Snakes and Stones Pr. 2

Photo #554
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ixxxij.jpg
BP = Pastel/100% Het Piebald/100% Het VPI Axanthic/50% Het Orange Ghost
The stone is a Brazilian Agate. :)

Photo #555
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ljrdww.jpg
BP = Mojave/100% Het Hypo/100% Het Gravel or Yellowbelly
The stones are some local Granite-y/Quartz-y/Basalt-y Variants.

If I look at this ball python too long--I start to get a headache because the two Hets distort the Mojave traits my eyes are accustomed to...:)

The tumbled thunderegg below looks very different on both sides-so i took two separate photos with the same snake. I labeled the photos 'A', and 'B'. :)
Photo #556A
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_dockkt.jpg
Photo #556B
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_snqqrv.jpg
BP = Orange Dream/Het VPI Axanthic + Orange Ghost
In case you were wondering if the OD markers near the tail still show with the extra 2 Hets: Yes they do (shown below):
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_n9t8yo.jpg

And just as an update:
My problem child for 2024: The Dreamsicle that got trapped in the egg and had a massive hematoma on the back end of its body blocking the vent.
He is doing well (shown below). I decided to probe him for the first time and while I was pretty sure 'he' was a 'she', I was wrong. :P
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ucc2sv.jpg

My 2025 problem child (minimal eater) is still struggling and I had to soak it today due to stuck shed.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...d-1_gaeu0h.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...d-2_lckyko.jpg
i am 90% confident that this one will do fine if I put a little more food into them.

Photo #557
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gfbpre.jpg
BP = Pastel/100% Het VPI Axanthic + Piebald/50% Het Orange Ghost
The stone is a piece of Ohio Flint.

Fun fact: I held back all my hatchlings with this genetic config.
If I were to intercross them I would have a 1/64 chance/egg of producing a Killer Pied Axanthic.
If I crossed two of these that were both Het for Orange Ghost: I would have a 1/256 chance/egg of producing a Killer Pied Axanthic Orange Ghost.

Photo #558
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...JPG_qhsudx.jpg
BP = Banana/HGW/50% Het Hypo - (Likely - I'm not 100% certain on the ID)
Parents: Banana/Pastel/100% Het Hypo x HGW/Lesser
Stones are Agate/Chalcedony from the Mid-West USA.

Patterning Closeup:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gyuxup.jpg
The patterning is reduced, and the headstamp is prominent, Lesser usually prevents the Banana black spots, and the banding doesn't look like Pastel...so I'm going with HGW on this one...:)

Side Note:
I saw a Chimeric mouse in my population while cleaning my rodents today. It is a white mouse with dilute brown splotches and a dark orange patch (not dilute) on its back.
I have orange/gold (dilute) mice in my population, but I have never seen the color paired with anything other than white.
If I see it again next time I am cleaning-I will post a photo. :mouse2:

Photo #559
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_wicrko.jpg
BP = Enchi/100% Het Albino/100% Het Gravel or Yellowbelly
Enchi is a bit obfuscated in this one, but there is enough there to ID it.
Stones are assorted but I see that most of them are from New England and Brazil, with some scattered African specimens, and a few from various parts of the USA.

According to the statistics online: The odds of a *visible* chimera are roughly estimated as 1 in 100,000.
If I have been producing ~300 mice/week (low estimate) for the last 10 years, I have produced: ~156,000 mice...Which means I have been overdue to find one...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_wdoksj.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_fzwnec.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_snakqn.jpg
A Tetragametic Chimera is formed from 2 fused embryos or an absorbed twin. I think that is what is going on here.
Unfortunately this is a non-heritable event--but that is not going to stop me from trying to produce more. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_wdoksj.jpg

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Very cool.

Yes, very cool & very pretty. That's one variation I never had when I raised zillions of mice. :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Yes, very cool & very pretty. That's one variation I never had when I raised zillions of mice. :gj:

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Hahaha yeah, I may never see another one again like it.

Photo #560
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kulg7b.jpg
Stones are another assortment from my 'smalls' bucket.
BP = Pastel/100% Het Tri-Stripe/100% Het VPI Axanthic/100% Het Orange Ghost
Technically this one is a 50% Possible Het Tri-Stripe...but c'mon...;)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_wwinum.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Hahaha yeah, I may never see another one again like it....

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Considering what you went through to get it, I'd say you earned it! :rofl:

Photo #561
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_bscixt.jpg
BP = Pastel/Black Pastel/Het Piebald.
Stones are Quartz, Yellow Quartz, White Quartz, Feldspar, Iron-Stained Quartz, and I see an Agate in there.

This python also has a very prominent ringer compliments of Het Piebald:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ed2_xkhrgc.jpg

Breeders Note: My trouble Ivory ball python has been making steady improvements in body condition and has rapidly doubled in size.
It ate a regular size hopper mouse on its own two days ago. I thought it was 'in the clear'.
Unfortunately I found the mouse partially regurged today and the snake is alert but incredibly lethargic. Breathing is steady at a normal rate-but the lethargy is concerning.
I put a heat mat across 100% of the floor space and increased the temperature to 89F. I'm out of tricks at this point...Time will tell...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Breeders Note: My trouble Ivory ball python has been making steady improvements in body condition and has rapidly doubled in size.
It ate a regular size hopper mouse on its own two days ago. I thought it was 'in the clear'.
Unfortunately I found the mouse partially regurged today and the snake is alert but incredibly lethargic. Breathing is steady at a normal rate-but the lethargy is concerning.
I put a heat mat across 100% of the floor space and increased the temperature to 89F. I'm out of tricks at this point...Time will tell...

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Sorry to hear that. I hope the little guy pulls through.

Me too! :(

Photo #562
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_y0lxny.jpg
BP = Enchi/Het Albino-/Het Gravel or Yellowbelly
Stone is a piece of Agate: I'm sure there is an expert who can tell you the exact mine and location it is from. My best guess is: Mexican Moss Agate.

Note:
My 'problem' ball python did not make it. I had a long drawn out battle trying to keep the snake hydrated.
When the snake initiated another shed cycle-it amplified the issue. I made the call to put it down.
I did not perform a necropsy because the snake was so small and in such bad condition that my efforts would be inconclusive. Just purely guessing: I think the kidneys were only partially functional.

Breeders Note:
My Super Blade/Het Clown/Het Lavender Albino male is prolifically locking with females in matings.
This was the same story last year with 0 clutches produced from ~12 females. I have him mating with ~16 females this season and some of the females are quite large now.
If he does not produce any offspring this season I will have to rehome him-which is too bad because he is the only ball python I have with the Blade gene.

In Other News:
I have a final round in-person interview for a skilled position at a major global pharmaceutical company next week.
I have defeated dozens of qualified candidates in a tournament-style series of interviews over the last few months.
I remember the good old days when I would just walk-in and have one interview and be offered a job.
I would not have to compete against every candidate in the entire world and then reach a final in-person interview where I can still be rejected if I accidentally say something that is misinterpreted. :rolleyes:

Beautiful snake, as usual. Sorry but not surprised about the one that didn't make it- you're probably right about the issue, & you did the humane thing. I would have too. You tried but not everything is fixable, as you know.

And the VERY BEST of luck with your stressful upcoming interview! :please: I truly hope you get it & have a hunch you will. :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

In Other News:
I have a final round in-person interview for a skilled position at a major global pharmaceutical company next week.
I have defeated dozens of qualified candidates in a tournament-style series of interviews over the last few months.
I remember the good old days when I would just walk-in and have one interview and be offered a job.
I would not have to compete against every candidate in the entire world and then reach a final in-person interview where I can still be rejected if I accidentally say something that is misinterpreted. :rolleyes:

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Good luck.

My in-person interview went well. For a panel series interview I won over 3/4, however that 1 interviewer that did not approve was 'completely off the rails'.
I was wondering why the first three interviewers were focusing exclusively on my personality traits-until I met the 4th...and I understood why...
There aren't enough employment options in my field right now for me to be picky...We'll see if I get an offer...

Photo #563
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_kpqywn.jpg
This girl was shy and refused to let me photograph her head. She was persistent so I gave up after a while lol...:)
BP = Mojave/Het Hypo/Het Gravel or Yellowbelly

The stone looks like a piece of Potassium Feldspar from my area with enough soft inclusions that pitted out in tumble/polish.

If you get the job, I hope the "off the rails" interviewer melts into the background somewhere...:rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

If you get the job, I hope the "off the rails" interviewer melts into the background somewhere...:rolleyes:

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Good News/Bad News:
They ended up rejecting me (no explanation)--so I won't have to worry about it.
My industry has been in sharp decline for over a year so there are a lot of people struggling against one-another for the few remaining jobs that exist.

Photo #564
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_a6nbz1.jpg
BP = HGW/Lesser/Het Lavender Albino with some Beryl from NH, USA.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Good News/Bad News:
They ended up rejecting me (no explanation)--so I won't have to worry about it.
My industry has been in sharp decline for over a year so there are a lot of people struggling against one-another for the few remaining jobs that exist.

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Sorry to hear it. Better luck next time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Good News/Bad News:
They ended up rejecting me (no explanation)--so I won't have to worry about it.
My industry has been in sharp decline for over a year so there are a lot of people struggling against one-another for the few remaining jobs that exist.

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I hope you were "spared" this time so that something better comes along soon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Sorry to hear it. Better luck next time.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I hope you were "spared" this time so that something better comes along soon.

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Thanks! I certainly hope so. I'm competing against epic numbers of people...some skilled jobs are only posted for a few hours before they are removed due to the overwhelming number of applicants...

I still have 10 or so ball pythons to photograph for the 2025 season, been slow with my photography as I have been focusing on my job hunting.

I was trying to find my old photos of all the other snakes I kept in the past before I switched over to ball pythons--hard to believe I have been keeping them for so long...
I ran across a photo of some old ball python eggs (I wasn't even numbering the clutches at that point), and I thought to myself 'These must have been goners...', but then I saw a few months later that they all actually hatched...hahaha :)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-1a_stv08y.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...y-1_mkzrsb.jpg

Photo #565
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_nugbxr.jpg
BP = 100% Het Piebald/VPI Axanthic + 50% Het Hypo
I count ~35 different types of stone from various parts of the world in the photo above. :)

Breeders Note: It is rare, but it does happen occasionally that I have a male that is terrified of a specific female and will totally panic when placed in the same enclosure.
In my case: This happened the other day. I double/triple checked their genders to confirm they are not two males.
Innately females will be larger than males at full maturity so I don't think size discrepancy between the two is the problem.
Luckily I have two males with the same genetics so I rotated the second male into the breed scheme (without issue).
It is so odd though...:confusd:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Breeders Note: It is rare, but it does happen occasionally that I have a male that is terrified of a specific female and will totally panic when placed in the same enclosure.
In my case: This happened the other day. I double/triple checked their genders to confirm they are not two males.
Innately females will be larger than males at full maturity so I don't think size discrepancy between the two is the problem.
Luckily I have two males with the same genetics so I rotated the second male into the breed scheme (without issue).
It is so odd though...:confusd:

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Too bad you can't ask him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

...

Breeders Note: It is rare, but it does happen occasionally that I have a male that is terrified of a specific female and will totally panic when placed in the same enclosure.
In my case: This happened the other day. I double/triple checked their genders to confirm they are not two males.
Innately females will be larger than males at full maturity so I don't think size discrepancy between the two is the problem.
Luckily I have two males with the same genetics so I rotated the second male into the breed scheme (without issue).
It is so odd though...:confusd:

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It's probably her five o'clock shadow? :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Too bad you can't ask him.

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I've asked him several times but he never answers...:rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

It's probably her five o'clock shadow? :D

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Lol...

If it was really another male I would expect them to spar.
Sometimes I put males vs. males to get them all hyped up for mating--so I know what their snake-dance fighting reaction looks like when two male ball pythons cross paths.
Instead I see a fear response that is just straight up panic:
The male pushes as hard as he can against the doors of the enclosure-so much so that I fear if I left him in the enclosure that he would either break the door hinges-or more likely his face...

Photo #566
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_oorxoj.jpg
BP = Pastel/Orange Dream/Het VPI Axanthic + 50% Het Hypo (Pattern overview of BP pictured below)
Stone = Banded Hematite (USA)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_blcum3.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

...

Lol...

If it was really another male I would expect them to spar.
Sometimes I put males vs. males to get them all hyped up for mating--so I know what their snake-dance fighting reaction looks like when two male ball pythons cross paths.
Instead I see a fear response that is just straight up panic:
The male pushes as hard as he can against the doors of the enclosure-so much so that I fear if I left him in the enclosure that he would either break the door hinges-or more likely his face...

...

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That's really strange- such bad chemistry, & especially when another male doesn't react the same way? Any chance they've met before, on a nightmare date? :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That's really strange- such bad chemistry, & especially when another male doesn't react the same way? Any chance they've met before, on a nightmare date? :D

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Hahaha, possibly. I've seen this before...this is another reason I try to mate 2 males to a female each season. As my genetic combos have become more complex I don't always have a backup male though...

I should have added a coin for scale for the photos below. This female has grown fast and makes the stone look small.

Photo #567
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_yfxqxx.jpg
BP = Mojave/Het Gravel or YB/Het Hypo
The stone is a piece of intensely UV reactive Montana Agate.
I tried to photograph the light orange color of the UV reaction, but, the reflected light overwhelmed the camera.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_eggvgy.jpg

Photo #568
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_cldjij.jpg
BP = Pastel/Het Piebald/Het VPI Axanthic/50% Pos. Het Hypo
Stones are assorted...but mostly feldspar and quartzite with a few agates and jasper.
Snake closeup:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ted_sjp5d2.jpg

Breeders Note: I had mentioned previously that my Axanthic female that successfully laid a clutch in 2025 was not gaining weight so I had removed her from breeding this year. She was still eating but losing weight simultaneously. Last week her body condition crashed and she seemed to be in considerable pain and I euthanized her. Upon necropsy she had a textbook metastatic cancerous growth on her liver. Given the number of ball pythons I maintain...I'm actually kind of surprised that I don't see this more often. It still gets me down, but I'm glad it is not something contagious....

Sorry for your loss- but as you said, at least it wasn't anything contagious. "Stuff happens"- that's life. :(

Photo #569
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_r8yyow.jpg
BP = Banana/Het Clown/50% Het Hypo, Stone = Brazilian Agate
You can see the first black banana speckle forming on the lower right of the snake. :)

Photo #570
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_inyija.jpg
This BP is a bit tricky for ID.
The parents were: Pastel/VPI Axanthic/Orange Ghost/Possible YB x Het Tri-Stripe
I don't see enough to call her Pastel, but, I definitely see Pastel markers.
I also don't see enough markers to confidently say she is Het Tri-Stripe.
I marked the cage card as 50% Het Tri-Stripe/100% Het VPI Axanthic/100% Het OG. I will go with that for now-until she gets proof bred. :)

The stone is an interesting piece of granite I took from the CT river with small black spotted inclusions of some type of mineral (could be one of 20 different possibilities).

Breeders Note: My young Special/Het Monsoon male ball python appears to be locking with several clown females I have set aside. Meanwhile my 5 year old Super Blade/Het Clown/Het Lav Albino male which is being crossed with 16 females does not seem to be doing anything...lololol. I might make a supervised 'fight' between him and another non-breeding male soon to see if I can kick-start their mating instincts...

Photo #571
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_hbhctm.jpg
BP = Mojave/Het Gravel or YB/Het Hypo
The stone is a piece of agate from Nevada, USA.
The stone looks a bit 'messy' in the image, but, is actually mirror polished. :)
Here are some alternate pics:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_gzmagx.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_znwztg.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

The stone is a piece of agate from Nevada, USA.
The stone looks a bit 'messy' in the image, but, is actually mirror polished. :)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_znwztg.jpg

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Cool rock.:cool:

Found this stone in a new box of tumbling rough I opened (I have dozens of sealed boxes I haven't looked at yet lol).
The stone is not nice enough that I will keep it as a specimen, but I wanted to photograph it before I break it up.
I don't know the origin or type of stone. The pattern in the center looks like something from a Thunderegg...:)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_acqm1u.jpg
The BP is the Black Pastel/Piebald from Photo #546.

I like how the snake's head matches the color of the center of the stone...:cool: