Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI

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Originally Posted by cletus

She's looking good! That reduced patterning is awesome...

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Thank you cletus. Behira's really starting to get very rich coloration. The reduced patterning is definitely cool too. On the flip side, I have Feliz, who's pattern is so incredibly sharp and he has amazing contrast. Opposite ends of the spectrum, but both beautiful.

She's already impressive, but it's going to awesome to eventually see her at size.

Really looking great Dave, really starting to to look more adult now,
That big albino looked nice too,there strength is just so impressive in larger adult boas

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Really looking great Dave, really starting to to look more adult now,
That big albino looked nice too,there strength is just so impressive in larger adult boas

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Thank you Rich. She's going to shed soon as well, I believe anyway. She's not showing signs at all, but she's due soon. Will be interesting to see her after her next shed and how rich her colors are.

Behira is definitely getting a more adult body and head structure.

Totally agree on the adult boa strength. Incredibly impressive. However, they seem to know not to abuse it. Even Behira is pretty good about that as well, but this big girl, was awesome about it; very gentle. Little Feliz, he will practically take my finger off, or at least cut circulation, just putting him down in his tank. He doesn't want to fall, and I understand that, but even at 165G or so, is WOW strong. However, he uses all of it! He hasn't figured out finesse yet!

Behira was being goofy today (pictures below).

Also, I spoke to Jeff Ronne today about something else, and showed him the pictures of the female BCI I held yesterday. He clarified, and so I want to as well.

He said if I feed large rats every 3 weeks or so, Behira could get that big. It would take time, but she would probably get that big. However, if I stick to mediums and feed every 3 weeks for now and then every 3-4 as she gets older, it will take her about 6 years or so (total - so another 4 or so) to reach adult size, but that size would be much less than the female pictured in the post above. He said you can keep a female perfectly happy and healthy at 5-6FT and 8-12 pounds. He guess the female in the picture to be 16-18 pounds.

He said if I want a happy and healthy female, on the small side, to feed medium rats and maybe an occasional large rat, if ever, and she would probably stay under 10 pounds and live a long time.

He told me about a female he had that he kept under 5ft and about 5 pounds her whole life. She lived about 20 years and was happy and healthy. He also said that more people are keeping their females smaller for breeding purposes. Not that small, but probably closer to 10-12 pounds than much bigger than that.

This is new information to me and I wanted to share.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/Ng1gO4V.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/zi9w9M1.jpg

That's interesting,think she likes your glasses Dave

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

That's interesting,think she likes your glasses Dave

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Likes them? She can’t stay off them!

it's not some great secret or anything, feed smaller meals, they stay smaller. That's how I and a lot of boa breeders I know keep males small and have for years - sticking to medium rats. There would be no difference for a female. Also if and when you do move her to larges, there's no need for every 2-3 weeks. Once a month should be fine, you are so on her, you'll notice if she starts looking too thin pretty quickly and can bump up if needed.
:gj:

Behira was wanting food tonight. She was ready to go! I used the hook to calm her down and take her out. Total puppy dog as usual once out.

I updated the hook training video thread I started a while ago with the new video: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...14#post2670814. Look for the 1-11-19 post.

The first picture was her when I took the drape off, ready for food. The other pictures were here a few minutes later, chilling with me.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/TTUZPL7.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/0TWx6tp.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/B1aMDBi.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/tJ2WiPr.jpg

I was off. Feeding day was this week. Behira was right; I was wrong.

She did not hesitate with her 110G F/T medium rat.

BAM!

Also, she had some bonding time this weekend with my niece, Meghan, who adores her. I think the feeling is mutual.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/zAIFrOK.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/K0RjK50.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/h2pCQjP.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/bWBtyvU.jpg

Your niece is getting a wonderful & early education about snakes. :gj: