A special addition

[EasternGirl]

I just learned that I will be getting a special addition to my snake family and I am very excited. I was looking for a roomie for Hermes and his breeder has entrusted me with the care of a very special snake. An Iowa Snow Plains baby who has some neurological problems is going to come to live with Hermes. He is very healthy but he likes to do things upside down! He sleeps upside down sometimes and apparently, also eats upside down. I am looking forward to caring for this special little fellow and observing the interesting way he lives his little life. I want to find a special name for him so I am hoping that my friends on the forum can give me some suggestions. Something that will honor his unique qualities.

[BUSHSNAKE]

hmmm, Marnie...good luck with this one...call him Tripping

[EasternGirl]

Oh come on now Joe...he is over 6 mos old and he is doing fine. He is perfectly normal except he likes to do a couple of things upside down. I think it's cute. He needs love and a good home and Jason knows I take great care of my snakes so he offered him to me. I wanted to give him a good home...he deserves that, doesn't he?

[aquamentus_11]

if it was a girl, I'd suggest Supine so you could call her Sue. how about Galileo because he's always looking at the stars?

[BUSHSNAKE]

Oh come on now Joe...he is over 6 mos old and he is doing fine. He is perfectly normal except he likes to do a couple of things upside down. I think it's cute. He needs love and a good home and Jason knows I take great care of my snakes so he offered him to me. I wanted to give him a good home...he deserves that, doesn't he?
yes...Tripping deserves that!

[guidofatherof5]

Call him Flip.

[EasternGirl]

I'm not calling him Tripping! Joe! I was thinking about Powder because of that movie with the albino kid...remember that movie? But I don't know if I like that for a name. I was also thinking about Gilbert...because of What's Eating Gilbert Grape? But I don't know if I like that name either. Were there any Greek or Roman gods who were handicapped or challenged in some way? I like Greek and Roman god names...

[BUSHSNAKE]

aww, i like Tripping:(

[gregmonsta]

I'd go for Topsy :D

[EasternGirl]

Well...I could call him Professor X or Lt. Dan (Forrest Gump). They were both handicapped...but could kick butt...I think Powder might be fitting though if you ever saw the movie. The kid was albino and a genius but misunderstood...it was a really awesome movie.

[BUSHSNAKE]

i remember that movie now....i didnt see it tho...is it emotional or sad Marnie?

[EasternGirl]

Both...it's one of those "feel bad for the misunderstood guy" movies. He is this albino kid who gets struck by lightening all the time and has special powers. He's really weird and a genius and he lived with his grandparents but they had him shut away in a basement and then they died and he was living there by himself until some people find him. They send him to a orphanage with all of these horrible boys who treat him like crap, of course. You should watch it. It's a tear-jerker though. It sounds far-fetched but somehow the plot works.

[aquamentus_11]

Vulcan was the Roman god of fire. He was crippled. Hephaestus was the Greek counterpart.

[EasternGirl]

Yep...I just looked that up too. But I was thinking that I don't want to call him Hephaestus...lol....that's a mouthful! And, Vulcan doesn't really sound like a good snake name either...makes him sound like he should be in Star Trek...lol. Maybe I should do like Steve did before and have a contest and offer a prize to the person who comes up with the best name for him. I just have to think of a prize...

[tress29]

I like Tripp!

[EasternGirl]

I don't really like Trip...right now I'm going to go with Powder unless someone can come up with something I like better. I might have a contest to see who can come up with the best name...

[PINJOHN]

Beelo.....As thats where his eyes usually are.... being upside down;)

[aquamentus_11]

you could give him a GI Joe-like name like Backstroke or Belly-up

[mikem]

call him nemo. and good luck with the little guy! :)

[EasternGirl]

Hmmm...I like Nemo...what do you guys think about Possum? Because opossums sleep upside down and they have pink eyes like an albino....

[Didymus20X6]

Smaug.

Trogdor.

Dovahkiin.

Gojira.

Fafnir.

[Selkielass]

Aussie.
Odin (He hung upside down over a well to gain wisdom. sacrificed an eye also.)
Flip.

[Didymus20X6]

Batman! He sleeps upside down too. Well, at least he did in the Burton film.

[katach]

How about Altüst. It means upside down in Azerbaijani. Or Naruby is Czech.

[guidofatherof5]

Aussie.
Odin (He hung upside down over a well to gain wisdom. sacrificed an eye also.)
Flip.

Hey, flip was my idea. :D

[EasternGirl]

Keep em coming...keep em coming...I can't pronounce some of them but they are good ideas :D. I'm liking Possum. You guys don't like Possum?

[mikem]

hermes and possum... partners in crime. :cool:

[katach]

Fritz, as in his brain is on the fritz.

[EasternGirl]

Oh..that's cute...I also thought of Ludwig...as in Beethoven...he was a bit off to say the least. But very special, and an important part of the world. Like my little snake will be.

[kibakiba]

Stargazer.

Stargazer corns are upside down mental snakies too.

[EasternGirl]

Well...the snake that I am getting definitely does not have IBD (star gazing). That is primarily in boas and pythons. However, Shannon had a snake several years ago that had neurological symptoms very similar to what this snake has. Lying upside down, eating upside down, etc. Her snake did not live very long. Now this snake, has already lived over six months...so I am hoping he will make it. I did some research on neurological conditions in snakes and the primary causes. I'm thinking when he gets here, I will take him to my rep vet and have him run some blood work and see if he can find any causes for the neurological symptoms that can be treated. If not, I will just give him the best life I can and hope he makes it. Little Possum.

[guidofatherof5]

Blood work may not be available since a large amount of blood is needed for testing.;)

[kibakiba]

Well, I was suggesting the name "Stargazer" Not saying he is/has the stargazing problem.

[EasternGirl]

So they can't run blood tests on snakes? Can they test CSF? I was reading about neurological problems and possible causes. Neuro problems are usually caused by congenital defects, trauma, viruses, or fungus...garters can have the neurological disorder caused by a fish only diet...but I know that is not the case here. I highly doubt it is a virus or fungus because the mother and other babies would most likely have been affected too. But the only way to determine that for sure would be blood work, analysis of CSF, or necropsy.

[guidofatherof5]

When I asked my Vet. about doing a blood profile on one of my garters he said that he didn't recommend it because it would be dangerous.
Required a large amount of blood.

[EasternGirl]

Hmm...and obviously taking CSF is dangerous. Well...I guess I can probably rule out virus and fungus because the other babies in the litter would have had it right?

[aquamentus_11]

not necessarily. nothing is ever certain, just more probable. certain parasites can also cause nervous symptoms. isn't he albino? i wonder if pedigree has anything to do with this.

[kibakiba]

Snow, but same difference really.

[aquamentus_11]

oh, what is the difference between snow and albino?

[kibakiba]

Snows are usually pink or white, I believe.. But I'm no expert on genes and such. All I know is that snows are pretty darn cute.

[EasternGirl]

A snow is conceived by mating an albino with an anerythristic I believe. So they are technically albino. But lighter. The snake that Shannon had was an albino checkered I believe, so it may have something to do with albinos. It wouldn't be parasitic because the whole clutch would be infected, I would think.

[aquamentus_11]

ok, cool thanks

[snakehill]

Good luck with him Marnie! I've worked with "challenged people" but not "challenged snakes" I believe he's found the right home!!! :)

[Light of Dae]

Snows have pretty much no pattern, where as albinos still have pattern. Marnie is correct on 'how' to make snows.

[guidofatherof5]

Except in Delaware. She can't make snow there. :D

[EasternGirl]

Little Possum will be the only snow in Delaware apparently!

[aquamentus_11]

is it going to be Possum or Opossum?

[aquamentus_11]

he's a little loopy, you could name him Murdock though i also like Possum

[kimbosaur]

You'll have to take a video for us once he arrives!! :D

[EasternGirl]

I'm just going to call him Possum...not Opossum...I mean some people pronounce Opossum with the O...I don't....which is why I am spelling it without the O. Yes, I will definitely make a video.

[Stefan-A]

I'm just going to call him Possum...not Opossum...I mean some people pronounce Opossum with the O...I don't....which is why I am spelling it without the O. Yes, I will definitely make a video.
Possum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possum)
Opossum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opossum)

[Didymus20X6]

"Poooosssssummmmms...!"

[EasternGirl]

Okay...so then it is incorrect to pronounce Opossum without the O? Does anyone know if the Australian Possum sleeps upside down?

[guidofatherof5]

Okay...so then it is incorrect to pronounce Opossum without the O? Does anyone know if the Australian Possum sleeps upside down?

They sleep down under :D

[EasternGirl]

Ha ha..okay...well, I did some research and apparently, neither opossums nor possums sleep upside down...that is a myth...but they do occasionally hang upside down from their tails while exploring...for brief periods...and they are nocturnal and like to hide...so the name Possum does fit.

[mikem]

here in the south we call'em possums. using opossum will get you some strange looks!

[EasternGirl]

Yeah...that's what I'm saying...I have only heard a couple of people say opossum...most people say possum in my experience. Speaking of...I once found an opossum that someone had hit with a car in the road. I was on my way to a larp and I was all dressed up. The poor thing was still alive and I couldn't just leave it there. So I wrapped it in my coat and drove it to the animal hospital. They of course told me they couldn't take it in because it was wild...blah blah. I was like "Please just euthanize the poor thing, it's suffering!" They kept saying no...So I told them I would leave it in front of their front door if they didn't do something. They agreed to take it and euthanize it. I can be very persuasive. ;)

[EasternGirl]

Spoke some more with the breeder and little Possum is doing well...he ate a large pinky last night. We discussed Possum's neuro problems...it seems likely that this is a birth defect. But he is close to a year old...and he is strong, so we are hoping that he will continue to thrive despite the neurological problems. The weather is a bit cold now for shipping...as soon as there is a break in the cold weather, Possum will be on his way to me. I have a 20 gal tank that I am setting up for him for a quarantine, and then at the end of that, he can go in with Hermes.

[chris-uk]

Just need that warmer weather then Marnie. I think Possum will be an interesting one to watch.

[EasternGirl]

Definitely...:).

[EasternGirl]

I just got word that Possum will be arriving Thursday morning! I'm going to work on getting his tank set up today. I went out and bought some plants and some hides and a water dish for him the other day. I also ordered a special lock lid for the tank to make it more secure, since he's so little. I just hope he makes it through the trip to get here okay. Everyone send positive thoughts out to Possum that he has a safe trip!

[aquamentus_11]

exciting. will need pics

[EasternGirl]

But of course...

[aquamentus_11]

you could put a little sleeve on him with weights on the ventral side. that might retrain him :confused:

[PINJOHN]

Yeah...that's what I'm saying...I have only heard a couple of people say opossum...most people say possum in my experience. Speaking of...I once found an opossum that someone had hit with a car in the road. I was on my way to a larp and I was all dressed up. The poor thing was still alive and I couldn't just leave it there. So I wrapped it in my coat and drove it to the animal hospital. They of course told me they couldn't take it in because it was wild...blah blah. I was like "Please just euthanize the poor thing, it's suffering!" They kept saying no...So I told them I would leave it in front of their front door if they didn't do something. They agreed to take it and euthanize it. I can be very persuasive. ;)
I was going to mention the problem of flea's with your coat,..... but then it struck me that even if the opossum was conscious he wouldn't mind as he already had flea's :D

[chris-uk]

Hope he gets to you safe on Thursday. :)

[EasternGirl]

Thanks...I will be a worried mom until then!

[mikem]

just a couple more days!

[EasternGirl]

So today was a good day :). Possum will be shipping out tonight...he will be getting on his plane this evening I expect...and arriving tomorrow morning. I went to the pet store with plans to get him a small ten gallon tank with a slide-lock lid for his quarantine, because the lid that I ordered that was supposed to lock down and create a secure lid on the 20L I already have turned out to be a death trap...but the pet store was having a sale on the terrariums with the slide lock lids just like I have Hermes in...so I got a 20L for the price of a 10 gallon! So sweet. And now, when I move Possum in with Hermes...I will have a nice tank for the new snakes I get from Steve later in the spring. I will work on setting up Possum's new digs today. I also found a place I can put the tank in my house. I bought some hanging plants, some hides, a water dish...Possum will have a nice little set-up. Very exciting!

[guidofatherof5]

Very exciting to all of us also.

[mikem]

good deal! everything's falling into place :)

[aquamentus_11]

want pics ASAP

[EasternGirl]

Got my tracking info...Possum is at the shipping station...ready to go. Getting nervous now. Of course, shipping probably isn't as stressful for albinos and snows...they probably enjoy the dark and quiet...probably think they finally found a nice place to hide. And Jason is awesome...takes great care of his snakes when he ships them...makes sure they are well insulated, warm...But of course, I still get nervous...I don't like to think about the poor little guy out there on his own. I just want him here...safe and sound.

[katach]

You get them from jason s.?

[EasternGirl]

Yes...that is where I got Hermes and where Possum is coming from...great guy...would recommend him to anyone! Really cares for his snakes, great to do business with...just couldn't say more positive things about him.

[katach]

That is who we are getting ours from. Probably a sibling of hermes. :)

[EasternGirl]

Oh no! That is too funny! When I said that she looked just like Hermes and that she could be his long lost sister! Maybe she is! Wouldn't that be awesome if we had sibling snakies? How old is she?

Here is the new enclosure all ready for Possum:

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[katach]

She is a summer 2011 baby.

[EasternGirl]

Yep! Hermes was born in July of 2011...Oh that is too awesome! We have sibling snakes!

[katach]

She'll be here tomorrow. He must have shipped our snakes at the same time. :D

[RedSidedSPR]

Lawl

[EasternGirl]

I guess so. Here are positive thoughts sent out for our snakes to arrive safely. :)

[katach]

Lawl
Dots that mean "laughing at whimpy losers"?

[Stefan-A]

Dots that mean "laughing at whimpy losers"?
Nope, it's just how "lol" might be pronounced as a word.

[kibakiba]

"laughing a whole lot" is how I've always heard it.

[chris-uk]

Laughing with a Southern accent?

On the snakes - so Kat's new addition is Hermes sister? Have I got that right? Nice to know where related snakes end up.

[EasternGirl]

Yep...isn't that cool? I saw a pic of her when Kat put one up and I noted that she looked just like Hermes...that she could be his long lost sister...turns out she is.

[EasternGirl]

Possum arrived safe and sound at 9:15am...he was a bit stinky...he had been musking all over himself...poor little thing. I guess he did not like his travels. He was also a bit freaked out at first...but friendly...and he really seems to like his new home. He is enjoying his hanging plant and basking under the red lamp so much...that I haven't been able to get any decent pics...here are a couple...the best I could do for now...he is hanging with his head upside down in one of them! I will get better pics later. I need some sleep!

42444245

[RedSidedSPR]

Nope. Stefan got it. Lol pronounced as a word.

Lawl

[RedSidedSPR]

Awesome! Glad he arrived safe

[kimbosaur]

Yay for possum! He's a cutie!

Question: Do they need to be quarantined even when they're from the same breeder? Or is it just an extra precaution?

[mikem]

love that first pic! arlready playing possum for ya ;)

kimberly - yea, it's still a good idea to quarantine just to be safe.

[chris-uk]

Possum is a good name from those pics. Look forward to seeing more later.

[tress29]

That is who we are getting ours from. Probably a sibling of hermes. :)
The Squints are all from Jason, but I just drove to his house to pick them up!

I got fuzzy mice from him (for the hognose) at the reptile show this weekend. He said he's got several gravid females so I put in my order for a checkered male. He'll have to grow up first, but there's plenty of room for him in the 75 gallon tank!

Question: How many males do you think I could house in the 75? I added a half log hide and some hanging plants. I'm working on adding more hides and cover, as money permits.

[InsanePirateDragon]

He's awesome looking, does he have a pattern at all? Or is he all solid pink, thats what it looks like from the pic.

[BUSHSNAKE]

oops

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice. Glad to see the shipping stress is over......... for now.:D

[EasternGirl]

He is solid pink all over..no pattern because he is an Iowa Snow Plains (T.radix)...the snows, from what I understand don't tend to have patterns...like some of the other albinos can...like my albino checkered.

Joe...what was that oops for?

[BUSHSNAKE]

i messed up my post

[EasternGirl]

Tress...in a 75 gallon? Garters? Good grief...half a dozen! I would think...

[RedSidedSPR]

I want a 75 gallon.

[EasternGirl]

I want a flippin reptile room!!

[InsanePirateDragon]

He is solid pink all over..no pattern because he is an Iowa Snow Plains (T.radix)...the snows, from what I understand don't tend to have patterns...like some of the other albinos can...like my albino checkered.

Ok, just wondering, the if the garter morphs had the same meanings as Leo morphs.

I as thinking he was going to be grey and white instead of all pink

[RedSidedSPR]

i want a flippin reptile room!!

yesssss

[aquamentus_11]

he looks awesome. when is that vest going to be ready?

[EasternGirl]

Lol...he is so interesting to watch. I will have to get a video soon so that you guys can see him in action. I can't even explain it really..you just have to see him...he slithers sideways and lifts himself up off the ground with his neck straight up and his head upside down...he flips all around the tank...and he is fast. He's bigger than I thought he would be...he is long...longer than a foot, but not much bigger than Hermes in diameter. He loves to climb and he will climb straight up out of the tank if I have it open. He is very alert...he will look right at me and come over to see me...but he is still very jumpy...so if I get too close, he will jump across the tank. When I hold him, he ties himself up into little knots like a pretzel and actually constricts around my fingers and hand. He ate half a large pinky tonight. Here is a pic...kind of blurry...but I wanted you to see him being a pretzel on my hand:

4265

[guidofatherof5]

Snake hug.

[aquamentus_11]

sounds like a cool little dude. hope he continues to do as well as he sounds to be doing.

[RedSidedSPR]

He looks rather... Interesting. Lmao cool. Glad he's doing well

[EasternGirl]

I do always have to have in the back of my mind the fact that I must be prepared in case something should happen with him. I have to remember that he does have neurological problems and that I can't really know just how severe they are or the cause..and know that he could suddenly pass on without warning. This is something I knew going into this. I did not go into this lightly. I knew that I although my hope is that Possum will thrive, and that the fact that he is almost a year old and made it this far is definitely a good sign, I must also know that there is also the chance that I may be giving him the best life I can for the life that he has left. All I know, is that no matter how long he lives...he deserves the best life I can give him. He is very high functioning...he can do everything on his own..everything a snake without neuro problems can do. He drinks normally..right side up. He finds the water dish...no problem. He finds his food and eats without assistance, no problem. He climbs, albeit, with his head upside down..but he loves to climb. He slithers..sideways, but quickly. He does tend to flop against the glass of the tank some...but as I said before, he can also find his way out if he wants out. He can may eye contact and is aware of me...he comes to see me. He likes to sleep hanging upside down in his hanging plant. He kind of reminds me of a very high functioning person with cerebral palsy...if that makes any sense to anyone. Only time will tell with little Possum.

[katach]

Congrats on the new addition!! I hope he does very well for you! I know you will do your very best for him.

[EasternGirl]

Thanks Kat!

[mikem]

looking forward to a video of this little guy! the pink possum :cool:

[EasternGirl]

I'm so excited and I wish this pic wasn't blurry...but my son took it very quickly for me, as I obviously could not. Possum took food from the hemostats tonight...and he ate right side up! He enjoyed some fresh salmon! He seemed to really love it.

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[aquamentus_11]

awesome. sounds like a good start

[RedSidedSPR]

What he said ^

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to see. You did good Julian. ;)

[EasternGirl]

Thanks...he is back up in his tree again basking...with his full belly. :) Like Hermes, he thinks he's a jungle snake.

[tress29]

Thanks...he is back up in his tree again basking...with his full belly. :) Like Hermes, he thinks he's a jungle snake.
Wendel, our coast, has decided he likes the hanging plants I put in their tank. I took a picture, but I never downloaded it from my camera!

[EasternGirl]

I need to make a video of Possum still but I keep forgetting to put new batteries in my camera...:rolleyes:

[RedSidedSPR]

I need to make a video of Possum still but I keep forgetting to put new batteries in my camera...:rolleyes:

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3154/doublefacepalmq.png

[EasternGirl]

Okay...I got a video...it was not the best video...it has some glare because I was making it through the glass of the tank...but I will get it uploaded to youtube and then post it in my Marnie's Snakes thread in a little bit.