A thread to just drop into with some news or photos or whatever !!

Hey !!

Just thought we needed a thread to congregate in … maybe daily ?!

Is anyone up for that ?!

We seem to be hanging in rather precariously with very little traffic ( like all forums)

Apologising to all .. I have been dreadfully neglectful myself but only due to the stresses and strains of life plus my constant battle with anxiety and depression


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I’ll start with this photo that just makes me smile everytime I see it ..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d0bc7f5690.jpg


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Neat Japanese Rat Snake!
There was a period of time where I was considering raising Blue Beauty Rat Snakes, but, I was told by one of my friends that they were absolutely terrifying (=unpredictable) as adults and to always keep your face outside their 'strike range'.

And yes, this forum has been pretty slow lately. I can tell it is rough when I am viewing more posts on the Geology forums lololol

I drive around a lot and take a lot of photos. Below are a few random images from my latest expedition.

Check this out: a rocking horse with real skin and hair...which isn't creepy...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-01_ybadno.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-02_gmrtkb.jpg

I found my favorite Atari 2600 game DragonFire at an antique store for $8.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-03_cjlcg4.jpg
First time I've seen one in person since my parents *gave away* (not sold) all my atari games when I left for college.
Their reasoning was that I had 'better' video games and didn't need the Atari games anymore lol...I had hundreds of them-someone got for free (+console) off craigslist...

I also went to an Asian Market looking for Year of the Snake Merch. No suck luck. You would be amazed at how many Asian Americans are at these markets and they are so embarrassed that they don't know anything about their culture that they ask my gf and I for assistance vs. other asians in the store...

I picked up a few things:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-05_eu1odv.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-06_xzenk4.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-07_bpfzpk.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-09_d8atsr.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-08_v1cav6.jpg
I haven't tried everything yet, but, I did try a bunch. I'm totally going to use that canvas bag on that pea-peanut brittle to package a hatchling ball python though. ;)

I sampled all the stuff I bought from the Asian Market with the exception of the plum osmanthus juice

My favorite is the Pea-Peanut Brittle-It tastes like *no sugar* peanut brittle. My least favorite are these white taffy type candy that taste like I'm eating raw agar off a petri dish...(not the taro wafers-they just tasted like sugar).

Those red candies on a stick I showed above: I really expected them to be on a stick. False advertising! I'm disappointed.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-1_anop0q.jpg
I was under the impression these were dried tomatoes or something. I guess I should have looked closer...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-3_aqokr1.jpg
These are Hawthorn berries that have been pitted, dried, sugared, and sesame seeds added.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-2_oaemi7.jpg
They have a super hard shell and once you use a disturbing amount of jaw strength to crack them and bite through-my gf describes it as 'Getting slapped in the face with tangy-ness'.
I daresay these are the most tangy things I've eaten since I sampled a variety of authentic Indian sauces. lol I'm not a huge fan of these candies, but, my gf scarfed them all down within an hour-and she would definitely make me buy them again...

I should also mention they are about a year past their expiration date. Almost much everything I bought (at a legit asian supermarket-no less) was past expiration (upon review). I suppose that is something I should keep an eye out for in the future...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

I sampled all the stuff I bought from the Asian Market with the exception of the plum osmanthus juice

My favorite is the Pea-Peanut Brittle-It tastes like *no sugar* peanut brittle. My least favorite are these white taffy type candy that taste like I'm eating raw agar off a petri dish...(not the taro wafers-they just tasted like sugar).

Those red candies on a stick I showed above: I really expected them to be on a stick. False advertising! I'm disappointed.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-1_anop0q.jpg
I was under the impression these were dried tomatoes or something. I guess I should have looked closer...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-3_aqokr1.jpg
These are Hawthorn berries that have been pitted, dried, sugared, and sesame seeds added.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e-2_oaemi7.jpg
They have a super hard shell and once you use a disturbing amount of jaw strength to crack them and bite through-my gf describes it as 'Getting slapped in the face with tangy-ness'.
I daresay these are the most tangy things I've eaten since I sampled a variety of authentic Indian sauces. lol I'm not a huge fan of these candies, but, my gf scarfed them all down within an hour-and she would definitely make me buy them again...

I should also mention they are about a year past their expiration date. Almost much everything I bought (at a legit asian supermarket-no less) was past expiration (upon review). I suppose that is something I should keep an eye out for in the future...

---

I'll be honest, you don't have to worry about me competing with you for any of those things, even with better expiration dates. :rofl:

That's funny that you thought those were made with actual tomatoes. Living in Korea for a year taught me that it's very common in some Asian countries to call things by what the item reminds them of, regardless of what it actually is, & while that was years ago, your experience seems to indicate that things haven't changed all that much. It would be nice if they put the word in quotes- like "tomatoes"- to give a hint.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'll be honest, you don't have to worry about me competing with you for any of those things, even with better expiration dates.

---

Not interested hmmm? How about some Cucumber or Tomato flavored Lays Potato chips? :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-04_fpued8.jpg

I thought Malta Goya was the worst recreational beverage my flavor profile has ever tasted...I have a new winner: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suanmeitang
It tastes like rotting plums mixed with black liquorice and has a strong moldy potpourri aftertaste.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...g-2_zbytdn.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ang_mun48p.jpg
By contrast: a lot of my asian friends say that Root Beer tastes super bad...so I guess this must be a 'regional' preference...

Note: My gf is Puerto Rican-and she dislikes Root Beer and Malta Goya...after a quick examination-she completely refused to try this one...:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Not interested hmmm? How about some Cucumber or Tomato flavored Lays Potato chips? :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-04_fpued8.jpg

---

Now those sound okay. I'm both a salad lover & a potato chip fan.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

I had him out again today

No bites or strikes but was very fast.. similar to a hatchling Corn snake

He kept moving from hand to hand ( like Hamsters do ) .. but after a few minutes just settled down in my hands .. looking around and tongue flicking !

Very pleasing progress


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---

Hey Zinc...I think your idea for starting this thread is a good one, but I also think that it would be much better for the posts related to your new snake to have a separate thread, so that others researching those can actually find a thread about them (by title, also), because they'll never find the information in this one. Homebody would probably love a chance to split this off for you, hint hint. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Hey Zinc...I think your idea for starting this thread is a good one, but I also think that it would be much better for the posts related to your new snake to have a separate thread, so that others researching those can actually find a thread about them (by title, also), because they'll never find the information in this one. Homebody would probably love a chance to split this off for you, hint hint. ;)

---

Yes please

Go for it !


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Random funny

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6935a52142.jpg


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Since this is the random news thread:
I took out my trash this morning and I brought 3 bags to the curb. When I left my house this morning there were only *2* beside the street. Either a bear carried one off, or a tall bipedal rat took one...
Either way: I hope they like their dirty snake bedding, because that is what they got...:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Since this is the random news thread:
I took out my trash this morning and I brought 3 bags to the curb. When I left my house this morning there were only *2* beside the street. Either a bear carried one off, or a tall bipedal rat took one...
Either way: I hope they like their dirty snake bedding, because that is what they got...:)

---

:rofl: I hope they (whoever "they" are) at least gives you some positive feedback.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Since this is the random news thread:
I took out my trash this morning and I brought 3 bags to the curb. When I left my house this morning there were only *2* beside the street. Either a bear carried one off, or a tall bipedal rat took one...
Either way: I hope they like their dirty snake bedding, because that is what they got...:)

---

I've considered loading used bedding into a gift box and leaving it in the bed of my pickup at the mall in a not so great part of town to see if anyone would take it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

I've considered loading used bedding into a gift box and leaving it in the bed of my pickup at the mall in a not so great part of town to see if anyone would take it.

---

:D Along the same line, I've heard of ppl boxing up some dog-logs like a package that was delivered, & leaving it on their porch to cure the next "porch pirate". :rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zincubus

Yes please

Go for it !


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---

The posts regarding Zincubus's Japanese rat snake can now be found here: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...nese-Rat-Snake.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Homebody

The posts regarding Zincubus's Japanese rat snake can now be found here: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...nese-Rat-Snake.

---

:gj: Might want to change the thread title too (just at the top of the first post)- ;) It's a little confusing this way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

I've considered loading used bedding into a gift box and leaving it in the bed of my pickup at the mall in a not so great part of town to see if anyone would take it.

---

In my neighboring town you would come out of the mall to find both your gift box and your catalytic converter gone...:)

Saw this one today...hmmm...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...oil_xdblc9.jpg
Fun fact: Around the 1900's the state of Maine produced 25,000 gallons of skunk oil annually. (Source)

I would like to say this was the weirdest thing I found in an antique store today...but, it wasn't...lol...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Saw this one today...hmmm...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...oil_xdblc9.jpg
Fun fact: Around the 1900's the state of Maine produced 25,000 gallons of skunk oil annually. (Source)

I would like to say this was the weirdest thing I found in an antique store today...but, it wasn't...lol...

---

I'm almost afraid to ask...but what were they doing with skunk oil?

Um, never mind...your "source" link above was most helpful. :D Nice to know it has "minimal odor" but it really doesn't take much odor to turn one off...:puke:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Um, never mind...your "source" link above was most helpful. :D Nice to know it has "minimal odor" but it really doesn't take much odor to turn one off...:puke:

---

Yep, no Vicks Vap-o-rub back in the day...but, plenty of skunks...

In other news: My gf and I watch a guy on YouTube (Fleabitten Adventures) who visits flea markets and malls in my region and makes videos about them. My gf and I watch his flea market (only) videos because he looks at things we have zero interest in: it is entertaining for us to see the youtuber get excited over stuff we would not give a second-glance... One of his more recent videos was for a flea market we had visited a few weeks ago. While we were browsing at that particular market we had run into a guy who has a high-end jewelry booth (an off-shoot of his fixed storefront). When we approached the jeweller-his eyes narrowed and he commented that he remembered a guy that looked exactly like me-who 'heckled' him for years at a different location. I smiled and said nothing. His demeanor relaxed and he said that I 'must be related to that guy'-since it was 30 years ago. Still smiling, I replied: "If you didn't sell fake stones at real prices-I wouldn't have given you a hard time--old man..." The jeweller stared at me, turned pale, and then literally fell over backward like a fainting goat. My gf thought I gave him a heart attack. lololol He quickly picked himself up off the floor and rushed at me. I raised my fists and hesitated right before he hugged me. I didn't plan on hitting him or anything, but, 30 years later: I wasn't certain if he remembered we were still friends. :)
I thought it was neat that he appeared (only for a moment or two) in the YouTube video we just watched...an amazing coincidence...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Saw this one today...hmmm...
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...oil_xdblc9.jpg
Fun fact: Around the 1900's the state of Maine produced 25,000 gallons of skunk oil annually. (Source)

I would like to say this was the weirdest thing I found in an antique store today...but, it wasn't...lol...

---

Slight tangent but … what on earth is going through this women’s mind !!!!



Edit

By all means delete these photos if they are to risqué or rude .

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9cdd97f1a9.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...332665107f.jpg


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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8e99a8b4aa.jpg


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Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Since this is the random news thread:
I took out my trash this morning and I brought 3 bags to the curb. When I left my house this morning there were only *2* beside the street. Either a bear carried one off, or a tall bipedal rat took one...
Either way: I hope they like their dirty snake bedding, because that is what they got...:)

---

On that note … I use orchid bark / reptibark on all my snake vivs - its a dark brown colour but I throw the used stuff all over our gardens to keep neighbours cats away !!

I also throw any snake droppings over the gardens .

I got the idea from a wildlife program which showed that zoo keepers throw big cats faeces on their own gardens as its been proven to discourage cats ..


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Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

In my neighboring town you would come out of the mall to find both your gift box and your catalytic converter gone...:)

---

No cats on my diesel pickup.

We had snow here in Atlanta today. It's not unheard of but pretty rare. I've probably only seen snow about 4 times since I moved here in 2006.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

On that note … I use orchid bark / reptibark on all my snake vivs - its a dark brown colour but I throw the used stuff all over our gardens to keep neighbours cats away !!

I also throw any snake droppings over the gardens .

I got the idea from a wildlife program which showed that zoo keepers throw big cats faeces on their own gardens as its been proven to discourage cats ..

---

I tried composting my snake bedding one year, but, unfortunately I attracted the attention of swarms (thousands) of large beetles not too dissimilar to the American Carrion Beetle.
While the American Carrion Beetle is not known to attack humans...the ones I get defend their 'territory' by buzzing directly in your face (like carpenter bees). I'm in no mood for that. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rlditmars

We had snow here in Atlanta today. It's not unheard of but pretty rare. I've probably only seen snow about 4 times since I moved here in 2006.

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We’ve been snowed under/ iced over for over a week now .. its been below freezing for a few days and hit -20 in parts of the UK


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

We’ve been snowed under/ iced over for over a week now .. its been below freezing for a few days and hit -20 in parts of the UK


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---

That's four below zero in American degrees. I did not know it could get that cold in the UK.

Here in Wisconsin, temps have been roughly typical but we've gotten basically no snow. That's bad for winter fun, and bad for some local economies that depend on people coming for winter fun. Not great for plants that depend on spring soil moisture, too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Malum Argenteum

That's four below zero in American degrees. I did not know it could get that cold in the UK.

Here in Wisconsin, temps have been roughly typical but we've gotten basically no snow. That's bad for winter fun, and bad for some local economies that depend on people coming for winter fun. Not great for plants that depend on spring soil moisture, too.

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My area (mid-south) just got 6-10" of snow...want it back??? :rofl: It's been well-below freezing here too, for a while, so the ground is cold & this heavy wet snow will take a while to melt off, even while our day temps. are climbing back to the mid-40's for about a week now. I had fun shoveling my driveway yesterday & also part of my side yard, so my dog could go potty. I was dressed so warmly that I had to have some iced tea when I came in...:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

My area (mid-south) just got 6-10" of snow...want it back??? :rofl:

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Yes, thank you. Let me know when you'll arrive with it, and I'll help you unload. :P

Saw this in an antique store this morning:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_yybiqy.jpg
My gf knew what it was-I had no idea.
Looks like a flying saucer with evil tendrils-my first impression was that it was a torture device...I was pretty close...:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Saw this in an antique store this morning:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_yybiqy.jpg
My gf knew what it was-I had no idea.
Looks like a flying saucer with evil tendrils-my first impression was that it was a torture device...I was pretty close...:)

---

Looks like something off True Detective ( series 1)


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So what is it? Do tell? Looks like it's made to spin...:confusd: But that attachment makes no sense at all to me. Maybe I need more coffee...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

So what is it? Do tell? Looks like it's made to spin...:confusd: But that attachment makes no sense at all to me. Maybe I need more coffee...

---

It is called a Permanent Wave Machine. :) (link included)

They don't mention if Nessler's wife ever forgave him for burning her hair off? :O I'm not much into 'hair torture'...now I know why. ;)

Things hit a new low last night in a local hospital ( Oldham , Gtr Manchester) when a young female nurse getting to the end of a long shift in A & E .. . was viciously stabbed

Left with life changing injuries

So very , very sad


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Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zincubus

Things hit a new low last night in a local hospital ( Oldham , Gtr Manchester) when a young female nurse getting to the end of a long shift in A & E .. . was viciously stabbed

Left with life changing injuries

So very , very sad


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---

:tears: :please: So many bad things happening, they're hard to keep up with- not to mention, depressing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

They don't mention if Nessler's wife ever forgave him for burning her hair off? :O I'm not much into 'hair torture'...now I know why. ;)

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Well, he burnt her hair off *twice*...so she must have forgiven him the first time. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Well, he burnt her hair off *twice*...so she must have forgiven him the first time. :)

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Good point. :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

Well, he burnt her hair off *twice*...so she must have forgiven him the first time. :)

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If you're married to an "inventor-type", you have to be a very trusting soul...:rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

If you're married to an "inventor-type", you have to be a very trusting soul...:rolleyes:

---

No inventors here, only innovators...:)

In other news: My partner and I were out at an odd store upscale store over the weekend-they had both handmade and vintage items for sale.
They also had a selection of rocks and minerals.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...340_u2vwtm.jpg
As we were looking at the rocks: I handed one of these (below) to my gf and asked her what it was: (hoping to weird her out).
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...258_zrorfb.jpg
She just glances at it and says 'Human jaw bone' and continues looking around...
Ok...not quite-but, I was hoping for more of a reaction...(maybe shock even?-nope!)...oh well!
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...305_yr6hx8.jpg
Don't see these every day...:)

Hello!

I figure I would post here that I am very new and would really like to find other snake owners in the Northshore of Boston because I need a little help. Wondering if anyone would chime in to take some live feeder mice off my hands. DM me or like reply idk. (Also I want to make some snake /reptile caring friends!)

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FeedeZMice

Hello!
I figure I would post here that I am very new and would really like to find other snake owners in the Northshore of Boston because I need a little help. Wondering if anyone would chime in to take some live feeder mice off my hands. DM me or like reply idk. (Also I want to make some snake /reptile caring friends!)

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I think I spoke to you a few years back. I remember the same pitch (as above) and then the premium pricing.

I'm not interested in feeders (I raise my own), but, I would like to see photos of what sort of color variants you have in your *live* mice available (you can post those photos here).

And I thought this story was funny: https://apnews.com/article/new-hamps...ddfcab3294eb66
I could have resolved this issue in a day...:snake::snake::snake:

That poor animal shelter! Trying to keep all those "pet" mice! :D Yes, very easy solutions there for anyone wanting to breed their own snake-chow, but I'm guessing that was a "deal-breaker" to them? There comes a point where reality should begin to seep in...:cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

No inventors here, only innovators...:)

In other news: My partner and I were out at an odd store upscale store over the weekend-they had both handmade and vintage items for sale.
They also had a selection of rocks and minerals.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...340_u2vwtm.jpg
As we were looking at the rocks: I handed one of these (below) to my gf and asked her what it was: (hoping to weird her out).
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...258_zrorfb.jpg
She just glances at it and says 'Human jaw bone' and continues looking around...
Ok...not quite-but, I was hoping for more of a reaction...(maybe shock even?-nope!)...oh well!
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...305_yr6hx8.jpg
Don't see these every day...:)

---

We made our own for our kid’s teeth .. just adding them one at a time to a plasticine jaw .

If I find one whilst sorting out I will post a photo


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Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

No inventors here, only innovators...:)

In other news: My partner and I were out at an odd store upscale store over the weekend-they had both handmade and vintage items for sale.
They also had a selection of rocks and minerals.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...340_u2vwtm.jpg
As we were looking at the rocks: I handed one of these (below) to my gf and asked her what it was: (hoping to weird her out).
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...258_zrorfb.jpg
She just glances at it and says 'Human jaw bone' and continues looking around...
Ok...not quite-but, I was hoping for more of a reaction...(maybe shock even?-nope!)...oh well!
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...305_yr6hx8.jpg
Don't see these every day...:)

---

I love those kinds of shops/ stores and charity shops .. I go searching for suitable snake baths or water dishes or fake plastic/ silk plants for the vivariums


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Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

I think I spoke to you a few years back. I remember the same pitch (as above) and then the premium pricing.

---

Looks my local shop is up to $4 each for live adult mice. There I can waltz in anytime they're open, pay with a card, and pick up some other stuff at the same time. Maybe $2.50 a piece, ten for $20, for a private transaction?

Random funny

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c34cb657e7.jpg


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Some of you know that I collect Uranium glass items.
I knew as soon as I saw this one at an antique store today that I was interested:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ked_ojmkjy.jpg
I asked my gf where the black light was coming from to trigger the 'glow', and she couldn't find one.
I looked inside the lamp and there was no bulb either...Whoa!-lol...
I decided this one was a bit too 'hot' for us to have around the house...:)