Snakes and Stones

To those who celebrate the holiday in the USA: Have a Great Thanksgiving!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ted_johica.jpg
Note: Axanthic Bee was only exposed to the UV light for 2 seconds. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

To those who celebrate the holiday in the USA: Have a Great Thanksgiving!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ted_johica.jpg
Note: Axanthic Bee was only exposed to the UV light for 2 seconds. :)

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Wow, a blue ball python! :D I'll second the wish- Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Photo #452
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ymhvpk.jpg
Beryl from NH (USA), with an Orange Dream/Het Pied ball python.

Side Story:
Got myself in some trouble this Thanksgiving...
One of my friends gave his wife a ring as an early Christmas present.
When he was out of the room-she handed it to me and asked me to ID the stone.
I'm no jeweler, but, it was a silver setting with a stone ~3 carats, deep green, with a high gloss and very fine parallel inclusions, seemed a bit yellowish at some angles.
I knew my friend wouldn't be so cheap as to give her a cubic zirconia (my first thought)-so I guessed Green Diopside, or *maybe* Synthetic Emerald.
She told me with 100% certainty that it was a real emerald...to which I laughed. Emerald is a type of green beryl. Beryl is very prone to inclusions (as shown above).
I explained that if it *was* a real emerald then with the clarity and color would make it easily worth several thousand dollars.
I handed the ring back to her and she seemed pretty annoyed, but, didn't say anything else during my visit.
Today I get a call and my friend is super pissed at me-his wife had taken the ring to a jeweler yesterday-it was not an emerald. Now she is mad at him, and he is mad at me...*sigh* :rolleyes:

That side story is pretty funny.

I always like to look, but, I very rarely buy anything at flea markets-aside from some cheap fossils and the occasional uranium glass dish.
I saw a neat candle holder the other day-it was only a couple bucks.

Photo #453
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_mapfnq.jpg
Rocks are assorted agate, petrified wood, quartz, and jasper (various locations).
Ball python is a Pastel Piebald. :)

Side Story:
I have been working on making some new digital artwork to replace the images in my Ball-Pythons.net profile gallery.
It has been taking weeks, but, regardless of my effort: BP.net has a 12MB limit---it is too bad that when I finish them I will have to post the images in low resolution.
I could host them on my own service (like I do with my Snakes and Stones photos), but, there is no gallery option on this site for that.

Photo #454
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_sr64oh.jpg
The stone is a basalt variation from my area and the BP is a Pastel/Fire/Het Clown.

And someone asked me if Ghost and Orange Ghost were the same. Nope! :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_a05mf5.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

And someone asked me if Ghost and Orange Ghost were the same. Nope! :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_a05mf5.jpg

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Wait! Don't tell me. I wanna guess. Hmmm... The one on the right is the Orange Ghost.;)

Photo #455
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_d76xa9.jpg
Amethyst from Kenya, Ball Python = Pastel/Lesser/Het Gravel or Yellowbelly. :)

I updated my gallery images because they were from years ago and were kinda awful lol.
I am limited to 12MB in my BP.net gallery so I posted my new ones in low-res.
Non-Members can find them here: https://ball-pythons.net/gallery//br...mageuser=72791
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...aze_arniby.jpg

Photo #456
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_sqqfth.jpg
66% Het Clown with a large Brazilian agate nodule tumbled whole. :)

Photo #457
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_v8yu14.jpg
Chalcedony from Oregon, USA.
Pastel/Orange Dream/Het Piebald ball python.
I sold this one as a Pastel/Het Piebald-as the Orange Dream is obfuscated by the Pastel with a Het Piebald interaction. :)

Someone asked if I could post a photo of a High Expression Pastel/Orange Dream/Het Piebald vs. Low Expression in a side-by-side comparison.
I would if I could, but, I sold my low expression specimens months ago.
Below is a high expression holdback from this season. :)

Photo #458
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_y3lega.jpg
The stones were originally broken/irregular pieces of dyed Brazilian Agate bookends that did not meet quality standards.
I bought these rejects off of Ebay and I hoped the dyed color would be retained better, but, unfortunately most of the color was on the surface and removed during rough tumble.

Photo #459
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_nyi7az.jpg
Pastel/Fire/Clown (aka Firefly Clown) with some sandstone and a bicentennial glass.
Firefly ball pythons are interesting in that the interaction of the three genes involved can produce coloration and patterning that are very different from each other.


Side Story: The flea market where I bought the glass shown above had a framed charcoal drawing of a surreal landscape that I had drawn in school 30 years ago for a final art project. At the time: My teacher had asked to keep it-and I could not have cared less. I never thought I would see it again....and definitely not being sold for money ($25-lol)--I should have taken a photo of it, but, 30 years later and I still don't like it. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

...Side Story: The flea market where I bought the glass shown above had a framed charcoal drawing of a surreal landscape that I had drawn in school 30 years ago for a final art project. At the time: My teacher had asked to keep it-and I could not have cared less. I never thought I would see it again....and definitely not being sold for money ($25-lol)--I should have taken a photo of it, but, 30 years later and I still don't like it. :)

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Wow, that's a great side story! It stuck around to haunt you? :rofl: And it's funny how we can be sick of something we did but others love it.

Photo #460
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gvooho.jpg
Brazilian Agate Nodule + BP = Pastel/Lesser/Fire :)

Photo #461
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_uocofi.jpg
Montana Agate with a Lavender Albino/50% Het Piebald.

Breeder Notes:
-Started seeing my first mating locks of the 2025 season. One of my axanthic males locked with his female before I even had time to close the enclosure door...
-With 13:51 (males:females) for mating-15 of those females are dedicated to my new Super Blade male, assuming he does not breed this season...it brings the number of females down to 36.
-With the majority of my female breeders entering their first season-I expect about half of them to reabsorb follicles due to immaturity (no correlation to size/weight).
-All factors considered: I am realistically expecting 16-20 clutches for 2025 with a potential of many more-conditionally upon the performance of my Super Blade male.
-If I miss my double recessive goals in 2025 I will need to retain most of my female breeders...and while I do have the space...this would mean I would need to construct additional incubators for 2026.
-I have also ramped up rodent production as I have a record number of holdbacks from 2024. If I ever decide to stop keeping ball pythons-I probably have enough rodent production to open my own snake food supply business lol...:)

Photo #462
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kpdllg.jpg
GHI with a piece of Crazy Lace Agate from Mexico.

Note: I had bought about 30lbs of Crazy Lace Agate from Kingsley North a few years ago (pre-C19) for $2/lb. Their 'sample image' on the website showed stones much like the one above with lots of red aggressive patterning...however, what I received is almost entirely greys and whites and the piece shown is one out of a small handful sprinkled in that actually had red coloration. The grey and white pieces are still nice though, and $2/lb for crazy lace (which can cost $10++/lb)--I'm not going to complain. :)

I was at an antique store the other day and I was buying a few Uranium dishes for my collection.
The woman who owned the store asked if I knew the history of uranium glass-and I said I *did*...but, she still launched into a 30 minute lecture. lololol
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_zgrwdw.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_tra0vy.jpg
Ball python is the Highway (Gravel/Yellowbelly) from Photo #375. :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ty0vh9.jpg

Photo #463
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_cvdiiy.jpg
Ball python is a 66% Het Clown/50% Het Lavender Albino. Stone looks like quartz, but, I think it is a piece of brecciated jasper.

And to all who celebrate: Have a Merry Christmas! :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_h5lzpk.jpg

Photo #464
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_t4kf1h.jpg
Firefly (Pastel/Fire) Clown with some assorted stones-mostly agate, jasper, and iron-stained quartz (from the USA).

Also, I hope everyone who celebrated the holiday had a good one!
Santa Claus came through-and I did get the 132lbs. of #46 Silicon Carbide (SiC) I asked for...it should last me a few months of tumbling (first stage-coarse grind)...:)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...Sic_cde1hr.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...c-2_whawjg.jpg
I did have to turn off the tumblers for the winter though...I am getting older and am no longer excited to clean out my barrels in single digit (Fahrenheit) temps...brrrr :aww:

I thought I heard that Santa's sleigh crashed somewhere....no wonder! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I thought I heard that Santa's sleigh crashed somewhere....no wonder! :D

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Hahaha, yeah..good thing Santa knows enough to use Flat Rate Shipping boxes in the USA. ;)

Side Story:
I have a silicon carbide manufacturing facility less than 50 miles of my home. I called them up at one point and told them I wanted to buy #46 Silicon Carbide (SiC) in bulk (I did not say how much).
Unfortunately the rep. stated that they only produce finer grades for sandblasting-starting at #500 (Higher# = Smaller particles).
While #46 grit may take off 20% of a Mohs 7 stones mass/week in a rock tumbler, #500 may only take 2%-making it ineffective for lapidary shaping.
I think they got the impression that I was calling on behalf of an industrial operation and offered me a very good deal for 6000 lbs. of #500 (I would have to pick it up myself though).
I was forced to decline their generous offer, but, I could only imagine their expression if I rolled up in my car and they had barrels of material waiting for me to haul away... 6000 lbs of #46 SiC at the same price would have been too tempting...I may have dealt with the short-term embarrassment of shoveling it into the trunk of my car for multiple trips (to get the savings). I could have been a rock-tumbling legend...but, no such luck...this time...:cool:

Photo #465
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_yglawy.jpg
Ball Python = GHI.
Stone = Prairie Agate.
Note: Prairie Agate is extremely common in some parts of the USA...Regardless, I rarely see commercially finished pieces in rock/mineral themed stores.

Both the agate & the GHI BP are very attractive. :gj:

Photo #466
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_k6sjiq.jpg
Super GHI Ball Python with Ohio Rainbow Flint and Desert Jasper.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_bsiyu6.jpg
When this ball python was hatched it was almost solid black with only the dorsal banding visible.
Pigmentation is fading rapidly and the snake is getting 'brighter' with a prominent silver sheen.
Parental cross was GHI/Fire x GHI/Lesser-I am not certain if there is another gene at play with this one, but, I'm going to treat it as a Super GHI for future breeding.

Note: Statistically I should have produced 4 Super GHI's in the 2024 season...this one looks different than the other candidates, but, could still be within the realm of normal Super GHI variability. :)

Happy New Year!

Photo #467
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_o7uzob.jpg
BP = Gravel/Yellowbelly/Spider.
Stone = Granite collected from the Mad River, NH, USA.

Side Story:
I was perturbed earlier in the year when I bought a male hatchling from another breeder (Special/Het Monsoon) and noticed he was gaining size unusually fast--enough to compete with my reigning champion (above).
Tables have turned now, and my Spider Highway female has easily surpassed him on a much steeper growth curve (which is normal).

She has been losing all the orange on her sides as she grows, but, it happens...:)

Photo #468
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_o5dhru.jpg
Pastel Piebald with some Mexican Crazy Lace Agate and some assorted yellowish-stones (Agate/Jasper/Quartz) from various locations. :)

I have ~30 more photos for my 2024 season.
I think I am going to continue this post in a new thread (Labeled: Snakes and Stones - Part 2) when I start producing hatchlings in 2025 (The Year of the Snake :snake:).
I will maintain the consecutive numbering of the photos-as it helps my records.
I did miss the opportunity to photograph a clutch of Enchi/Het Clowns I produced in 2024--I had moved them to my holdbacks and then hatched out another clutch with better markings and swapped them out. Since they were originally marked as 'holdbacks'-I did not prioritize them for photos and I sold them before I noticed (just recently)...oh well!

Breeders Note: I have been crossing a double het male ball python with several double het females that look identical to him. Usually I study the male and pick a pattern trait that is unique to him, but, this guy has pretty standard markings. I've been probing to confirm ID every time I have to rotate him to a new mating. I mentioned it off-hand to my gf and of course she said I should just scribble an 'X' on his back with a sharpie...ughhhh...I should have thought of that sooner. Probing only takes me a second-so I guess I didn't really bother to stop and consider my options. :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #468
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_o5dhru.jpg
Pastel Piebald with some Mexican Crazy Lace Agate and some assorted yellowish-stones (Agate/Jasper/Quartz) from various locations. :)

....

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That picture would make a great jigsaw puzzle. Not to mention it's gorgeous!

And thanks for mentioning it's the year of the snake. Someone else said it's the year of the dragon (obviously they don't know a snake from a dragon :D ) & I might not have caught their mistake for a while.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That picture would make a great jigsaw puzzle. Not to mention it's gorgeous!

And thanks for mentioning it's the year of the snake. Someone else said it's the year of the dragon (obviously they don't know a snake from a dragon :D ) & I might not have caught their mistake for a while.

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Thanks! I think that photo came out nice as well.
Yeah, Year of the Snake should be pretty nifty-it should give us a chance to pick up some interesting snake themed merch. ;)

Photo #469
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gv9lal.jpg
BP = GHI/Fire. Stone = ?
The rough rock was collected on the West Coast USA--I suspect it is a form of saginitic agate, but, I could be completely wrong. I have not seen anyone else with this material (collected in the 60's). :)

Photo #470
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_aj4ize.jpg
Enchi/Het Clown with a wide assortment of stones. :)
Off-hand I can spot Quartz, Quartzite, Picasso Jasper, Beryl, Jade, Feldspar, Granite, Ohio Flint, Moonstone, Agate, and Grey Basalt.

Photo #471
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_jvkq4q.jpg
GHI Ball Python with a chunk of Agate from Oregon-USA. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Photo #471
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_jvkq4q.jpg
GHI Ball Python with a chunk of Agate from Oregon-USA. :)

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Beautiful agate, & very interesting python knot. :D

Photo #472
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kh8v1t.jpg
Another assortment of stones: Obsidian, Silver Sheen Obsidian, Mahogany Obsidian, Snowflake Obsidian, Granite, and Brazilian Agate.
Ball Python is a Pastel/Lesser/Het Gravel or YB.

I produced a bunch of Pastel/Lesser/Het Gravel or YB offspring last year (2024). I picked out my three favorites and then I was going to vend the others, but, then I started thinking: What if I had selected three Gravel based specimens because I liked the darker color? Gravel and Yellowbelly are supposed to be indistinguishable, but, what if I could subconsciously identify them based on shading as hatchlings? Long story short: I had to keep a lot of holdbacks...had to...;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

....
I produced a bunch of Pastel/Lesser/Het Gravel or YB offspring last year (2024). I picked out my three favorites and then I was going to vend the others, but, then I started thinking: What if I had selected three Gravel based specimens because I liked the darker color? Gravel and Yellowbelly are supposed to be indistinguishable, but, what if I could subconsciously identify them based on shading as hatchlings? Long story short: I had to keep a lot of holdbacks...had to...;)

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Oh, the torture of selective breeding! :rofl:You have my sympathy (..."I had to keep a lot of holdbacks...had to..."). :D

Photo #473
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_pq0ihd.jpg
Pastel-Piebald (4 of 5) with some tumbled/polished Agate/Jasper/Jasp-Agate from the Mid-West USA. :)

Photo #474
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_slg9b4.jpg
I think the reflection of the ball python in the tumbled Thunderegg fragment is pretty cool. :)

Ball python = 66% Het Clown/50% Het Lavender Albino...I would guess Het for both based on color and patterning.

Photo #475
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_tm1sy0.jpg
BP = GHI/Fire/Het Gravel or Yellowbelly.
Assorted stones displayed, upon quick review it looks like Tiger Iron, Quartz, Quartzite, Chalcedony, Agate, and a few others.

Photo #476
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_cyhya0.jpg
Lesser with a piece of Tiger Eye from South Africa. :)

I thought this vintage Imperial glass pitcher below looked pretty cool.
For the $17 USD I paid: I'm not going to think too hard about what I'm going to use it for-other than a light catcher in the window...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ged_bbxkzd.jpg
Ball python is the Spider Highway from Photo #362 (they grow fast). :)

Beautiful & a nice find. You're not the only one that enjoys "light catching" old glassware in the window. My dining room window ledges are similarly occupied. ;)

My gf and I went to the New England Reptile Expo in Manchester NH today 02FEB2025. $12/head to get in, then $8 for validated parking. ($32 just to visit----kinda pricey)
It was moderately crowded (don't let my photos fool you).

I had an issue with the air in the expo room...maybe it was super dry due to the heating system and the single digit (F) temperatures outside, but, it antagonized my sinuses and respiratory system terribly. As soon as I entered the room I got a tickle in my throat that got steadily worse and turned into a bad cough. My gf started coughing about the same time as me and claimed she had the same issue. We were only there for 30 minutes before we had to go outside. We improved almost immediately in the fresh air. We could have gone back in, but, there was a bunch of young crying/screaming children...and we had already did a quick scan of all the tables-so we left. I'm really glad I did not have a table at the expo: I could not imagine being there all day...

Here are a few photos (17):
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...001_lecly8.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...002_cdacrn.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...003_pix8pa.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...004_o3ljir.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...005_eypcxd.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...006_lbf8bm.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...007_u5hep8.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...008_lzinzp.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...009_fyxq64.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...010_a6dz33.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...011_jbp7zm.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...012_vahb0q.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...013_xjbzar.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...014_jhviry.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...015_e6gnha.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...016_anjluv.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...017_hbd713.jpg
What did we buy?
My gf bought a fresh container of Repcal, and a big block of Coconut Chips. I bought nothing. :)

Very disappointing to pay that much for parking & admission, only to be so uncomfortable with the air- but as you said, at least you weren't there with a table all day. That black pastel banana lace BP is pretty amazing. Looks like there was no shortage of cool creatures & merchandise, not sure I could have escaped empty-handed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Very disappointing to pay that much for parking & admission, only to be so uncomfortable with the air- but as you said, at least you weren't there with a table all day. That black pastel banana lace BP is pretty amazing. Looks like there was no shortage of cool creatures & merchandise, not sure I could have escaped empty-handed.

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Yeah, having bad allergies and struggling to breathe really cut down on my interest. Out of the ball pythons I glanced at: that Black Pastel Banana Lace was really the only one that caught my eye. The Spring and Fall Reptile Expos have a lot more 'interesting' hatchling ball pythons, and the Winter Expo tends to be whatever hasn't sold... I had cash on-hand if I saw a really exceptional ball python carrying the Cryptic gene, but I did not.

In other news I am still on the hunt with my gf in the antique world. I usually buy Uranium Glass, but, I bought the bottle below just because it was pretty UV reactive (Manganese).
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_te86zu.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_xcxwbr.jpg
I could not find information on J. Perrone and Son from Boston, MA. The bottle is from the 1800's.
I found info on a J. Perrone and Sons from a different state (1920's+), but no relation.

Manganese oxide was used in old clear glass bottles to remove color impurities. :)

Photo #477
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_nvvuqo.jpg
GHI/Fire/Lesser with some assorted white-ish/peach stones. This guy gets brighter with every shed.
Stones are a variety of Quartz/Quartzite with a piece or two of chalcedony and maybe a little bit of agate. :)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...zed_dja1hp.jpg
I always take a picture of this orchid with a snake when it blooms. :)

Thank you, L.S. Both are STUNNING!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Thank you, L.S. Both are STUNNING!

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You are welcome! :)

Photo #478
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_vqcohs.jpg
BP = Gravel or Yellowbelly, with an irregular shaped piece of Brazilian Agate.
I had originally tried to break this agate into two pieces along the stress line in the center, but it is tougher than it looks and my arm gave out before the rock did...so you win this round Mr. Agate...:evileye:

:rofl: Helps to know when you're licked. And it sorta looks like a coiled up snake anyway, and so smooth. :cool:

Photo #479
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_q1ncng.jpg
GHI/Fire with a piece of Granite from the Mad River in New Hampshire. Matte polish on the porous stone is not ideal, but good enough for me!

Breeders Note: I have 3 year old ball python male (Pastel Lavender Albino) who damaged a hemipene during mating and lost a sizeable amount of blood in the enclosure.
He has been eating and acting fine, and there is no trace of infection.
I've had him on paper towels for six weeks now, but I can still see a bit of dried blood on his vent.
I am uncertain how long it takes for a ball python to repair an injury like this...I'm waiting for any external trace of injury to be resolved before resuming breeding.

Photo #480
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_whinlo.jpg
Ball python = Clown/66% Het Lavender Albino (Obvious Het).
Stones are Montana Agate, Amethyst (Kenya), Red/Grey Agate (Midwest USA), Beryl (New Hampshire, USA), White Quartz + Quartzite (Massachusetts, USA).

My 2024 holdbacks have grown big enough where it is becoming increasingly difficult to photograph them in any other pattern than ringed by stones.
1 more non-Holdback photo (taken previously), and ~20 more upcoming Holdback photos before my 2024 set is complete.

I was considering starting two new ball python photography threads with differing themes, however, my job has recently become unstable (due to gov't interference) and I must dedicate energy to finding a new one.

Sorry to hear about your job situation, L.S.