle together All of our friends know how much we love our snakes and this will be a cool way to get them included in our big day. My little dog is going to be the ring bearer earlier in the ceremony too. Anyhow, the bride will be wearing a white dress obviously, so she is gonna drape my 4.5 black milk snake around her (who might be 5 feet by then even). I will be in black and I want to drape my leucistic southern pine snake around me (see the contrast I am goin for). Except he is a tad small to drape right now at only 3 feet long. I am wondering if I can increase his feed intake by offering him 2 mice a feeding each week? I dont want to risk his health just so I can have him grow faster, but if there is a way to help him pack on some length and girth in a healthy way...I would love to know! Right now he eats 1 adult mouse each week. Again I dont want to power feed and risk his long term well being, but if any of you long time keepers have any secrets to get them up to breeding size in a quicker time frame...I'd love to know how! Thanks for any tips!!!

*disclaimer*
Yes the guests will be told via invitation that they will see a live snake and they can choose to sit in an area farther away or not attend. Yes I know draping a snake around you is dangerous but I think for a very short time down the isle it will be fine as these are very docile snakes used to being handled. They are not large boids that I cant quickly unwrap if they did suddenly try to coil tightly around our necks. Yes they will have a place to go during the reception to keep warm. Yes my dog is fine around snakes even though he wont really be around them. No we will not go through with this plan if anything should arise that would jeopardize their well being for the day. Any other complaints or items I left off that cause concern, I am open for any suggestion to be aired so that I dont forget anything. Thanks for lookin out

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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

Being as this is spring your pine should do some major growing but I could not say for sure he will be a whole two feet longer by next March. If he is healthy and doing well with his present diet I'd maybe not mess with that. These pituophis species snakes seem to be sensitive more than other snake species to over feeding. If he regurges that will set you back growth wise instead of moving forward. I would maybe plan on figuring out some other way to go down the isle with him on your person instead of draped around your shoulders should he not be long enough in a year. He will at least be necktie size! LOL!

Should you pull this off successfully you must absolutely post photos!

Be sure to have her sign-off on the idea or this might haunt you in years to come
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Have a nice day

Website: SerpenTrack

Awesome story dude. My advice is to feed that thing as much as it will accept within reason, and without any regurg problems. I'd say feed it 2 mice, or rats would be even better. Rat pups are great for putting serious size on, but are more expensive which is why I probably won't use them. They have a higher fat percentage compared to adult mice of the same weight. Young growing things love fat, which is also why we love fatty fried things because they provide so much energy, thus instinctively our bodies love it since for most of our existence famines were quite common.

Nonetheless your pine is still a juvie and wants to grow. I bet you could get that fella to add 2 feet in a year, easily 18".
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- Matt

1.0 Black Milk '04
1.0 Andean Milk '06
0.1 Eastern King '97
0.1 Bullsnake '09

Thanks for the responses guys!!! Haha yeah a great neck tie he could be if not yet big enough to drape lol! As far as feeding him rats, he just isnt quite big enough for the smallest ones I am able to get unfortunately. So I am stuck with adult mice for the time being. But I think I will see how he does if I offer him 2 every feeding. He handles one adult mouse with hardly any effort right now so I think it might be ok! And yeah I actually am just hoping to get him to add another foot this year to around 4 feet, not 5. But 5 feet would sure be nice haha! And yeah monklet dont worry, the fiance has given total approval and is way excited to do it! She said it will make for some awesome pics!! My mom is the one who is not wanting me to do it...but hey its not her wedding right!!

Anyhow....here is a shot of my leucistic pine who is needing the growth for my little plan to work, and my black milk (from matt) who as you can see drapes nicely around me at her current size

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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

"My mom is the one who is not wanting me to do it...but hey its not her wedding right!! "

She thinks it is

My leucy is 46" and 605 grams right now and taking 2 jumbo f/t pretty easily.

Got me a nice set of hang scales from Carolina Biological.

100 X 1gms
500 X 5gms
1000 X 25gms
5000 X 100gms

Seems to cover the spread I need really well. Whole set just over $50 s&h. Sure wish I had made this little investment a long time ago.

...cute mug shot by the way Oh yeah, and nice animals!
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Have a nice day

Website: SerpenTrack

Yeah aint that the truth

What the heck why is mine lagging so much! Gah! So hey, you wanna rent me a snake for the day next year? haha!

Well...hopefully my guy will start taking 2 adults every week and add some weight and length this year!

And yeah I haven't ever gotten into weighing my crew but I probably should look into a scale of some sort just for record keeping sake.

Thanks for the mug approval....and the creatures too

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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

Here is the gal with hers

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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

Wow, you have to wait a whole year to marry this bodacious babe?
Nice milksnake, too!

>>Wow, you have to wait a whole year to marry this bodacious babe?

I wish it were not so brother...Im ready today!!!

>>Nice milksnake, too!

Haha thanks
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

Sure hope she's not too rough with you on your wedding night.
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Have a nice day

Website: SerpenTrack

Its all good either way
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

eom
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Have a nice day

Website: SerpenTrack

Wow! That's a good looking snake!
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Have a nice day

Website: SerpenTrack