What kind of ball do I have?

Alright every since I got him I haven't been sure what kind of ball he was...Unfortunately I don't have pictures, but i will try my best to describe him the best i can.

The pet store claimed it was a Normal ball. I bought him in August and it was born in May. When i got him he was about 9-11 inches and now early April the snake is just about 3 feet (Roughly a 22in increase). The pet store that i get the food from tells me that he is growing amazingly since he isnt even a year old...and I was told that they would only grow about a foot a year...im hoping I have freakishly big ball.

But the real thing that fascinates me now is his color. As he has gotten older you can really see it. He seems to have the EXACT same feature as a Rainbow Boa...he has that rainbow color covering his head and all the way down his spine...looks amazing...wondering if this a hybrid kind of ball that I got luckily or is this normal...and the balls at the pet stores i have been to don't have this trait.

added pic of a rainbow..because it looks so much like that(except for the actual color of the snake), but only on the head and down the spine about 2-3 centimeters left and right. Like a stripe if you will.

Rainbow Boa

First off, this is not a URGENT situation. I will be removing that from the title after I post. Secondly, that is a Rainbow BOA and not a ball python at all.

get a pic of your "ball" on here but sounds liek they sold you a boa and not a ball

.......are you talking about iridescense?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridescence

Rainbow boas have alot of iridescense...hence the name 'rainbow' boa ;)

Ball pythons can show iridescense....nothing special or out of the ordinary.

Could we please see a picture that you took of your snake? You might have a reticulated python or a burmese. They can get to around 20 feet long... maybe that would explain the growth. Check out the "Giant Pythons" section of the forums. There's some pictures of those snakes there. What you're describing doesn't sound liek a ball python.

I think it's going to be very hard for anyone to tell you if you happen to have a hybrid/morph without a photo of YOUR snake. In the right light, I've seen a rainbow sheen on some BP's heads (including my own)...but that's not the same as a BRB's iridescance.

There is a photo at the bottom of his post, and it is a Rainbow Boa.

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Originally Posted by muddoc

There is a photo at the bottom of his post, and it is a Rainbow Boa.

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That's just a pic of what it looks like. :)

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

First off, this is not a URGENT situation. I will be removing that from the title after I post. Secondly, that is a Rainbow BOA and not a ball python at all.

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I know the picture i posted is a rainbow boa i even said that. I dont have a camera that is why there is no picture...I was just saying that the rainbow stuff on that snake is on mine...that is it.

also...is it supposed to be growing that fast...and please dont ask if it is a ball...i know it is...im not a little kid and can tell the difference between snakes...just wondering if i had a morph or something special.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

.......are you talking about iridescense?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridescence

Rainbow boas have alot of iridescense...hence the name 'rainbow' boa ;)

Ball pythons can show iridescense....nothing special or out of the ordinary.

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This so far is the only helpful guy and yes that is what my snake has...Iridescence.

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

I know the picture i posted is a rainbow boa i even said that. I dont have a camera that is why there is no picture...I was just saying that the rainbow stuff on that snake is on mine...that is it.

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That rainbow stuff is a type of pigment called iridophores, and many snakes including Ball Pythons produce them. They are most visible just after a shed.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

That rainbow stuff is a type of pigment called iridiphores, and many snakes including Ball Pythons produce them. They are most visible just after a shed.

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o ok so nothing special...i noticed it the most after his last shed so i guess that is it.

But his length...is that normal. 33-34in and turns 1 year old in May.

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

o ok so nothing special...i noticed it the most after his last shed so i guess that is it.

But his length...is that normal. 33-34in and turns 1 year old in May.

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I would say that it's about right, my male BP turns a year old in july and is about 25 in. :snake:
Oh, and you don't need to have an attitude with other forum members. Everyone was just trying to help you out. Your post wasn't the easiest to figure out since you didn't have any pictures of your snake. Just a tip. ;)

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

o ok so nothing special...i noticed it the most after his last shed so i guess that is it.

But his length...is that normal. 33-34in and turns 1 year old in May.

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Sounds a little big for a yearling, but not too unusual. Balls, like all snakes, will grow at different rates depending on gender, diet and genetics.

my bad guys...was getting a little frustrated because no one believed me. And were telling me that I had something else as if I knew nothing of snakes.

I wont happen again guys thanx for the help.

all BP's have the "rainbow" sheen to them. That is nothing special.....some just show it more.

It is almost without a doubt a normal good eating/growing ball python.

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

I know the picture i posted is a rainbow boa i even said that. I dont have a camera that is why there is no picture...I was just saying that the rainbow stuff on that snake is on mine...that is it.

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That was my fault. :oops:

I'm sorry I misunderstood your post. I think I'm coming down with my son's cold, and not as clear headed as I would like. I apologize for my mistake.

Ok, well I think we've gotten any confusion cleared up. :)
Anyway, :welcome: to BP.net, mricyfire! Glad to have you on board! :sunny:

Sorry if I came off as rude to anyone. :colbert2: :oops:

There is a company out there that make a vitamin additive for water or can be injected into your feeders, called nekton rep color. After the first shed and using this product my snake glowed with irridescense as you are describing. Would be better to ask people with more experience about the benefits/harms of this product. But everything i have ever read from some of the "experts" say that there is absolutely no necessity to add supplements to there diets. I discontinued use but in the first few months of use my little normal showed all the signs like you are talking about. Absolutely gorgeous but my snakes well being seemed more important than his looks, would also say that as long as your not power feeding your little guy his colors are coming from being healthy. And would also explain his rate of growth compared to some.

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Originally Posted by Fearless

There is a company out there that make a vitamin additive for water or can be injected into your feeders, called nekton rep color. After the first shed and using this product my snake glowed with irridescense as you are describing. Would be better to ask people with more experience about the benefits/harms of this product. But everything i have ever read from some of the "experts" say that there is absolutely no necessity to add supplements to there diets. I discontinued use but in the first few months of use my little normal showed all the signs like you are talking about. Absolutely gorgeous but my snakes well being seemed more important than his looks, would also say that as long as your not power feeding your little guy his colors are coming from being healthy. And would also explain his rate of growth compared to some.

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power feeding isnt something i wont do...a breeder i know of was talking about it and well just doesnt look liek a good idea to me...I feed him every week and his current feed is 2 small rats a week.

2 small rats a week is overfeeding your ball python. he only needs a small rattie when he's full grown!

i suggest you cut your feedings down to one prey item ;)

My ball has an absolutely gorgeous iridescent sheen after shedding. If yours keeps it all the time, that's great. ;)

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

2 small rats a week is overfeeding your ball python. he only needs a small rattie when he's full grown!

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It really depends on your definition of 'small rats'....LOL. Some people consider 'small' rats to be rat pups (approx. 15-25 grams) or weanlings (approx. 25-40 grams)....some people consider 'small' rats to be young adult rats (approx. 40-60 grams).

I have found that out of all the feeder 'sizes'....labeling something as a 'small rat' has to be the most confusing sometimes ;)

Mricyfire, do you know the weight of the rats you are feeding? How big are they in comparision to the girth of your animal?

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

It really depends on your definition of 'small rats'....LOL. Some people consider 'small' rats to be rat pups (approx. 15-25 grams) or weanlings (approx. 25-40 grams)....some people consider 'small' rats to be young adult rats (approx. 40-60 grams).

I have found that out of all the feeder 'sizes'....labeling something as a 'small rat' has to be the most confusing sometimes ;)

Mricyfire, do you know the weight of the rats you are feeding? How big are they in comparision to the girth of your animal?

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Wow, my 3 week old rat pups weigh 40 grams! I haven't had any weanlings to weigh yet, as they get fed off before they're weaned. And that with an average litter size of 14.

i think it's the good food we feed robin... cause my unweaned are a good size as well. i look at the ones in the pet store and can't believe they sell them... so skinny :(

Hmm...I have no idea how heavy they are I will find out when I get some more.

But i was told when they are trying to get out of their cage they are hungry...I used to feed him one rat and he was content, but a month later it didnt seem to fill him...He would eat it and go looking for something more to eat...so i tried two and it seemed to do it for him.

but yea i will try to get some weights.

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

Hmm...I have no idea how heavy they are I will find out when I get some more.

But i was told when they are trying to get out of their cage they are hungry...I used to feed him one rat and he was content, but a month later it didnt seem to fill him...He would eat it and go looking for something more to eat...so i tried two and it seemed to do it for him.

but yea i will try to get some weights.

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And sometimes that just means that they are stressed and looking for a means of escape.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

And sometimes that just means that they are stressed and looking for a means of escape.

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stressed or not, they will always look for ways to escape

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

stressed or not, they will always look for ways to escape

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This is also true - I guess my point is, just because his snake is active, does not always mean that it's hungry.

well im pretty sure he isnt stressed every breeder i have taken him to says he is very healthy...and he lives better than i do lol...for him it is the life of luxury. I watched him climb a tree it was awesome didnt know he had it in him...and watching him swim is good...so i think he is pretty active and not stressed. He only seems to escape when he is hungry..i have tested this by not feeding him. I guess he is so used to eating every week that he i expecting something.

But man i love this snake...coolest pet ever owned..(over dog, cat, bird, fish, anoles..)

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

But i was told when they are trying to get out of their cage they are hungry.

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You were told wrong ... lots of bad information out there ... unfortunately, it seems like you've received more than a little of it.

Good luck with your snake.

-adam

Yeah; when they are hungry, you can often see them hidden inside one of their hides with only their head sticking out, waiting for a meal to pass by.. moving around a lot is definately a sign of stress. Now, they will cruise their cages at night sometimes, but I am talking excessively moving around all day.. not normal.

Yep, they go "hunting" when they're hungry.... moving around a whole lot would probably be a sign of stress.

Here's a pic of my BP out "lurking." :P
http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...h_peekaboo.jpg

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Originally Posted by Fearless

There is a company out there that make a vitamin additive for water or can be injected into your feeders, called nekton rep color. After the first shed and using this product my snake glowed with irridescense as you are describing. Would be better to ask people with more experience about the benefits/harms of this product. But everything i have ever read from some of the "experts" say that there is absolutely no necessity to add supplements to there diets. I discontinued use but in the first few months of use my little normal showed all the signs like you are talking about. Absolutely gorgeous but my snakes well being seemed more important than his looks, would also say that as long as your not power feeding your little guy his colors are coming from being healthy. And would also explain his rate of growth compared to some.

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I use Repti-Safe by ZooMed,,it has electrolites in it and calcium.it rehydrates new arrivals and also takes the chlorine out of tap water.works great for all snakes and other reptiles.it is not expensive and lasts for ever,all u need is 2 tiny drops to 8 fl ounces of water.worth checking out , carmen got her appetite back after i started using it.

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Originally Posted by Reptile_Man

I use Repti-Safe by ZooMed,,it has electrolites in it and calcium.it rehydrates new arrivals and also takes the chlorine out of tap water.works great for all snakes and other reptiles.it is not expensive and lasts for ever,all u need is 2 tiny drops to 8 fl ounces of water.worth checking out , carmen got her appetite back after i started using it.

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It was just a coincidence that your snake got her appetite back after you started using the Repti-Safe. I've been keeping ball pythons in large numbers for a long time and have given them all types of water (tap water, well water, bottled water, etc) and it makes no difference to them. No special additives are needed.

Hope this helps.

-adam

:snake: Here are some pics of the rats that I feed my snake...Dont think the pics do justice on how big the snake is, but it will show rat to snake size. :snake:

This rat looks a bit bigger than it actually was...must be the angle

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2249/img2634cl3.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7959/img2642ql6.jpg

:taz:

So you're saying that both of those rats a week is a typical meal for your snake?! :O

One that size is more than enough.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

So you're saying that both of those rats a week is a typical meal for your snake?! :O

One that size is more than enough.

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lol seriously...he is so chill just slithering across his cage as we speak.

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

lol seriously...he is so chill just slithering across his cage as we speak.

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Was that an answer to Lawrence's question? :confused:

im not sure :confused:

BUT, one rat will be more than enough....

trust me sometimes i think my BP does things....but in reality, it doesnt mean anything


-adi

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Was that an answer to Lawrence's question? :confused:

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I know my question was poorly worded, but I have no idea what that response was supposed to mean. :confused:

Did you mean that your snake was content (chill)?

Young Balls will often eat as much food that is given to them, but that doesn't make it okay. Your snake will undoubtedly have problems down the road such as fasting, obesity, or liver problems if he continues to eat that much food.

o really...well i dont make him fat he is a big snake not as little as you may think. The breeders around here say he is doing great and is VERY healthy so personally I think im doing an okay job. I try to feed him every week...but on average it is about a week and a half. One rat seems like its not enough. When I used to he would lurk like the picture shown on page 3 or 4 showing that he was hungry and so I gave him another one day and now he seems content and every week expects something. I try not to feed the same day so he doesnt develop a pattern. Not sure if this matters like it does with dogs, but he gets alot of exercise (have him climb trees and stairs) But let me know if that is still to much I dont plan on increasing the amount...but yea let me know.

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

o really...well i dont make him fat he is a big snake not as little as you may think. The breeders around here say he is doing great and is VERY healthy so personally I think im doing an okay job. I try to feed him every week...but on average it is about a week and a half. One rat seems like its not enough. When I used to he would lurk like the picture shown on page 3 or 4 showing that he was hungry and so I gave him another one day and now he seems content and every week expects something. I try not to feed the same day so he doesnt develop a pattern. Not sure if this matters like it does with dogs, but he gets alot of exercise (have him climb trees and stairs) But let me know if that is still to much I dont plan on increasing the amount...but yea let me know.

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You're over feeding your snake.

-adam

no offense, but take what the big guys around here have to say....they have been doing their thing for many years. like i said before, i understand when bp's SEEM they want to eat or SEEM to excercise.....the fact is they just arent like that.when someone says "my bp SEEMS to cuddle with my other one". trust me on this....they have no feelings for one another...although some of us may want it to be like that :P

So from now on I'm just gonna give him one every week. How will I know when he needs more?

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

So from now on I'm just gonna give him one every week. How will I know when he needs more?

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He will be fine on one small/small rat once a week. He'll never need more than that.

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

So from now on I'm just gonna give him one every week. How will I know when he needs more?

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He want. I have girls that are 4X's his size and they put on weight and grow just fine on rats that apear to be the same size as what your feeding.

This is good info glad I joined this forum or I would have never known.

At least he is healthy for breeding in the future.