Figment - Our Hypo Lavender Corn Baby

Good news and bad news on Figment. First, his weight loss is going great. He's down to about 590G dry and looking good eating an adult mouse every other week. The bad news is he usually has trouble shedding his tail. I thought I got it all a couple of weeks ago when he shed (I often have to soak him and help with the tail part). I did not. Katie noticed he had a little bit restricting his tail right at the tip today. I soaked him again and got it off, but the scale(s) at the tip of the tail came off too. He didn't seem too bothered, but there was a drop of blood. I put some neosporin on it (the original - without pain killing agent in it - that can be deadly to snakes) and plan to repeat tomorrow. I think he will be fine. Katie was really worried about him, but I am sure he will be okay.

It's my fault as I didn't do a good job the first time. I feel bad, but I also know he will be okay and this is a small keeper error. Still, I should have done a better job. Not beating myself up too much, but I do not like when I cause pain or damage to one of my animals.

Below are pictures of Figgy from a few days ago at his lean weight. I did not take picture of the tail injury because a) I am not too worried about it, and b) didn't want to bother him anymore than I had to. I got him back in his clean cage ASAP.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/IFJfqeK.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/FIH6Dlq.jpg

I hope Figment get's better soon. I wouldn't stress to much as your a great keeper and you know what you are doing. Keep us updated!

Quick update. Figment's tail looked much better today. Katie and I put another dose of the neosporin on it, but I think, barring things getting worse, we will leave it alone after today. It definitely does not look like it's getting infected.

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Originally Posted by dakski

Quick update. Figment's tail looked much better today. Katie and I put another dose of the neosporin on it, but I think, barring things getting worse, we will leave it alone after today. It definitely does not look like it's getting infected.

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That's great news dave

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

Got some very close up pictures of the tip of Figment's tail. It doesn't look super, but it's definitely not infected and he seems no worse for the wear.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/BkCK5HE.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ZIyAHsa.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/4BhnTxZ.jpg

Yikes! Hopefully, he heals up quickly for you. Keeps us updated.

I think this may be as good as it gets. Again, I am not too worried. It seems contained and he gobbled down a mouse yesterday.

I'll keep on eye on it, but unless someone else is a lot more worried than I am, I am going to let it be.

Figment had a great shed today and is looking good. He's holding at about 590G eating every other week (an adult mouse).

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ZnOfylF.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/FqZOAUG.jpg

That's good. How the tip of his tail doing?

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

That's good. How the tip of his tail doing?

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It's healed up ok. Doesn't seem to bother him. This time, his shed was perfect, and he even got the tip of his tail on his own. So that's an improvement.

The past few sheds I've had to help him a little with the tip of his tail.

Thanks for asking!

Figment looking good and showing off those purple eyes!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/u58ZHfp.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/CAFcbo6.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9wGQVyt.jpg

Another good picture of Figment. Really captures his colors nicely.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ToOQWMX.jpg

Figment shed the other day, and again, I had to help him with the tip of his tail. This is going to be a reoccurring theme. For what's worth, his tail tip is no better or worse than when he had the shed issue and slight injury last year. It's perfectly stable and doesn't seem to bother him at all. However, he sheds 99.5% of his body perfectly and then for the past few sheds, and I think every shed from now on, I soak his tail tip for a few minutes, and gently remove the last 1/4 to 1/2 inch of shed from his tail, if it's that much.

He's a good guy and doesn't mind my help. I don't mind doing it, but need to stay on top if it.

Freshly shed Figment. He wouldn't hold still for a good picture, but what else is new?

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/IOV45f7.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ubTkM4g.jpg

Oh my goodness, he is so stunning! Major jealousy.

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Originally Posted by nikkubus

Oh my goodness, he is so stunning! Major jealousy.

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He's a little washed out in those crappy and temporary basement lights. He's much more pinkish/purple/grey than he looks in the pictures here. I love his amethyst eyes though. When you look close, he's got so much nuance in his coloration, especially around his head and neck.

He's also an awesome guy. Active and wiggly, but just curious. He's really a great snake.

Always fun to catch one of the snakes drinking.

I put fresh water in and showed Figment the bowl and BAM! He really wants a mouse, but that's coming tomorrow.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/TlWvGy9.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/wrN0U5H.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/t3v0dvH.jpg

Figment is doing well. He's down to about 520G from about 620G a couple of years ago. I think he looks much healthier. Totally my fault as I was feeding him fatty breeder mice and too often. Now that he's been eating an adult mouse every two weeks, plus the past three months of work in the basement and sporadic eating, I think he looks really healthy. He shines, has a great temperament, and never refuses is a meal. Overall, great snake.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/of3ojKf.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/pBqRyqT.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/QySqsqy.jpg

I agree, he looks better @ this weight. Looking good!

Some cool pics of Figment and Figment with my mother.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach.../IMG_4257.HEIC
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach.../IMG_4259.HEIC
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach.../IMG_4285.HEIChttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach.../IMG_4287.HEIC

Figment with my sister Ally.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach.../IMG_5577.HEIChttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach.../IMG_5580.HEIChttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach.../IMG_5582.HEIC

Hey, you've got a new model for your snakes! :gj:

Figment, AKA Figgy the Piggy, ate last night and we filmed him to show a friend's kids who are interested in reptiles.

He came out from under the paper, grabbed his meal, and then disappeared back under the paper. This was all the footage we got but we thought it was pretty funny.

https://vimeo.com/1066569443

When you're just a little corn snake, it pays to hide while you're busy eating. Why chance it?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

When you're just a little corn snake, it pays to hide while you're busy eating. Why chance it?

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True, but he is one of the least shy snakes I have. He will eat for anyone and in the open.

This was not a typical feeding session.

Maybe he is confused and thinks he is one of the boas! :rolleye2:

I've known many corn snakes & still have one*...I totally agree, they're NOT normally "shy" about food! :rofl: But his instincts did kick in there, just a bit. Very cute.

*About Zuza- when I got her as a hatchling, she actually preferred to eat while cupped in my hand, where (oddly enough) she felt safe. :D Snakes will be snakes...some have their own ideas.