Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A lot of pills in this litter.....



Thanks, Chris O
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com
Naked I see the camp of those who desire nothing

I wonder what they realize about what just happened and what she's processing as she investigates those babies. I know it's very little compared to "higher" life forms, but when they become aggressive and protective, is it just hardwired instinct that triggers it, or a mental awareness on some level? I guess we'll never know. A picture like that still makes me think...awe, how sweet. Silly human that I am - I can't help it.
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Linda Hedgpeth
lindafh@frontiernet.net
Sierra Serpents

"There is just as much horse sense as ever, but the horses have most of it".

It is very likely that she is actually nosing the litter looking for the slugs to eat them. This is widely documented in sand boas and also known for Boa constrictor. I have a couple friends that have witnessed Mom very carefully checking out her litter, finding the slugs and consuming them. This might even be considered a form of parental care since rotting flesh such as these slugs may attract predators. Or it could be a means for the female to recoup some of her expended energy by consuming these little fat balls. In the end, it is still a nice pic.

>>I wonder what they realize about what just happened and what she's processing as she investigates those babies. I know it's very little compared to "higher" life forms, but when they become aggressive and protective, is it just hardwired instinct that triggers it, or a mental awareness on some level? I guess we'll never know. A picture like that still makes me think...awe, how sweet. Silly human that I am - I can't help it.
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>>Linda Hedgpeth
>>lindafh@frontiernet.net
>>Sierra Serpents
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>>"There is just as much horse sense as ever, but the horses have most of it".
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Rick Staub
R&R Reptiles

I think she was nudging. The litter was heavy with pills and she didn't seem too interested in consuming them. Your right though, I've heard of it several boa ssp.

Chris O
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com
Naked I see the camp of those who desire nothing

.

>>A lot of pills in this litter.....
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>>Thanks, Chris O
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>>www.chrisolsonreptiles.com
>>Naked I see the camp of those who desire nothing

: )
Nick

but the mother was freaking me out. She had her neck arched
straight up and her head arched at an angle guarding her babies.

I should have filmed it but I was too distracted, and I was
trying not to stress her out any more...

This female has never been defensive about her young...I know, weird....but she had no problem with it....Thanks for the compliment...

Chris O
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com
Naked I see the camp of those who desire nothing

np
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com
Naked I see the camp of those who desire nothing

Pretty cool looking babies. Nice and plump! Good luck with them.

Linda

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