Wiggles, the Children's Python

I measured Wiggles's length tonight at 35.3 inches. Almost an inch and a half shorter than the last time I measured him. I blame my new snake measurer. The Serpwidgets site that I had been using went down, so I used a tool I found online and downloaded. It seems to work the same as Serpwidgets, but it doesn't score the same. I figure, as long as I keep using the same tool to measure him, I'll be able to track the changes in his growth. His exact length isn't that important.

https://i.imgur.com/NGvOpvW.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/3pIDjdq.jpeg

Coincidently, or maybe not, his last weight measurement was also down. He hasn't been eating regular all summer. I looked back at my feeding charts and this seems to be a pattern with him. If the pattern hold true, he'll start eating regular again soon.

https://i.imgur.com/XtI5TK6.jpeg

Yeah, I don't think he "shrunk" any, just a different measuring tool. Odd that he goes off food in summer though...could it be your A/C that's influencing his home temps? -Along with some hesitation with the "sausages" not being his favorite food?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Yeah, I don't think he "shrunk" any, just a different measuring tool. Odd that he goes off food in summer though...could it be your A/C that's influencing his home temps? -Along with some hesitation with the "sausages" not being his favorite food?

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It's not the A/C. I don't have any in the room. Could be the reptilinks. That was my first thought. Then, I checked my feeding records and saw that he refused to feed last summer at the same time. At that time, I blamed the larger reptilinks I was feeding him. So. I switched to smaller links. I, now, think it's just a seasonal thing. Weird that it's in the summer though. I don't have records from 2023, but my records from 2022 showed that he refused during the summer even when I was still feeding him mice.

The good news is that he started eating the reptilinks regularly again at the end of September last year. So, I'll try to feed him tonight. If he doesn't start feeding again soon, I'll consider abandoning reptilinks and switching to mice as his regular feeders.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

The good news is that he started eating the reptilinks regularly again at the end of September last year. So, I'll try to feed him tonight. If he doesn't start feeding again soon, I'll consider abandoning reptilinks and switching to mice as his regular feeders.

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Wiggles ate the reptilink. So, hopefully, this summer fast is over. I won't be satisfied though until he's taken a few in a row.

Here's my latest creation.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/QihAnZi.jpeg

It's a vertical wedge hide and ledge. The wedge shape allow Wiggles to determine how much back pressure he needs to feel secure. The vertical orientation means that he'll have gravity helping him out. It also allowed me to create a ledge for him on top.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/91ZRwuD.jpeg

Inside, there are sticks for him to hold onto. The face is held on by thumb bolts so that I can easily remove it for cleaning. I just have to add a few coats of poly. Hopefully, it'll be ready for Wiggles to try out next weekend.

It only took Wiggles about an hour to try out the new hide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09jU_43t2QE

As far as I know, he's still in there. So, I guess he likes it.

What a good snake! And a very good sport, to try out everything you give him. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

What a good snake! And a very good sport, to try out everything you give him. :D

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I think it's funny that he checks it out by laying next to it. I suppose, after an hour, he figures, "Nothing bad has happened yet, so I'll investigate further." I was surprised that he stayed in there. I thought he would just check it out and, maybe, come back later. Nope. Made himself at home right away.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I think it's funny that he checks it out by laying next to it. I suppose, after an hour, he figures, "Nothing bad has happened yet, so I'll investigate further." I was surprised that he stayed in there. I thought he would just check it out and, maybe, come back later. Nope. Made himself at home right away.

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Yeah, I think that's exactly what's happening- he's making sure it's not active & somehow dangerous, but once inside...hey, it's a new CAVE! Snakes love some privacy. :snake:

After 55 straight hours in the new hide without a single sign of him, I felt I had to check on him; so, I used my kid's iPod to take a peek.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IrbyVK5DGU

As you can see, he's fine.