» Site Navigation
1 members and 793 guests
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.
» Today's Birthdays
» Stats
Members: 75,905
Threads: 249,107
Posts: 2,572,122
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
|
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Megan looked like she had loads of fun with behira again
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Behira Is looking great with daddy Dave
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by cletus
She's looking good!
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
Behira Is looking great with daddy Dave
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
Thank you both! She's doing great. I am so pleased; being my first Boa and all.
Between all the research, this forum and help from some great Boa peeps, and a tiny bit of trial and error in husbandry (getting to know her preferences in temp - she prefers it a little cooler on the hot side), I find Boas aren't too difficult at all. I had been afraid for a long time. I have to say, the upgrade in setup/tanks to Boaphiles and to top of the line heating elements and thermostats made a huge difference as well. Makes it much easier to maintain temps and humidity. Also, all my tanks being the same design and same heating elements (although a few different sizes), with the same thermostats, has made it pretty easy to fine tune for each individual animal.
Bottom line is, I am relieved and happy she's doing so well. I am also amazed that a snake as young as her can eat every three weeks now, look as good as she does, and be as healthy as she is! Boas are pretty cool in that regard.
Also, I cannot ignore her personality. She's awesome.
Thanks again.
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Behira and I hung out for a bit yesterday. She's looking great and seemingly doing as well. I took a couple pictures and then looked back at the day we got her (425G or so and about 1 year and 3 months) for comparison. WOW! I know she has a lot of growing to do, but WOW! She has grown a ton! Her body and face look so much more like an adult BCI now, and the size she's put on, wow!
Behira - 10-8-17
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/GIJR733.jpg
Behira - 1-18-19
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/S0fM7WP.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/CksE1O3.jpg
-
Behira left me a nice present this morning. She got weighed and has hit a growth spurt. She weighed in today, dry, at 1,340G.
She did not grow much from September through most of December. Maybe gained about 130G, from about 1,100G to about 1,230G. However, in the past month, she's gone from 1,230G to 1,340G. WOW. Growing girl.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/U5fqwMg.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/hmVvLom.jpg
Dad! Do I HAVE to stay in this container???? It's like sooooo boring in here! I know I dropped, like a totally big butt bomb, but seriously, Dad, I, like, want to come out and play.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/3oBR3Tc.jpg
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
There's been a lot going on this week with the new addition of Toref, and work stuff, and I wasn't feeling well half the week in addition to all that. It was time for some quality time with Behira yesterday. I don't think I've had her out since Monday, or even Sunday (today was Friday!). That's very unusual. She's usually out 3-4 times a weeks. She really seems to enjoy it, I really do like our bonding time, and given how big she will be, and is starting to get, I think the bonding is important.
Pictures below.
Note: For those concerned, or who have constrictors, and may not know; Do not let a constrictor around your neck completely. Do not let them coil around. My rule is that Behira can hang on my shoulders, or lean from one side to the other with her head. However, as soon as her head touches her body in a loop, anywhere close to my neck, she gets redirected. What you cannot see in the pictures is that I have the camera/iphone in one hand, near Behira's body, her tail/lower body in the other. The moment she attempts to overlap her head and body or tightens at all, I unravel from the tail and redirect.
Even at 1,340G, not 5,000G, I want her to get used to that redirection. I also need to be aware, at all times, what she is doing when even draped over my neck. Safety first.
https://i.imgur.com/vI0PVih.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/HvONYLU.jpg?1
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/AE0c5Tr.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/WaHoZgf.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ioaIVEE.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/ZHrpdD3.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/z7p1q5Q.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/FnKsyOf.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/nvQY9Ud.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9Qay0rO.jpg
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Behira hit a growth spurt. She's going to shed soon (you can see she's dark in the pictures and also has a reddish belly) and I haven't weighed her in a bit, but she was 1,340G before her last rat (a 130G medium rat). She just seems bigger and stronger. I usually do not notice because I have her out a few times a week, but she seems to be growing right before my eyes. She's eating every 3 weeks now and still growing like crazy.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/pqz0dcv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JTSS5Wj.jpg?1
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/T7OrQWt.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/1XCKo5p.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/gDhZGi0.jpg
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Behira is looking great Dave,love it when they have growth spurts
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
Behira is looking great Dave,love it when they have growth spurts
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
Thanks Rich.
She's super dark! I cleaned her water bowls today and she was in full blue. Still, so gentle. She's my sweet baby girl.
I'll post pictures and a weight after she sheds and wastes.
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Behira looks awesome Dave. She gives me something to look forward to with my boas. I haven't seen much growth with them just yet. Looking forward to Ms. B's post shed pics.
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Such a pretty girl and so chill. Loved the video of her booping the phone. They really are gentle for the most part. Of several boas I’ve owned, only a couple of them (one of which is Duncan) had occassional testiness. Even then they were clear in their body language to leave them alone without resorting to biting...unless pushed to it as was the case in that story about the breeder female I was trying to sell. :rolleyes:
I also watched the second video of Frank eating canned cricket...are you sure that was “lip smacking love it” or “damn I can’t get that taste out if my mouth”? :D
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dianne
Such a pretty girl and so chill. Loved the video of her booping the phone. They really are gentle for the most part. Of several boas I’ve owned, only a couple of them (one of which is Duncan) had occassional testiness. Even then they were clear in their body language to leave them alone without resorting to biting...unless pushed to it as was the case in that story about the breeder female I was trying to sell. :rolleyes:
I also watched the second video of Frank eating canned cricket...are you sure that was “lip smacking love it” or “damn I can’t get that taste out if my mouth”? :D
Thanks Dianne, as always.
Yeah, I lucked out with both Behira and Feliz. HUGE food drives, but gentle as can be once tapped a few times with the hook. Once they know food isn't on the "table," they just want to come and play.
LOL on Frank. I wasn't sure at first. However, his nose/smell rarely deceives him.
I offered a grasshopper with his Ferret food, fruit, and veggies yesterday, and I've offered cockroaches in the past. Nope. He wouldn't eat any. Actually ate around the canned grasshopper.
Today, I offered two crickets. He gobbled them down.
I think he does like them, but admit his behavior is a little odd. Maybe he's trying to get every drop?
One other thing on Behira. She doesn't scare and doesn't get defensive at all.
The other day I had her around my neck and thought her head was on my left shoulder. I put my right hand back, quickly, to grab her body and redirect her and secure her. Turns out her head had come around was between my right shoulder and chin. I smacked her right in the head. She was stunned for a millisecond, and then looked at me like, A) is that all you got, and B), Dad, really, please don't smack me in the face!
I felt horrible. A couple gentle strokes to her side/body and she was like, okay, can I climb on you more?
She's really incredibly gentle. I only have to worry when she thinks food or when feeding. Thank G-D for long tongs!
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Behira is looking really great Dave
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
Behira is looking really great Dave
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
Thank you Rich. I couldn't be happier. She's really doing well.
By the way, in case you couldn't read the shirt, it said, "I work hard so my Boa Constrictor can have a better life."
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by dakski
...One other thing on Behira. She doesn't scare and doesn't get defensive at all.
The other day I had her around my neck and thought her head was on my left shoulder. I put my right hand back, quickly, to grab her body and redirect her and secure her. Turns out her head had come around was between my right shoulder and chin. I smacked her right in the head. She was stunned for a millisecond, and then looked at me like, A) is that all you got, and B), Dad, really, please don't smack me in the face!
I felt horrible. A couple gentle strokes to her side/body and she was like, okay, can I climb on you more?
She's really incredibly gentle. I only have to worry when she thinks food or when feeding. Thank G-D for long tongs!
It seems to me that all snakes that are used to gentle pet treatment respond (or rather don't "respond") the same way. They just don't assume we have bad intentions
when we accidentally bump each other. I know that happens to me now & then- I'll have a snake around my shoulders, getting tangled in my long hair & I'll sometimes
bump their nose (not realizing exactly where they are) when I'm trying to sort it out- they never seem to react or take it "the wrong way". Anger is a human thing. :snake:
Sometimes I wish snakes were less tolerant, when people are deliberately abusive....
That's a perfect shirt, Dave. :D
-
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
It seems to me that all snakes that are used to gentle pet treatment respond (or rather don't "respond") the same way. They just don't assume we have bad intentions
when we accidentally bump each other. I know that happens to me now & then- I'll have a snake around my shoulders, getting tangled in my long hair & I'll sometimes
bump their nose (not realizing exactly where they are) when I'm trying to sort it out- they never seem to react or take it "the wrong way". Anger is a human thing. :snake:
Sometimes I wish snakes were less tolerant, when people are deliberately abusive....
That's a perfect shirt, Dave. :D
I hear you; anger is a human thing. However, fear and being startled are universal. I did not expect Behira to bite me after knocking her in the head, but I did feel bad. It startled her. Having said that, she's a sweetheart and very predictable. She really just doesn't scare easily. Once food is off her mind, I imagine it would take a lot to get her scared and defensive, especially at her size now.
I've done the same thing to Shayna, my BP, and she reacts totally different. She coils back and freaks. However, she does that when she bumps her head into my arm when I am not even moving! She's not a defensive animal either, but does scare easily.
If I try to touch anywhere near Shayna's head, it causes a fear response in her. With Behira, it's either go away, or, "Okay Dad, you can rub my chin and head. I don't really like it, but I will tolerate it for you."
I do not make a point of rubbing Behira on the head or chin. However, I sometimes redirect her by blocking her with my hand and pushing her gently where I want her to go. More like guiding her. If I try that with Shayna, she gets spooked, so I have redirect from the body or neck.
I have rubbed Behira's chin or redirected her with my hand to show people who are afraid/nervous around her that she's a total sweetie.
I have a BP, 2 Boas, 2 Corn Snakes, and a Carpet Python who went through the ringer and almost died and is still a sweetheart. They are all calm and I can pretty much trust them with anyone, as long as I am there and the person's behavior is consistent with what they are used to. I believe nurture is a strong component in how snakes interact with people, especially if treated well from a young age.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRLongton
Love the boa shirt!
Thank you both for the comments on the shirt!
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...rst-BCI/page32
The bottom of the above page has pictures of the two Boa shirts I got with wording on them. Previously on this page, or the page before, I am wearing my red tail shirt as well.
I got all of them online. If you are interested, I can probably figure out where and let you know.
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Katie got a couple good shots of me and Behira tonight. She looks beautiful, and I, well I look like I just left a college party. In reality, I had taken nap.
Either way, Behira is getting bigger, stronger, and more beautiful with each shed. She is still calm and chill as ever and my baby.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/S6W26W4.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/bnUYqbw.jpg
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Doesn't look like she wanted to stay in there mine never do, normally do t keep still,lol, she looks so great Mr Dave
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
I put mine in a pillowcase and use those hanging scales ( used by anglers ) to weigh them ..
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
Doesn't look like she wanted to stay in there mine never do, normally do t keep still,lol, she looks so great Mr Dave
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
She pretty good for the first 10 seconds or so. By the time I try to take pictures, she's like, "Really Dad? Pictures? I am out of here!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zincubus
I put mine in a pillowcase and use those hanging scales ( used by anglers ) to weigh them ..
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
What a great idea!
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
She seems to like all them
Blankets Dave
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
She seems to like all them
Blankets Dave
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
Yeah, she burrows in there pretty good.
Of course, her favorite is the NY Football Giants Blanket Katie made me. The smiley faces are okay.
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
She really is just relaxed the way she just move so slow,great little videos,she really has grown this past six months
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
She really is just relaxed the way she just move so slow,great little videos,she really has grown this past six months
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
Yeah, she's a total sweetheart. You wouldn't know it from her nighttime behavior if she thinks food!!!!!
Having said, she's been better, not perfect, but better about letting me get the rat in and not striking the doors! No injuries since the few bent teeth that fell out on their own when she was younger.
It's funny too. Feliz is a total sweetie too, but much more active. Behira is just chill as can be. I've worked with her a lot, but she's always been close to this. Definitely more mellow with consistent handling and getting some size on her.
She's really had a growth spurt this past 6 months or so, as you say.
I just checked my spreadsheet and she's basically doubled the past year. About 700G last March and now 1,360G. However, it accelerated when she went to medium rats in September of last year. Even though she's eating every 3 weeks now, instead of every two with small rats, she seems to be putting more to growth.
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Your mom makes an excellent snake-model, relaxed & all that. :D
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
So cool that your Mom enjoys your reptiles. My Mom came around after a number of years, slowly getting used to my snakes. The final leap was caused by her falling in love with a baby albino burmese at a local show. We had her for 16 years.
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Your mom makes an excellent snake-model, relaxed & all that. :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dianne
So cool that your Mom enjoys your reptiles. My Mom came around after a number of years, slowly getting used to my snakes. The final leap was caused by her falling in love with a baby albino burmese at a local show. We had her for 16 years.
My mom is good with Shayna (BP), the two Boas, and Solana (Scaleless corn), as all are chill as can be.
Figment (Corn) and Yafe (Carpet Python) make her nervous because they can either move fast or be sort of darty. However, she holds all the snakes.
She prefers slower moving animals that appear more deliberate in their actions.
She was petrified of snakes for 30 years after a snake darted over her foot (I think a black rat snake or easter water snake) when she was 10 after stepping by a leaf pile. She had not been afraid before or been afraid since I she was about 40 and I got a BP. I think the darty movements trigger her a little bit.
I took her to the local reptile store as we went out to dinner and it was near there and I needed gecko food. She saw, Sunny, the 13FT male albino burmese. She wasn't scared too bad, but said, "NOPE." I think he's a puppy dog, but still, way too much snake for me too. That doesn't stop me from playing with him from time to time.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ighlight=sunny
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Behira is looking great Dave, looked like mum had fun with her too
Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Behira ate last night. I have good news and bad news.
Bad News: I have been trying to feed right after the lights go out, immediately after, so she's not in full hunt mode and strikes the acrylic doors. I've been doing this for a while now.
Yesterday, the rat went in fast, within 30 seconds of the lights going out. Behira had her head out of the hide, and I shook the rat by her head for a minute or two. Nothing. Very unlike her. So I put the rat down next to her, put up her drape, and went on to feed everyone else.
5 minutes later, she was in full hunt mode, but had completely slithered past the rat and it was practically under her belly at this point while she looked all over for it (as she could obviously smell it).
Good News I attempted, several times, to get the rat with tongs, but she was quick and trying to get out the door. My tongs are big ones, but they aren't huge, and I didn't want Behira coming out of the tank (it's high up, about 4 1/2 feet off the ground). She was tracking me, but MADE ZERO ATTEMPTS at the doors or towards me.
I was able to distract her with the tongs to one side, grab the rat, shake it, and she was on it in two seconds.
I am very pleased that this is not the first time she's seemed more composed and actually hit the rat without doors, tank ceiling, etc. I think (think, not know), she is outgrowing the striking at anything phase. That would be awesome. In fact, she's only hit the door once in the past 6 months, and that was taking off the drape while I was too close during feeding time. I learned.
Last night, I think I caught her half asleep and not in hunt mode yet. She was tired I guess.
Either way, I am pleased with her progress on this and happy she ate.
P.S. Considering her past, and her being my first, big, and aggressive eating snake, I was BRAVE! :)
-
I have boas miss strikes sometimes and I drop the rat and they basically sit on it like you are describing. Usually you are fine to walk away at that point, the boa will stop looking for you/tracking you and eventually find the rat and eat it. just fyi
:) glad it all worked out well
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril
I have boas miss strikes sometimes and I drop the rat and they basically sit on it like you are describing. Usually you are fine to walk away at that point, the boa will stop looking for you/tracking you and eventually find the rat and eat it. just fyi
:) glad it all worked out well
Very good to know!
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
I'm glad she ate for you Dave. I agree with April. They'll eventually find the dropped rat and eat. With some large snakes drop feeding is actually easier and safer. I learned the hard way trying to retrieve a dropped mouse to re-offer from tongs and promptly got tagged by my BCO. It's good that she's still small. I definitely wouldn't want to make that mistake with a really big snake.
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy
I'm glad she ate for you Dave. I agree with April. They'll eventually find the dropped rat and eat. With some large snakes drop feeding is actually easier and safer. I learned the hard way trying to retrieve a dropped mouse to re-offer from tongs and promptly got tagged by my BCO. It's good that she's still small. I definitely wouldn't want to make that mistake with a really big snake.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril
I have boas miss strikes sometimes and I drop the rat and they basically sit on it like you are describing. Usually you are fine to walk away at that point, the boa will stop looking for you/tracking you and eventually find the rat and eat it. just fyi
:) glad it all worked out well
Thank you for the safety tip!
I was worried about her not eating. However, she is a BOA!
- - - Updated - - -
Some pictures of Behira with Dad.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/JAlnqhB.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/fDwF1M6.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/xtMSCTb.jpg
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by dakski
man she's getting big! her pinks are so lovely!!!
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Behira looks great dave, looks like she had a good grip on your arm, she's deffo getting thicker
Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by richardhind1972
Behira looks great dave, looks like she had a good grip on your arm, she's deffo getting thicker
Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
:). Yeah, she holds on pretty tight, but not too tight.
When she was falling asleep on my arm, it was just enough so she wouldn't fall.
I think she's shedding fairly soon as well, but not sure. She really has deeper coloration and contrast in the natural light.
When I see pictures of her, more than when I hold her, I am noticing how much thicker she's getting, especially her tail and head. Neither look like baby boa anymore. Her tail is really thickening out. Her head is getting that boa rigid look to it, not the baby face she used to have.
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
-
Re: Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI
Her head getting a decent size now dave, she's looking really good
Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
|