Tyrion's Progression Thread

[sparky767]

Hi all! I figured I'd start out Tyrion's progression thread before I got behind! He's a Het Stripe Pied, born in October 2017. I fell in love with him instantly!

Here he is in his deli cup after I purchased him at the Reptile Super Show in Pomona!



Here is his initial weight (at around 3 months old)


With all the threads I read about finicky eaters, and enclosures being too big...I decided to follow Deborah's "My ball python won't eat - My BP is stressed - hatchling 101" thread, and I moved him from his 36x18x18" to a 6Q tub, like she mentioned. Still have the room humidifier keeping my office humid until I get him his T8 enclosure! His 1 week acclimation period will be up on Saturday, at which time I'm going to try and feed him. I'm going to hold off another week after that (2 days after his second successful (we hope!) feeding) to start slowly getting him used to being handled. He still balls up when I get close (it's only been 2 days - and no, other than moving him to his tub, I haven't handled him!)

Here's his new home until he's about 200/250 g.


And here are the two pics I took of him when I pulled him out of his deli cup



I'll be checking his temps twice daily with my temp gun to make sure he's being taken care of! Fingers crossed for that first feeding on Saturday!

[Aerries]

Love ur new noodle just a heads up that box u have for a hide as soon as he poops or pees on it, it’s then trash try getting something that’s non porous that can be washed rinsed and sanitized.


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[Godzilla78]

A couple years ago, I used cardboard boxes, and then just threw them out and got a new one when they got soiled. Eventually I found little washable hides that fit.


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[sparky767]

Love ur new noodle just a heads up that box u have for a hide as soon as he poops or pees on it, it’s then trash try getting something that’s non porous that can be washed rinsed and sanitized.


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Great point. I was actually going to try to hit Home Depot today to get the little plastic flower pot bottom for him! Thanks for the tips!

- - - Updated - - -

A couple years ago, I used cardboard boxes, and then just threw them out and got a new one when they got soiled. Eventually I found little washable hides that fit.


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Thanks for the info! I'm going to do that too, now, instead of the cardboard!

[sparky767]

Someone likes to climb his “leaves!”




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[sparky767]

First attempt at feeding after his week-long acclimation period was a success!!! He was chilling in his hide, with his cute little head poking out. He retreated inside when I opened the Enclosure, but I dangled the live rat fuzzy (16g) by the tail with my forceps, and he struck through the opening! Took him a few strikes, but he got him in less than 5 seconds!!





Poor little guy ate butt first, but he got it down! He tried sideways at first, but that didn’t work so he repositioned, but grabbed the butt. We’ll keep trying my little buddy!

Here he is with a full belly backing back into his favorite hide!



So, one week down, one successful feeding (so far!) I’m going to leave the room now that he has dispatched and swallowed his prey so he feels more secure.

He was 109g when I began his acclimation period 9 days ago. I’m going to give him another week before I begin handling him. I’m going to feed him another live rat fuzzy next Saturday (his feeding day!) and then give him until Monday or Tuesday before I take him out to weigh him again! After a few more successful live feedings, I’m going to try to change him over to F/T. We’ll see how that goes! I’m prepared to be very patient with him!

I’m so happy he ate! I was definitely very anxious about it all week! Checking his temps, keeping his room (my office) nice and humid for him (right at 50%), (none of that will change, I’m a bit obsessive about his husbandry). I’ve been pouring over all these forums, and all the fantastic advice and the awesome community have made me feel better, because I feel better equipped to care for my little buddy!

Thanks for stopping by to look!



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[ROSIEonFIRE]

Wow cool hide. Looks great!

[hollowlaughter]

One little thing: For the baby rodent's sake, please grip firmly by the base of the tail or more ideally, by the back/scruff if able. Elsewise, their tail can get degloved and cause them a lot of pain.

Plus, it makes it easier for them to strike and hit the head to dispatch and eat it quick.

[sparky767]

One little thing: For the baby rodent's sake, please grip firmly by the base of the tail or more ideally, by the back/scruff if able. Elsewise, their tail can get degloved and cause them a lot of pain.

Plus, it makes it easier for them to strike and hit the head to dispatch and eat it quick.

Thank you for that helpful tip, I will definitely do that. I have compassion for the baby rodents, I used to have a pet rat, so I genuinely appreciate that tip!

[sparky767]

I don’t know what he’s gonna do when he gets bigger Lol

Happy I got his tongue that time!!

2nd feeding on Saturday! Keep your fingers crossed!!!!


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