Thought of another question! I have noticed the mention of snakes being measured, not by length but by weight, and in grams. I would like to know what sort of scale is best to use. I thought of a food scale, but mine only weighs in ounces and only up to two pounds. Do you use another type of scale or annther brand of food scale? How much should my young BP be gaining and in what time period?
I thought that a food scale might still be the answer - just not the kind I have. Any idea what price range a good one might be? Any particular features I should look for? I would assume that it would be good to have one with a large surface for the snake to lie on. I remember seeing one a while back that had a bowl instead of a flat surface. Woudl that be better?
The bowl is optional; you can always place a larger container onto the flat surface and tare the scale to zero before adding the snake for an accurate measurement. Eventually, many of the standard sized scales and the accessories they come with are too small for an adult BP and you will have to employ this mehtod anyway (sterilite style containers do the job pretty well). Look for one that measures in grams; preferably with a capacity of several thousand grams. You don't need to be anymore precise than 1 gram increments...this model would work just fine: http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/my-weigh-1g-to-7000g-digital-scale.html We measure most herps (except for larger boids and lizards) in grams, and ball pythons are no exception. Adult females can be anywhere from a couple of thousand to a few thousand grams, and adult males are typically <2000. Hope this helps some = )
You are always helpful! I hope your work schedule is a little easier now - it sounded as though you were doing extra hours. Is there a guide as to how much a young BP should be gaining within a particular time period?
You are too kind = ) the last couple of weeks have indeed been hectic for me, but its finally calming down. No more 12 hours days lol The growth rate depends on a number of factors: Genetics, sex, frequency of feeding and size of prey, age, etc. I've had them grow up to nearly 1000grams in just over a year of age and as low as 300 grams in the first year. I've also had babies who hatched within days of one another grow at drastically different rates fed on the same frequency; and sub adult females who were several hundred grams behind others due to fasting for a couple of months. Some people note faster growth rates fed once weekly on slightly larger than recommended prey sizes and others prey to feed twice a week on smaller prey... I prefer to stick with once weekly feedings of appropriate sized rats and they grow at their own happy pace = )
I'll go with your system. I'm not trying for a record - just a happy and healthy snake. He is growing and seems content - and that is all that matters - except for his love for his "mom", of course... On another matter, he has broken his pattern of behaviour. For two weeks, he has not shown any interest in going into his usual hide, but instead has chosen another favourite spot - under the edge of a rock with an irregular shape that allows for little "caves". I have considered that he may find his old hide to be too small now, but he does still have plenty of room. I considered that that area may be too warm and lowered the heat, but he still goes to his new spot. Could it be that he is like me and needs change on a regular basis - or am I missing something? I just want him to be happy and unstressed.
For a scale, I use a postal scale with a plastic spaghetti siv and it works fantastic! Each of my snakes are different when it comes to hides and most of them will choose to pack themselves into a snug hide actually lifting it to fit rather than using a larger hide. I did take note since breeding season started they have been out of the hides more and more. Only after spending some quality time with each other do they return to the normal behavior for a few days then they are out and about ready to go again.
Sounds good! I didn't know that postal scales also measure in grams rather than just ounces - and I believe that they are less expensive that food scales. at any rate, I have some shoppping to do. Breeding season, huh...ard to consider with only one snake (so far!) - but would it be advisable to put my male BP in with my daughter's BP? She doesn't know its gender - but we could just see what happens - or should we? Obviously I have never gotten around to breeding - well, snakes that is. I have only had single snakes of vaarious breeds. Is this something you find rewarding and worth the effort?
You just need to make sure it has the option for grams on the scale. I got mine at staples--> (Link) Snakes just know when it's time to......play.I have had 2 females together for about a week with no issues but as a rule of thumb I never house 2 males of any reptile species together. I would have the other snake sexed by a vet unless you feel comfortable sexing them yourself before you put them in together and the females should be around ~1500 grams before being bred. If they do check out to be of opposites and you do breed you will need an incubator and housing for them. They can produce 4-10 eggs (guesstimate) normally and even give you twins or a far stretch of triplets in a single egg.
I have sexed a snake before - for understanding how it is done rather than for any intention of mating them. I don't have any probes now, but I am thinking of checking out my daughter's BP - if it is a female, we could get hers together with mine once he is old enough. (Can't permit sex with a minor!) Once all is determined, I will ask more about an incubator and the housing bit. I am not sure that I am interested in breeding snakes on a regular basis, but I am one for treating most of life as a scientific experiment and would like to try it at least once.
I use a nice digital kitchen scale that measures in 1 gram increments, and goes up to 10 pounds. It can be switched to weigh in grams, kilos, pounds, and ounces. It was under $40. You can usually find them at walmart or target. I sex ball pythons by popping rather than probing, which also requires some training, but is easy once you get the hang of it. Female balls are ready to breed at 1500 grams/3 years of age. (There are the few rare individuals that never reach 1500 grams--they shouldn't be bred before they are 4, if they're not up to weight, and a health check is in order). I don't breed any females under 1500, regardless of age. Males can breed at age 1, and 500 grams...they seem awfully small when you put them with a huge 10 year old 3000 gram female, but they get the job done.
Probing I am familiar with, but will you please enlighten me on "popping"? I very much appreciate your information and I will save it in my snake files for future reference. I believe that my little guy is too young and too small to breed, but I would like to check out my daughter's older and much larger BP to see if there is any possibility of mating them in the future. I will look into the scale you suggested. I looked at postal scales and, though the flat top was a positive feature, the model I thought best (considering the snake's possible size in the future) is more costly than I can manage at the moment. Tell me about your metaphysical retail - or should I start a private conversation for things not reptile related?
Popping involves applying pressure to the tail below the vent, in order to evert the snake's hemipenes. You do have to take care not to apply too much pressure, obviously, as you could cause bruising, but done correctly, it's safe. This is one of the best vids on how to do it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPmIpc_gP9I Here's another: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FR0xglljVOw Between these two, I was able to teach myself the technique. I watched them both over and over a bunch of times, then gave it try--had to refer back to them a couple of times before I got it, lol. It's very exact, if you don't pay close attention to where their fingers are and what they're saying, it probably won't work. In females, you will see 2 small glands protruding. In males, you will see 2 small glands, plus two larger, purplish hemipenes. Sometimes you'll only get one to evert, but once you see them, you'll quickly learn to identify them with just a peek. Some males are more 'well endowed' than others, lol, but just look for 4 protrusions instead of the 2 females have. Hatchlings are very easy to pop, as their muscles down there are pretty weak--older animals require more pressure. Snakes aren't fond of this procedure, but they aren't very fond of being probed, either (who can blame them?)
I always enjoy a challenge - and you have given me one. I suspect the process could be easier with someone to help - or a little snake porn to get them in the mood? lol. I will review the videos and then let you know how successful I was or was not. Somehow the probing seems easier simply because I have done that before, but it is alwys good to learn a new skill. Too bad none of my best skills can actually earn me any money...
