Snakes and Stones

Photo #233
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_vtbmmv.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Thanks!
I was also looking at this one (shown below x6 gene), but, it has Spider...and after 'cleaning up' my Spider line-I don't trust like that...:)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_bfiye7.jpg

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That looks just about exactly like the one I got recently minus the spider. I don't know what you decided on this one but it was a beautiful snake.

Sent from my SM-S426DL using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #233
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_vtbmmv.jpg

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It's hard to say which are prettier your snakes or the stones that you surround them with!

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Originally Posted by Daniel_Effler

I don't know what you decided on this one but it was a beautiful snake.

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Thanks!
I decided against getting the OD Enchi Pastel Sugar Spinner. I really only needed the Sugar gene...

I was also interested in a Spotnose Fire YB Sugar Enchi until my eyes focused and I realized there were three zeros on the price instead of two. :rolleyes:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ect_vbl0kt.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

...I was also interested in a Spotnose Fire YB Sugar Enchi until my eyes focused and I realized there were three zeros on the price instead of two. :rolleyes:

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:rofl: I hate it when that happens!

Photo #234
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_z9bc01.jpg
Black Pastel 50% Het Pied and a tumbled/polished large stone from the CT river (rotary tumble only-took a nice shine).

Beautiful rock, beautiful snake...they look great together. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Beautiful rock, beautiful snake...they look great together. :)

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Thanks!

Tomorrow is Easter 2022. I hope you and all the members of the forum have a great day!

Photo #235
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kboqwg.jpg
Little video below of the original stones pre-tumble/polish. :)
https://youtu.be/NVKrEXXgR80

Thanks, you too- & Happy Easter everyone! They sure came out pretty, btw. They DO look a bit like candy though-hope no one tries to :chew:

Photo #236
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_hpa2tr.jpg
Some tumbled pieces off a large stone I broke up from Lake Superior.
Ball python: Leopard Pastel 100% Het VPI Axanathic

:bow: Another gorgeous photo (snake AND stones!).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

:bow: Another gorgeous photo (snake AND stones!).

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Thanks! :)

Photo #237
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_rtua6h.jpg

Photo #238
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_txewga.jpg
Some agates have enough translucency to show imperfections below the surface when clobbered with a camera flash. :)
I was hoping this photo would have come out a bit cleaner...ahh well...
Ball python: 100% Het Clown/50% Het Lav Albino

Pretty hot in my area today.

My dwarf irises are blooming (they bloom early): took a couple quick pics this morning with the snakes.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_njtpkr.jpg
This Banana Pastel Hypo is from Snakes and Stones Photo #1.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kv2i3b.jpg
The dwarf Iris is 'Fireplace embers', I purchased one of these 7 years ago-I have several hundred now and they rebloom in the Fall.
My Axanthic ball pythons can really vary in coloration based on lighting. :)

A few more photos while I had the chance this morning:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_fcbxqm.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_rsblg8.jpg

My gf was commenting that I should do certain stone/color patterns or arrangements...so I said "Hey, how about I show you one of my snakes and then you make the stone arrangement-and I will photograph it?": she agreed.

I gave her full choice to my collection of several hundred lbs. of polished stones that I have not shown yet. First she was looking at my black agate, then at the brazilian agates, and some of my amethyst (all very nice pieces). The black agate with the amethyst and the Super Pastel Fire (Superfly) would have easily been a stunning combo, but, I kept my mouth shut. I walked away so I did not influence her selection and after a few hours she finally approached me and said she was done and her arrangement was complete (photo below).

Photo #239
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_obkktd.jpg
After a few hours and a full selection of stones/colors I was expecting something a bit more 'elaborate' from my biggest critic! ;)

Photo #240
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_bmnvlv.jpg
Fluorite with an Enchi/Pos. Het Albino (in shed).
The fluorite was heavily fractured to start with...so no surprise it is a bit messy :) (video of original material below).
https://youtu.be/91TQ7_QJr2Y

Here are a few more Snakes and Iris photos. ;)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ogprzx.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_jyfibz.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_jj894o.jpg

Coiling like the beautiful iris petals...gorgeous, all! :love:

Amazing iris colours against the snakes

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Coiling like the beautiful iris petals...gorgeous, all! :love:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Amazing iris colours against the snakes

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Thank you! Thank you!

Have lots of family stuff to do these days so it is not easy to find time for more elaborate Snakes and Stones photos.
Grabbed a few more quick pics of some of my ball pythons with irises today.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_d29zdv.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_rb0qlu.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_qzcibg.jpg
Still working on those stones though...too bad I can't find these in my area...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_z3q029.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_bgca9s.jpg

Gorgeous snakes, unique rocks & amazing flowers- :love: Many thanks!

Hi again!

Do you recommend tumbled stones for enclosures? And are there any particular stones you find better suited?

Thank you!

Lord Sorril, I want to comment on this thread to congratulate you.

This thread has received over ONE MILLION views! That is incredible! :w00t:

To put it in perspective, the next highest viewed thread in the BP Pictures forum has just under 195,000 views.

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful photos with us. And thank you for continuing to post updates in this very popular thread! :gj: :sunny:

Wow! :sweeet: That's awesome, Lord Sorril! :colbert2: :rockon:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Holly_Medusa

Hi again!
Do you recommend tumbled stones for enclosures? And are there any particular stones you find better suited?

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Heya! I don't really use my tumbled stones in my enclosures. Snake urates can be brutal to try and clean off. If I wanted to use tumbled/polished stones:
I would pick ones with a high density and hardness: microcrystalline quartz variants (like agate/jasper) would be my go-to as the mirror polish would probably survive daily scrubs with a steel brush for months before it faded.

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Originally Posted by mlededee

Lord Sorril, I want to comment on this thread to congratulate you.
This thread has received over ONE MILLION views! That is incredible! :w00t:

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Only 1 million? I'm still a 'young' guy with big snake plans: lets try for 10 million. ;)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Wow! :sweeet: That's awesome, Lord Sorril! :colbert2: :rockon:

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Thank you Boger, and Thank you all!

Snakes and Stones Season '22 is in progress! First clutch for me was laid on June 1st. I am up to 4 right now. Aiming for a light year of ~25 clutches this go round (next year 2X).
I am disappointed that I will not get to use my time lapse incubator this season (I was going to upgrade to HD video). I am working too many hours so I won't be able to balance the thermal swings from the cameras and lighting. The plus side to working these hours is that 300lbs. of Rodent Food/month becomes a trivial expense. :P

About 5 more photos left in my 2021 set.

Photo #241
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_wbktjt.jpg
Yellow Calcite, Fluorite, and a Leopard Pastel Het VPI Axanthic.

People often say that fluorite is one of the most challenging stones to tumble/polish-that is because they haven't tried calcite yet...:)

Photo #242
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_c2aobc.jpg
More local granite from my area (MA, USA), not the easiest stones to tumble, but, have their own character. :)

You can tell there is something going on with this ball python...it is: 100% Het Lavender Albino with a 50% possible chance for Albino and Pied (though doubtful pied-due to the 'even' patterning).

Been very busy lately, on clutch #9 so far for 2022.

My gf and I went to the New England Reptile Expo in Manchester NH this morning (26JUN2022): Snapped a few quick photos--got crowded really fast, we only stayed about 20 minutes, so rush-rush-rush.

Crimson Albino Iguana
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...o-1_l2zg4n.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-1a_medeyg.jpg
Fat Tail Gecko (cha-ching!):
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...o-2_ejreqn.jpg
Dumerils yawning:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...o-3_jyadcx.jpg
Rhino Iguana:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...o-5_hgjbae.jpg
Tiger Rat Snake (feisty!)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...o-6_eyhlo5.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...o-7_czxekk.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...o-8_qmdh3t.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...o-9_qcz5yv.jpg
Always lots of Axolotls...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-9a_pksxxg.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-9b_xgba08.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-9c_nwsmxk.jpg
Super fancy bettas at a reptile expo...who would have guessed:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-9d_b5riup.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-9e_bota6o.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-9f_gwryir.jpg
I thought these bags listed by weight (shown below) had rabbits, but, they were actually guinea pigs...:)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...y-1_onklyv.jpg
My gfs inner goth wanted this bat skeleton (shown below):
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...y-2_alodtt.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...y-3_xpfu3b.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...y-4_yvkpbp.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...y-5_nttr0v.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...y-6_ahtbbi.jpg
Living in New England, anything other than a grey or greenish-grey stone is a novelty...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...y-7_fcfzvd.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...y-8_lhglij.jpg
What we bought: A small enclosure (for a jumping spider), a bag of live oak leaves, a bag of mangolia leaves, hornworms, and a ball python (in the bag).
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-1_hsww16.jpg
The ball python is a 100% Het.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...se2_dsdvch.jpg
My first guess while scanning tables was Het Genetic Stripe, but, I was wrong.
Anyone care to guess what type of Het she is?
Clue: It is not a gene I have yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...se2_dsdvch.jpg
Anyone care to guess what type of Het she is?

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No takers eh...Tri-Stripe. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

No takers eh...Tri-Stripe. ;)

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I think Zincubus would probably be the only one of us who could accurately guess. :D

Photo #243
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_n0n7he.jpg
Brazilian Agate (center ring), and some white Banded Agate from Western USA.

Ball Python is another 100% Het Lav Albino, 50/50 Het Albino & Pied.

Photo #244
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_snz4ls.jpg
Here is another 100% Het Lav, 50/50 Het Albino/Pied (she is growing large-fast), and a big chunk of tiger eye.

Photo #244 is going to be my last photo of my 2021 set.
I have a few more photos, but, I think I could have done better with them, and I have since sold the snakes included--so no reshoots possible.

I currently have 12 clutches incubating and easily another 10 on the way...so there will be no shortage of future ball python subjects to photograph. :)

That looks more like a beautiful satin pillow with embroidery on top than a chunk of tiger eye. Very healthy looking snake, all too happy to "model" for you. :)

You certainly deserve a rest- thank you for posting all these- and we'll be eagerly awaiting the next ones.

Sorry, nikkubus. Caught the error right afterI made it but lost the post. :rolleye2:

I had a few vacation days this week and I noticed that the Brimfield Antique Show (Brimfield, MA, USA) was starting today. I took my gf and we spent a few hours there looking through the various vendors displays.

The Brimfield Antique Show/Flea Market is notorious for being huge (500+ vendors) and having high end items that are usually overpriced. It is nice to take a look every now and then. The last time I was there was about a decade ago.

We are not so interested in antiques as much as natural things: plants/animals/rocks...sometimes we find things that are a bit of both.

I snapped over 600 photos during my trip today, just a few shown below. :)

The 'Show' itself extends along Route 20 in Brimfield and has vendors on both side of the street for about a mile.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...eld_ndbtuq.jpg
A lot of the vendors have random stuff.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m-4_ond9tt.jpg
A few of the vendors had stones and/or stone carvings.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-1a_fogvrv.jpg
Fossilized whale ear bones? That is new to me.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-1d_ygwf3c.jpg
Fossilized vertebrae (probably whale as well):
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-1e_hwgf2v.jpg
One vendor was from Indonesia and he had stone skulls and polished pieces of Bumblebee Jasper, it is relatively rare in the USA.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-3d_a4tahr.jpg


There were a lot of overpriced skulls, various animals, but, mostly cattle.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...033_btgkwt.jpg
I was looking for snake-themed items and I was hard-pressed to find any.
The only one I found was in relation to the Chinese Zodiac (carved out of onyx)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-3f_xojkwp.jpg
Unfortunately there were some poorly preserved snakes/reptiles as well:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...013_tvbejg.jpg
More than one vendor was carrying them.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...071_gxldee.jpg
I think they are neat to look at, but, I would never buy any and they kinda make me sad.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...074_zuqir9.jpg
Same goes for skeletons as well...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...077_u0bzmt.jpg
I would much prefer to look at replicas.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...133_hrfyq7.jpg
There was quite an array of unusual items...like this sculpture from Bali.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m-2_btozl8.jpg
And this Monkey Kampala skull (cursed of course).
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m-3_jbyuly.jpg
Some stuff was just straight up weird and/or creepy.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...140_jru5dd.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...102_ihyuwb.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...165_mzwvyi.jpg
It was 92F and my gf were hungry and thirsty.
I bought us Lemonades and watched the girl make them:
1 half lemon juiced, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2 cups of ice, 2 cups of water. You can imagine how they tasted...weak...
As for food: With so many vendors and people there was quite an assortment to choose from, any where from Brussel Sprouts to Lobsters.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...163_bmncx0.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...162_wx2p0m.jpg
All the foods were overpriced, so we let our stomachs rumble.

In the end: What did we buy?
My gf recognized the novelty of the Bumblebee Jasper stones we had seen and she wanted a miniature skull carving.
I also bought her a Heart made from the same stone.

I was going to title the photo: 'Love, Death, and Snakes', however, I only had one snake cooperate...so it is now called 'Love, Death, and Snake' lol...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_q2lldz.jpg

Wow, that event looks like a lot of fun to poke around- I enjoy antiques & weird* stuff. (*some does appear to be over the top & icky) And one good thing about shopping for snake-themed items is that you hopefully won't have to over-spend, eh? ;) Since there typically isn't much...except those awful specimens in jar- they make me very sad too.

Pity the food & refreshments were overpriced & all- hey, I like brussels sprouts, but I've never seen nor imagined a stand that serves them. That's most unusual.

Alas, way before I got to the last of your post, I was thinking that snake-themed or not, I'd also have come home with some Bumblebee Jasper. :D

Your posts are always interesting, never dull! :gj:

Isn't overpriced food typically the norm for such places? It's by design to gouge the desperate and unprepared. Same story with any location for big gatherings and events, temporary and permanent (festivals, fairs, amusement parks, museums, zoos, ect.).

That looked a great day out

Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Wow, that event looks like a lot of fun to poke around- I enjoy antiques & weird* stuff. (*some does appear to be over the top & icky) And one good thing about shopping for snake-themed items is that you hopefully won't have to over-spend, eh? ;) Since there typically isn't much...except those awful specimens in jar- they make me very sad too.

Pity the food & refreshments were overpriced & all- hey, I like brussels sprouts, but I've never seen nor imagined a stand that serves them. That's most unusual.

Alas, way before I got to the last of your post, I was thinking that snake-themed or not, I'd also have come home with some Bumblebee Jasper. :D

Your posts are always interesting, never dull! :gj:

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Thanks!
The closest thing to 'Snake-themed items' in antiques I can usually find is serpents or dragons. I have seen some nice dragon themed antiques over the years with significant price-tags... Having two cats which are intent on destroying anything that exists within my house---I often pass on anything that is 'breakable'.

I have no issue with brussel sprouts-except their smell, taste, and existence. :P

I have been bidding on rough Bumblebee Jasper on Ebay for a while (for tumbling), but, I am not willing to pay more than $20/lb--so I have been out of luck. Considering I can buy a finished small carved skull for $25 and a really nicely patterned heart for $12--I am in no rush.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

Isn't overpriced food typically the norm for such places? It's by design to gouge the desperate and unprepared. Same story with any location for big gatherings and events, temporary and permanent (festivals, fairs, amusement parks, museums, zoos, ect.).

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I don't mind getting gouged a little when I am out at an amusement park or fair--if I am spending several hours there-I consider it 'part of the experience' and a cost I normally factor in. I think the Disney parks in Florida are the worst offenders in terms of gouging I've seen. Otherwise I visit a lot of places and I am used to the extreme markup. I typically buy a burger and I expect to pay $8-12, but, at Brimfield I saw prices ranging from $17-23 which was a bit much for a quarter pounder...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

That looked a great day out

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Thanks, it was HOT! By the time we left it was noon and most people were sitting in the shade unable to move. Since you can be a mile away from your car lugging something you bought-it can be a bit exhausting for many visitors.

Thank you for the journey and escape into a realm that is often overlooked. :O Lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

...
Thanks, it was HOT! By the time we left it was noon and most people were sitting in the shade unable to move. Since you can be a mile away from your car lugging something you bought-it can be a bit exhausting for many visitors.

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That's for sure- sounds like a recipe for heat exhaustion & heat strokes. :( As a former desert dweller, I tend to take a canteen & snacks to things like that. Still can be a challenge though for the many unprepared in the heat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That's for sure- sounds like a recipe for heat exhaustion & heat strokes. :( As a former desert dweller, I tend to take a canteen & snacks to things like that. Still can be a challenge though for the many unprepared in the heat.

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Yep, sure is. I went to a flea market this morning and the 'regulars' had fully stocked coolers ready to brave the 97F temps (with humidity feels like 105F).

At 8AM in the morning in the shade it was already 85F.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...022_ecnhb5.jpg
Most of the time I don't see anything I want at flea markets, but, one vendor had some odds and ends rough stones.
The largest of which was a black and white piece he called petrified wood.
My eyes see Schorl (Black Tourmaline in Quartz), I asked some members of the 'Rock Tumbling Forums' what it actually is.
Either way he sold me the piece very reasonably and tossed in a small piece of actual pet. wood for free.
https://youtu.be/If7k9do7wxE
Black Tourmaline in Quartz always pairs nicely with a Pastel Axanthic, although in this case the snakes color is much 'cleaner'. :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_mtpwkq.jpg

I can see why that stone attracted your attention. Flea markets & thrift stores are fun for me too- it's a treasure hunt. I'm glad the vendors there were prepared for the heat- it's dangerous if not.

I just did some yard trimming in the heat & high dew point without collapsing- it seems like my routine of swimming laps in this ongoing heat wave has done a good job of acclimating me- :)

Just finished browsing your thread; You have some very nice rocks there. And snakes. Now I want to go take a picture of a snake with rocks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Argentum

Just finished browsing your thread; You have some very nice rocks there. And snakes. Now I want to go take a picture of a snake with rocks.

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The more, the merrier- :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I just did some yard trimming in the heat & high dew point without collapsing- it seems like my routine of swimming laps in this ongoing heat wave has done a good job of acclimating me- :)

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There are days I really wish I had a pool, and then there are days I remember when I used to clean pools for extra cash during the summer when I was young...and I think of all the work...and that time I opened a pool that had been sitting closed for two decades and my arms were covered with close to a hundred leeches...and nah...I will just sit next to my AC ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Argentum

Just finished browsing your thread; You have some very nice rocks there. And snakes. Now I want to go take a picture of a snake with rocks.

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Thanks! You should post some pictures of snakes with rocks here! I am waiting for people to show off their amethyst cathedrals, geodes, crystal towers, scrying balls, fossils etc with their snakes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

The more, the merrier- :cool:

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Definitely! :)

Breeding rodents for snake food is a constant ongoing project for my collection.

I have been using Doggy Bag Dog Food reliably for years now. Recently (as of this month) all the 'Tractor Supply Co.' stores in my area have stopped carrying it. They were unable to tell me if this was a supply chain issue or a choice. Management has been quite 'vocal' to me about the quality of the food for dogs (which is low). As I am using 50lbs. of food/week I figured I should source a new type of dog food before I deplete my inventory. In the event that TSC restores its supply of Doggy Bag food: At least I will have identified another option.

Before Doggy Bag Dog Food I was using Mazuri Rodent Lab Blocks, and prior to that: ProLab Rodent Blocks. All of these options worked perfectly fine. Last time I checked: Mazuri Lab Blocks in my area were close to 2X the price of Doggy Bag Food-and while I prefer them...I also prefer to save my money for other things. :) I did contact Mazuri directly at one point to try and negotiate an arrangement, but, the cost of hiring a delivery truck on a bulk order for a small-scale operation like mine-was prohibitive.
So I am using:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ted_bgc2nj.jpg
I purchased two possible alternatives for evaluation from Tractor Supply Co:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ted_o9pjvn.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ted_qc99nm.jpg
While I am certain that both of these foods will work fine (aside from an 'adjustment' period):
My primary concern with both of these: is the diameter of the chunks themselves. Will they be large enough to fit in the food hoppers, or will they fall through?
I ran a quick test trying to sift out the smaller pieces:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCYPtJRU_iE

It seems like overall 'Retriever' Brand Choice Chops is going to be my best alternate choice, but, I still hold out hope that my Tractor Supply stores will restore their inventory of Doggy Bag food.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

There are days I really wish I had a pool, and then there are days I remember when I used to clean pools for extra cash during the summer when I was young...and I think of all the work...and that time I opened a pool that had been sitting closed for two decades and my arms were covered with close to a hundred leeches...and nah...I will just sit next to my AC ;)
...

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EW! It's not my own pool, but the town's (huge) pool that I swim laps in. I agree, I wouldn't care to maintain a pool for myself- yuk! Expensive & way too much work. Besides, swimming with others is a lot more fun, & even some of the lifeguards are pretty entertaining at times too.

I never imagined leeches in a pool, but I once looked at a house for sale that had an un-maintained backyard pool, & it was full of the cutest little froggies! :D Zillions of tadpoles all the way up to adult frogs looking back at me, just daring me to jump in. I passed on the opportunity. :rofl: Besides, it would have taken me forever to relocate them all...

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As for feeding rodents- I've used a couple other brands of rodent lab blocks in the past (subject to what was available where I lived), but never dog chow. I currently use Mazuri. I prefer to stick with food that's balanced specifically for rodents. But hey, I just discovered my mice enjoy bits of fresh tomato when I was cutting up some of my garden haul. They're usually such fussy eaters, I normally only give them bits of greens (kale), carrot or apple. Didn't expect they'd like tomatoes?

I did take a few photos, but just put them in my Gallery. Since you requested them here...

My female Ultrafly, just after she shed, with a chunk of petrified wood and... I have no idea what the other rock is. Some kind of conglomerate, I assume, which I found interesting at a garage sale. It's quite round.

The petrified wood was dug out of the driveway of the feed store I used to buy hay at. I still have to cringe... the owner had a pothole, so he brought in a load of rock from his property to fill it. It was all petrified wood... and black obsidian. He had no idea what it was, let alone what obsidian would do to tires. It was hard to resist digging up his driveway for the petrified wood, but I did leave with one piece.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../7-27-22_1.jpg

Male Banana Fire Bee, much more cooperative about being photographed generally. Just some spheres and eggs; Cherry Blossom Agate, Polychrome Jasper and an Amethyst.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../7-26-22_2.jpg

Another of the Banana Fire Bee male. Just because I found it amusing to have him wrap up some eggs. Again, Cherry Blossom agate and Polychrome Jasper.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../7-26-22_5.jpg

All are very beautiful, thank you Argentum. :gj: Now Lord Sorril won't have to work quite so hard. ;)