Update on Hatchling

[Jay_Bunny]

Well its been almost a month since little Rubii hatched out. It will be a month tomorrow. She still has not shed. We attempted to feed her a mouse fuzzy but she wouldn't take it. We did however find it dead in her tub. Not sure if she struck it and killed it (no blood) or if it just died because it was young. We are going to attempt to feed her again tonight. And yes, I'm sure she has not shed. She is still the same color (she got a bit darker last week, but she is still that color and she is showing no signs of going opaque).

I freshen her water every morning, so I'm pretty sure she's staying hydrated. I'm going to try pre-scenting this time and see if it makes a difference. I normally do not have to pre-scent since the snakes and rodents share the same room, but I'm going to give it a shot with Rubii. Wish me luck.

[tjones]

You know what they say..... PICTURES SAY A THOUSAND WORDS!!!!

WHERES THE PICTURES!!!!!!!??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jay_Bunny]

I'll take more pictures of her tonight. I actually want to get a picture of her belly and post it for everyone's opinion. Her father is a 100% het pied with markers and I'm wondering if a few markings on her belly that I'm seeing are possibly markers. Even if this little girl isn't a het pied and even if she isn't a girl (my first time popping a ball python) I am so in love with this little snake.

[tjones]

Ok i dont get the markings on het pieds, when people post photos and take pics of the bellys i dont know what to look for????

What do I look for????

[Jay_Bunny]

I don't think I have any belly pictures of Xefaud, my het pied. He has some pretty obvious markers. Markers for het pieds are normally the markings on the belly connecting. Hmm. Let me go snap a really quick pic of Xefaud's belly for you and I'll post it. Its easier to show you then try to explain. Haha.

[LGL]

Ok i dont get the markings on het pieds, when people post photos and take pics of the bellys i dont know what to look for????

What do I look for????

The lack of pattern on the belly (leading up to the vent) with solid black lines running on the edges of the belly:

Sorry for the poor quality picture. It was taken in like 2005.

Notice how the belly pattern stops as the black outline starts.

[Jay_Bunny]

Here is Xefaud's marker.

[Jay_Bunny]

Ok, here are a few pictures of Rubii. Now looking at Xefaud's marker, I don't think she has a marker, but only breeding her will tell if she's het or not.

[Seneschal]

Well, I don't know anything about feeding or shedding babies, but I will say that Rubii is SO CUTE! I love her name. And she has a really clear belly for a normal/poss het, doesn't she? Either way, I really hope she sheds and starts feeding for you! I'm glad to see her. She looks healthy to me.
Good luck!
Seneschal <3

[Jay_Bunny]

Thanks. My older sister named her. July's birthstone is a ruby so we named her that with a twist. She's not incredibly head shy and as you can see, she is definitely a "ball" python. Its so cute when she forms her little ball. She looks like a brown baseball.