Snakes and Stones

[Lord Sorril]

Some stones aren't destined for perfection.
Photo #317

BP: 66% Het Clown

AI-help me out here:


Thanks!

[Homebody]

AI-help me out here:

I appreciate the reassurance that the Singularity is still a ways down the road.

[Lord Sorril]

So, with my inexplicable loss of two clutches this year and a general overall failure for many of my pythons to develop follicles into eggs this season-I have been searching for a reason (any).

Earlier in the season my water stopped running and I needed to have my well pump replaced (640ft deep).
As part of the well replacement I had to directly flush the lines for several days to remove any sediment stirred up during the process.
My water normally has 20X the recommended EPA 'acceptable' level of arsenic in it for drinking.
I have a big filtration tank in my basement to fix this, and after I re-established the connection to my filtration system-post replacement flush....I was wary that the level of arsenic may have spiked and oversaturated the system (as it is approaching the time period to replace the filter media). I know that what you don't know can hurt you...My gf and I have been cooking and drinking with Spring Water (just in case). I have so many animals that aside from the cats...it is not feasible to use Spring Water for all of them (including the snakes).
I had my water tested:


As I suspected: arsenic has been getting through my filtration system.
While it is only 4X a recommended dosage to a human-I am uncertain what impact it has to a smaller ball python: given that the water in the snake bowls evaporate and reduce over time: they may be getting a much higher dose...
After getting several quotes to replace the arsenic media: ranging from $1K-$2.2K (which is a disturbingly huge distribution). I am having it replaced next week, but, I think the damage is done for the breeding season...

[Bogertophis]

So sorry for your losses, Lord Sorril, but that's awesome that you shared this with us here- it gives others a heads-up as to what can go wrong- something they may not otherwise consider. I also hope the only damage for your snakes is this year alone.

[Lord Sorril]

So sorry for your losses, Lord Sorril, but that's awesome that you shared this with us here- it gives others a heads-up as to what can go wrong- something they may not otherwise consider. I also hope the only damage for your snakes is this year alone.

Sure, you bet!

I'm not certain if this is the actual issue or not...I have not noticed anything unusual with the health of my ball python collection.

Arsenic likes to bind to Keratin in mammals (hair, fingernails...etc), most animals can easily remove it in low doses. I have no information on ball pythons: hopefully it binds to the scales and is shed out...

I have glanced at highly technical articles that have mentioned that arsenic may interfere with the Homeostasis (balance) of Calcium in a mammalian body. If it is messing up the Calcium balance in my ball pythons this may explain why my follicles are not advancing. This is not to say that I won't be getting any more eggs this season...I see several females still developing eggs, but, there is a huge delay in formation time, and so far egg mortality is much higher than usual... At this rate I will be incubating eggs into January...

[Lord Sorril]

Photo #318

BP: 100% Het for VPI Axanthic + Clown
The stone in the photo above looks a bit rough...That is just an illusion.

[Bogertophis]

Photo #318

BP: 100% Het for VPI Axanthic + Clown
The stone in the photo above looks a bit rough...That is just an illusion.
....

Well, don't hold your breath waiting for criticism from anyone around here- That's a beautiful snake AND a beautiful stone.

[Lord Sorril]

Photo #319

Sandstone and a Double Het Axanthic/Clown.
A lot of people say you can't tumble sandstone because it is soft and porous, but, it actually tumbles great...
you just have to be prepared to accept the matte polish when finished in a vibe tumbler.

[Lord Sorril]

Photo #320

BP: Double Het Axanthic/Clown
Stones are mostly Crazy Lace Agate from Mexico.

[Bogertophis]

There's a lot going on there-