The Future of my JCP's Color

I had asked in another thread about how I might anticipate my JCP's color changing over time. But I want to know more. I know, I know, I'm impatient. But I am curious.

My biggest question is, will the olive green/tan/yellow spots that are inside of the black someday turn to yellow, or maybe even bright yellow? Give me your theories, please! Here are pictures to help you.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...lowscales2.JPG

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...lowscales1.JPG

Thanks!

It does depend on the individual snake.. some brighten more than others. Mine is only a couple of years old, but her yellow has gotten significantly brighter from when she was a baby.

Here's Fern when I got her about 2 years ago I guess..

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...fernapr06b.JPG

And Fern in August.. I don't have any other recent shots of her.. unfortunately.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../Fernaug07.jpg

So, not all of the "muddy" spots lightened? That is what I am wondering. If the muddy spots will turn yellow or stay that funky olive green / brown / dark yellow color.

Thanks for the pictures! How was her temperment when you got her and how is it now?

i doubt the muddiness will go away... and it looks like the majority of your jcp's color transformation is likely over, judging by size and, in turn, age. i could be wrong though, you never know.

She still has 'muddy' spots, but the intensity of the yellow has increased quite a bit.

She was slightly nippy when I got her, but she's not much anymore. She does get testy when she's in her tub, but once she's out, she's perfect. I can let my friends carry her around their neck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kzooherpetoculturist

i doubt the muddiness will go away... and it looks like the majority of your jcp's color transformation is likely over, judging by size and, in turn, age. i could be wrong though, you never know.

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Apparently, our JCP is only 7 months old. He's about 2 1/2 feet but not big around yet, longer than our yearling BP but smaller around. Does his age sound right?

He seems quite large for 7 months.. I have a younger JCP that's probably a year old now (my computer nicely lost my records so I can't figure out when I bought him..) and he's not as big as your guy.

Hmmm... Well, he's the one from Craig's list and the woman said he was approx. six months old. Do you think he's a lot older or that she is just off slightly?

April, how old is Fern now? Can you post a recent picture so I can see how big she is? How long are JCP's when they hatch?

Here are the pics I posted before for size reference to me.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=58913

Judging by your pic from the other post, I would say is a lot older than 7 months. I know of very few that would take down a small rat at that age. Most of my yearlings would take down large fuzzies or small pups.

Having said that, I think your jungles color will probably not change much more than what it is now.

I don't know their length when they hatch, but he's quite a lot bigger than a hatchling.

Fern is about 3 years old I think.. sorry I really need to recover my records..

I just took this picture of her:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../fernJan08.JPG

Zeelow might even be more than 2.5' - up to 3', but a lot smaller around than Fern looks. The previous keeper said that they were not "power feeding" him, but they had gotten to giving two adult mice each week. That is why I tried the small rat. It looks like the equivalent of two adult mice in one. He took two so far, one at a time and a week apart.

I guess I'll never know his true age.

What time of year do JCP's usually hatch? Are they spring, summer, or fall usually? I know there's the whole "it just depends," but I mean, in general.

My carpet's yellow spots stayed about the same as yours. He's about 3 years old... Here's a pic.
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3614/dsc1447rn9.jpg

Mary, he's gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

I'll weigh Zeelow and get back to you guys.

I'm really not sure when most hatch.. I know a lot of other species hatch in mid summer.. July is common.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

He seems quite large for 7 months.. I have a younger JCP that's probably a year old now (my computer nicely lost my records so I can't figure out when I bought him..) and he's not as big as your guy.

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Can you post a picture of your yearling? How much does he weigh?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MPenn

Judging by your pic from the other post, I would say is a lot older than 7 months. I know of very few that would take down a small rat at that age. Most of my yearlings would take down large fuzzies or small pups.

Having said that, I think your jungles color will probably not change much more than what it is now.

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I wanted to give him a F/T rat pup, but the store I went to first didn't have them. I felt the small rat and thought it might be OK given that his previous keepers were doing two mice. When we got it out and thawed, I was worried it was too big. But he took it. Could we be feeding too big?

Also, Mary and Fern how much do your 3 yr olds weigh?

Here's Moss.. when I got him in Nov 2006.. he must have been just a few months old then. I lose track of time so easily. :rolleyes:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...lejcpnov06.jpg

April, how cute! Is that a picture from when you first got Moss? Can you send a recent one? You got him Nov 2006 or 2007? (BTW, I love their names - Fern and Moss!)

I weighed Zeelow - he was 276 grams (only 48 hours after a mouse, so it might be on the high side).

So you all think he's over a year old?

Makes me wonder - why would she not tell me that? :confused:

I guess, in the end, it doesn't matter. He's still a cutie!

I got him Nov 06. The pic is from when I got him.

I just snapped this one.. he's in a shoebox there. I guess he's really not grown much! He eats very well though.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../mossjan08.jpg

Thanks, Shelby. He's still a cutie!!