Feliz - Venezuelan "Dwarf" BCC

I think Feliz is really settled in now. I fed him 5 days ago, a week after he arrived, but a small meal (a 10G hopper). As reported that night, I had dangled, but he didn't come out. So I laid it down in front of his hide and he came out fairly quick, grabbed it, and ate it. I want to get him on the Sunday schedule with everyone else, so I offered tonight, but a more reasonable meal for him (a 14g hopper).

He had his head sticking out of his warm hide, but when I opened the door to his enclosure, he pulled it back in his house. I dangled the mouse in front of his hide for all of 2 seconds and BAM! Wrap and coil! F/T is a non issue with this guy! He had the mouse down pretty quick and was back in his warm hide.

Frankly, I couldn't see him in the hide and he struck so hard and fast, it scared me a little bit. I'll take that every day and twice on Sunday though. Love a good food response. I think last week he was still settling in. Not so much anymore. He seems pretty happy and good to go now.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/h2b0mRB.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/f9UYFOe.jpg[/IMG]

Yeah, I think he's a keeper! ;) GOOD BOY, Feliz!

That is a really neat snake!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

That is a really neat snake!!

---

If you don't already know, snakes are addicting! ;)

And yes, boas usually wrap their f/t prey reliably....it's hard to convince a boa to eat "politely"...that's more of a rat snake thing, lol...& not ALL of them! My c/b Florida
rat snakes (yellow x gulf hammock) grab food violently, & the largest (the males) are about 7' long.

The BCI I had for many years, well it was hard to even open her cage to feed her, as she already knew it was coming & was "loaded for bear". That's why they make
18-24" feeding tongs (hemostats), you really NEED them. Feeding a larger boa is not for the faint of heart. :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

The BCI I had for many years, well it was hard to even open her cage to feed her, as she already knew it was coming & was "loaded for bear". That's why they make 18-24" feeding tongs (hemostats), you really NEED them. Feeding a larger boa is not for the faint of heart. :cool:

---

Sounds like my Duncan...I use 12” hemastats for the small snakes, but purchased 18” hemastats years ago to use for my Bci. At 7’ long, she is impressive in feed mode. Even after over 15 years of eating f/t she still strikes and wraps as if it were alive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dakski

I think Feliz is really settled in now. I fed him 5 days ago, a week after he arrived, but a small meal (a 10G hopper). As reported that night, I had dangled, but he didn't come out. So I laid it down in front of his hide and he came out fairly quick, grabbed it, and ate it. I want to get him on the Sunday schedule with everyone else, so I offered tonight, but a more reasonable meal for him (a 14g hopper).

He had his head sticking out of his warm hide, but when I opened the door to his enclosure, he pulled it back in his house. I dangled the mouse in front of his hide for all of 2 seconds and BAM! Wrap and coil! F/T is a non issue with this guy! He had the mouse down pretty quick and was back in his warm hide.

Frankly, I couldn't see him in the hide and he struck so hard and fast, it scared me a little bit. I'll take that every day and twice on Sunday though. Love a good food response. I think last week he was still settling in. Not so much anymore. He seems pretty happy and good to go now.

---

Glad he’s settling in so well. Boas are such cool pets...and that feeding response! Definitely different from our bp’s. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dianne

Glad he’s settling in so well. Boas are such cool pets...and that feeding response! Definitely different from our bp’s. :D

---

I think that's why snakes are so addicting? If they were all the same, we could get by with just one, right? But there's so many personalities & quirks, not to
mention colors & patterns...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I think that's why snakes are so addicting? If they were all the same, we could get by with just one, right? But there's so many personalities & quirks, not to mention colors & patterns...

---

Spoken like the true enablers we are! :D

Feliz shed! He was in blue last Tuesday when he ate. I've been pretty much leaving him alone, and letting him settle in, so I wasn't 100% sure on the impending shed, but I was keeping humidity over 70% as opposed to over 60%, just in case.

He had a perfect, one piece, shed!

He's had two meals now, one shed, and seems settled in great. I am going to start gentle handling sessions a few times a week with him. In the limited handling I have done with him, he's a total sweetheart, but continuing to build trust with him can only help enforce that.

I got some pictures last night with my iPhone, but plan to get some more with my DSLR and better light ASAP.

Additionally, my Aunt and Uncle spent the last night with me and Katie on short notice on their way up to Maine to see their son, daughter in-law, and grandkids. My aunt Robin, who I am not sure ever held a snake, held both Feliz and Behira (see pictures in Behira's thread and really loved them) and my Uncle Al, who would not hold Behira, or even touch her, and was a little afraid, ended up holding Feliz. He did great. He was scared at first, but ended up doing well. I had explained "happy tongue" to both of them. Al held Feliz while Katie and Robin went upstairs to feed the dogs. At one point, while I was taking the pictures of him holding Feliz, Al got scared and said, "He's not flicking his tongue!" I explained that was okay, and he was just chilling out. I went over and tapped him and he went back to "happy tongue" and Al was relived. :).

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/WzxNnzJ.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/flLgjxN.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/jAzCO9R.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/sHLrD9C.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/LAPkkj4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/IikOZRl.jpg[/IMG]

My Uncle Al with Feliz

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/VkIjuka.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/uGDBbMk.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/hMKJcj7.jpg[/IMG]

Looking really great Dave,looked like your uncle had some fun with feliz

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Looking really great Dave,looked like your uncle had some fun with feliz

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

---

Feliz looks incredible. He is simply stunning.

Not sure Uncle Al had fun, but he put on a good face :).

As promised, post shed Feliz pictures with the DSLR. He didn't particularly want to stay still today in his holding container. However, I got a bonus video with me holding him, and when being held, he's very chill and content.

He hasn't pooped since day 2, but he had a massive pee that I cleaned today. He weighed in, not completely dry, obviously, at 134G. Today we started gentle bonding/handling. It couldn't have gone better. He's a gem.

Video link (I tried to get some of his subtle coloring and some good shots of his tail): https://streamable.com/c80xg

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Gtwig1K.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/60Snojb.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/qu6O9mZ.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/17JrfBa.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/XI9WcXb.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/yTwtHZt.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/I1sqBjJ.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/22xWlbf.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/frie8BZ.jpg[/IMG]

Looking great Dave,glad he's nice and chilled for you.should only get better for you

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Feliz took his third meal with us tonight, a 13g hopper mouse. No more shy Feliz! He was out and about hunting tonight. Mouse went in on tongs, a few seconds later, mouse was wrapped up and coiled by Feliz. I am away tomorrow night, so he got fed, along with everyone else due tomorrow night, tonight, but again, he's eating meals a little smaller than normal for him. I'll bump next Sunday (8 days). I wanted the first three meals to be very manageable.

Love his demeanor, but I also love his Boa food response. "For me?" BAMMMMM!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/gBgYjUZ.jpg[/IMG]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dakski

Love his demeanor, but I also love his Boa food response. "For me?" BAMMMMM!
[IMG][/IMG]

---

Boas make such great pets, and you gotta love their food response...nothing picky there. :D Glad he’s doing so well for you. He’s a handsome little devil.

Hey, you're on a roll tonight! :gj: Yeah, boas ARE fun to feed! And so are most rat snakes, & Pituophis...it's just BPs that make you tear your hair out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Hey, you're on a roll tonight! :gj: Yeah, boas ARE fun to feed! And so are most rat snakes, & Pituophis...it's just BPs that make you tear your hair out.

---

Yeah, 4/4 tonight, all mouse eaters, either for life (Solana and Figment), or for now (Feliz and Yafe). Shayna and Behira are off this week.

Yeah, sometimes too fun. Last feed I almost got nailed by Behira who decided to sneak her head out and come see what I was up to! All while the rat was two inches from her in the tank on tongs! Figment decided to do the same thing today. Darted half his body out before I had the enclosure door open 20%! Had to entice him back in with the mouse! I'll be keep the hook near by for those two from now on. Figment isn't a big concern, but Behira's curiosity could get ugly!

I've made my peace with Shayna (BP). She knows when she wants food. I don't worry about it anymore. However, I do love the snakes who eat like clockwork (all my other snakes - hopefully Yafe included now).

Really glad feliz is settled nicely and in his proper food routine
Really looking great Dave

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Feliz, wow, what a sweetie. He's chill as can be. I've also been working with him every other day and we've been getting to know one another. We've both been very respectful. The other day, I took him out. He was wrapped up and it was clear he didn't feel like exploring and was a little nervous. We had a little "chat." He said, "Dad, I'm a little nervous. I'll tell you what. If you let me stay wrapped up around your fingers and in your hand like this where I feel nice and safe, I'll stay really calm, and there won't be any hysterics or nipping, or hissing, or anything like that, okay? If I feel like exploring, I will, otherwise, I'll just chill here and feel safe, okay?" I said, "Sure Baby. You do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I want you to learn that I am here to protect you and care for you. I will never hurt you or make you uncomfortable on purpose. I'll let you chill for a minute or two, but if you don't start exploring, I'll call it a day and put you back."

After a few minutes, I put him back and let him be. Today, different snake. He was happy and exploring and calm and curious.

Feliz dropped a "butt bomb" and weighed in at 135G. He is just the chillest, calmest, coolest, baby/juvenile snake I've ever met. He's really awesome.

I got some pictures and video of our longest bonding session yet. He was ready to rock and roll today. He was like, "Dad, let's play!" as soon as I took him out. He was almost disappointed I put him in his holding container while I cleaned his tank first. Then, when I went to put him back, he did the whole BOA CLIMB! thing and kept shooting straight up and over the tank! I finally, and gently, got him back in. :).

Video of Mr. Calm and Cool: https://streamable.com/nxuv4

Pictures:


[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/UQMVN4B.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Iq3Avu4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/AwejT5H.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/RdIaMth.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/e8sFUgh.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/nCIeji1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/G8oTb9l.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/hw73pXG.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ikjmWI8.jpg[/IMG]

Just watched the video and he so chilled isn’t he,love it when they confident like that ,nice happy tongue whilst exploring


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Just watched the video and he so chilled isn’t he,love it when they confident like that ,nice happy tongue whilst exploring


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

---

Don't get me wrong Rich, I know Boa's can be pretty chill, especially as they get bigger. Behira, is pretty chill most of the time now, although she has her active moments (they are still quite manageable as she is easily redirected and hardly wild or crazy - like Figment :)), but she is literally 9X Feliz's size and more than 2X his age. She's also had over a year of regular and gentle handling with me and quite a bit with the breeder before then.

Feliz had limited handling with the breeder and is still young and tiny. WOW! According to the breeder, he's been like this since birth! Most of the Venezuelan BCC are. Even over the past week or so of gentle bonding, we've begun building a little trust and he's getting a little braver and confident, but I wouldn't say calmer. He's been chill as can be from day one.

I have to say that his demeanor has totally blown me away and stolen my heart. As an aside, Solana too. She's so calm and chill and so unlike any young corn snake I've ever handled. I lucked out big time with those two!

As they grow into adults, they are both going to be great snakes and great snakes to show people who are curious and ambivalent about snakes/reptiles. They will both be incredible reptile ambassadors, I can tell already.

That's so great, hopefully when yafe is better he will be nice and relaxed too, I agree with the corn thing your very lucky indeed, they normally pretty fast and really don't keep still as you say

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

"Dad. I am learning how to Boa. Not so shy now, am I?"

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/cKQ595D.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/jX9M8H8.jpg[/IMG]

"Pardon me, do you have any Mouse Hoppers by Chance?"

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/RshHGYX.jpg[/IMG]

Feliz ate Sunday and came out tonight for some more bonding. I think we both like handling time, but I am not sure he needs more to get him comfortable with it. He's the chillest and calmest snake I have. They are all friendly and Behira, my female Ghost BCI, is about as friendly and outgoing as can be, but Feliz is noticeably less active then her. He's downright compliant.

Anyway, I got some pictures of him with my DSLR in good light and a background that shows of his colors and contrast well.

He's really stunning, but I'll let you determine that for yourselves.

Also, a quick video of some tongue flicks and although in and out of focus (iPhone), there a few good shots of his two tone mahogany eyes. Breathtaking, if I do say so myself.

Video of his eyes and tongue flicks: https://streamable.com/ympdu

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/0NxlQvM.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/at2GIYE.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/BOTnY9l.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/S2y1H4b.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/fOeFHUX.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Runvm3g.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Qw4iC5W.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/kBEqESC.jpg[/IMG]

Congrats on your gorgeous boy!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reinz

Congrats on your gorgeous boy!

---

Thanks Reinz. Not only is he gorgeous, he is quickly becoming one of my favorite snakes to handle. He's getting up their with Behira. He's curious and brave and inquisitive and calm and chill, etc. However, he is just so incredibly calm and chill. He really is amazingly calm for such a tiny thing. I am blown away with his demeanor.

I am loving my boas!

Very neat. Rock on.

Looking really great Dave, he shows up quite well against the blue check blanket

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Feliz had his first small/weaned mouse tonight (15G). He was 140G dry this week.

He a great feeder. He does not hesitate. BAM!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/LDx5Rgs.jpg[/IMG]

Feliz is doing great and weighed in, dry, today at 145G.

He's looking good and calm as anything. We had a little bonding time this morning.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/3lNGN7W.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/OOw6gEY.jpg[/IMG]

Feliz is looking great Dave . I really love his light gold clean saddles against the darker brown sections , really great tash too and not noticed his eyelashes and eyebrows till these pics

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Feliz is doing great. He just ate another small mouse on Sunday and dropped another butt bomb last night.

He's curious, but calm and docile, as ever and seems to enjoy being out and exploring.

I posted a thread wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad with pictures of Feliz. He's looking great.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...19#post2665419

Feliz moved into his life home, a Boaphile 4X2X1', 3 days ago, and slammed a F/T mouse last night. He seems to be doing great in there.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...44#post2667144

He weighed in at 165G before his mouse yesterday.

Feliz is loving his Boaphile tank...and always looking for food, :).

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9SdAHpe.jpg

He's looking good!

He's looking great Dave

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

On my last order from Perfect Prey, I ordered 1 pack of small mice and two packs of hoppers, not the other way around.

I didn't want to open the small pack of small mice just for Feliz because he's almost to adult mice or Rat Pups and is eating the same food size as Yafe, who's eating Rat Fuzzy's, and I want to keep them fresh for Solana who's currently on mouse hoppers. I decided to offer him a rat fuzzy tonight.

WOW! He's never had a rat anything. I thought I might have do some extra wiggling, etc. NO! I shook for a millisecond, he honed in on it, went into strike mode, and was on it and coiled in under two seconds. I've never seen him strike so fast or so hard. He nailed it with such vigor! WOW! He also gobbled it down with no issues! I don't think he's going to have an issue with rats! Not that Boas tend to have an issue with any food item, :).

Anyway, he took it down like a champ and seemed happy as can be.

Here is a picture of the coil and of the rat fuzzy 1/3 of the way down. Don't mind Figment in the tank below; he just finished an adult mouse himself.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/SO6luYq.jpg

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

That's good then, I think the rats smell stronger than the mice even to us so should be even stronger rodent smell to them

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by richardhind1972

That's good then, I think the rats smell stronger than the mice even to us so should be even stronger rodent smell to them

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

---

Good point from a Boa perspective.

Remember though, Rich, I am "new" to Boas. In the world of Pythons, many have difficulty switching from mice to rats as they imprint on one prey item.

Feliz is getting bigger, and duller. I think he's going to shed soon. Still, he's a handsome guy.


https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/osoP66l.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/LJNwm5A.jpg

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

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

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Q11GWgs.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/7ZqO2Xp.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/v0cQ4oP.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/VCjep2j.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/7KcJ6qZ.jpg

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

Very sharp. Those saddles are so clean! How big will he get?

So cute,I love the freckles under his chin

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cletus

Very sharp. Those saddles are so clean! How big will he get?

---

Thanks Cletus. He's a beauty. Was a holdback for color. His brother was a holdback for pattern. Tommy from TC Reptiles could only keep one and decided on pattern. I ended up with Feliz. He's a handsome devil.

Only 4-5FT, but he will be fairly thick bodied for a snake that size. Females only get 5-6FT, but are even more thick bodied. They truly are dwarf BCC. They are even smaller than BCI's and noticeably at that.

If you look at the first page of this thread (https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...Dwarf-quot-BCC), you will see a picture of his father at 6 years old in the first post. Not too big at all. Of course, I also have a female BCI who's going to be much bigger than Feliz could ever dream. Having said that, I didn't necessarily want a large BCC, liked his rarity, his temperament, and the Venezuelan Dwarf BCC's are hardier and easier to care for than the other locale BCC's. They are less humidity sensitive and tend not to have regurgitation issues as well. Care wise, much more like a BCI than most locale BCC.

What's not to love?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by richardhind1972

So cute,I love the freckles under his chin

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

---

Yeah, I know. Freaking adorable!

Feliz is looking great brother!

Feliz downed another Rat Fuzzy tonight!

He's going to shed soon, but that didn't stop him at all.

"Dad? Can I have another one of those rat things?

Wait, hold on on second, let me reconnect this jaw thing here.

Okay, all better.

NOW, can I have another one of those rat things? Yummy!"

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

Looks like he's doing his best "baby bird" imitation? :rofl: "Feeeeeeed Meeeee!"

Love watching them pop there jaws back in, looking great dave


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

Guess who shed? Shed again? Feliz shed. Tell a friend!

He's looking darn good if I can say so myself.

The iphone and the lighting in the basement do not do him justice, and I'll have to get better pictures soon, but in the meantime, looking good young fellow (who weighed in at 180G today after dropping some urine, urates, and a little poop).

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/6XWIZXi.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/kaWARKd.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/xAxoyNL.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/KWuXeFO.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/X1k93AF.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9tyzPgf.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/H80sWRE.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/StBHf2A.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/36zgc0F.jpg

A few pictures of Feliz I took yesterday. He's looking good and being a total sweetie as usual.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9VFqYlU.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/WE9BmPk.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Z9dzTLb.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/V27hqiO.jpg