Put a deposit down on a new snake!

Me and my GF have been in the market for a new snake. I picked the last one, so this time it was her turn. She went from wanting a pied to a lavender to a BEL. I wanted to buy from Garrick Demeyer since its who we got our last snake from, and our experience with him was phenomenal. I got a hold of him a few weeks ago, and he told me he just hatched a super lesser possible GHI, paste, and/or spider. We got a couple pictures of her and fell in love, so we put a deposit on her. She got fed her 2nd meal yesterday. I have not heard back about if she ate or not. If she did, I am hoping to have her home in a few weeks! Here are the pictures of her that I got from Garrick so far. I think she has slight bug eyes, but not too bad. I love how dark blue her eyes are.

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

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Awe, she's beautiful! Hopefully she ate so you won't have to wait too long :P Keep us posted!


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I will keep this thread up to date as things progress! :cool:

Congrats on your new snake - she is beautiful!!! Nothing beats the excitement of adding a new snake to the family. I am also waiting with great anticipation for my new Honduran to hatch out and start eating so I can get it home with me so I feel your pain LOL

Garrick informed me today that she did in fact eat her 2nd meal. I asked him how many more live meals before he is ready to offer her F/T. I am pretty antsy to hear what he says lol.

UPDATE: She has eaten 4 meals. For her 4th meal she was offered thawed. Garrick said she looked real interested, but would not pull the trigger. She did eat a live meal tho. He said most wont take thawed till the 4th or 5th meal. He sounded confident that he thinks she will take thawed this week..... Fingers crossed! She has been paid off in full, so I have been super antsy about her. I cannot wait for her!

Beautiful pick up ! Yea frozen thawed takes a little time and patience to get them going strong on accepting them I however think it's really worth the extra work. Just makes life so much easier and cheaper during feeding. That and not having to worry about the stress of live feedings on me lol. Stunning animal though good luck with her.

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

Me and my GF have been in the market for a new snake. I picked the last one, so this time it was her turn. She went from wanting a pied to a lavender to a BEL. I wanted to buy from Garrick Demeyer since its who we got our last snake from, and our experience with him was phenomenal. I got a hold of him a few weeks ago, and he told me he just hatched a super lesser possible GHI, paste, and/or spider. We got a couple pictures of her and fell in love, so we put a deposit on her. She got fed her 2nd meal yesterday. I have not heard back about if she ate or not. If she did, I am hoping to have her home in a few weeks! Here are the pictures of her that I got from Garrick so far. I think she has slight bug eyes, but not too bad. I love how dark blue her eyes are.

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Lovely :) I think BEL's are so pretty. I'd like to have one some day but none have seemed quite "right" so far. Are "bug eyes" a problem with this morph sometimes?

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Originally Posted by Scosta56

Beautiful pick up ! Yea frozen thawed takes a little time and patience to get them going strong on accepting them I however think it's really worth the extra work. Just makes life so much easier and cheaper during feeding. That and not having to worry about the stress of live feedings on me lol. Stunning animal though good luck with her.

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I agree. He offered to send her sooner if I wanted to feed her live, but I am waiting so I can feed her F/T.

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Originally Posted by GreenTea

Lovely :) I think BEL's are so pretty. I'd like to have one some day but none have seemed quite "right" so far. Are "bug eyes" a problem with this morph sometimes?

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Bug eyes are sometimes a thing with super lesser or super butter. The other combos that create BELs, such as lesser/butter mojaves do not have this issue.

Also, the more I look at her, and the more snakes I see with bug eyes, I dont think she has bug eyes. Her eyes do seem a little bigger. They do not seem to be poking out of her head too far like other snakes I have seen with bug eyes tho. I guess I will have a better look once I get her.

Does anyone here have experience with breeding BELs? Im curious if its normal for their eyes to be darker when young and lighten up with age? Or does she just have darker eyes than most other BELs?

Welp, she decided to turn down F/T again, and a live meal in the same day. However, it was only 3 days after another meal. It sounds like Garrick feeds his hatchings small meals real often. I am hoping she just wasnt hungry again yet. He said if he cant get her going on f/t within a week or so, he may be able to substitute her for her sister who looks identical. He planned on keeping her as a holdback, but he might be willing to let her go. I am really bummed out. I hope she changes her mind about F/T next week.

Aw, I really hope that everything turns out okay for you in the end! She's a beautiful snake <3 My new BP is from Garrick as well! It was really pleasant working with him. Best of luck with your girl, continue to keep us updated!

I will keep this thread updated! I got my first BP from Garrick. He has been great! I just wish this girl would get going on F/T. My male banana pastave I got from him has been eating since the 2nd day he got home. He even takes food while in shed. Im hoping the BEL ends up the same once she gets going!

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

I will keep this thread updated! I got my first BP from Garrick. He has been great! I just wish this girl would get going on F/T. My male banana pastave I got from him has been eating since the 2nd day he got home. He even takes food while in shed. Im hoping the BEL ends up the same once she gets going!

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Hopefully! Fingers crossed for you!

Welp, Belle continues to refuse thawed food. To the point Garrick is kinda poking us towards a male BEL he has that is readily taking F/T. This snake purchase is the GFs decision, and she is absolutely dead set on a female BEL. I am open to other snakes. Garrick Has some lavenders I like a lot and also a GHI Mojave female that is absolutely beautiful. However the GF cannot be talked out of her female BEL. So, last night I was on the hunt for live feeders. I was able to find 3 pet stores in the area that had mice in stock. Unfortunately they are the companies that dont like selling rodents for reptile food. Also, one of them had a severely underweight baby ball python. It made me decide that I will never support a petco unless I am in DIRE need of something I can only get from them. I almost lost hope................................... But then, out of the darkness of like 2AM..... I randomly found a FB page for a pet store about 30min from me that says they carry live feeders for reptiles. I was a little skeptical, but I sent them a message on FB. I woke up to a message confirming that they do in fact sell all sizes of rats and mice for feeding reptiles! I am going to let Garrick know that I have access to live feeders, and I hope he will be able to ship Belle on Monday or Tuesday! :D

Live feeding is soooo much easier in my experience. The snakes tend to just strike and eat, like kids grabbing candy! Frozen/thawed is more like making kids eat Brussel sprouts! Lol!
Seriously though, I am doing 80% F/T lately and hoping for 100% for the convenience. If I had the time and patience to breed rats, I would for sure feed live. Frozen saves me money and time, as I can buy them in bulk from a local breeder and store them in the freezer.

I'm glad you were able to get the little one you wanted! I don't blame your gf, BEL are absolutely beautiful!

And with time and patience you still may be able to convert her over to F/T when she's older if that's the route you wanna go

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I wanted to just mention, I get my live feeders at the local expo (we have one once a month up the road and there are usually a couple rodent breeders who go). I usually pick up enough for the month. Maybe check and see if you have any local expos you can go to, to get in touch with rodent breeders.

She's a gorgeous lil snake, I can see why your gf has her heart set on the BEL. Good luck.


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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

I will keep this thread updated! I got my first BP from Garrick. He has been great! I just wish this girl would get going on F/T. My male banana pastave I got from him has been eating since the 2nd day he got home. He even takes food while in shed. Im hoping the BEL ends up the same once she gets going!

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Garrick is the best. Both my 2012 pied pair came from his collection. Grats on the gf sticking to her guns for the female BEL. Take her and give her live bc there is plenty of time for her to convert later.

I called Garrick first thing this morning, and good news!!! He is gonna be packing her up today with a nice heat pack for her trip to her new home tonight! She should be here tomorrow morning! :D

I am kind of excited to experience live feeding! I do hope to transition her to thawed eventually tho.

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

I called Garrick first thing this morning, and good news!!! He is gonna be packing her up today with a nice heat pack for her trip to her new home tonight! She should be here tomorrow morning! :D

I am kind of excited to experience live feeding! I do hope to transition her to thawed eventually tho.

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Wow that's so exciting! My new girl is actually being shipped out today and will get here tomorrow as well XD We shall experience this together! :P Make sure to update us will alll the pictures


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We will all be waiting for pics! Hope she has a safe and easy trip to her new home :D

"I wanted to buy from Garrick Demeyer"

Good choice, class-act guy with healthy animals. Congrats.

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

I called Garrick first thing this morning, and good news!!! He is gonna be packing her up today with a nice heat pack for her trip to her new home tonight! She should be here tomorrow morning! :D

I am kind of excited to experience live feeding! I do hope to transition her to thawed eventually tho.

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Originally Posted by BluuWolf

Wow that's so exciting! My new girl is actually being shipped out today and will get here tomorrow as well XD We shall experience this together! :P Make sure to update us will alll the pictures

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tomorrow is going to be an exciting day here at BP.net!!!

can't wait for pics from you both! :)

Oh SQUEE!!!! *\o/* must see pics! Congrats y'all!!


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Awesome. Can't wait for the pics. :D

Im not sure how many pictures I will be able to get tomorrow, but I will do my best! lol. She was picked up by Fedex and is officially on her way home!

I only got 2 pictures of her before putting her in her new home. She was real tensed up as you can see in the pictures. Her eyes are incredible!

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

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congrats!!! welcome home, lil girl. :)

oh, what a tiny little BEAUTY !!!

Thank you Taylor and Zina! I am so excited to have her! I am hoping to breed her for fun in a couple years with my Banana pastave male. I think it will be fun to see if she is GHI, pastel, or spider as well as super lesser. Worse case scenario, the worse thing I can get is a lesser.

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Originally Posted by mmmbanana

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swqueeeee!!!

She's pretty! I love the white snakes! Congrats.


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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

I only got 2 pictures of her before putting her in her new home. She was real tensed up as you can see in the pictures. Her eyes are incredible!

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She's def a cutie! Congrats!

Such a little cutie! Congrats!

Ahh! She's so pretty! I'm glad she arrived safe and sound ^-^

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Thank you everyone! Im hoping that when I get home from work she will be no where to be seen, feeling safe in one of her hides. Garrick said I should try and feed her on Thursday, but I dunno if I should. With her being picky, I dunno if its even worth trying.

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

Thank you everyone! Im hoping that when I get home from work she will be no where to be seen, feeling safe in one of her hides. Garrick said I should try and feed her on Thursday, but I dunno if I should. With her being picky, I dunno if its even worth trying.

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She might surprise you...

Worst case scenario, she doesn't take it. As long as you don't "harass" her with the food item, no harm done. You can offer by dangling in front of the hide (boy they love to snatch them from their hidey spot) then if she doesn't take it...just leave it.

If still there next day, throw it away.

No stress that way. Well..maybe for you, but not for her..LOL

She wouldn't eat thawed for Garrick. Should I offer her thawed and see if she will take it, or should I stick with live till she is settled in and has had a few successful meals?

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

She wouldn't eat thawed for Garrick. Should I offer her thawed and see if she will take it, or should I stick with live till she is settled in and has had a few successful meals?

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Normally I would say go ahead and try it but sense she wouldn't eat it there it doesn't seem very likely that she would in a new unfamiliar place. You might be better off with live first and then switching to thawed after a bit but there really is no harm in trying if you want :P


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She's a cutie! I would go with what the breeder suggested and feed her live on Thursday. I noticed that my little guy takes his meal faster when he can't see me so I stand to the side lol he's a shy eater. Last feeding he ended up with the mouse's head down the pipe and finished inside his hide :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Misternewbie

She's a cutie! I would go with what the breeder suggested and feed her live on Thursday. I noticed that my little guy takes his meal faster when he can't see me so I stand to the side lol he's a shy eater. Last feeding he ended up with the mouse's head down the pipe and finished inside his hide :rolleyes:

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I noticed that too, they prefer to kill and eat in privacy, unless they are already very tamed and accustomed to your presence for years. It makes sense, they are vulnerable to attack when they are busy constricting and swallowing prey.

I missed the big reveal but I am soooo happy for you! Congratulations, awesome that everything turned out okay! She's gorgeous :D

As for the feeding I wish you luck! Who knows? maybe one day she'll take F/T for you, haha.

Congrats once again! And welcome home little gal :P

UPDATE!

Yesterday I picked up 4 small hoppers. As soon as I got home I decided to offer Belle one. I offered it from tongs. I figured live from tongs is a good first step towards thawed. At first she showed no interest. However, she also didn't seem frightened by it. So I dangled the mouse in front of her for a while. After about a minute(felt like an hour) she started to show interest. She very slowly started to move into a striking position. She looked like she was about to take it when the mouse touched her nose. She backed off for a few seconds. But then started to get back in position. She went for it once and missed. Reset again, and she went for it, and got it! First feeding was a success! I was so excited!! Also, I have 3 adorable little hopper mice as pets till they get fed off. lol

Congrats on a successful feeding!

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

UPDATE!

Yesterday I picked up 4 small hoppers. As soon as I got home I decided to offer Belle one. I offered it from tongs. I figured live from tongs is a good first step towards thawed. At first she showed no interest. However, she also didn't seem frightened by it. So I dangled the mouse in front of her for a while. After about a minute(felt like an hour) she started to show interest. She very slowly started to move into a striking position. She looked like she was about to take it when the mouse touched her nose. She backed off for a few seconds. But then started to get back in position. She went for it once and missed. Reset again, and she went for it, and got it! First feeding was a success! I was so excited!! Also, I have 3 adorable little hopper mice as pets till they get fed off. lol

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Good I'm glad she ate! Eating off tongs seems like a real good first step [emoji14] I would attemt F/T after you finish off the hoppers if I were you and see how it goes.

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I wanna see how she does the next few feedings. If I see less hesitation, then I think I will go to pre..... dispatched. Garrick said she refused thawed twice. So I wanna take my time. I have a supplier for live, so Im in no rush. I mostly wanna have her on thawed before she needs small rats. I'm thinking that's when the chance of her getting bit by prey would increase some, but I'm a noob when it comes to feeding live.

Yeah as long as you have a supplier for live there isn't a rush. My only thought is that the older they are perhaps the harder to change over? I have literal zero experience with this though sense both of mine are on F/T so I have no idda lol. Just do what you think will be best for your animal and you'll be fine!

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I dont have experience with switching a snake to thawed. But I do know that once they get bigger and older they can go longer without food. So you can offer thawed and if they dont take it you can hold off for another week or few.. When they're young, they cant go as long without eating.

Here are some pictures of Belle! She is still in pet rock mode and not ready to explore yet. I’ll throw in a bonus picture of stitch. He doesn’t ever stay still lol

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