Snakes and Stones

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #495
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_shqgmh.jpg
BP = Enchi/Het Clown, I see she is a little overweight at the moment, but that will wear off rapidly as she grows.
Stones are two (maybe three) types of Jasper/Agate collected in Oregon, USA.

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What in this photo leads you to believe she's overweight? I'm not good at judging weight, and I'd like to be better at it since it's an issue that comes up on the forum from time to time. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

What in this photo leads you to believe she's overweight? I'm not good at judging weight, and I'd like to be better at it since it's an issue that comes up on the forum from time to time. Thanks.

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Sure, you bet. The easiest way to tell on a ball python is to look at the scales and see if there are gaps or separation between them.
If they are in perfect body condition then the scales should be fully interlocked and you should not see the skin below.
In the photo shown below you can see the scales are slightly separated.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_tqvaii.jpg
This is not really an issue with sub-adult ball-pythons as they will use the extra reserves to accelerate their growth.
If this was an established adult male or a female outside of 'laying season'-I would scale back the amount of food I provide at regular intervals. :)

I would consider the "scale separation" relevant where the snake's body is straight...they separate more easily when the snake's body is curved, but should definitely overlap when straight.

Photo #496
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_tscgk7.jpg
GHI/Fire/Lesser with some more assorted odds and ends. I did a quick count and can spot over 30 types of stones in the photo above.

Breeders Note: I had a handful of breeder females commit to attacking me while performing maintenance on their enclosures today. This is completely normal for the season.
I also noticed a lot of females with full-size follicles, but follicles do not guarantee eggs...so I can't get excited just yet. :)

Photo #497
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_lhbqp9.jpg
BP = Orange Dream/Het Piebald, with another assortment of small stones (I count 46 types). :)

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #497
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_lhbqp9.jpg
BP = Orange Dream/Het Piebald, with another assortment of small stones (I count 46 types). :)

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:rockon: (I know, what took me so long?) :D

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

:rockon: (I know, what took me so long?) :D

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Do you sell prints of your photographs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE

Do you sell prints of your photographs?

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Hahaha, no, not at the moment. I have a lot of projects going on right now and I try to keep a low profile. Eventually though...I will consider it...:)

Photo #498
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_hybnvp.jpg
BP = Pastel/Lesser/Het Gravel or Yellowbelly
The stones are Atlantis Wonder Jasper: which I think is actually a form of Agatized Rhyolite (Nevada, USA). This is challenging rock tumbling material due to its proclivity to shatter and pit relentlessly.

Photo #499
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_pjj4wq.jpg
Ball Python = Enchi/Het Clown
Stones are local granite variations. I really need to stop tumbling these, but, every now and then I find one that takes a high shine-and they are free. :)

Breeders Note: I noticed I had a really bad sore throat last week. I made sure to separate all my ball python matings and do a full clean and refresh water on all my reptiles and rodents (in expectation of being down for a while). As of today: April 28th I am on Day 4 of a respiratory flu and I am just starting to experience improvement. I hope none of my ball pythons have laid eggs early...just sitting in front of my computer alone is taking my maximum level of effort...