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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
I purchased the entire thing for 100 on Craigslist. Just transforming to my desires and needs.
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Originally Posted by Stearns84
It's looking really good. Where did you source your glass? That's the only thing holding me back from building my own. Glass is way expensive.
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That's awesome. Nice pick. I have a Tiger Platinum Retic. They are Gorgeous. However my White Albino is starting to win my heart over as she grows.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
I love all retic patterns and colors.
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Originally Posted by Jnksnakes
That's awesome. Nice pick. I have a Tiger Platinum Retic. They are Gorgeous. However my White Albino is starting to win my heart over as she grows.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
I put a concrete mixing tub in her enclosure last night and put about 10 gallons of water in it. She didn't even wait for me to finish putting water in it. She dove right in. She spend about 4 hours in there then peed in it. Had to work another hour removing the water and cleaning it and refilling it again. LOL. I guess that was a "thank you" present? Love my girl. She likes to swim. Always has. Now she has something large enough to get into again.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Can't wait to see everything finished up and her enjoying her mansion. I wish mine enjoyed taking a swim a little more. My female doesn't like soaking and my male will get in his tub after eating for maybe 5 minutes.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Originally Posted by Snakeboyaz
Can't wait to see everything finished up and her enjoying her mansion. I wish mine enjoyed taking a swim a little more. My female doesn't like soaking and my male will get in his tub after eating for maybe 5 minutes.
She is almost ritualistic about her eating process. She drinks. Eats. Then takes a bath and cleans off the blood or scent left on her. Then she curls up on the warm side. She is awesome animal for sure. I think some see it like something touching them and some don't like the sensation. She just dives right in. She also likes to poop and pee in there. Sure makes cleanup easier but yuck. Monty never gets in his water either. He drinks but no swimming. I have to admit that out of all my animals Rainbow and Zelda are my 2 favorite. Love them all but those 2 seam to speak to me more as a person.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
She was in her tub this morning. Came home and she was back in her cave. She pooped in her tub again. Lol. Cleaned it up. Easy cleaning. All the worry about the foam and she poops and pees in her tub every timehttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6853c780e7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ad1ce42f4f.jpg
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Was looking back on my journey that led up to me getting Rainbow all the way to today having this majestic animal in my care. I do realize that I am very lucky to have a retic with such a great demeanor and personality. She seams to be putting weight on instead of getting longer. Getting ready for winter? Hope she dumps some of that size into length come spring when she realizes that she is not going to breed. She is such an amazing animal. Thank you everyone who had put up with all the silly questions and giving words of advice and or caution along my way of learning so much about these animals. Saturday morning I stopped by the vets office with her and they were so impressed at how healthy she is and how easy she is to handle. I love all my animals but she is a real prize. I can only hope Aurora is as great of an animal as she is.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
They truly are amazing animals. Retics were the one species I was obsessed with but never had growing up and after becoming and adult and being by out of the hobby for 12 years my wife suprised me with my platinum as an early birthday present last year. They are by far my favorite animals I've ever had. I like seeing your pictures of rainbow, tigers have always been my favorite.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Originally Posted by Snakeboyaz
They truly are amazing animals. Retics were the one species I was obsessed with but never had growing up and after becoming and adult and being by out of the hobby for 12 years my wife suprised me with my platinum as an early birthday present last year. They are by far my favorite animals I've ever had. I like seeing your pictures of rainbow, tigers have always been my favorite.
They are one of my favorite species to work with as well. I love the big personalities they have. I also love that it requires continued interaction to maintain that bond. They not only require respect but demand it every day every time but can also be a rewarding and fun experience. They also have so many amazing morphs and the normal looks amazing as well.
Fed her last night because she was hungry and I had a rat defrosted for the boa I rescued but the rescue did not eat. Guess she will be on a 2 week feeding from now on. I reached in to pet Rainbow this morning to check on he and she pushed my hand away, politely saying, "I AM DIGESTING!". I was not going to take her out but just checking on her. She loves her new home and uses every inch of it. The part with the cave on it is on the top level and beside the couch. She knows when I get home I open it and she can come out and interact some. She is so intelligent. She knows how to ask for food. Tell you no, leave me alone. She also sees me as safety if she doesn't like someone. Not sure if it is just me putting out calm vibes or her knowing that I would protect her, but I love that about her. She is majestic, powerful, and wonderful. Love my girl.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Do you think she is getting fat? Or is she bulking up for winter and will dump into length come spring. 12 feet 33lbs.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7bc27bb6c5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...358cb6487b.jpg
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
So I got Rainbow Jan 15, 2018 at 5 lbs and 7 feet..... This weekend at the pet store we took a string to measure her length she is now 12 feet 3 inches with some margin of error. She weighs 33.5 lbs. She is such a amazing animal. Do the math. Almost 1 year of growth for a Mainland from age 2 to 3, 28.5lbs and 5 feet and 3 inches. Shedding every month and half still. Her poop rivals my Great Dane's poop in size. Super friendly and amazing. I am so lucky and thankful. I can only hope Aurora turns out this nicely. I love this girl.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Originally Posted by Skyrivers
So I got Rainbow Jan 15, 2018 at 5 lbs and 7 feet..... This weekend at the pet store we took a string to measure her length she is now 12 feet 3 inches with some margin of error. She weighs 33.5 lbs. She is such a amazing animal. Do the math. Almost 1 year of growth for a Mainland from age 2 to 3, 28.5lbs and 5 feet and 3 inches. Shedding every month and half still. Her poop rivals my Great Dane's poop in size. Super friendly and amazing. I am so lucky and thankful. I can only hope Aurora turns out this nicely. I love this girl.
Holy @#^*%! Is that normal? My wife would shoot me if I had a snake like that!
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Originally Posted by MR Snakes
Holy @#^*%! Is that normal? My wife would shoot me if I had a snake like that!
IDK just keeping track of my girl. She is amazing and I am sure by next year she will be leveling out, or I hope she will be.
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Wow, that's some serious growth.
Do you still manage to handle her alone? Must be a bit dodgy at that size?
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Originally Posted by Justin83
Wow, that's some serious growth.
Do you still manage to handle her alone? Must be a bit dodgy at that size?
She is easy to handle alone. She is so calm and easy going. I do reptile shows with her with no fear as kids and adults alike handle her. People brag about how easy going she is.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Rainbow is looking absolutely glamorous lately :)
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashley96
Rainbow is looking absolutely glamorous lately :)
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Well thank you. She is so wonderful. I have so many great looking snakes now that picking one on looks alone is hard for me. Rainbow is a favorite because of her BIG size, personality, and looks. With Aurora soon to be here and the BRB, and don't forget Oreo, do many to choose from. Even Bob and Shiva are cool looking BPs. So many cool morphs and looks amongst my collection.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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She looks great! Looks thick for her length, so maybe she is just a bit overweight? She looks healthy though, I’m just accustomed to see thinner bodied retics.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Originally Posted by Godzilla78
She looks great! Looks thick for her length, so maybe she is just a bit overweight? She looks healthy though, I’m just accustomed to see thinner bodied retics.
I try to get her to wait 2 weeks between feedings but she starts destroying her cage at day 10. LOL. After eating the 4lb rabbit a week ago, she is still digesting. Saw her swimming this morning so she might be getting ready to poop out the rabbit. Going to try to push her to next Saturday for her next feeding (14 day schedule) The issue is she is growing so quickly still. I am not aggressively feeding at all. I feed when she (at this point asks for food) is clearly hungry and visits that side of her enclosure. This is the only time she sits there. I moved to rabbits from guanine pigs because it was taking 2 a week to keep her happy. Her growth rate is impressive and so is her metabolism. I take her outside for exercising often and play with her almost daily. She is confident, intelligent, easy going, and fearless at this point. I don't feel handling stresses her at all. I think she enjoys it actually. I agree that she is getting thick. I wonder if this is a winter thing? Is she storing up fat for winter? Getting her body ready to make follicles? IDK. My entire snake project is a learning one and boy am I getting an education. I am a biologist at heart so is a great learning and fun for me. Love her so much!
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Oh yeah, she's a big girl. Ate that bunny like a boss!!
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Originally Posted by RickyNY
Oh yeah, she's a big girl. Ate that bunny like a boss!!
Yeah but has not eaten in 3 weeks now. It was like she chomped it hungry and then said I am good for a while now. She shows signs of being hungry but is not eating. I let her out on top of her enclosure to explore last night while I cleaned up a little. She was her usual inquisitive self and clam as she could be.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
This morning she was on the hunt again. Guessing spring is on the way. Been left alone a couple of days after the attack on Monty. Love her tons. If you want a length reference, her cage is 4 feet deep.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b511b617ff.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1f9051eacb.jpg
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Still doing great. Love my Rrainbow. Such a wonderful animal.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
What kind of enclosure is she in? Looks like a spray foam box from the last picture.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Treeman
What kind of enclosure is she in? Looks like a spray foam box from the last picture.
Is a custom built by me. Yes I used spray foam and other things to give her a cool looking home and is all sealed up properly.
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She's a beast, great job pal:-)
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Do you have any recent pictures of her out and about? I'd love to see her stretched out, especially with something for a size reference. they really become an experience once they start getting larger, my male is about 10ft and 30lbs and such a joy to work with.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakeboyaz
Do you have any recent pictures of her out and about? I'd love to see her stretched out, especially with something for a size reference. they really become an experience once they start getting larger, my male is about 10ft and 30lbs and such a joy to work with.
I will get her out this weekend for pictures. She packed on the weight during the winter and hope she dumps it into length once summer hits. After the last feeding I hope she will be happy for 3 to 4 weeks. As of Saturday the bird she chowed down on was still digesting. I just took her out to check on her. That was 6 days after eating prey that was almost to large for her. I check on her daily but she gets taken out 2 to 3 times a week when not digesting. She is great to deal with and is loved by most that meet her.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Wow that’s an awesome snake!
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Oh my..
Is that a optical illusion or is that actually a indentation above the spine and lumps and bumps along her side from FAT ?
If so...I would dial it way back. I know that can be tricky with Retics, because of the pushing issue, but boy, that is NOT healthy and will not make for a long life.
And that meal was not slightly to large, that was quite a bit to big ;) While true, in the wild they can take down some pretty large stuff if they get their teeth on it, but in the wild they have to travel long distances in between meals and there may also be months in between meals. In captivity they spend 98% of the time laying around in a cage and food comes every week or 2.
Fat animals of any kind and species will have health problems.
But then, it may just be a optical illusion :P
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zina10
Oh my..
Is that a optical illusion or is that actually a indentation above the spine and lumps and bumps along her side from FAT ?
I was honestly wondering the same thing. But based on photos of Rainbow from a little less than a year ago compared to the most recent, along with post history, I don't think there's any question that this is a snake that is being power fed (both in terms of prey size and frequency) and is well on her way to being obese, if she's not obese already.
I really don't understand the allure of forcing a snake to grow more quickly, especially when you're dealing with something like a retic.
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Since retics seem to be rather high strung snakes that like to move around, perhaps it IS one way to keep them more quiet/docile and keep them from pushing? To let them eat as much as they want until they become rather overweight and somewhat "lazy" ?
I'm the first one to admit, I have NO personal experience with Retics, never owned one. So I do not pretend to be some expert and don't want to come across as one.
I have always admired them, though, and precariously lived through others that did/do own them. Followed many of them throughout many years.
But no, no personal experience at all.
Just going by the pictures, of the snake and the meal that was spoken about.
There is no doubt in my mind Skyrivers loves his snake, and perhaps it may help him if some other pairs of eyes see something that he may not, being so close to her emotionally. I don't mean to criticize, but boy, she does look rather chunky ;)
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
To answer everyone's questions.
1. I don't power feed. Normally feed on the smaller end of size prey. Her last meal was huge and should last her a month or more easily with a very small meal offered at the month mark.
2. She is not fat. Not lumpy. Is the way her pattern looks in the photo. Some underfed them to keep them smaller in size. This is as unhealthy as over feeding. When compared to other 3 year old mainland relics other friends of mine have, she is smaller and shorter. I only have 3 other animals that are in the area that are same age to use for comparison. Her thickest part of her body is only slightly larger than her head when empty. Her head is the size of my hand. Her body the size of my arm in thickness.
3. She has always been easy to handle with no pushing even when very hungry. The only thing she does is move things around when younger. Now she goes to the feeding part of the cage when hungry and looks out asking for food. Even then she is easy to deal with. I have even made her wait an extra couple of days to eat with no issue. I am both lucky and grateful she is as nice and easy going as she is. Everyone in the area that owns reticulated pythons is amazed by how calm and good she is.
4. She sees me as safety and we have a great relationship as a result. I have built and customized her enclosure to give her a place to swim, climb, hide, and she uses every inch of it at different times. She is out often and we'll cared for. Yes she is wild. She is intelligent and we have an understanding. If she says no I leave her alone. Is about respect and understanding.
Don't believe me? Meet her in person and judge for yourself.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zina10
Oh my..
Is that a optical illusion or is that actually a indentation above the spine and lumps and bumps along her side from FAT ?
If so...I would dial it way back. I know that can be tricky with Retics, because of the pushing issue, but boy, that is NOT healthy and will not make for a long life.
And that meal was not slightly to large, that was quite a bit to big ;) While true, in the wild they can take down some pretty large stuff if they get their teeth on it, but in the wild they have to travel long distances in between meals and there may also be months in between meals. In captivity they spend 98% of the time laying around in a cage and food comes every week or 2.
Fat animals of any kind and species will have health problems.
But then, it may just be a optical illusion :P
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhompingWillow
I was honestly wondering the same thing. But based on photos of Rainbow from a little less than a year ago compared to the most recent, along with post history, I don't think there's any question that this is a snake that is being power fed (both in terms of prey size and frequency) and is well on her way to being obese, if she's not obese already.
I really don't understand the allure of forcing a snake to grow more quickly, especially when you're dealing with something like a retic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zina10
Since retics seem to be rather high strung snakes that like to move around, perhaps it IS one way to keep them more quiet/docile and keep them from pushing? To let them eat as much as they want until they become rather overweight and somewhat "lazy" ?
I'm the first one to admit, I have NO personal experience with Retics, never owned one. So I do not pretend to be some expert and don't want to come across as one.
I have always admired them, though, and precariously lived through others that did/do own them. Followed many of them throughout many years.
But no, no personal experience at all.
Just going by the pictures, of the snake and the meal that was spoken about.
There is no doubt in my mind Skyrivers loves his snake, and perhaps it may help him if some other pairs of eyes see something that he may not, being so close to her emotionally. I don't mean to criticize, but boy, she does look rather chunky ;)
With all the talk about her being large and lumpy I visited my friend that breeds them with her and we had a talk. He held her a few moments and then said, "She is not fat. She is gravid." He said that she is making eggs and with her being a virgin that the eggs should be all slugs or reabsorbed. He said she looks healthy but not fat. After a quick ultra sound he estimated around 60 or so developing eggs inside her. All around 4cm in diameter. He could not get over how gentle she was and amazing to handle and how tolerant of being examined she was. She is a good girl. It was suggested to build her an egg laying box. I will this weekend coming up. I don't expect pathogenesis. I expect slugs. I asked him about her appetite. She went off food for 4 weeks during winter and then started eating after attacking Monty. After eating the big bird I gave her 3-4 weeks before offering again. He said she will most likely not eat again till she drops the eggs. Who knows. She is amazing. I do have a plan if anything viable comes out but no expectations there.
I am sure the trolls will be coming my way but I don't care. I am raising her right.
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I've always been under the impression that a female would ovulate and start forming eggs but if unfertilized they would simply reobsorb. Is it a normal or common to go full term and just lay slugs? I have no desire to ever breed my retics, I hope I don't have to go through all the same process's including having to take eggs from a new mother.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Thats an interesting enclosure, is it a spray foam type of background?
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakeboyaz
I've always been under the impression that a female would ovulate and start forming eggs but if unfertilized they would simply reobsorb. Is it a normal or common to go full term and just lay slugs? I have no desire to ever breed my retics, I hope I don't have to go through all the same process's including having to take eggs from a new mother.
Normal? I have no clue. My friend did not act surprised at all to see them developing. He did say she might absorb them. I think each animal is different and the possibilities are out there for almost anything.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Treeman
Thats an interesting enclosure, is it a spray foam type of background?
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Thanks. Yes it is a spray foam type. I put a lot of work building it and getting it ready for her. Sealing everything up is critical to success with the foam.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Saw Rainbow moving around her enclosure this morning. Then she went into her pool and took a drink right before taking a huge dump in the water. Guess work for me when I get off work today. Love that she makes cage cleaning easy. :D Her enclosure has 3 temperature zones. Hot is 91. Medium is 80 and cool spot is 70ish. She has been hanging out on the cooler spot a lot here as of late.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Quick photo after cleaning her pool out. She is not behaving hungry yet. The big bird was the 4th. 2 weeks and 3 d\ys and still not hungry. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c0ab0a42f3.jpg
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Saturday Rainbow decided it was time to eat! She went nuts tearing her enclosure apart and dumped her pool over. I fed her 2 baby ducks. Was almost a month after eating the last bird that was to big. They were not over size at all. She pounded them and then was happy again. Sunday nigh I took her out and cleaned up everything. No way I was going to bother her while she was hungry and boy was she hungry. I am not sure what to think. The US showed follicles/eggs developing but she is chowing down when offered. She is happy again, for now. Sunday she did not want to be bothered but I had to dry things up some and do a full clean up. She was pushing my hand away when I reached in. She was digesting so I understand why she wanted to be left alone. All cleaned up and dry now. She looks happy again. Love that girl.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Rainbow is doing well in my care. She is getting a major overhaul on the bottom portion of her enclosure. 2/3 of it will be swimming area. That is 6ft X 4ft x 5in of water she can swim and move around in. The water will be heater to around 85 F. The heating of the water will be done by circulating the water in tubes through a chamber with a heating pad that is regulated. I will be working on this all weekend. Cant wait to see the final product. Will post photos once done as well is materials list.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyrivers
Rainbow is doing well in my care. She is getting a major overhaul on the bottom portion of her enclosure. 2/3 of it will be swimming area. That is 6ft X 4ft x 5in of water she can swim and move around in. The water will be heater to around 85 F. The heating of the water will be done by circulating the water in tubes through a chamber with a heating pad that is regulated. I will be working on this all weekend. Cant wait to see the final product. Will post photos once done as well is materials list.
Just a slightly different idea I had while reading your post that you may want to consider:
You could connect the tubes to an in-line aquarium heater with adjustable thermostat like is done sometimes with ponds or very large aquariums. It may work out more electrically efficient or even less bulky to set up that way.
I feel like it would take more electricity to run the heat pad enough that the water heats in tubes (especially if they are plastic as it does insulate a bit) compared to the more direct heat the in-line heater would provide. From how I picture it, it would probably need less space outside the enclosure to set up that way as well, though that may not be true.
Looking forward to seeing the result regardless, large water areas aren't commonly posted for reptiles, much less retics.
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Re: Rainbow is my new SunTiger female reticulated python progression.
Excited to see the end result and rainbow enjoying her pond. It’s funny how different individual animals can be, neither of mine have ever seemed to care for being in water.
BTW, glad to see you back here. I enjoy your enthusiasm for retics, your posts usually make me want to go enjoy mine
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