» Site Navigation
0 members and 627 guests
No Members online
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.
» Today's Birthdays
» Stats
Members: 75,909
Threads: 249,108
Posts: 2,572,135
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
|
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Sorril
AI-help me out here:
I appreciate the reassurance that the Singularity is still a ways down the road.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
So, with my inexplicable loss of two clutches this year and a general overall failure for many of my pythons to develop follicles into eggs this season-I have been searching for a reason (any).
Earlier in the season my water stopped running and I needed to have my well pump replaced (640ft deep).
As part of the well replacement I had to directly flush the lines for several days to remove any sediment stirred up during the process.
My water normally has 20X the recommended EPA 'acceptable' level of arsenic in it for drinking.
I have a big filtration tank in my basement to fix this, and after I re-established the connection to my filtration system-post replacement flush....I was wary that the level of arsenic may have spiked and oversaturated the system (as it is approaching the time period to replace the filter media). I know that what you don't know can hurt you...My gf and I have been cooking and drinking with Spring Water (just in case). I have so many animals that aside from the cats...it is not feasible to use Spring Water for all of them (including the snakes).
I had my water tested:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ter_qfwbvv.jpg
As I suspected: arsenic has been getting through my filtration system.
While it is only 4X a recommended dosage to a human-I am uncertain what impact it has to a smaller ball python: given that the water in the snake bowls evaporate and reduce over time: they may be getting a much higher dose...
After getting several quotes to replace the arsenic media: ranging from $1K-$2.2K (which is a disturbingly huge distribution). I am having it replaced next week, but, I think the damage is done for the breeding season...
-
So sorry for your losses, Lord Sorril, but that's awesome that you shared this with us here- it gives others a heads-up as to what can go wrong- something they may not otherwise consider. I also hope the only damage for your snakes is this year alone.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
So sorry for your losses, Lord Sorril, but that's awesome that you shared this with us here- it gives others a heads-up as to what can go wrong- something they may not otherwise consider. I also hope the only damage for your snakes is this year alone.
Sure, you bet!
I'm not certain if this is the actual issue or not...I have not noticed anything unusual with the health of my ball python collection. :)
Arsenic likes to bind to Keratin in mammals (hair, fingernails...etc), most animals can easily remove it in low doses. I have no information on ball pythons: hopefully it binds to the scales and is shed out...
I have glanced at highly technical articles that have mentioned that arsenic may interfere with the Homeostasis (balance) of Calcium in a mammalian body. If it is messing up the Calcium balance in my ball pythons this may explain why my follicles are not advancing. This is not to say that I won't be getting any more eggs this season...I see several females still developing eggs, but, there is a huge delay in formation time, and so far egg mortality is much higher than usual... At this rate I will be incubating eggs into January...
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #318
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_jjljn0.jpg
BP: 100% Het for VPI Axanthic + Clown
The stone in the photo above looks a bit rough...That is just an illusion. :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_smzmnn.jpg
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Sorril
Well, don't hold your breath waiting for criticism from anyone around here- :D That's a beautiful snake AND a beautiful stone.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #319
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kvelyi.jpg
Sandstone and a Double Het Axanthic/Clown.
A lot of people say you can't tumble sandstone because it is soft and porous, but, it actually tumbles great...
you just have to be prepared to accept the matte polish when finished in a vibe tumbler. :)
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #320
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_xjaxzx.jpg
BP: Double Het Axanthic/Clown
Stones are mostly Crazy Lace Agate from Mexico. :)
-
There's a lot going on there- :cool:
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #321
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_io1g3d.jpg
The fourth out of five hatched Double Het Axanthic/Clown ball pythons.
White stone in the center is local quartz, red and purple stones are Mozambique agate, and the green stones are an assortment of Californite and Jade variants.
I think I used a bit too many stones in the photo so the snake is a bit too diminutive.
Below is a close-up of the little biter. :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_tseigf.jpg
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #322
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gavqcw.jpg
5 of 5 Axanthic/Clown Double Het Ball Pythons (Hatched 2023)
Some self-collected local rocks (you can see why I buy most of my tumbling rough-lol...) ;)
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
-
Hey, that was quite the race to come out. :D Beautiful little hatchlings!
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
The first hatchling that wouldn't come out of its egg was hilarious.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebody
The first hatchling that wouldn't come out of its egg was hilarious.
I know. I'd have to call him Mikey. ("I'm not gonna try it...")
Reminds me of some years back, when I was watching my rosy boas being [live] born, & one kept trying to back up- "Oh no, don't make me go out there, Mom- it's scary!" (Mom won) :D
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Hey, that was quite the race to come out. :D Beautiful little hatchlings!
Thanks! I was really worried because I have had the worst luck this season.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebody
The first hatchling that wouldn't come out of its egg was hilarious.
I kept checking the camera over and over-that little guy drove me crazy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
I know. I'd have to call him Mikey. ("I'm not gonna try it...")
Reminds me of some years back, when I was watching my rosy boas being [live] born, & one kept trying to back up- "Oh no, don't make me go out there, Mom- it's scary!" (Mom won) :D
If I wasn't time lapsing the event I probably would not have noticed. As it was: I was concerned it might have been trapped in the egg, but, twas not the case!
Also, the ball python in the top left corner hatched out and promptly escaped the egg box and went into the incubator.
I had my camera focused for three days on an empty egg before I checked and noticed that hatchling was hiding in the incubator! :)
Photo #323
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ysnxib.jpg
A piece of Agate from Western USA with a 66% Het Clown Ball python.
Breeders Note: 2022 all of my hatchlings ate without fail. 2023: I am assist feeding ~25% of my offspring. Weird...
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Fall is almost upon us, best season where I live...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_t3hvqm.jpg
Leopard and one copy of a VPI Axanthic gene really obscures the Pastel in the snake above.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #324
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_jz69sp.jpg
Brazilian Agate and a 66% Possible Het Clown
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #325
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ovc06s.jpg
BP: 66% Het Clown, with a tumbled/polished Thunderegg from Oregon, USA. :)
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #326
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_dfvi2p.jpg
BP: 66% Het Clown with some local Granite-y Stones.
A few years ago: I was experimenting with different types of granite in my area for a while to see which ones would tumble and polish nicely: not many.
Most of my rejects I have been leaving in a pile beside a secluded hiking trail in a local forest. The pile has been getting bigger over time.
I went to drop some off today and I was surprised to find that someone had collected all the stones in the pile and left a plastic tube with an enthusiastic thank-you note inside...Cool!
I like to think of them hiking 2 miles back to their car with 50lbs. of poorly polished granite on their back. Although I do suppose the stones would look nice in a walkway or something...:)
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Sorril
Photo #326
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_dfvi2p.jpg
BP: 66% Het Clown with some local Granite-y Stones.
A few years ago: I was experimenting with different types of granite in my area for a while to see which ones would tumble and polish nicely: not many.
Most of my rejects I have been leaving in a pile beside a secluded hiking trail in a local forest. The pile has been getting bigger over time.
I went to drop some off today and I was surprised to find that someone had collected all the stones in the pile and left a plastic tube with an enthusiastic thank-you note inside...Cool!
I like to think of them hiking 2 miles back to their car with 50lbs. of poorly polished granite on their back. Although I do suppose the stones would look nice in a walkway or something...:)
They must really want those stones...sweet that they left a note. I guess they weren't as "ugly" as you thought? :cool: Your BP ain't too shabby either. :gj:
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
They must really want those stones...sweet that they left a note. I guess they weren't as "ugly" as you thought? :cool: Your BP ain't too shabby either. :gj:
Thanks!
I'm just glad someone liked them enough to collect them, although New England doesn't have the best selection of rocks available...so pretty much anything unusual is a good thing...:)
Montana though...they have some nice Agate...
Photo 327A
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_pxsgov.jpg
The stone looks scratched up, but, most of those are inclusions-since Montana Agate is semi-translucent a camera flash lights everything up.
Photo #327B (Backlit)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_pigwp9.jpg
BP: Pastel/Mojave/Het Axanthic/Het Hypo
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Sorril
That's a great look...& especially for the Halloween season.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #328
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_msyztl.jpg
Snowflake obsidian from Mexico with a 100% Het YB or Gravel BP.
The 'snowflakes' are actually silica sand that was melted into phenocryst patterns at high temperature.
In the realm of metaphysics this stone is said to have wide ranging properties (from anti-demonic to enhanced introspection).
In the realm of my physics: it looks nice. ;)
-
You're making me homesick for where I used to live in the Mojave desert. I had lots of snowflake obsidian in my yard there- the previous builder-owners were rock-hounds & even left piles of mostly unopened geodes. I actually had a 9'+ saguaro cactus too- they're not supposed to grow outside the Sonoran desert (AZ) but they had planted that one & it thrived in the high desert of So. California.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
You're making me homesick for where I used to live in the Mojave desert. I had lots of snowflake obsidian in my yard there- the previous builder-owners were rock-hounds & even left piles of mostly unopened geodes. I actually had a 9'+ saguaro cactus too- they're not supposed to grow outside the Sonoran desert (AZ) but they had planted that one & it thrived in the high desert of So. California.
That is really cool!
With crazy inflation these days you could have sold those unopened geodes from some good scratch now...:)
The only type of stone I would actually miss in my area would be white milky quartz and pink chert, all the granite-y type stones in my region have 'character', but, I'm not particularly fond of them.
Photo #329
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_sk7zf2.jpg
BP: 66% Het Clown
In other news, my final ball python clutch (2023) in incubation has started hatching today 27OCT2023.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...023_bnpf9r.jpg
Many of my ball python females that did not lay eggs this season-have grown ridiculously large instead.
I'm getting a good workout now on cleaning days: Snake-Lifting ;)
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
-
Where's all the buyers? It looks awfully empty in there...:confusd: Thanks for sharing.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Where's all the buyers? It looks awfully empty in there...:confusd: Thanks for sharing.
Hahaha, no worries! The New England Reptile Expo is always packed with buyers. ~30 minutes after they start letting people in: it became wall-to-wall humans, and as such it was our time to leave. I snapped my photos before it crowded up.
My gf and I were among the first non-vendors to enter. We rush-in and make a quick scan of all the available critters. She was looking for high-red ornate frogs and I was looking for Axanthic ball python morphs for comparison.
I did not see any Axanthic ball python morphs and she did not find any Ornate Frogs...so...a bit of a disappointment...but, you never know when you will get lucky! :)
The Fire Blade Grail ball python IMO was the most spectacular ball python at the expo. The intense color of that one was beyond the capability of my camera and almost blurred my vision. I think the $6K price tag was fitting, it made Super OD Piebald hatchlings look drab in comparison...
-
I might have known you're the door-buster type! :D And I was hoping that wasn't how the day went for all the vendors.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Sorril
This is my favorite of the bunch. So unusual!
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebody
This is my favorite of the bunch. So unusual!
I know, that's just insane! I've never seen any (BPs) like that before.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebody
This is my favorite of the bunch. So unusual!
Yeah! I was thinking about adding Cryptic (allelic with Clown to form Crypton).
I did consider the one below (for a solid 2 minutes) before deciding against it...:happycry:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...o-P_zgtwwc.jpg
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #330
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_r0jgsr.jpg
BP: (Not So) Hidden Gene Woma + YB or Gravel
Stone from Franconia Notch, NH (you local geologists know where). ;)
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #331
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_vezncx.jpg
Some larger chunks of tumbled/polished Amazonite from Brazil (go figure), with a HGW/Lesser (Soul Sucker) + Gravel or YB.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #333
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gryofh.jpg
Yes, more exciting New England rocks (Whooooo!). Try to contain your enthusiasm over these wicked stones. ;)
BP: Het Clown
-
I'm new to the site and new to this thread, but I'm head over heels.
As a rock junkie I was already planning on using some locally collected rocks as part of the backing of the 4X3X2 I plan to build Noodle when he gets bigger. We hit the local mines, climb the mountains, collect all the interesting things. Hubby was even president of our local rock club for a couple years. You are so right about New England being a great place to be a rock junkie. Maine-iac myself.
I haven't tumbled in a very long time and would love to know what you have for a rig. Now I want to play again.
Thank you for showing me I'm not the only rock/snake crazy around here.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by silvermander
Thank you for showing me I'm not the only rock/snake crazy around here.
Oh my God! There's two of them.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by silvermander
I'm new to the site and new to this thread, but I'm head over heels.
As a rock junkie I was already planning on using some locally collected rocks as part of the backing of the 4X3X2 I plan to build Noodle when he gets bigger. We hit the local mines, climb the mountains, collect all the interesting things. Hubby was even president of our local rock club for a couple years. You are so right about New England being a great place to be a rock junkie. Maine-iac myself.
I haven't tumbled in a very long time and would love to know what you have for a rig. Now I want to play again.
Thank you for showing me I'm not the only rock/snake crazy around here.
Hahaha, it is always good to find someone else interested in rocks and minerals! :)
My specific profile has always been towards stones I can tumble/polish successfully.
Maine is a great place to rockhound due to your depleted/detonated supervolcanoes.
I have rarely ventured very far into Maine as an adult. As a child my parents brought me to many rural mines and collection areas in the state...I was too young to effectively wield any tools though...
My tumbling setup is 7 Lortone QT12 tumblers, 1 Thumler's UV-18 Vibratory, and 1 Thumler's UV-45.
If I am feeling ambitious I can run them all and have ~150 lbs. of stone processing at any given time. The UV-45 requires frequent attention though...so I only use it periodically.
I go through about 300lbs. of #46 Silicon Carbide/year and much lesser volumes of finer Aluminum Oxide.
What do I do with the stones? The nice ones I make a pile under my bed and sleep above them like a dragon. ;) The poor ones I use to make little art designs/displays in the woods.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebody
Oh my God! There's two of them.
Lol! There are a surprisingly large amount of people into geology.
People in my area love to show me their 'finds', but, rough stone (excluding crystals) are often unimpressive until they have been cut/treated/tumbled/polished and/or faceted...
Photo #334
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kocfai.jpg
Brazilian Agate + Another Het Clown
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Sorril
Loving this snake's pose- it's like he's hanging on for dear life to a flying saucer. :D Nice agate too. :gj:
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Loving this snake's pose- it's like he's hanging on for dear life to a flying saucer. :D Nice agate too. :gj:
Thanks! I had to wait 15 minutes for that one to uncurl enough to peek out for the photo.
Photo #335
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_pflt0x.jpg
Chalcedony from the Mid-West USA, with a few pieces of amethyst from Brazil, a few pieces of red agate from Mozambique, and only one piece of Rose Quartz (showing) from the West Coast USA.
This type of chalcedony usually has considerable inclusions/erratic shape due to environmental formation conditions. A lot of people don't bother to tumble it, but, that has never stopped me. ;)
BP: Hypo Mojave + Het VPI Axanthic
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #336
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ca4dvp.jpg
Blue Chalcedony (from Mid-West, USA)
BP: (nice yellow) Pastel + Het Hypo + Het Gravel or YB
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
I fed my hatchlings earlier today. I went back later to confirm, and I noticed that one of my ball pythons had not eaten. And more than that: when I lifted her hide-she was gone!
The last time I had cleaned her cage the lid must have been slightly ajar when it locked.
I get a ball python escapee every now and then: so it is nothing new. I checked all the 'usual' spots (closet, floor, radiator, adjacent shelves) and did not find her.
I methodically went through the entire room (top to bottom)...and sometimes I get lucky and find them in a few minutes.
In this case: I found her an hour later on the opposite side of the room on the bottom shelf of a rack resting against a partially exposed UTH for another enclosure.
She was not in the LAST place I was going to check, but, she was close to it...regardless of all my commotion-she never moved an inch.
(picture of her below)
Photo #337
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_w8wza9.jpg
She is a Mojave/Het Hypo/Het Axanthic ball python with a random Agate.
Note: Several years ago there was a lapidary hobbyist selling his personal rough rock collection on Ebay.
I purchased a little over half of his collection (=400lbs). All of the rocks were unlabeled.
While I can identify the easy ones (e.g. Tiger-Eye, Labradorite, Green Opal, Rhodonite, etc)...anything beyond the obviously distinct types of agate and jasper: I couldn't tell you. :)
-
I'm so glad you found her pretty quickly- it's been a long time since I've played "hide & seek" with a snake, & I hope to keep it this way.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #338
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_vcypjq.jpg
Agate from the Mid-West USA with a Hypo/Het Axanthic BP.
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #339
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_z4um7z.jpg
Beryl from NH (Tripp Mine) with a Pastel Ball Python (+Het for Gravel or YB).
Very challenging material to tumble, the lattice formation on this type of beryl is much more aggressive which lends itself to more cracks and pits.
Creating a perfectly round specimen through tumbling is a game of luck.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ryl_f2d32x.jpg
Emeralds (green beryl) are considered challenging to tumble.
I rank this yellow beryl (with a bit of iron-staining) as one notch higher in difficulty. :)
-
Nice stones, but even prettier snake. :cool:
-
Re: Snakes and Stones
Photo #340
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_ytfb1b.jpg
Clown BP (+Pos. Het Lav Albino), and a polished piece of Jasp-Agate from the West Coast of USA.
|
