Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Behira looks as lovely as ever D. Looks like she and Katie are getting along just fine. I love your t-shirt too. :)

---

Thanks El-Ziggy. Yeah, Katie and Behira have their moments, but in general, things are going very well between them.

Behira looks great and is really growing, even on a slow growth diet. Excited to see her continue to get bigger.

You can definitely tell she's starting to mature, they got that fatter head and the tail on females gets a lot chunkier too,
She looks really nice and healthy

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Katie and Behira had some "girl time" today and Katie even used the hook and got her out of the tank. No pressing by me, all on her own.

Behira gets her first medium rat tomorrow night.

Also of interest, Behira's breeder called her an Ivory Ghost, het Moonglow (66%). I thought that she was just a Ghost, but recently looked up Ivory Ghost genetics. When I had been looking at getting Behira I was also talking to Jeff Ronne about upgrading my tanks. I told him I was getting an Ivory Ghost from Boakings, and he said he sold Amaury Gil, Behira's breeder, part of his line to make ghosts.

Turns out, a traditional ghost is Hypo and Anery. However, an Ivory Ghost means it's from Pastel Anery and Hypo. The pastel anery line started with Jeff Ronne at Boaphile so I think it's all coming together now. I'll verify with Boakings that she does indeed have some Pastel in her, but it sure looks that way.

http://www.reptileinsider.com/archiv...p/t-27912.html and http://forums.kingsnake.com/viewarch...22292&key=2008

Without further ado, Katie having girl time with Behira.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/gIp2mnc.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/WnNc88e.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/6d6Ar9z.jpg[/IMG]

I talked to Behira's breeder today at the reptile expo. I was wrong. She is selectively bred, but is just a plain old Ghost Boa. So, she is in fact, only Hypo Anery.

I could care less. She's beautiful just the way she is and is my buddy. Period. End of story. I am a happy guy with a happy and healthy Boa who gets her first medium rat tomorrow. Was supposed to be tonight, but we had a long day with my niece at the reptile show! More on that another time.

She's a great looking ghost either way mate, I don't think she will struggle with a medium, might make her come into shed a bit quicker with being larger tho,

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

'pastel' is just a line bred trait in boas anyways, it's not an actual morph like in ball pythons.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by richardhind1972

She's a great looking ghost either way mate, I don't think she will struggle with a medium, might make her come into shed a bit quicker with being larger tho,

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

---

I love her looks and her temperament and personality. Zero complaints brother. Zero Complaints.

She gets a 115G medium rat tonight. Shouldn't be a big deal. I'll advise.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

'pastel' is just a line bred trait in boas anyways, it's not an actual morph like in ball pythons.

---

Thank you AbsoluteApril.

As stated above, I love her just the way she is!

Behira is looking good, growing well! She's so light and clean, even if she isn't from the ivory pastel line, she's still a spectacular example of a ghost boa. Your feeder sizes must run really big. lol 80-150 grams would be what I normally associate with medium rats, and 45-80 grams for smalls.

Boas definitely go through periods of docility and defensiveness, just a natural part of day-to-day activities. haha

Behira happily nailed and ate her first medium rat tonight. A 115G medium at that. It actually went down quicker than I thought it would and she will be happily digesting for the next two days.

Pictures below (sorry for the poor lighting and iPhone quality).

Good thing you feed me F/T Dad, I have the worst aim!

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

Going down pretty well; more than half way there:

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/slO8AzZ.jpg[/IMG]

NOM! NOM! NOM! Tail goes down like Spaghetti!


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

Behira was warming up and digesting on the hot side this evening. Of course, she was not in her hide, but rather sprawled out next to it.

She has a small lump still, but I am not touching her until it's gone. I am thinking by tomorrow night we should be pretty good.

She was 1,080G dry before the 115G medium rat. Went down pretty quick, but definitely leaves more of a lump than a 90G small rat. Also, I am feeding her every 3 weeks with medium rats, not every 2 weeks as I did with small rats.

Here are two pics:

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/oaoSLs6.jpg[/IMG]

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

With a full belly and a cozy enclosure I'm sure she's a happy camper now D. :)

That full belly will probably ground her for few days,she will soon be back around to chilling with you


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

I took Behira out today, after letting her digest from her first medium rat for three days.

She knew what was up and that it was a big meal. 90% of the time after a meal, she spends most of her time in the middle of the tank (around 84-85F). This time, stuck on the hot spot (cooler zone on the hot spot) at around 86F for two days.

Today, no bulge/lump, and a happy and full Behira. I love handling her. She's such a brave and kind and sweet snake.

Here are some pictures showing how she's really starting to fill out, medium rat or not. Starting to even a get some weight on her tail.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/v4PvT18.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/RkM8pGp.jpg[/IMG]

Ms. B is looking great! You've brought her along splendidly sir. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Ms. B is looking great! You've brought her along splendidly sir. :)

---

Thanks EL-Ziggy! That means a lot!

I've been keeping reptiles for years. I've had a Bearded Dragon, George, RIP, who made it to 11, numerous corns and BP's, plus Leopard Geckos and a Blue Tongue (all currently living with me). I always do my research and want and do what's best for my animals. I used to keep fish (before my kidney disease stole most of my energy) and even had a rare and large African Cichlid colony breed for me that were wild caught. Difficult for breeders to make it happen. I didn't want it, but was meticulous about proper tank size, water chemistry, etc. they did anyway! I understand that husbandry is super important with reptiles as with fish, and maintain clean and properly humidified and proper temp enclosures and have a good routine. For what's it's worth, reptiles are more interactive and 10X easier to keep, certainly time wise. Worst case, I have a bad day or two, and I clean up a little extra poop the next day. With fish and maintaining multiple tanks, including a 240G and a 90G, you can't just miss a water change. You'll end up doing two the next week and G-D forbid, that doesn't happen. I miss them, but I knew it was time as my energy wained.

Anyway, I digressed. Behira is my first big snake. I have always done well with corns and BP's, but wanted the challenge of a large snake and had always thought BCI's were more like your BO and got a lot bigger. I also thought they had stricter humidity requirements and before my Boaphile setup, was afraid that would be difficult to maintain.

I want to do the absolute best for Behira, just like all my animals, and want to enjoy her for years to come, and vice versa.

It means so much that you, Richardhind1972, and other keepers with more experience than me, read and comment on the thread how well she's progressing and how happy and healthy she is. It means I am doing a good job with her. I did a ton of research before getting her and continue to learn as I go.

Thank you again; I am truly happy with how well she is progressing and can't wait (although it will be another 3-4 years plus the way I feed her) until she's a big adult BCI!

Some pics of me hanging with my "baby" girl Behira.

The last one looks terrible because of lighting and no flash, but shows off the signs I have going down to our finished basement, where the reptile area is.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ram1y19.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/hfH9Nja.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/TE0WlDU.jpg[/IMG]

Behira is doing fantastic, as usual, and spent some time with me the other day and with my mother today.

Here are some pictures:

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ESqhrG1.jpg[/IMG]

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


Getting too big for one arm!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/H3R5t2L.jpg[/IMG]


Chilling with Grandma (my mother):

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

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/NTMv9fv.jpg[/IMG]

So Behira dropped a huge one last night. Her biggest yet, not that I am weird or anything and keep track of this stuff.

She ate her first medium rat (115g) about 11 days ago and I weighed her dry today; she's 1,110G.

I also spent some time with her while her enclosure was disinfecting.

Pictures below:

Growing Girl! Notice her larger holding container! She outgrew the old one!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Lzt4HLJ.jpg[/IMG]

​"I Believe I Can Fly"/Knocked Dad's glasses right off - She actually made it the 1.5 FT from the top of my head to the ceiling with ease; she's strong!

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

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/xW4KMG1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/C2wJoch.jpg[/IMG]

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

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

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/2DrXzsa.jpg[/IMG]

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

She looks great, and it looks like she’s lucky to have you as an owner.

I definitely agree BCI’s are low maintenance pets.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MAC1

She looks great, and it looks like she’s lucky to have you as an owner.

I definitely agree BCI’s are low maintenance pets.

---

Thank you MAC1, that's very kind. I think Behira and I are pretty good together too! We've learned to trust each other and understand each other a little better through time as well.

She knows I will never hurt her and I know she likes FOOD!

Yeah, pretty easy given her (eventual) size and beauty. If you can handle the size of the animal and humidity and temp requirements, and a large enclosure, I highly recommend Boas!

Katie snapped some shots of me with Behira hanging on my arm. She's incredibly strong. It's hard to tell from the picture, but she's wrapped around my arm and hanging down free.

Boa's are semi-arboreal. I think Behira is Semi-Arm Boreal!!!!!!!!!!

All kidding aside, pretty soon, she'll be too big and heavy for me to hold her up like this!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ea476ho.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/BefN19G.jpg[/IMG]

Behira seems to get bigger every time I take her out. She's also been in her "light phase" the past 2-3 times I've had her out. For a while, she was dark 3/4 times I took her out, mostly in the evening.

She seems to be getting much longer, but I am waiting for her to thicken up a bit. My first Boa, so I am not sure how all that works, but she sure eats like a champ and is definitely putting on weight. She weighs 1,110G dry now.

Pictures below. When she hangs from my neck, I cannot seem to get her whole body in a selfie anymore! She also takes up much of Katie when Katie's sitting on the couch.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/C8Wncj2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/euYHkt4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/l98d8lp.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ZMaNy75.jpg[/IMG]

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

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

Looking really good as usual

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

For contrast, Behira in a more "dark phase".

She is due to eat another medium rat on Sunday night (2 days).

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/filZ9kg.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/zbsJHd3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/dsVo8ZH.jpg[/IMG]

Makes you wonder where the speckles hide or how they come and go, it really fascinates me to way boas do this .

Have you noticed wether the medium rat has filled her long enough? Or was she expecting her food a week ago the same as her small rat, mine was still expecting more food when I increased there prey size.

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

The rat seemed to fill her okay.

She's been looking/hunting the past few nights, but isn't showing any signs of being overly hungry. She's actually been pretty chill when I take her out. I use the hook every time, but I haven't had to get her out of strike position or anything.

I am sure she will nail her rat on Sunday. LOL.

Behira hadn't eaten in three weeks, per new schedule of a medium rat every 3 weeks, versus a small every 2 weeks. Her first medium was 3 weeks ago and it was 115G and went down okay. Today I offered a little smaller medium rat at 105G.

She did not hesitate! Struck, coiled, and down the hatch!

She will adjust to the new 3 week schedule and hasn't shown any more food drive than normal. She out looking for the past week, at least, but was pretty chill about it. I think she will be fine.

Got a pretty good strike today. Got the body and not just the tail, and also didn't bite herself. She's doing better!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/UjBLg7R.jpg[/IMG]

B is lookin' good D! Glad to see she's still eating well. I'd say feeding my boas has been the biggest difference between them and my other snakes. Not because the boas don't eat, they ALWAYS do, but just getting used to their less frequent feedings. My pythons and colubrids ate almost twice as often when they were younger.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

B is lookin' good D! Glad to see she's still eating well. I'd say feeding my boas has been the biggest difference between them and my other snakes. Not because the boas don't eat, they ALWAYS do, but just getting used to their less frequent feedings. My pythons and colubrids ate almost twice as often when they were younger.

---

I know, it's adjustment for me, as well as Behira, LOL.

I am fully aware she will not be full grown for another 3-4 years easy. I am okay with that. Happy and healthy is priority number 1.

Thanks as always El-Ziggy!

Just because I got a new snake (Yafe), does not mean I will not spend the necessary time with the rest of my crew. I spent my usual 10-20 minutes going through tanks and cleaning, etc. Then I took Shayna and Behira out (Frank was a little pissy today - turned out he had to poop - and Figment is about to shed and Solana is going into shed).

In fact I've been jonesing to take Behira out. She ate a medium rat on Sunday night, and being a bigger meal, left her alone until today (3 days versus the usual 2).

She is full, happy, and sleepy. I took her out and put her on my lap. One minute later; zzzzzzzzzz. Fast asleep on my lap for 20 minutes. I took some pictures and then gently woke her up and put her back.

Two pictures below. She was definitely dark phase today.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/762dUc6.jpg?1[/IMG]

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/UriK4WG.jpg?1[/IMG]

Behira: Dad, I have a pink belly and I am going to shed soon.

Me: Wow, you are also in a pretty dark phase today!

Behira: I know, don't I look somewhat sinister?

Me: Yes, but I still think you are beautiful and you aren't scaring anyone; you are total sweetheart.

Behira: DAAAAAAAAAADDDD! STOPPPPPPPPPPP!!!

Me: Adolescents!



[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/XC5LeCl.jpg[/IMG]

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

Today, 10-8-18, marks Behira's 1 Year Anniversary with me and SunshineWalker.

She's been a wonderful addition to our family. Since we've had her, she's grown from about 425G to over 1,100G, and we've learned to trust each other implicitly.

There was the one food response bite, in 2-18, but she's been hook trained since and there have been zero issues. She's a great eater, but total sweetheart once snapped out of food mode. Not a mean bone in her body.

After the "incident," there was some lost love between Behira and SunshineWalker. I wasn't sure how it was all going to turn out. However, time heals most wounds, and the two of them are on great terms again. I couldn't be happier.

Behira has come to be one of the best animals I've ever had. Period.

Here's to many, many, more years with Behira, my buddy.

Happy anniversary to you all

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Happy anniversary!!

Behira had a perfect shed last night! Humidity had been in the 60-70% range, depending on hot side or cool side of tank, and after her eyes cleared, I raised it to 70-80%.

She looks awesome and is due to eat this Sunday.

Here are some pictures (I can't believe how her head shape is morphing into adult BCI head so fast) from my iPhone (sorry :():


[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/7SogfuC.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/KP9AfH6.jpg[/IMG]

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

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/05OUAKH.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/1luAbI7.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/qkfXm0E.jpg[/IMG]

Looking great Dave, really love the chunky head of adult boas

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Fresh shed pictures with the DSLR! Looking good Beautiful Behira!

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

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/oyQ0XZJ.jpg[/IMG]

You can't see me!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ytuz9TQ.jpg[/IMG]

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

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/kYtU5f6.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/U5oCzko.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/YQyRb9Z.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/j2o9Fzm.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/V2fv72H.jpg[/IMG]

Happy anniversary, looking good.

Today was water bowl cleaning day for the snakes. While I washed the water bowls, Katie held the snakes.

Nothing like seeing two of my favorite ladies bonding. Katie also took Behira out of her enclosure after a few rubs with the hook and confirmation from me that she was chill and ready to come out.

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/m5fXjpm.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Q4Mb1r8.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9wfKf3w.jpg[/IMG]

Katie's smile says it all, woo-hoo! :gj: Most boas love a good snuggle anyway...just have to send the right signals first.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Katie's smile says it all, woo-hoo! :gj: Most boas love a good snuggle anyway...just have to send the right signals first.

---

Thanks. Behira is really a total sweetheart once she doesn’t expect dinner. Overall, best snake to handle I have. She doesn’t get scared and is curious, but still takes re-direction well.

Katie has a wonderful smile and it’s nice to see her use it when she’s holding Behira. She didn’t feel that way 6-8 months ago.

She actually said she wanted to hold Behira today and that she hadn’t spent time with her in a while. Great to hear. Behira loves slithering through Katie’s hair anyway. So she enjoyed that. :)

Looking great Dave, Katie definitely looked she was having fun with behira,great to see them bonding and behira looked like she enjoyed being out too.
mine never want to go back in and do everything they can not to lol

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Quick Update on Behira:

She left me a present to clean two nights ago and I weighed her yesterday. Totally dry, she's 1,140G.

Secondly, tonight was feeding night and she nailed a medium rat and actually got a good coil this time.

She hit it so fast and so hard I wasn't even sure of what happened. She was hungry.

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

Behira is growing. Had her out for some R&R with Momma and Dad today.

Below are some pictures of her and Katie (with Katie "being the tree"), as well as a couple of her unique way of using her hide today.

Enjoy our sweet girl!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/8Dk2k8O.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/kBA7RlE.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/r4iZpPB.jpg[/IMG]

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

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

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/66p0WQl.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/tuGx0EU.jpg[/IMG]

Here are some pictures of Behira on her new "climbing apparatus."

Here's a link to the thread where I post info about the apparatus if anyone is interested: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...bing-Apparatus

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ScX3B66.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9oGAiSG.jpg[/IMG]

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

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

Looks like she had fun

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Behira left some urine, urate, and a little poop, last night. Today, I took her out, cleaned her tank, weighed her, and spent some quality time.

She weighed in at 1,210G, but I think she's got a little waste left to come out. She was 1,140G dry last weight and before the 125g medium rat last week. My guess is closer to 1,180G, but either way, growing girl!

Here are a few pictures:

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

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Y48ov6I.jpg[/IMG]

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

I wear readers for some things and Harley Quinn does the same thing. No where near the size of Behira. Nice to know she probably won’t outgrow that for awhile at least until after using my ear for leverage is a thing of the past.
great pictures BRW.

If Behira feels like climbing on my head, I usually remember to take off my glasses. I forgot today. Luckily, they did not end up crushed/bent and/or on the floor like they usually do :).

It's amazing how strong she is already! However, she is gentle about using it. Yafe, my little 110G or so Carpet Python can grip like no ones business. However, he uses his whole body, or his back 30%, etc.

However, a few times, Behira has changed direction, or I've asked her to, with 2-3 fingers. The amount of force she can generate in literally 2-3 inches of body length is extraordinary. I can only imagine what kind of squeeze she puts on those F/T rats! Holy cow!

I couple of times I've had to use my other hand to get her to gently release and hold onto my arm instead of my fingers. Totally my fault, but still afraid she could pretty easily break them, even at her current size. She wouldn't know any better and is only trying to get a good grip and not fall.

Got a few good pictures of Behira tonight. She was a little cranky coming out, but not aggressive or anything. I rubbed her a few times with the hook handle and she was a little melodramatic and overreacted, etc. Then I went to pick her up and she darted into her hide. Once out, total puppy dog, per usual.

Stretchy!

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/3uFFPZ1.jpg[/IMG]

Yes, may I help you? Or, do you have food?

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

Getting Thick

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/QO4FAMn.jpg[/IMG]