Figment - Our Hypo Lavender Corn Baby

That really did make me smile,poor Katie at least she found it funny eventually

I can remember in the early 80's when I had my grey rat snake my little brother had her out and her went down his pyjama too and messed absolutely everywhere,boy did I laugh as he was heaving his guts up trying to get washed,
She may want to check for sausage butt before the next handling, lollllll

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Figment shed, and pooped, last night; in the cage this time!

He looks sharp and is holding about 650G. Sorry for the somewhat blurry pictures, especially around his head. I took about 15 photos and these were the best ones (with the iPhone granted). He will not hold still to save his life! Friendly as anything, but a mover!

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Figment stretched out on my lap and then some. He's a big boy.

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Another cool critter D. You have some very nice animals.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Another cool critter D. You have some very nice animals.

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Thanks El-Ziggy!

My collection is full at 8 reptiles. I had to be careful with all my picks. Glad you appreciate my taste!

If you haven't, check out Solana's (my Scaleless Sunglow Motley Red Factor Corn) thread from today. Took some pictures in daylight today and she is stunning.

Pictures don't do Figment justice. First, he has purple eyes! I can never capture that well with a photo. Not that he would stay still long enough anyway! He's a mover; a total sweetheart, but a mover! Secondly, the subtle nuance in his pinks and purples never capture on photos. Finally, his coloring is not "flat." Phillydubs was over this past weekend and was blown away with the marbling/coraling in his pattern and colors. He is full of nuance and needs to be seen to be appreciated.

He's also just a really cool dude. Moves, but easy to handle, and never defensive or aggressive, just curious, and a little ADHD. He has skipped one meal for me in almost 5 years as well (he was in shed and I didn't know and offered a weaned rat as opposed to a mouse which is all he's ever eaten). So he's a champ!

Figment was about 640G when I switched him to every other week feeding, still a jumbo mouse (35-45G).

Since March, he's lost about 5-10G and is down to 630-635G or so. He might be healthier at that weight, and it's hardly dramatic weight loss, however, I am still feeding prey that is pretty easy for him to handle.

I fed him yesterday, even though he ate the week before, and plan on feeding 2 weeks apart for 3 feedings (6 weeks) and then two feedings in subsequent weeks (2 weeks). I'll watch him. If he starts gaining weight quickly, or dramatically, I'll go back to every two weeks. Otherwise, I think that pattern will help him maintain a good weight. He's sturdy, but not overweight now. No "love handles" around his vent or anything.

Figment shed last night (a perfect shed - normal here in the dakski house) and looks good, although I neglected to take pictures. Sorry. I'll get some soon.

I weighed him dry and he's 635G. Since I started the 3 feedings over 6 weeks (every two weeks) and 1 feeding on week 7 (one week), so a total of 4 feedings in 7 weeks, he has been maintaining weight and seems happy and healthy, as always.

I just talked to Don Soderberg, coincidently, and he said to feed adult mice, not the fattier jumbos, every week, instead of a jumbo every two weeks.

So, that's what I plan to do.

I'll keep everyone in the loop.

Figment got his first adult mouse (30G) in a little while tonight (as opposed to a jumbo - 35-45G). As stated in the previous post, I will feed adults, generally about 25G, weekly (as opposed to every two weeks with jumbos), and see how he does on weight. If he starts gaining again, I'll either switch to every 10 days, or 3 weeks in a row and then 2 weeks off, and then 3 weeks in a row. That would be the opposite of what I had been doing with jumbos to maintain his weight.

OTHER COOL NEWS: Katie/SunshineWalker fed Figment tonight and she did great! She still won't touch the F/T mouse (I checked to make sure it was fully defrosted, dried it off after the quick hot water bath, etc.), but she did get it on the tongs herself and offered to Figment all by herself. I am really proud of her. She's been feeding Solana almost every time since we got her, but a (now) 30G animal doesn't hit as hard as a 635G animal. Plus, Figment is a freak, he'll grab and wrap and roll all over the tank. A few times, I was afraid he was going to rip the mouse apart coiling it!

The last time she fed him, months ago, before we got Solana, she got nervous when he headed towards the mouse she ended up dropping it on him (from 2 inches). He was fine and quickly grabbed, coiled, and ate, but Katie was a) scared and b) nervous she had hurt him by dropping the mouse. She definitely did not. If striking, coiling, and rolling back and forth the 3FT of the tank doesn't hurt him, a 2 inch dropped mouse sure isn't going to. :)

That time I also opened the tank and helped guide the tongs. NOT THIS TIME! ALL BY HERSELF!

She opened the tank, offered the mouse, and right before Figment was about to strike, she gently put it down in front of him. Before she could get the tongs out, he was on it and coiled. This time, she laughed, and said he was a "good snake." BIG IMPROVEMENT! She also watched the entire feeding. The adult mouse went down pretty quick, but she watched from head to tail going down and the big yawn at the end too!

Very proud of my honey. She's really embraced these new pets, has one of her own now (Esmeralda/Ezzy the Leachie), and has been helping with the Yafe (new carpet python who came with/got while shipping an RI). She's wonderful. Last night, Yafe got his first antibiotic injection to cure the RI. I held him, she administered the injection and did fantastic! She was more comfortable with me holding him and she's in healthcare and was happy to give the shot. Additionally, I shake because of meds I take for immune suppression (Kidney Transplant recipient), and my fine motor skills are similar to someone with Parkinson's. He's so small, I am afraid I will hurt him. Anyway, great team effort, and to see the devotion she has to Yafe, already (he's been with us since Tuesday night), and how she's embracing and interacting with all the other reptiles, makes me so happy.

She was okay with them and then things went downhill after Behira (BCI) nailed me (food response). Hook training has fixed that issue, and Katie even takes her out of her tank now (after using the hook to make sure she knows it's handling time). That's a huge step. Feeding Solana and Figment is a huge step. Getting her own Leachie! Huge step. I owe most of this to Solana. Katie is enamored by her and has been interacting with and feeding her since day one. She has brought the reptile lover out of Katie and now we really share my passion. I say my passion, because she enjoys it now, but I am the guru with temps, feeding, humidity, my excel spreadsheet with weights, food size, bowel movements, etc. Maybe one day she will get there? We will see.

Either way, very happy to share this wonderful hobby with the love of my life.

Katie has come a long way, but she can't help it, with a good influence like you & so many cool pets to practice on.

My Florida rat snakes are feisty-feeders that wrap & roll too. I know exactly what you mean, they'll even fall out of branches when they grab the prey, like
nothing else matters. Some snakes are MUCH scarier to feed than others are...some are very polite (like most Trans Pecos). Keeps it interesting.

Figment ate a 25G mouse today, following a 30G mouse last week. I switched him to a weekly schedule again with much smaller, and less fatty prey.

So far, he seems to be maintaining weight, but only time will tell. I can alway stretch a feeding or two if he starts gaining.

Glad to be on a less fatty diet with more frequent feedings for him; help avoid health issues.

Not sure why I didn't make the connection with jumbo mice and ex-breeder rats. I would never feed an ex-breeder to Behira (BCI) because of the fat content. However, I know BCI's are more sensitive to that than Corns. Still, I am glad I asked Don Soderberg the question. Figment is a big boy and feeding a 25G mouse every two weeks is probably not going to cut it at almost 650G.

Also, Katie fed Figment again this week. She shook the mouse until he grabbed it off the tongs. Great job!

Additionally, when she opened the tank door to offer food, he snuck his head out quick and she redirected him back in the tank with the mouse. Another point for Katie!

Got some nice shots of Figment today with the DSLR and I wanted to share. Love his purple eyes!

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Feeding night for Figment!

Two pictures below.

I am feeding 1 20-25G adult mouse weekly now instead of 1 jumbo mouse (40G+) every other week. I will monitor weight and if necessary, skip a week here and there. However, I am happy not to be feeding a "fatty" meal to him anymore.

He loves his mice though!

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Nice! Does he eat rats Dave?

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Nice! Does he eat rats Dave?

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I am pretty firm believer in mice for corns. I offered him a weaned rat once, while he was in shed (which has never stopped him before), and he refused.

I would consider offering him another, and occasionally a rat, but would want to stick to mostly mice.

Got some cool shots of Figment today as well as a video. He was nice and chill today. He's making up for last night when he was all over the place and a total spaz!

This is about as calm as Figment gets.

Video link: https://streamable.com/wb7nn

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He looks so pretty in blue & cream colors...but as far as activity, that's what's so cool about rat snakes in general...they have more than one speed. ;)

Not that you're going to add any more snakes, but if you wanted a rat snake that moves like in this video (& FYI for others reading this) you should have
gotten a Trans Pecos rat snake...they are very chilled when handled, and even in their cages they are graceful & seem to "tiptoe" over their branches.
Plus they stay about 4', not longer than the biggest (or older) corns, but a little heavier-bodied...very stealthy & nocturnal, but nosy (easily interacted with).
(-just sayin'...I know, I'm a bad influence...:D lol.)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

He looks so pretty in blue & cream colors...but as far as activity, that's what's so cool about rat snakes in general...they have more than one speed. ;)

Not that you're going to add any more snakes, but if you wanted a rat snake that moves like in this video (& FYI for others reading this) you should have
gotten a Trans Pecos rat snake...they are very chilled when handled, and even in their cages they are graceful & seem to "tiptoe" over their branches.
Plus they stay about 4', not longer than the biggest (or older) corns, but a little heavier-bodied...very stealthy & nocturnal, but nosy (easily interacted with).
(-just sayin'...I know, I'm a bad influence...:D lol.)

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BAD, BAD, Bogertophis! Feliz hasn't even arrived yet! :colbert:

How do you spell that again? T-R-A-N-S P-E-C-O-S? For others reading, of course.

:)

Figment downed a mouse tonight. Pictures below of him finishing it off.

However, both corns are beggars. Last night Figment was begging for food while I fed Solana. Tonight, both were begging for food, like most nights I am in the reptile area after the lights go out. Solana ate yesterday! Has she no shame?

Here are the two begging colubrids!

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And Figment finishing up! DAD! Look! The tails goes down like spaghetti!

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Figment is an animal! Well, yes, I know, he literally is. However, he is also figuratively an animal! I open his enclosure tonight to offer his mouse and before he even sees it he has half his body out of the darn tank. I finally enticed him back in with the mouse and he struck it and gobbled it down, but geez. With him and Behira, I need to keep the hook near by! Rascals!

Here's Figment after his meal looking for more! Yes, I know he shed, but it was feeding night, so that will be taken care of tomorrow, or Monday morning at the latest.

​Figgie the Piggie begging for more food!


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Figment post shed. Sorry for iPhone pics, but the lighting actually captured his colors decently. Not great, but decent.

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Looking really great Dave, really looks lavender in the pics too, camera deffo has picked it up

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Figment is doing well. Status quo, so not much to report.

I had him out tonight and he's looking good.

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Yes those are so pretty.
Love how sweet they look.

He’s such a beauty. So many folks treat corns as if they are a consolation prize instead of getting a ‘real’ snake. Their calm temperament, ease of care, and the incredible variation of color and pattern make them such a great choice in pets. I really love to hear about other folks who keep these guys long term. I only have my one adult normal male now, but I’ve had others in the past and always enjoyed them. And you have to love their food response, rarely have I run across one who was a picky eater. :D

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Originally Posted by Dianne

He’s such a beauty. So many folks treat corns as if they are a consolation prize instead of getting a ‘real’ snake. Their calm temperament, ease of care, and the incredible variation of color and pattern make them such a great choice in pets. I really love to hear about other folks who keep these guys long term. I only have my one adult normal male now, but I’ve had others in the past and always enjoyed them. And you have to love their food response, rarely have I run across one who was a picky eater. :D

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I hear you.

They are great pets. Care is easy and setups are cheap, as is food.

No surprise I have 2 boas and 2 corns, as well as two pythons (one BP and one carpet).

So beautiful and docile. Figment has skipped one meal in 6 years.

Solana has has yet to. She’s shedding and ate the other day.

Beautiful!! I didn't know they came in lavender! And a bright pink tongue so neat!

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by dakski

I hear you.

They are great pets. Care is easy and setups are cheap, as is food.

No surprise I have 2 boas and 2 corns, as well as two pythons (one BP and one carpet).

So beautiful and docile. Figment has skipped one meal in 6 years.

Solana has has yet to. She’s shedding and ate the other day.

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My male, Yin, will skip meals if he is in shed, but only if in full blue. He had a short spell in December and January when he wasn’t eating as consistently, but I think that was in part due to drops in temperature outside which did effect temps inside. While my snake room only dropped 3-5 degrees overall, and he has undertank heat, I think it was enough to make him go off feed for just a bit.

Yin is a normal, and my girl Yang was a hypo. I’ve also had snow corns, a dreamcicle, a striped corn, and a grey rat snake. They are just too cool.

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Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

Beautiful!! I didn't know they came in lavender! And a bright pink tongue so neat!

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

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Look close. He has purple eyes.

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Originally Posted by Dianne

He’s such a beauty. So many folks treat corns as if they are a consolation prize instead of getting a ‘real’ snake. Their calm temperament, ease of care, and the incredible variation of color and pattern make them such a great choice in pets. I really love to hear about other folks who keep these guys long term. I only have my one adult normal male now, but I’ve had others in the past and always enjoyed them. And you have to love their food response, rarely have I run across one who was a picky eater. :D

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Agreed! Under-rated as pets.

I've kept corn snakes for as long as I've been keeping snakes (a very long time), & bred a few (way back)- I currently have 5, 4 of which are about 10 years of age,
& one male that is 20 years old. The 20 year old is "geriatric" & the only one who ever refuses some meals; that is to be expected, his metabolism is slowing down
& this is perfectly normal for an elderly rat snake. Overall, corn snakes are a huge pleasure to keep as pets for their agreeable dispositions, great appetites, nice size
(not too big) & ease of care (easier to meet their requirements than many others like BPs). Their vast array of beautiful colors puts them over the top as pets, IMO.

Figment looked particularly good the other day and I got some pictures in good lighting. He seems to glow purple and pink. Overall, he's doing great and is a joy, as always.

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Really is a great lavender colour dave, looks great

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The "diet" is working. I feed an adult mouse every 10-14 days to Figment and 2 weeks in a row if his weight gets low. He's down to 635G, which is a good weight for him. He was tubby at 665G. Still gentle as every, shedding normally, and happy to eat his mouse, when he gets one.

Figment is down to 620G, where I want him. I'll be feeding a mouse every 2 weeks with an occasional mouse 2 weeks in a row if he starts to lose weight.

He looks solid, but not chunky, as he did at 650G+.

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Figment looking good and docile as ever.

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Figment shed yesterday, so here are some pictures.

He's doing really well and I probably handle him the least, but he's always gentle and docile. He still moves pretty quick compared to everyone else, but he's hardly aggressive/defensive. I handle him the least because he doesn't seem to enjoy it as much as say, the Boas, but he's already so docile, I don't have to worry too much about him. Some of the other snakes will either get really big (Behira - BI) or I am still working on gaining their confidence and getting them to calm a little (Yafe - Carpet Python).

Either way, when he comes out, he's a good boy.

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Looking great dave, corns really are fun arnt they

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Corn snakes aren't so good at sitting still...don't take it personally. And remember they can get too warm when handled by us, especially in summer.
He's looking good...

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Looking great dave, corns really are fun arnt they

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There's a reason I have two! Easy to maintain their tanks/husbandry, beautiful, docile, great eaters, etc.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Corn snakes aren't so good at sitting still...don't take it personally. And remember they can get too warm when handled by us, especially in summer.
He's looking good...

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Oh, I don't take it personally. He's also come a long way and is much less "movey" then he used to be. He's almost 6 now. Funny though, Solana, who I got at the same age and size pretty much, is totally calm girl. Loves to chill. If she does move, it's slow and deliberate. As we know, they each have their own personalities.

Totally get the warmth thing too. Figment is too cool for school - literally. He likes it about 77-78F most of the time.

Thank you. He was getting a bit chubby but the adjustment on food size and how often I was offering made a huge difference. He's looking lean and mean (just not acting mean).

Figment is looking good and shed recently. Here are some pics with the good camera.

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Figment got down to 605G dry and looks great. I've been feeding him every other week for a while now, since June actually.

He was 665G in January and looked porky and I am glad I've gotten him down feeding every other week and adult mice instead of jumbos (which are much fattier). I don't want him losing too fast or getting too thin though and he looks really good at this weight.

I fed two weeks ago, last week, and I plan to feed again this week, and then get back to a every other week schedule, but watch his weight, and will up feeding intervals as needed. I will not offer larger prey than adult mice.

Overall, he's doing great and turns six years old on 11-13-19.

He's looking good! :gj:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

He's looking good! :gj:

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Yeah, he's looking lean and mean, but doesn't act mean at all. I have to thank Don Soderberg at South Mountain Reptiles. He's been a great resource and I am glad I met him and we've become friends after buying Solana from him. He convinced me to slow down the feedings and food size. He said Solana will be okay with weekly meals, being a female, with possibly an occasional skip, but males can gain weight faster.

Figment shed today and is looking handsome. He had a tiny bit of shed at the end of his tail, but a quick soak fixed that. Weird, everything else shed perfectly and humidity has been spot on for him. Not too worried about a 1/2 inch of shed that came off easy, but was surprised.

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Figment is holding in the 610-620G weight range (down from 665G) with feeding an adult mouse every other week. If he drops below 610G, he gets a mouse 2 weeks in a row and then back to every other week. I think he's looking much healthier now and is doing great.

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Figment shed recently, but I didn't get any good pictures. Practicing social distancing means more time with the reptiles, so expect pictures galore!

Seriously, here are a few good shots of Figgie.

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Got a few more pictures of Figment today. His purple/amethyst colored eye are amazing.

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he's so pretty

Figment looking especially Purple today. Lighting has a lot to do with how purple he looks as does the camera used. I got lucky today with just iPhone.

Handsome boy.

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I just looked at his baby pictures and he's gotten enormous! Absolutely a beautiful snake. I love all the purples!

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

I just looked at his baby pictures and he's gotten enormous! Absolutely a beautiful snake. I love all the purples!

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Yeah, same thing with Solana. They start out tiny and get a decent size considering. It's crazy how these 8G little worms turn into real snakes!

Figment is about 600g now and had been as high as 660g. I was overfeeding him. Not on purpose, but followed some guides and they were wrong.

Solana is 320g now and eating an adult mouse every other week. She looks lean and fit. Figment is a bigger animal, but had put on some unnecessary weight. He's eating an adult mouse every other week as well and maintaining weight well. If he drops below 600G, I feed him 2 weeks in a row, but never more than 1 adult mouse per week.

In addition to frequency, I had fed jumbo mice for a short period and that's a big no no. Too much fat. Same with many other snakes, like boas. Feed more frequently, or more prey items, but stay away from fatty items like jumbo and XL mice and rats.

Anyway, I am not sure the long term consequences for Figment, but hope I caught it very early and with Don Soderberg's help, (South Mountain Reptiles - who I bought Solana from), have him on the right track now.

Figment is 7 years old and I'd like him to hang around for a while. He's definitely looking leaner and is more active on the reduced feeding regiment.