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  • 07-25-2018, 01:15 PM
    AbsoluteApril
    I wouldn't even talk to Katie about Behira, at least for a while. Don't even bring it up, none of this talking about 'things went so well' to Katie, Katie may just dig in her heels even more and push for getting rid of her. Give it time. Don't push anything, don't even talk about Behira. Clean, handle Behira and do your thing with her not involving Katie. If Katie goes and takes her out or does anything with her, great, but don't go on and on about it, it'll probably annoy Katie. Focus on the others, pretend Behira isn't there, she's not a bother, that kind of thing. Perhaps in time Katie will loosen up about it. If not, well, you'll need to rehome her. It's a sucky situation, I've been there and I've given up reptiles for SO before, it's never a good position to be in. I hope things work out.
  • 07-25-2018, 03:55 PM
    tttaylorrr
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    popping in to say im following and i feel for you. good luck, friend. [emoji4][emoji177]
  • 07-25-2018, 09:21 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril View Post
    I wouldn't even talk to Katie about Behira, at least for a while. Don't even bring it up, none of this talking about 'things went so well' to Katie, Katie may just dig in her heels even more and push for getting rid of her. Give it time. Don't push anything, don't even talk about Behira. Clean, handle Behira and do your thing with her not involving Katie. If Katie goes and takes her out or does anything with her, great, but don't go on and on about it, it'll probably annoy Katie. Focus on the others, pretend Behira isn't there, she's not a bother, that kind of thing. Perhaps in time Katie will loosen up about it. If not, well, you'll need to rehome her. It's a sucky situation, I've been there and I've given up reptiles for SO before, it's never a good position to be in. I hope things work out.

    AbsoluteApril, you make a good point. Leave it alone.

    I do not believe this is going to come to me re-homing Behira. However, letting sleeping dogs lie for a while makes a lot of sense. She's obsessed with Solana, the baby Scaleless Corn; let her focus on her for a while.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tttaylorrr View Post
    popping in to say im following and i feel for you. good luck, friend. [emoji4][emoji177]

    Thanks Tttaylorrr! I appreciate it my sister from another mister. I figured you were following along. Thank you for the kind words and hopefully, this passes quickly and painlessly.
  • 07-27-2018, 04:28 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Had some fun with Behira today. She's doing great! She actually seems to enjoy being out, well, more than the other snakes.

    Here are some fun pictures from today of my growing girl.


    You cannot stop her, you can only hope to contain her!

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

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Vgsz5CR.jpg[/IMG]

    Really? 30 seconds of freedom/leeway and she buried under blankets on the chair next to me! Seriously, I was watching her the whole time and made sure she didn't get into the mechanics of the chair.

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/KSJ4Z6X.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/AvLCnfD.jpg[/IMG]
  • 07-27-2018, 05:47 PM
    dboeren
    Wow, what a punch in the gut! I thought I was just going to browse a thread with some cool snake pics and then you dropped the bomb there.

    SO's that don't love snakes as much as we do are a problem for many of us, but it sounds like you did everything you were supposed to do to educate her in advance how big Behira was going to get and it doesn't feel fair to have her change her mind like this. Meanwhile she feels like she didn't understand what she was agreeing to, whether it's because she didn't really listen (not being interested) or whatever.

    I think the best thing to do right now is to give her some cooling off time and then try to have a frank discussion about it. Let her know that different snakes grow to different sizes and that Behira won't necessarily get that big. Also, she will grow slowly and you can affect the rate of growth and to an extent her ultimate size by controlling her feeding schedule.

    I would start from scratch - don't make any assumptions about a comment she may have made while tired, scared, or annoyed. Give her the chance to clarify what she really wants to say.

    Not sure if this helps, but I find a comparison of weight to be a better way for people to understand snake sizes because they're long noodles. A 6 foot snake sounds enormous to laymen but depending on girth it may weigh about as much as a small lap dog and helps people put things into perspective.

    Also, you can let her know that she's not obligated to hold or take care of it. You're willing to do all the work and if she doesn't feel like interacting with Behira that's fine.
  • 07-27-2018, 11:44 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by dboeren View Post
    Wow, what a punch in the gut! I thought I was just going to browse a thread with some cool snake pics and then you dropped the bomb there.

    SO's that don't love snakes as much as we do are a problem for many of us, but it sounds like you did everything you were supposed to do to educate her in advance how big Behira was going to get and it doesn't feel fair to have her change her mind like this. Meanwhile she feels like she didn't understand what she was agreeing to, whether it's because she didn't really listen (not being interested) or whatever.

    I think the best thing to do right now is to give her some cooling off time and then try to have a frank discussion about it. Let her know that different snakes grow to different sizes and that Behira won't necessarily get that big. Also, she will grow slowly and you can affect the rate of growth and to an extent her ultimate size by controlling her feeding schedule.

    I would start from scratch - don't make any assumptions about a comment she may have made while tired, scared, or annoyed. Give her the chance to clarify what she really wants to say.

    Not sure if this helps, but I find a comparison of weight to be a better way for people to understand snake sizes because they're long noodles. A 6 foot snake sounds enormous to laymen but depending on girth it may weigh about as much as a small lap dog and helps people put things into perspective.

    Also, you can let her know that she's not obligated to hold or take care of it. You're willing to do all the work and if she doesn't feel like interacting with Behira that's fine.

    Okay - Big (I think) Update to the Katie and Behira Situation

    Katie and I had a long talk about Behira (she brought it up).

    She feels I pushed to get Behira and she wasn't necessarily ready or willing to have another snake, certainly not one that gets as big as Behira will/can. To clarify, she felt much more involved with getting Solana, but also, adores her and has practically made Solana her snake. I don't think she was ready for the cuteness and it caught her by surprise. So partly she was a little more involved, and partly, who doesn't love a baby scaleless corn snake?

    Back to Behira. I did push. I wanted the challenge of a bigger snake and had always thought Boa's were out of reach size wise (looked at too many obese BCI's and large BCC's on the internet etc). I was also in the process of ordering a huge Boaphile tank stack and was getting at least a 5X2' footprint for Frank, so to move up to 6X2' for a female BCI too, seemed a no brainier. When I realized that Behira was totally attainable, I jumped in hard. Katie basically said I would care for her, so whatever I wanted. Further, she had the opportunity to do more research, but declined. I told her Behira (a female) would be a big snake and much bigger than a male (she picked Behira with me).

    I also told Katie, again, that her fear was irrational. Behira is not a "danger noodle" and is hardly defensive or aggressive by any stretch of the imagination. I explained, again, that if she was, I wouldn't want to keep her either, for a variety of reasons. Again, I asked her to trust me, and told her that if I had to choose, of course I would choose Katie, always. However, I did not want an ultimatum and felt it was unfair at this point.

    Katie explained that me saying that I would always pick her over anything or anyone, meant the world to her and she didn't feel like she and her feelings were being brushed aside. She explained that she knows how important Behira is to me and "would never ask me to get rid of her." She said she gets tired and cranky and had an off day and although there was some truth to what she said, she wouldn't ask me to give Behira up, especially if it's not what I wanted. We agreed that neither of us would want an aggressive/defensive animal in the house, especially a big one. However, she agreed that her fear is at least somewhat irrational, and she trusts me regarding Behira.

    I also asked that she take any resentment or regrets about getting Behira out on me and not her. It's not Behira's fault. Katie explained that she said yes, and although reluctantly, said it was okay and she has to own that too. She warned she might not give in so easy next time though :).

    Overall, a good talk and I will take Katie's fears and frustration about Behira with a grain of salt from now on, per her wishes. She says she still reserves the right to complain about it every now and then, but I don't have to take it too seriously.

    I am glad Katie and I cleared all that up. Much like getting Behira, this was a big miscommunication as well. We needed to sort it out and I am glad Katie talked to me about it and I set her mind at ease, as she set my mind at ease. We know how important communication is to a healthy relationship, and are usually pretty good at it, but we had two misses in that department here. Not like us, but again, glad we sorted it out, and quickly.

    Sounds like Behira is here to stay!
  • 07-28-2018, 02:26 AM
    richardhind1972
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    That’s some great news mate🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞


    Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
  • 07-28-2018, 06:20 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira was curled up by the acrylic doors when I went to take her out and change her water today. She looked so cute, I had to grab a few pictures.

    Additionally, below, I am posting two links to me holding Behira wit her being her normal self with a happy tongue! She's so calm and gentle and easy to redirect. Such a sweet girl.

    https://i.imgur.com/gXlHQMZ.mp4

    https://i.imgur.com/JpvTBaL.mp4

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/aa0ddkA.jpg[/IMG]

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

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/szUYBxU.jpg[/IMG]
  • 07-29-2018, 02:39 AM
    richardhind1972
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    I love it when there tongue goes ten to the dozen,so sweet


    Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
  • 07-29-2018, 02:51 AM
    EL-Ziggy
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira's a very pretty girl Daski and she looks pretty laid back in your pics and videos .
  • 07-29-2018, 10:41 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by richardhind1972 View Post
    I love it when there tongue goes ten to the dozen,so sweet


    Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

    Yeah. I love Behira's happy tongue movement!

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy View Post
    Behira's a very pretty girl Daski and she looks pretty laid back in your pics and videos .

    She's totally laid back, as long as there's no food! Very calm and curious little girl. Not aggression at all and doesn't get scared either. 1

    Of course, food is a separate issue. After skipping a meal a month ago, she ate last meal, and attacked both the doors and the rat tonight. She's back to her old self, which is both great, and eh! I wish she would stop nailing the doors! Oh, well. I'll take that over not eating.
  • 07-31-2018, 10:54 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Katie was kind enough to take some pictures of me and Behira tonight.

    We both have been having a rough week and Behira was a good "therapy snake" to both of us and we got some good pictures. Not pushing Katie on Behira, and we seem to have a good understanding, but she was happy to both hold and take pics tonight.

    I think the last pics I have of me with Behira she was about 600-700G and is now 1,000G. So, noticeable difference, although there is still much growing left for her to do!

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/URK11AN.jpg[/IMG]

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

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Dl0phQy.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/jRqNgz1.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/5b7TL7a.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/CbBJ4AF.jpg[/IMG]

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

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/xXubHyP.jpg[/IMG]
  • 08-01-2018, 12:55 AM
    richardhind1972
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Great pics looked like she was wanting to explore.
    I love the age from 2-3 in boas as they start to mature. It seems to take ages with boas to get some size about them when slow grown properly like she has been ,also love when they start to get that chunky boa head
    Boas are just so cool and so strong

    Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
  • 08-01-2018, 05:07 AM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by richardhind1972 View Post
    Great pics looked like she was wanting to explore.
    I love the age from 2-3 in boas as they start to mature. It seems to take ages with boas to get some size about them when slow grown properly like she has been ,also love when they start to get that chunky boa head
    Boas are just so cool and so strong

    Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

    Yeah, Behira is right in that wheelhouse. 2 years and 2 months now. I am feeding small rats every two weeks and she still grows quite fast. I'll move her up to medium rats every 3 weeks when she's good and ready. No rush; happy and healthy over quick(er) size.

    It's amazing how much her head has "morphed" into a more adult boa head.

    Speaking of Boa heads and growth.

    Here's a picture of Katie the evening Behira came home. Huge difference. Much smaller and much more rounded cheeks and baby face. Awwwww, I miss my little Behira :). Not to worry, I'll love big Behira too; especially if she's as chill as she is now (probably more so).

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ZWfwz5w.jpg[/IMG]
  • 08-01-2018, 08:28 AM
    richardhind1972
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    There such a difference when you look back, lol
    I think it seems to take ages for there heads to chunk out, they seem to have a pin head for ages

    Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
  • 08-03-2018, 01:15 AM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    We've talked a lot about hook training in this thread. I decided to write a thread just about hook training. It's inspired by Behira :).

    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...24#post2635224

    Any feedback or added suggestions, please post away on that thread! I learned much from all of you and I probably missed something in the thread.
  • 08-05-2018, 11:46 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira loves climbing. She always goes right for the bookshelf next to my big chair in the reptile area. Every once in a while, like tonight, I give her the opportunity to climb on it. She loves it.

    However, as she gets bigger, that bookshelf is not going to support her. I wanted to build a PVC square with multiple levels for her to climb and that would support her at 20 pounds. However, I have nowhere to store something that big.

    Anyone know what I could use that's either smaller/narrower and I could lean or attach to a wall, etc. or that's collapsable. I guess I could just build a jungle gym of sorts into the wall with branches, etc, but I am not sure how easy or doable that is.

    Any ideas are welcome!

    Here's Behira doing her book shelf thing tonight, in chronological order, from "I see something to climb!" to mastered.

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/jbpvn1O.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/4wSAC5d.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/aE1pFp2.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/lyBKwg4.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/fz3q7kP.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/vzQ69dM.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Et7obwQ.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/PgwH1u0.jpg[/IMG]
  • 08-05-2018, 11:53 PM
    Bogertophis
    You're so brave...all my snakes know how to clear bookshelves faster than I can stop the crashes. :rolleyes:
  • 08-07-2018, 04:10 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira had a ton of waste for me this morning. She clocked in, dry, at 1,010 grams.

    She's a growing girl.

    Picture below of her outgrowing her holding container.

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


    Behira decided to make a call on my cordless home phone today. She must have really wanted to talk, she wouldn't let go of the phone!

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ZkWTEv8.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/okKPSvN.jpg[/IMG]
  • 08-07-2018, 05:03 PM
    EL-Ziggy
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    She's a real cutie patootie D. Judging from your posts it seems like she has a really sweet and inquisitive disposition too. I'm looking forward to seeing my boas grow. That's the biggest adjustment for me in keeping boas vs pythons or colubrids. I'm not used to such slow growing critters that eat far less often. Patience is a virtue though right?
  • 08-13-2018, 12:11 AM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira ate tonight, and Katie helped me shoot it.

    It's her first time on the camera and she did pretty well. I took over after Behira struck and both Katie and I edited the video. It's low light (hence using the prosumer 4K camera - however I shot in 1080P) and some of the footage is crappy. However, we did our best. We will try harder next time :).

    She did strike at the acrylic doors when I turned the key, but Katie was already zoomed in, so we didn't get that.

    Notice Behira got a terrible strike and wrap on the rat and bit herself in the process. However, being the determined goofball she is, she wrapped the rat for ten minutes, teeth in her own neck/body the whole time.

    She appears fine and no worse for the ware, but what a determined, food driven, maniac!

    This was the biggest small rat I have in the open package now. 7 rats left and all are 60-70G. This one was 75G and I figured I'd give it a go. Feeding every two weeks and with her over 1,000G, I really want 80-90G minimum.

    I will either switch to smaller mediums soon (100-110G or so), or see if my unopened package of small rats has more rats in her proper size range. I believe in slow growth, but don't want to underfeed her too much either.

    Without further ado, the link to Behira's eating video: https://streamable.com/5686u
  • 08-13-2018, 06:33 AM
    Zincubus
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Good news !!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 08-13-2018, 07:21 AM
    PiperPython
    Always a good thing when they eat. Sounds like your girlfriend is coming around, and will have plenty of time to do so.
  • 08-13-2018, 04:54 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Thanks for the comments.

    Behira is doing awesome. She skipped one meal, about 4 meals ago, but had just shed and I handled that day to clean shed etc. So far, that's the only time she's ever refused food.

    We are 27/28 on feedings. Much better ratio then my BP :).

    As she gets bigger, and her iridescence shows more, and the richness of her "colors" show, and you can see all the details of her markings around her face, I am finding her more beautiful every time I take her out.

    I originally wanted a BCI that was more colorful, like a HYPO, or a Sunglow. However, she was the calmest and best eater combination and I love her personality. I tend to gravitate to bold colors. Look at the rest of my collection. However, her subtle beauty, and great patterning, is really growing on me. She's vastly different than any other animal I have, and I really like that. I can't wait to see her grow into a gentle giant.
  • 08-13-2018, 09:09 PM
    Phillydubs
    Great job guys ! Awesome video !

    love this girl ! Can’t wait to meet her!
  • 08-13-2018, 11:47 PM
    EL-Ziggy
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira is looking as lovely as ever D. She's the bee's knees. :)
  • 08-17-2018, 03:56 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    I had Behira out yesterday and today and got some nice shots. She's a hoot!

    After stroking her with the hook a few times, I took some cool in tank pictures, as well as some out of tank pictures.

    She's so comfortable and relaxed with me. She fell asleep in my lap while I was holding her and talking on the phone. I moved after ten minutes, she woke up, the tongue went twice, and then head down and out again. After another ten minutes, I gently woke her up and put her back in her tank.

    She's my buddy! We really enjoy hanging out together.

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/yG2X4eX.jpg[/IMG]

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

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/qvKt2Kz.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/qYC8q3k.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/pQG4RQv.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/hwPJYRG.jpg[/IMG]
  • 08-17-2018, 04:54 PM
    EL-Ziggy
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    What a beautiful and calm critter. That's why I got a boa for my last snake. I want a snake to chill out and watch the game with. No can do with my pythons and bulls. :)
  • 08-17-2018, 05:08 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy View Post
    What a beautiful and calm critter. That's why I got a boa for my last snake. I want a snake to chill out and watch the game with. No can do with my pythons and bulls. :)

    They all have their own temperaments, but in general, yeah, Boa's are pretty chill.

    Behira is active the first minute or two I have her out; she likes to explore everything around her. Then, calm and chill. However, give her something to climb, and it's a different story!

    It is funny how all snakes have their own personality though, even if it's often within species traits. Figment, my Hypo Lavender Corn is all over the place. He won't sit still. However, he's docile as can be. Solana, my 14G 3 1/2 month old Scaleless Corn, is calm as can be. Not darty or quick. Just calm and chill, although she does move more than say, a Boa. However, two snakes of the same species, both docile, but both with distinct character traits. I imagine as she grows, she will be even more chill.

    You can't go wrong with Boa's in my opinion, assuming, you can handle the size of an adult, especially a female. By "handle," I mean both able to handle them comfortably and be comfortable yourself, but also have the space to give them what they need; a fairly large enclosure.

    Behira shows so much personality for a snake. She's also very brave and I never have to worry about scarring her or getting a defensive bite. She's so damn brave. Nothing seems to make her flinch. She's confident and knows she will be a big girl.

    Thank you for the comments El-Ziggy. I love her and I know you will love your BCI too!
  • 08-17-2018, 06:12 PM
    richardhind1972
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    She's deffo starting to get that nice meat head that boas get as they mature, she looks so good dakski, keep up the good work with her

    Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
  • 08-18-2018, 07:29 AM
    PiperPython
    I have a 4 year old male colombian BI, and he does not sit still - I could not watch TV with him. But all my other boas are MUCH more passive to hold than the pythons are. The carpet python? Forget about it, 100% attention necessary, always.
  • 08-18-2018, 01:15 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by richardhind1972 View Post
    She's deffo starting to get that nice meat head that boas get as they mature, she looks so good dakski, keep up the good work with her

    Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

    Thank you Richard! I am doing my best. My first BCI, but not my first rodeo! Of course, I want what's best for all my animals. However, I am also making up for my younger years when I wanted the same thing, but didn't know how to properly care for them. My current reptiles are treated like gold!

    Thank G-D for resources like this site to help new keepers' learn what's best for their animals. I wish I had that 28 years ago!

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by PiperPython View Post
    I have a 4 year old male colombian BI, and he does not sit still - I could not watch TV with him. But all my other boas are MUCH more passive to hold than the pythons are. The carpet python? Forget about it, 100% attention necessary, always.

    LOL. Yeah, Behira does her exploring and looking around for a minute or two and I just have to stick with her until she relaxes. However, once chill, she's really chill!
  • 08-21-2018, 10:49 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quick Video of Behira being chill as can be on my arm. She's such a calm and beautiful animal! Love her eyes!

    https://streamable.com/pxfyk

    No other updates. With other new Boa peeps on here, and reports of varying temperaments, especially at young ages, I thought I'd show what a docile 2 year old can be like.
  • 08-22-2018, 03:18 AM
    richardhind1972
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Looking really nice and healthy daksk, great how there head freckles come and go on boas

    Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
  • 08-22-2018, 10:03 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Had Behira out for a bit tonight. She LOVES exploring. Got some nice shots. She's getting longer and thicker, but I can't wait to see her really start thickening up.

    I also got a video of the frighteningly fast and ferocious Boa that she is on the coach (she was playing Peek a Boo): https://streamable.com/5it1j



    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ur34uXm.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ZSxR4HM.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/0JaR3Ec.jpg[/IMG]


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

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

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/F4qHWjv.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/w14twiG.jpg[/IMG]
  • 08-22-2018, 10:45 PM
    ckuhn003
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Thanks for sharing. You can really tell from the video how gentle she is and that her comfort level with you is wonderful.
  • 08-22-2018, 10:59 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ckuhn003 View Post
    Thanks for sharing. You can really tell from the video how gentle she is and that her comfort level with you is wonderful.

    Thank you! She really is very gentle. I have no fear of a bite from her except when getting her out/feeding time, and if then, between hook training, and knowing her now, neither really bothers me at all.

    Yeah, I was joking with Katie. I played Peek A Boo with Behira and there was no drama. I try that with our lab, Bailey, who was abandoned, and she will have none of it. The second I hide under the covers, she's literally ripping covers and sheets off of me as fast as possible. Poor girl. I only did that once.

    Behira and I have really developed trust and a rapport together. She's fine when other's hold her, especially Katie, but is always calmer with me. She knows her dad!

    You'll get there with Phantom too. Remember, he's tiny right now, and I've had Behira almost a year now and she was already 430G when I got her and calm as can be (holdback who was handled often). We just worked on our trust level and that paid dividends.
  • 08-27-2018, 09:26 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira nailed a 90G F/T small rat tonight (and the door once, LOL, :)). She's had one that big before, probably 200G ago, but I've been giving 70-80G small rats every two weeks mostly, as that's what I had in the last small rat package.

    I opened a new small rat package today, and there are a few larger ones, like the 90G I fed tonight, but many are 70-75G.

    I am thinking of moving her up to medium rats within the next few feedings. However, initially offering nothing more than 100-110G tops.

    I was going to work with one of my suppliers and request two packages of 90-110G mediums, or there about, and one of larger mediums. Either Behira will grow into them, or, more likely Shayna, the 1700G BP will eat those.

    Do you guys see any reason not to move up at this point? She is 1,050G now and eating 90G small rats with ease every other week.

    I would move to mediums and feed every 3 weeks instead.

    Does that make sense? I preach that less is more, but I'd be going up 10-20G for a while (and although a bigger meal now, would get smaller relative to her size as she grows) and then moving up to larger medium rats later when it was appropriate and still feeding every 3 weeks.

    Again, I'd be giving food that leaves a small lump and every 3 weeks instead of 2.

    Any thoughts are welcomed! I just want to do what's best for my little girl.
  • 08-28-2018, 01:38 AM
    richardhind1972
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    I think she would be fine with that especially if you move to 3week feeds

    Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
  • 08-29-2018, 07:23 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    A few pictures and updates on Behira.

    She nailed a 90G small rat last week and I will be ordering medium rats for her next feeding. I'll start with small medium rats and work her up as she grows. I will also offer every 3 weeks instead of every two, her schedule with small rats.

    I fed Monday this week (usually Sunday) and took her out this evening. She was a wild woman tonight! All over the place. After a few minutes, she did calm down, but if she decided to head for the bookcase, the lamp, or anything else she set her mind to, and I tried to re-direct, it didn't go entirely smooth. A few times I pulled her back and tried to re-direct her and she would move her head and neck really quick, almost like she was having a tantrum. She would also fight me quite a bit! She's super strong, even at 1,050G, and I had to be really gentle not to upset or hurt her. To be clear, she showed ZERO AGGRESSION, she just wanted to go where she wanted to go.

    I would try to re-direct and it was almost like she was saying, "But Dad! I want to go thisssssss way!"

    I still got some good pictures (below). I also have a 4 second video of her being still and you can see her head pattern at slightly different angles. She was closer to her dark phase today than her light phase, but not full dark.

    I also have a few pictures of her tail. Phillydubs pointed out that she has a Ghost Face on her Ghost tail! I had noticed the marking, but he was looking upside down, and it totally looks like a ghost's face from that angle. Pretty cool, a Ghost on a Ghost!

    4 Second Video of Behira's Head in a Fairly Dark Phase

    https://streamable.com/yof07


    Ghost on a Ghost

    Right side up (head to tail)

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/nXKdYNz.jpg[/IMG]
    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/SGIegLR.jpg[/IMG]Upside down (tail to head)[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/czO5uO0.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/xcDUkpt.jpg[/IMG]




    General Pictures

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Az8BTQ5.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/p3uC2Ug.jpg[/IMG]

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

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    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/sdgvs7A.jpg[/IMG]
  • 08-29-2018, 08:31 PM
    EL-Ziggy
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    I see the ghost face now :). Behira looks awesome as always D.
  • 08-30-2018, 04:30 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    I took Behira out today for some quality time and she was a total puppy dog, as she normally is.

    I have no idea what got into her yesterday, but she seems back to her old self today.

    Again, and to be clear, she was not aggressive or defensive yesterday and at no point was I concerned about a bite. She was just stubborn and determined to go where she wanted and didn't want re-direction.

    She would literally fight my hand trying to re-direct her and wave her head, almost like she was having a tantrum! She's strong as heck now, and only 1,100G or so. That will be fun if/when she does that at 7,000G.

    In any event, she had an off day, and she's allowed, just like the rest of us. Again, totally calm, docile, and compliant today.
  • 08-30-2018, 04:59 PM
    ckuhn003
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by dakski View Post
    She's strong as heck now, and only 1,100G or so. That will be fun if/when she does that at 7,000G.

    That's good to hear David. It's amazing how strong these creatures are. I was holding my little 100 gram'er yesterday and it's amazing how strong he feels wrapping around my fingers in comparison to my Ball Python.
  • 08-30-2018, 06:22 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ckuhn003 View Post
    That's good to hear David. It's amazing how strong these creatures are. I was holding my little 100 gram'er yesterday and it's amazing how strong he feels wrapping around my fingers in comparison to my Ball Python.

    Thank you Ckuhn003!

    I wasn't really worried about yesterday; more amused. She had an off day and it was funny to see. Again, I had no worries, she was calm and defiant, never aggressive.

    However, good to see her back to her old self today as well.

    Regarding her strength, yeah, power to weight, Boa's are up there! Behira is noticeably stronger than my 1,700G female BP, and she uses it too.

    I think of Shayna, my BP, as a lineman in football. Strong and bulky. Figment, my corn, he's the wide receiver, quick and muscular, but wouldn't win a strength contest. Behira is my tight end, or linebacker. Quick, but not crazy fast, and super strong relative to her size. Muscular and big, but not an ounce of fat on her.

    Even at the size she is now, I do not let her wrap around my fingers. Bottom of my hand and wrist/arm are okay, but she could easily break my fingers just squeezing to not fall. She's one strong animal; good thing she's a puppy dog!
  • 09-02-2018, 08:27 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira has gotten so well hook trained.

    Today, she was peeking out the door when I took the drape down. I opened the tank, rubbed her a few times, and she totally chilled out.

    I was able to take a couple of pictures (not great photos and on iPhone so focus isn't ideal either) an inch in front of her face. She didn't care. Then I proceeded to take her out and she was a total sweetheart as usual.

    She had a 90G small rat last week and next weekend she eats her first medium rat (about 100G) and moves to feeding 1X every three weeks.

    I'll keep everyone posted.

    Here's Behira in her tank being chill as usual. 3 FT hook for reference.

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/eH3F2Sy.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/gjFGVCL.jpg[/IMG]
  • 09-03-2018, 10:57 AM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Don't let Katie ever tell you she doesn't love Behira. LOL!

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/I4DEgbn.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/CdbKSBg.jpg[/IMG]
  • 09-04-2018, 02:56 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira left me a nice present this morning. I cleaned her tank, chilled with her a little, and weighed her dry. 1,080G! We've had her 11 months and she went from 440G to 1,080G dry! WOW! Growing girl.

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/PZ4P6FT.jpg[/IMG]
  • 09-04-2018, 04:59 PM
    richardhind1972
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Filling out nicely

    Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
  • 09-05-2018, 09:43 PM
    dakski
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira and I spent some quality time tonight. Katie got some pictures on my iPhone and I got some of me chilling with her as well (unfortunately still on the iPhone).

    She's definitely getting bigger. Hope she starts to fill out a little more. Richardhind1972 pointed out that she is starting to.

    She was in her "light phase" tonight, with almost no grey on her head.

    I am also wearing one of my favorite t-shirts (I have a collection of over 200 shirts, down from over 400 before I moved into Katie's house :().

    Here are the pictures:

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/WruUa78.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/6IQeLNu.jpg[/IMG]

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

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/TBS9cf3.jpg[/IMG]

    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/8F9mwLz.jpg[/IMG]
    [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/lJ0HQ7T.jpg[/IMG]
  • 09-05-2018, 11:09 PM
    EL-Ziggy
    Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
    Behira looks as lovely as ever D. Looks like she and Katie are getting along just fine. I love your t-shirt too. :)
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