Other pets (pics and discussions)

[Charis]

Yeah, if I were to get any other of the Rhac species, saras would be it. Still a bit out of my price range at the moment though.

[EasternGirl]

reptileherps...love the animal pics! Mike, I love ya...but you have some odd pets! :D. The roaches and the spiders...if they were in my house...even in a tank...I would never sleep. Just thinking about your spider pic last night got me all creepy crawly and I had to keep checking my room for spiders. I slept with the light on! Perhaps you should get a pet tuna instead. ;)

[mikem]

Remember Gizmo from the gremlins? I'm searching... :p

[EasternGirl]

Why Mike? Do you plan on getting a pet Gremlin next? Lol... At least that wouldn't make me want to pee my pants every time I saw it like a bunch of spiders or roaches!!! :D

I'm telling you...I had a chihuahua that looked just like Gizmo when I was little. When she put her ears up...she looked just like him. Her name was Binky...lol...like Chris's snake!

[mikem]

Well, I could feed it a bagel after midnight and never have to worry about food for my burms again! All the gremlins they could eat! Yep, that's the plan, lol! :D

[Invisible Snake]

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My coral albino boa

[EasternGirl]

Very pretty!

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/tank_face.jpg

[frankenspud]

Thought you guys would get a kick out of this crazy vivarium. My buddy's daughter turns 4 today and since she loves snakes, he thought he'd get her a baby corn snake. I gave him a hand and we went a little crazy "personalizing" the enclosure for her with a glue gun and a bunch of silk flowers.....she's gonna love it! Happy Birthday Alana!4979498049814982

[EasternGirl]

Very cute...it's always nice to hear of kids that like snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

So much to poop on.:D

[Invisible Snake]

Cute viv, just make sure the ornaments are snake friendly :)

[katach]

Cute!

[chris-uk]

I hope the snake is a girl too. That crazy work with the glue gun is enough to give a male snake a complex. :)

[aquamentus_11]

Yeah, if I were to get any other of the Rhac species, saras would be it. Still a bit out of my price range at the moment though.

i actually found some babies being offered for $150 by a guy in CA whose pet store/breeding projects were going under. unfortunately, they were all gone by the time he got back to me.

[guidofatherof5]

It's been a few years since we've had a baby Robin in our home.
My daughter Gabby found her under the front tree. The nest is too high up for her to be returned.
If she hadn't been found she would have been dead within a few hours.
She's on a heating pad and has already been yelling for food. We have plenty of worms and mulberries so she should do well.
I raised a Robin as a teenager, it lived with my family for 13 years and was my shadow.
Robins are a great bird.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/new_guest.jpg

[kibakiba]

Poor thing. I tried helping a robin that broke it's wing once, and it was healing... And then my mom decided that it'd be better off dead. It kind of made me sad.

[EasternGirl]

That's horrible Chantel. I used to try to save baby birds and baby squirrels when I was little all the time...but I never knew what I was doing and they never made it. I was always so devastated when they died. Of course my parents had no idea what they were doing so we probably weren't much help to the little animals. I'm glad that I have some knowledge now so that if my son comes upon an injured animal, I can actually help him to really help the animal. I'm glad you guys found the little bird Steve...I'm sure you will take excellent care of her.

[kibakiba]

Yeah, but my mom was on a lot of medication at the time. She had un controlled bipolar. So, some days she'd be okay with something, the next it'd throw her into a rage.

There was a chikadee that flew into our window and broke it's leg, and I was allowed to take care of her... But unfortunately, she had died from what I think was internal bleeding. She had been doing pretty well (as far as one could assume), eating and drinking fine, etc. And then one day she started having a chirping fit, which woke me up, and when I ran into my office, it went silent and she had stopped breathing. I really hate it when stuff like that happens.. But I like to think that her last days were filled with lots of warmth, food and water. I tried everything to make her as comfortable as possible. I'm not really knowledgable about birds though, I've never successfully taken care of one. I know you'll do a good job of helping the baby bird though! My experiences were with injured birds though, so that might be why my attempts failed.

[EasternGirl]

My mother found a little bird that had flown into one of our windows and died today...it was a sparrow or a finch...not sure, I didn't actually see it. Poor little thing.

[guidofatherof5]

I'm typing this one handed as my other hand has a sleeping baby robin in it.
These little birds have been in and out of my life since I was a child.
The next 48 hours should tell whether this one has a chance.

[EasternGirl]

That's wonderful Steve...I hope the little one makes it.

[ConcinusMan]

It's been a few years since we've had a baby Robin in our home.
My daughter Gabby found her under the front tree. The nest is too high up for her to be returned.
If she hadn't been found she would have been dead within a few hours.
She's on a heating pad and has already been yelling for food. We have plenty of worms and mulberries so she should do well.
I raised a Robin as a teenager, it lived with my family for 13 years and was my shadow.
Robins are a great bird.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/new_guest.jpg


i've raised them from pre-hatching to weening. fun birds. not too difficult to raise, for a songbird that is. "fallen" nestlings are usually the last to hatch or are smallest / weakest, and actually are pushed out of the nest by stronger siblings. this is normal, especially if there are more than 3 in the nest. putting them back rarely does any good. they just get pushed out again. he should do just fine on a diet primarily of minced night crawlers. theyll also do ok on baby food beef & rice with boiled egg yolk.

i had mine weaned completely by 6 weeks. yours looks to be about 7 or 8 days old. good luck!

[Reptileherps]

A lot of doves and sparrows build nests around/on our house. We have nursed a couple of doves and sparrows back to health before that have fallen from the nests. Unfortunately there have been others that we tried to save but didn't make it. There was one time when I found a baby Blue Jay(I didn't realize that's what it was at the time) and I picked it up. I should have left it considering it was big enough to run around, just not fly. I had it in my hands for like 10 seconds and then I heard some loud cries from above me. And I looked up to see the parents swooping down at me and they continued to attack me until I put the baby down and ran in the house. They were around for a few days after that as the baby learned to fly.

[aquamentus_11]

i never even thought to keep a robin. that is so cool.

[ConcinusMan]

A lot of doves and sparrows build nests around/on our house. We have nursed a couple of doves and sparrows back to health before that have fallen from the nests. Unfortunately there have been others that we tried to save but didn't make it. There was one time when I found a baby Blue Jay(I didn't realize that's what it was at the time) and I picked it up. I should have left it considering it was big enough to run around, just not fly. I had it in my hands for like 10 seconds and then I heard some loud cries from above me. And I looked up to see the parents swooping down at me and they continued to attack me until I put the baby down and ran in the house. They were around for a few days after that as the baby learned to fly.

jays and crows usually outgrow their nest before they can fly. if they are feathered well and can run, best to leave them be. mom will be back for them.

[Reptileherps]

Well I was probably 12 or 13 when it happened, and didn't really know that. I guess you live and learn though, whether it be by someone telling you or getting attacked by two very angry Blue Jays lol.

[ConcinusMan]

whatever works. :D

[guidofatherof5]

i never even thought to keep a robin. that is so cool.

They are an awesome bird. Very intelligent and loyal.

This morning I was awakened to the wonderful sounds of a crying baby bird. Uncovering the bowel she lives in I found a very hungry bird.
Gabby came a running and took care of her.
Here's a photo from 1976 of my buddy "Bird". I still carry the photo with me.
You can see in the photo his injured left wing. This kept him from flying.
I miss my buddy.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/bird3.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Squawk box.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/baby_bird1.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

*UPDATE*

The little robin is in trouble. Apparently she was injured(lung injury) in the the fall. I have a call into my Vet. for advice.
To be honest it doesn't look good.

[Invisible Snake]

Damn that's awful, I hope she makes it :(

[guidofatherof5]

The bird is suffering from a torn tracheal. My Vet advised it is not treatable in a bird that size and the fact that the bird is still alive means there is a chance it will heal itself. He said keeping it warm and feed is all that can be done.
She's actively eating and pooping so I guess things are as well as can be expected.

[kibakiba]

I hope it all turns out well, Steve.

[ConcinusMan]

yeah, i would tend to think that if the injury hasn't killed it by now, it might just heal. i've seen baby songbirds recover from some pretty nasty injuries (broken ribs / bones, lacerations, severe bruising) when i used to raise them for an organization called "project wildlife" in san diego. robins are pretty tough. hang in there little guy.

[EasternGirl]

At least if she doesn't make it she will be loved and nurtured for the time she has left...that is the best that you can do for her. I do hope that she can pull through this. My thoughts are with you.

[ConcinusMan]

you dont think that someone might have tried to shove food down there, do you? its just that i've seen people do that. people tend to think you have to do that.

[InsanePirateDragon]

Is anyone here familiar with tropical geckos, such as the Satanic Leaf tailed Gecko, before. There the kind I have really don't have any experience with and I have always been a bit curious about them.

I've occasionally seen pictures of people owning these guys and I just love the outline of how they look hiding in the foliage.

[mikem]

Good luck with the baby robin, Steve! Hope it pulls through!

[nitrogen15]

So much to poop on.:D

https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTcxvTneMHILH7a93fIQ3hmx8TucaF4G 0IcqjrKNZG4hvjivqRl

That tank is beautiful. Be sure to put a hide in there!

[ConcinusMan]

Roo-roo (Rufus) enjoying some long awaited sunshine

http://i45.tinypic.com/33vj3p5.jpg

[Invisible Snake]

Cute dog :)

[EasternGirl]

That is just too cute!

[ConcinusMan]

personality to match. He thinks he's tough and in charge, but jumps, winces, cowers and shakes in the corner at any loud, abrupt noise.

[EasternGirl]

Sounds a lot like my Chihuahua...thinks he's a pitbull most of the time. He actually doesn't act like a chihuahua much...he doesn't shake or hide...but he has the evil chihuahua side...he will bite the crap out of you if you go near his bone or try to move him when he is sleeping.

[ConcinusMan]

Here's mine. He's very weary of strangers and very protective of everyone he knows. He'll bite ankles / calves but only if you're walking away lol.

http://i45.tinypic.com/14xcnet.jpg

[EasternGirl]

I remember him. If mine is sitting on a lap...he will bite anyone trying to take him from the lap he is sitting on. If he is sleeping with me...he will turn into Cujo and attack anyone who tries to come near me...including my cats! He is very jealous. If I am working with the new baby snakes...he has to come and sit in my lap while I am working with them.

[Didymus20X6]

Does Rufus know how to copilot the Millennium Falcon?

[ConcinusMan]

The poms on the other hand, bark at first, then love everyone who pets them

[ConcinusMan]

Does Rufus know how to copilot the Millennium Falcon?

haha. He doesnt qualify. he's not hairy enough. thats why he wears clothes. he's mostly bald and has seizures occasionally most likely due to a genetic condition.

[guidofatherof5]

*Update*

The little Robin is still alive. Crying, eating and pooping all the time.
My Vet. called another Vet. and he advised the air trapped under the skin could be vented to give the bird some comfort.
I have done that a number of times and the little bird looks a lot more normal and I hope more comfortable.

[ConcinusMan]

Good news Steve. With each passing day, his chances of survival get better. I think he'l make it. Pin feathers should be breaking open soon if they haven't already begun to.

[Light of Dae]

This is a baby Emerald Swift I got for free, Lady thought it was sick n wouldn't make it in her care plus she was moving blah blah blah. I picked him up, he was cold, played dead. But I had done my homework(caresheets before agreeing to pick up this little guy) On the hour n a half long drive I held the little kritter keeper with him in the warm sun... It only took about half hour for him to move! He then moved all around n loved the sun.

Anyways I get him home n note that there is some shed on his face, so I start picking at him lol and I got a few good chunks off, at least the ones around his eyes. He seems just fine to me. First picture is with some of the shed still stuck. it came off easy enough. He changes colors! From amazing bright green to girly pink to red brown tp yellow. He's also got gold flecks all through his sides.
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[katach]

That is great Steve! I'm pulling for the little fella.

[ConcinusMan]

Looks like a fence lizard to me. I have a great deal of experience with spiny lizards. They're not exactly easy to care for. Lay off the mealworms, they're too fatty and cause impaction. Gut loaded crickets are best, or other soft insects. Basking spot should be around 95 F. ambient temp 70-80 so a big tank is needed. They absolutely have to have plenty of UV exposure and bright full spectrum lighting too or they just get depressed and deteriorate. If they are doing well, they will be very alert, bright eyed, and active, and will eat every day. If they seem lazy or depressed, that isn't good.

I would suggest a dry, loose, sandy substrate about 2 inches deep. They bury themselves in it at night. They tend to not recognize standing water. Instead, drip water in a shallow dish or on a rock daily and they will lap it up but try to keep the tank dry.

It appears that you have a rather young one there. Appears to be in pretty good shape. Probably just wasn't warm enough and/or didn't have proper lighting. Should perk up if you correct that.

[aquamentus_11]

great news all around. glad to hear the little robin's on the mend and that lizard is a nice pick up. did she catch it or does she breed them? the only lizards we had in michigan were skinks and i've never seen one in the wild, so i'm not much of an expert. now if you had a salamander or frog...

[guidofatherof5]

*Species Update*

When this little bird was found it had very few feathers and was basically under a robins nest. Hence, I figured it was a Robin.
As this bird feathers up and the fact a second, slightly older version of the bird has come into the house. I must admit the smaller bird is a
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) Common Grackle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Grackle)
I personally don't have good feelings towards Grackle as they raid the nest of other birds but they will be cared for here on the Ranch.
I wish one of them was a Robin but it is what it is.

[ConcinusMan]

well that's odd. it sure looked like a robin to me!

[guidofatherof5]

Its chest still needs to feather out but the head is too small and the lips are not wide enough.

[ConcinusMan]

i guess i should have noticed a bird with lips.:p

[BUSHSNAKE]

*Species Update*

When this little bird was found it had very few feathers and was basically under a robins nest. Hence, I figured it was a Robin.
As this bird feathers up and the fact a second, slightly older version of the bird has come into the house. I must admit the smaller bird is a
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) Common Grackle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Grackle)
I personally don't have good feelings towards Grackle as they raid the nest of other birds but they will be cared for here on the Ranch.
I wish one of them was a Robin but it is what it is.
Tank will take care of that bird:D...its just recycleing

[guidofatherof5]

Tank will take care of that bird:D...its just recycleing

I'm sure a few of my larger snakes or even a few large garter would be up for it but I think I will pass.

[guidofatherof5]

While I surfed the forum on my laptop I allowed Griffin (my son named him) to sit with me.
The first photo shows a quiet, resting bird. Photo #2 is a different story:D
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/grackle.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/grackle1.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

Tank will take care of that bird:D...its just recycleing

I was thinkin' it days ago but with my history and all, I figured I'd get lynched if I said it.:rolleyes:

Two grackles in the house, huh? They'll probably make excellent guard birds / burglar alarms when they grow up.

[Invisible Snake]

Hey Steve be careful with that robin I've heard birds carry a lot of parasites and diseases.

[guidofatherof5]

Hey Steve be careful with that robin I've heard birds carry a lot of parasites and diseases.

I'm aware of that but thanks for the reminder. Turns out the little bird is a Common Grackle.

[Light of Dae]

So... I have added a few more critters to my zoo... There was this pet store... It is a good one, the manager is very knowledgeable about all animals he brings in n makes sure they are taken care of properly. He even knew Garters do NOT eat bugs! He was unaware of the goldfish issues simply because he had never looked at bringing any into the store n therefor never done any research.
Anyways... Long store short my manlift course was ... canceled today so since I was already in the city I thought I'd stop by my favorite pet store... Get there and see a big closing out sale!!! :( I was sad to think one good pet store is closing (owners are retiring). There is a big sign saying EVERYTHING 25% OFF! Some items 50% Off(Will be marked) So me being opportunistic... Found a few things...

A female Banana California King Snake. Everyone at the pet store was wary of her cause she'd bitten almost everyone there at least once. I was fair warned.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/564322_10151682140600652_857980651_23988326_130688 6550_n.jpg
She hasn't even attempted to bite me.
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I love her belly, looks like she slithered through some chocolate!
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An Emperor Scorpion for my hunny as he had wanted one.
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As well a Chilean Rose Tarantula for my hunny, again he wanted one.
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Oh and these were all 50% off!!! I couldn't refuse them! I got a few other things like water filters, dog toys n treats and oh two BIG tanks! Each tank was $35 bucks(I should have gotten more... to clean n do up n sell for profit). They are bigger then anything I had. I saved $250 and spent $300.

[Invisible Snake]

That kingsnake looks great, I've always wanted a scorpion but never really got 1.

What do you feed the scorpion and tarantula?

[guidofatherof5]

Like hitting the lottery, not that I know what that's like.:D

[Light of Dae]

Both the tarantula and scorpion are hand tame (yes I know they aren't pets to hold all the time)... Although the scorpion got into a defensive mode when I was picking out today's empty crickets. Didn't strike or anything just poised at my hand every where it went... following it, watching it... lol I again was told she does this, But was told she's never attacked anyone, she just looks like she's going to..

[ConcinusMan]

sweet looking king! nice and clean.

[ConcinusMan]

Like hitting the lottery, not that I know what that's like.:D

Well, you did hit the radix jackpot in your own yard and finding albinos in the wild has about the same odds as hitting the lottery.:cool:

[InsanePirateDragon]

I swear, my luck with mammals lately has been sickening.

I have two cats(with id and up to date on shots), one big orange and white tom that weighs in at 13 pounds and is 13 going on 14
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i234/InsanePirateDragon/IMG_20111125_220834.jpg


And of course the snake hunter herself, this is the cat that brought Marley home and has harassed my poor leopard geckos.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i234/InsanePirateDragon/Other/IMG_20120314_185400.jpg


Now both are indoor/sort of outdoor mainly because of rodent trouble that we can have and they are really great mousers. Now we did have trouble with the tom when he was younger and getting into fights with other cats and coming back once in a while with gaping wounds that we either took care of ourselves or took to the vet to patch-up without much drama from him.

However little black thing came in last night with a quarter sized angry looking oozy hole and absolutely crazy about letting me even get a look at it. Its like riding a bucking bronco trying to hold on to her.

Right now its getting flushed with peroxide every couple of hours and if its still oozy or looking angrier she's off to the vet. I'm be worried that it might be a spiderbite, brown recluses are thick around here, and not the regular abscess that I'm use to. But it is in the right area for the cat bit abscess, right at the base of the tail.

And I would get a picture if she would stop wiggling like a crazy thing.

[Invisible Snake]

Aren't brown recluses venomous?

[guidofatherof5]

Very much so. Very dangerous.

[InsanePirateDragon]

Which has me worried and not having the cold winter that we usually had, bugs and spiders are just everywhere.

But right now she isn't showing any symptoms of a spiderbite and the area is tender but no redness and a touch of swelling. And the last day she was acting like rather prissy about being touched there, much like the tom would around his abscesses.

[ConcinusMan]

Aren't brown recluses venomous?

I'm pretty sure that all spiders are venomous. Just that very few pose a threat to people. Recluses aren't the only ones to cause nasty neucrosis either. I got bit by an aggressive house spider, Tegenaria agrestis. not normally dangerous but for some reason, they cause neucrosis in the northwest only. I had to be hospitalized.

Although envenomating spider bites in the Pacific Northwest often are erroneously attributed to brown recluse spiders, most such bites are caused by hobo spiders (formerly also known as "aggressive house" spiders).

http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/m0042059/m0042059.asp

[Light of Dae]

Both tarantula and scorpion eat gut loaded crickets. Bugs. This King snake has such a sweet personality I don't know how people got bit by her. .. She is a bit skiddish when opening her tank n getting her out. but she calms down in milliseconds lol

[Light of Dae]

I swear, my luck with mammals lately has been sickening.

However little black thing came in last night with a quarter sized angry looking oozy hole and absolutely crazy about letting me even get a look at it. Its like riding a bucking bronco trying to hold on to her.

Right now its getting flushed with peroxide every couple of hours and if its still oozy or looking angrier she's off to the vet. I'm be worried that it might be a spiderbite, brown recluses are thick around here, and not the regular abscess that I'm use to. But it is in the right area for the cat bit abscess, right at the base of the tail.

And I would get a picture if she would stop wiggling like a crazy thing.





Hobo Spiders : venomous - dangerous?








http://www.termite.com/images/hobospider.gif






Venom toxicity - although the bite of the hobo spider is initially painless, the bite can be serious. After 24 hours, the bite develops into a blister and after 24-36 hours, the blister breaks open, leaving an open, oozing ulceration. Typically when the venom is injected, the victim will experience an immediate redness, which develops around the bite. The most common reported symptom is severe headache. Other symptoms can include nausea, weakness, fatigue, temporary memory loss and vision impairment. In any case, first aid and medical attention should be sought, if bitten, as and when any adverse health effects are observed.Spider Identification - they are brown in color and the adults measure roughly 1/3 to 2/3 inch in body length and 2/3 to 2 inches in leg span. Their abdomens have several chevron shaped markings. Males are distinctively different from females in that they have two large palpi (mouth parts) that look like boxing gloves. Females tend to have a larger and rounder abdomen when compared to males.Habitat - they can be found anywhere in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. They rarely climb vertical surfaces and are uncommon above basements or ground level.


I think that is what got your cat.... This is the site I found it on, has a list of all sorts of spiders n bites....

Spider Identification Chart - Venomous or Dangerous? (http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html)

[ConcinusMan]

If so, I would see a vet immediately! Strong anibiotics will be needed or the cat could become septic. It only took 3 days for that to happen to me.

[Charis]

Don't know about everyone else's area but the doctors are fairly useless around here. We have lots of hobos, there are a fair number of them in my Grandma's basement and we used to get a huge twice yearly influx of them in the house I just moved out of. For the most part, they have been fairly harmless to everyone but my cousin, she seems to draw them. She gets bit almost everytime she visits Grandma's house. The first time she got bit three times on the face while sleeping and they swelled up to about dinner plate size in the morning. They rushed off to the ER only to be told, yes they are hobo bites and no, there was nothing they could do for it, to just go home and put ice on it. My Aunt wasn't satisfied with that, so dug out her natural remedies books and found something else to try, which is the point of this rather long story. Oil of oregano will take the swelling down and because it actually draws the venom out of the bite area, my cousin has never suffered any lasting injury from her many hobo bites. Grandma now keeps the oil on hand especially for that cousin and if anyone else should get bit while up there. The oil burns a bit and isn't pleasant itself to use but does work great. I'd imagine it would probably work on most other spider bites as well. Not suggesting that anyone not go to a doctor/vet for bites but it is something you can have on hand immediately in any case.

[InsanePirateDragon]

Hobo Spiders : venomous - dangerous?









http://www.termite.com/images/hobospider.gif





Venom toxicity - although the bite of the hobo spider is initially painless, the bite can be serious. After 24 hours, the bite develops into a blister and after 24-36 hours, the blister breaks open, leaving an open, oozing ulceration. Typically when the venom is injected, the victim will experience an immediate redness, which develops around the bite. The most common reported symptom is severe headache. Other symptoms can include nausea, weakness, fatigue, temporary memory loss and vision impairment. In any case, first aid and medical attention should be sought, if bitten, as and when any adverse health effects are observed.Spider Identification - they are brown in color and the adults measure roughly 1/3 to 2/3 inch in body length and 2/3 to 2 inches in leg span. Their abdomens have several chevron shaped markings. Males are distinctively different from females in that they have two large palpi (mouth parts) that look like boxing gloves. Females tend to have a larger and rounder abdomen when compared to males.Habitat - they can be found anywhere in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. They rarely climb vertical surfaces and are uncommon above basements or ground level.



I think that is what got your cat.... This is the site I found it on, has a list of all sorts of spiders n bites....

Spider Identification Chart - Venomous or Dangerous? (http://www.termite.com/spider-identification.html)

We don't have have the hobos here in Kansas luckily enough, just mainly the brown recluse and the brown widow (a black widow cousin).

But the good news is that this morning the hole there was no visible drainage and it wasn't so bright red tand didn't seem as tender as she didn't swipe or hiss when I was flushing it out, and she chased after the dogs which is pretty normal for her. But she's got an appointment for tomorrow morning just to be on the safe side.

[mikem]

Sounds like good news! Hope all goes well :)

[InsanePirateDragon]

And its a cat bite abscess! Nothing major to worry about. Nice and clean now and no more signs of pus. Got a shot of antibiotics to be on the safe side and to keep her in until the hole closes up. Not a problem since she's lost intrest in going out. She probably got beat up pretty good.

Black Kitty of course didn't enjoy the vet much. She's one of those cats where they need to get out the big black gloves to at least knock her out a bit to get a good look at it.

[EasternGirl]

Okay..a few things...first, PirateDragon...I'm glad your kitty seems to be doing better. Glad it wasn't a venomous spider bite. Second, if there were brown recluse spiders all over where I lived...I would be moving...immediately! I am afraid of spiders...as you all know...I am really freaked out by brown recluse spiders! I think every spider I find is a brown recluse...lol. Third..Richard, I knew I read something about house spiders being venomous! Finally...I want to thank Dae for the spider pic...my skin will be crawling all day! Does anyone know if we have those Hobos in Delaware? Because I am going to be seriously freaked out now...

Oh...and Steve...I'm glad the baby birds are doing well. Dae...nice new additions!

[InsanePirateDragon]

Its probably a midwest thing, we learn to live with them like we live with all of the flooding and tornadoes we attract.

But as for the hobos, I think you're good. I believe they're a northwestern species in Oregon, Washington, those sort of states so I think you're safe from the Hobos.

[ConcinusMan]

But not safe from Brown recluses, which are a bit more dangerous.

Ouch.

http://brown-recluse-spiders.net/brown_recluse_spider_bite1.jpg

But anyway, back on topic, luckily as scary as they look, pet tarantulas rarely bite, and if they do, it's no more serious than a bee sting. Same goes for emperor scorpions. Painful, but not usually dangerous unless you have an allergic reaction. I would keep an epipen handy just in case.

[tress29]

I bought myself a 5 gallon aquarium starter kit for Mother's Day! I furnished it by stealing items from our other tanks! I put my ADFs into the 10 gallon and took their mopani wood, gravel, clay pot, moss ball and anubis. I put the cartridge filter in there to help seed the tank. I ended up having to use the heat pad too, since somebody forgot to buy a heater!:rolleyes:

I took the thermometer and the potted undulata from the 10 gallon. I was going to use the filter cartridge from the molly tank to seed my filter but took the whole filter instead! Lucky they came from the same kit! I'm pretty proud of the low cost way I was able to equip this tank.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/tress29/5gallonfront.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/tress29/5gallonside.jpg

I'm gonna shop around for a few more plants. I'm getting a dwarf puffer, and they like dense plants to swim through and hide in. I'm headed to my fave LFS after church tomorrow to see what they have in stock.

[ConcinusMan]

So this is salt water? I always wanted to get sea horses.

[tress29]

So this is salt water? I always wanted to get sea horses.
No, dwarf puffers are freshwater. Haven't ventured into SW yet!

[guidofatherof5]

The little squawk boxes are growing and doing well. These birds are siblings(came from under the same tree and only one family of grackles lives their). They were being housed apart but the large one kept jumping in with the other so we left them together. More natural for them.
I took them both out for some fresh air and sun while I cleaned their home.
Both birds picked through the grass which was nice to see.
They also attracted about 30 adults who were mad at me for being so close to the little ones.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/grackle2.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

You know what a gang of grackles is called don't you? No, it's not a "murder" although that's probably what they had on their minds. It's called a "plague" (they are considered to be pests) These two will probably use this behavior to defend the human family against intruders when they grow up. I know that the blackbirds I raised did. They would dive bomb people that would come over. Better warn your guests!

[ConcinusMan]

Right after I posted that I went outside and found an adult female goldfinch flopping around on the ground under a niger seed feeder.(the one in my last bird video) She seems uninjured but won't fly. Poor girl. Too many cats around to just leave her. She probably ran into a window or something. I'll give her a few hours in a paper sack and leave her alone. Hopefully she'll snap out of it. Often, they're just stunned and recover.

She looks like this one:

http://www.kiroastro.com/images/critters/6897.jpg

[Reptiliancousin]

I decided to call my Viper Boa snake Raven. Fed him earlier this afternoon and shot the coolest video and also got some great pictures!
5117 5118 5119

http://s764.photobucket.com/albums/xx289/RebeccaT_photos/?action=view&current=DeathBySuffication019.mp4

[ConcinusMan]

You know, come to think of it Steve, if their mom is still around, it might be safe to let them go when they can fly a little. I kept a cedar waxwing nestling for over 2 weeks. When I let it out on the lawn after two weeks, mom heard the cry and came down and fed it so I left the rest to her. It had siblings that had just left the nest in a nearby tree.

[guidofatherof5]

Under consideration.

[ConcinusMan]

I mean, if you let them on the lawn near their tree and could see an adult respond and feed them, it's a good option. Mom's do recognize the call of their own babies even if they're missing for a while.

[Natrix]

Send them over here Steve. :D

[ConcinusMan]

That could have disasterous ecological consequences:rolleyes: It only took one idiot to release a few european starlings in new york, and look what happened.

[Invisible Snake]

If I were Steve and those birds were parasite free I would've fed them to my boas :D

[ConcinusMan]

he ^^^ went there :eek:

[guidofatherof5]

If I were Steve and those birds were parasite free I would've fed them to my boas :D

Great, now I have two crying baby bird to consul. They read that post:D

[ConcinusMan]

Well, the little goldfinch girl is still alive and is eating niger (sterilized thistle) seed. At least I know now that she's not going into shock. I think her left wing is broken. I'm going to leave her with my mom on Monday when I will be returning to Dupont. She will be taking her to the Audobon Society rescue in Portland on Monday. Hopefully her wing will mend well enough to fly. If not, they'll give her a home in an aviary where she will be safe. I'll post a pic of her later today.

[tress29]

Before:

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/tress29/dump5-12-12010.jpg

After:

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/tress29/eli002.jpg

It took two glasses of iced tea and one watching of How to Train your Dragon to complete it! I suck at feet!

[guidofatherof5]

Silence has swept over the Gilfillan house. Two little birds have a belly full of Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes with gravy. Had I known this would shut them up I'd have feed them this days earlier. The oldest one now flies to my shoulder when it's food time.
The youngest appears to be over her health concern. Looks like the air sack has healed up.
I hope both birds will be returning to the wild shortly but must admit it has been a joy caring for them.

I guess my feelings have changed a little towards these grackles.

[kimbosaur]

Aw, I was kind of hoping you'd keep them. Hehe. Guess they're better off in their proper home though.

[tress29]

I guess my feelings have changed a little towards these grackles.
Awww, they love you too, Papa Steve!

[guidofatherof5]

They definitely know me and my voice.
The oldest is capable of short flight. Enough to fly from its nest to me in the living room.

[chris-uk]

I discovered something interesting about the cat this evening. In the past I've occassionally left half a bag of maltesers not a table in the livingroom, and in the morning come down to find them scattered over the floor. I thought he just liked playing with them. I was wrong. He likes to eat them the same way that I do.
It's the only chocolate he likes enough that he will risk reaching into the bag to get one right in front of me, Char would tell you how big a risk you take trying to steal my chocolate. He sat on the arm of the sofa and 3 times he tried to reach into the bag, and got told off each time.
In the end I relented and held one out to him, and he started licking the chocolate off it (I eat the chocolate first, but I bite it off rather than licking it). Then he knocked it out of my hand onto the floor, jumped down, picked it up and dropped it on the doormat, where he held it down with a paw and locked all the chocolate off. When he was done with the chocolate he crunched on the inside.

I'm never leaving maltesers in a room with him unattended again.

[greene]

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/greene6/Mobile%20Uploads/GermanShorthairedPointerP4130205.jpg- this is nellie my german short hair. http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/greene6/Mobile%20Uploads/eastern_american_toad_440.jpg this is wart my american toad.

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking crew, Sam.
Nice dog and toad. How long have you had the toad?

[tress29]

this is wart my american toad.
Wow, how big is that toad?

[greene]

about 3.5 inches

[greene]

iv had it about a year and a half

[greene]

forgot the african dwarf frogs http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u438/greene6/eggs008.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

I hope both birds will be returning to the wild shortly but must admit it has been a joy caring for them.

I guess my feelings have changed a little towards these grackles.

It's a bittersweet experience. They grow up so fast (wild birds in general) and you get attached quickly. Once they are weaned and finding their own food it brings joy and sadness at the same time because you know it's only right for them to be free. It's hard to let go. Once I know they're getting enough to eat on their own, I let them go in the yard and they roost outside and learn from the wild birds, how to live wild. They usually will hang around all summer and try to convince you to feed them but you must resist once the last of their "peach fuzz" is gone from their heads. In the fall, they're gone.

I've had robins return the following spring as young adults. There's a glimmer of recognition in their eyes and mine. I know it's them when they follow me while I'm gardening, picking up bugs, getting very close and unafraid of me. And yet, if you approach and try to pick them up, they'll move just barely out of reach and yet not fly away. That's good. They are wild birds now. They know me, but wild birds are "look but don't touch". They don't forget you, and yet, there are rules to being wild and they seem to know where the boundary lies. Like I said, bittersweet.

[ConcinusMan]

Unfortunately, the goldfinch (Washington's State Bird) girl didn't make it through the night. :( Here she is, taken yesterday:

http://i47.tinypic.com/33aasdy.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry to hear she passed. Probably internal injuries if I had to guess.

[Natrix]

Nice GSP greene, I have the Hairy counter part 51385139

[ConcinusMan]

Sorry to hear she passed. Probably internal injuries if I had to guess.

I had a feeling it would happen. It seems like, the smaller the bird, the more likely that an injury like this will be fatal fairly quickly. Still, I had hope since she survived the first night and was eating the next day. I did all I could do. Kept her from becoming lunch while she was still alive. She went peacefully during the night. Now she is "immortalized" on the web in that pic. How many other birds can "say that" :cool:

I'm "glad" it happened in May. They don't lay eggs here until late June/ early July when the local thistles go to seed. No babies depending on her.

[EasternGirl]

I'm sorry to hear that Richard. Rest in peace little bird. You did the best you could and gave her a peaceful passing.

My dog is in his playpen since I am awaiting the arrival of my new snakes...he is crying and howling like a baby wolf. Geez!!!

[Natrix]

I had a feeling it would happen. It seems like, the smaller the bird, the more likely that an injury like this will be fatal fairly quickly. Still, I had hope since she survived the first night and was eating the next day. I did all I could do. Kept her from becoming lunch while she was still alive. She went peacefully during the night. Now she is "immortalized" on the web in that pic. How many other birds can "say that" :cool:

I'm "glad" it happened in May. They don't lay eggs here until late June/ early July when the local thistles go to seed. No babies depending on her.
Stress is the biggest killer of injured birds by far but like Steve said, suspected internal injuries cannot be ruled out. It's always a sad loss when a creature that you are caring for dies. :( Goldfinches nest early here - May/June. There is little sign of thistles growing at present but they grow a such a fast rate that by the time the young Goldfinches (Grey Plates) have fledged the thistles are begining to seed. ;)

[katach]

Greeny is sitting in his tank staring at me.
51675168

[greene]

what kind of frog is it?

[katach]

Pacific Chorus Frog.

[guidofatherof5]

Pacific Chorus Frog.

Love frogs.

[katach]

They are lots of fun. They like to sing to us at night.

[kibakiba]

McCroak loves to sing when Kyle makes a weird sound or when I listen to dubstep, haha!

[katach]

We were playing copy cat the other day. I yawned and the frog opened his mouth really big. I fake yawned just to see what he would do and he did it again we went back and forth for about 5min. It was cute!

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/tank1231.jpg

[katach]

Gotta love Tank!

[Charis]

Just arrived yesterday. Isn't this the best kind of box to open? Introducing Atari!
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/ef8b835a.jpg

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/567823d8.jpg

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/ffdb734f.jpg

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/89fc2350.jpg

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/2a5762f5.jpg

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/ebd1cece.jpg

[Charis]

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/fdf9760c.jpg

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/869039e9.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Wow. Love the looks of that.

[katach]

Beautiful!

[kibakiba]

Wowwww! I love Atari!

[mikem]

Beautiful snake! The orange is so intense! :cool:

[Charis]

Thanks everyone! I've been wanting one for around two years and finally was able to get him. I have a line on a female too, possibly. This is definetely a species I'm very interested in breeding down the road.

[ssssnakeluvr]

those are awesome snakes!

[ssssnakeluvr]

here's a couple new pets of mine.....

congo red alligator back scorpions (thats what they were labeled as... hottentotta hottentotta) 2 of them, they are parthenogenic, meaning they give birth to females, and only have more females....

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g302/ssssnakeluvr/DSCF6016-3.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g302/ssssnakeluvr/DSCF6018-2.jpg

and a pair of emperor scorpions

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g302/ssssnakeluvr/DSCF6035-1.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g302/ssssnakeluvr/DSCF6040-1.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Very cool Don.

[InsanePirateDragon]

Holy Shoot! That rat snake is just gorgeous. I can't stop drooling over it.

[aquamentus_11]

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai Bamboo Ratsnake/fdf9760c.jpg

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai Bamboo Ratsnake/869039e9.jpg

the color and lines are so clean, it doesn't look real

[EasternGirl]

Gorgeous snake! And yes...those kind of packages are the best kind of delivery! Cool scorpion pics!

[tress29]

All I got today was some aquatic plants.

[mikem]

Nice scorpions! :cool:

[guidofatherof5]

*Grackle Update*

These little squawk boxes are really growing on me. I took them out in the back yard today as it was a warm day and I though they might make some friends and return to the wild. I spent sometime with them then decided they needed to be on their own. I went back in the house but kept looking out to see how they were doing. At one point I could no longer see them and got worried. I stepped out onto the deck and yelled "where are you guys at"
I no sooner got the words out of my mouth when these two knuckleheads came bounding out of the tall grass in the shelter area. Both screaming and looking at me.
I can't believe I'm going to say this but "I love these little birds" As I type they are in their bowl sleeping like babies. They will be quiet all night until they hear my voice in the morning. Then the fun begins again.
These birds were named by my son Kale.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/thaddeus.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/griffin.jpg

[katach]

That is awesome! Those little guys sure are cute!

[Charis]

Here are some better shots of Atari's head.

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/1e9343b4.jpg

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/3ba3ab99.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Strikingly gorgeous.;)

[EasternGirl]

Papa Steve has new babies in the house! Nice pic of Atari, Charis.

[guidofatherof5]

I have a concern about Griffin. She isn't growing and for the last couple of days has been difficult to feed. Just a few moments ago she threw-up her last meal. She's also more quiet and sleeping a lot. All this isn't a good sign for little Griffin.
My concern is she was injured more then I realize in her fall from the nest which was a 25 foot drop.
There's not much I can do at this point. Both birds are back outside.
Thaddeus comes a running when I yell for him. He can fly but hasn't realized it. :D

[Charis]

Sending good thoughts Griffin's way!

[InsanePirateDragon]

Here are some better shots of Atari's head.

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai Bamboo Ratsnake/1e9343b4.jpg

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai Bamboo Ratsnake/3ba3ab99.jpg

Gah, I just can't get over how beautiful this snake is. You must keep posting pics of the handsome guy.

[Charis]

Okay, can definitely do that! LOL! I was actually going to apoligize for spamming this thread but my husband keeps taking such great pictures of everyone and I've been playing around with his camera and have to share.

[guidofatherof5]

Griffin just passed quickly and quietly in my hand.
R.I.P you little squawk box.:)

[Charis]

Sorry to hear that! At least the little squawk box was comfortable the last days.

[mikem]

Sorry to hear about Griffin :(

[katach]

So sorry about little Griffin. You made his last days bright.

[guidofatherof5]

Look what my oldest daughter found on a memory card. The long lost photo of baby Tank (probably 6 oz.)
The photo was taken 5/5/2009 which would mean Tank was born in the late Summer early Fall of 2008.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/babytank2.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/resting_tank2.jpg

[mikem]

Aww, such a cute little baby! They grow up so fast :D

[EasternGirl]

Steve...I'm so sorry to hear about baby Griffin. I know you did your best. You gave that little birdy much needed love and care. Rest in peace...little one.

[tress29]

My son took 11 pictures and only one wasn't too blurry. Guess I gotta get him to take my snake pictures too!

Meet 13, my dwarf puffer!

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/tress29/smpuff013.jpg

[mikem]

cute little puffer! :cool:

[katach]

Awwww what a cutie.

[thamneil]

Ah the wonders of working at a pet store. The other day, an elderly lady brought in a bird that she had found completely orphaned under a tree in her yard. The little guy was soaked and shivering when he arrived. Upon arival, this elderly lady presented me a box that she told me contained a baby bird. She was convinced that this was a chickadee or sparrow! Boy was I in for a surprise when I opened the box and found a duckling! So I have taken it upon my self to raise this young duck, who I have named Elliot, and integrade him into a local flock once he has grown old enough. I will try to post pictures to inform you of this progress. This shot is of when ducky arrived at Petland on Saturday.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/564184_10150987258239810_621409809_12189954_142451 0555_n.jpg

[katach]

Awwwwwww. He's soooo cute!!

[Invisible Snake]

Awesome looking duckling.

[kibakiba]

Poor little guy. He's so cute!

[guidofatherof5]

Keep us posted on this little one.

[mikem]

Such a cute little guy! Good luck! :)

[EasternGirl]

He's a cutie! Good luck with him and please keep us posted on his progress!

[mikem]

http://i.imgur.com/kyFUV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5Frt0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fFgXs.jpg

[EasternGirl]

Here is another pic of my chihuahua, Presley, sleeping with my cat, Boo.

5269

Hey Mike...how is Chip? Have any new pics of the little guy?

[guidofatherof5]

Those snappers do grow fast.

[EasternGirl]

Okay...that's too funny! You must have been reading my mind...you posted that pic just as I was writing my post asking about Chip!! Love those pics!!

[mikem]

Has Presley attempted to create a catdog yet? :D Check the post right above yours ;) He's doing great!

[mikem]

Okay...that's too funny! You must have been reading my mind...you posted that pic just as I was writing my post asking about Chip!! Love those pics!!

I'm in your head :p He was stretched out asleep in the middle photo and right as I push the button to take the picture he decides to open his eyes.

[EasternGirl]

Ha ha...they always do that..don't they? :D

[mikem]

Those snappers do grow fast.

Here's my weight progress with Panzer...
426g - 4/3
458g - 4/13
492g - 4/20
519g - 4/29
585g - 5/8
614g - 5/19

The little alligator snapper is currently 16g.

[guidofatherof5]

Here's my weight progress with Panzer...
426g - 4/3
458g - 4/13
492g - 4/20
519g - 4/29
585g - 5/8
614g - 5/19

The little alligator snapper is currently 16g.

Has Panzer had a fecal done yet?

[mikem]

yep, came back negative.

[guidofatherof5]

yep, came back negative.

Great.
Is the M.temminckii c/b?

[mustang]

what are you feeding griffin?

[guidofatherof5]

what are you feeding griffin?

Griffin passed away.
Thaddeus is eating anything we eat but he is partial to night crawlers.
For lunch today he had tuna salad.:D

He spent the morning out front. When I stepped outside I called his name and he flew right to me.

[mikem]

Great.
Is the M.temminckii c/b?

According to the guy I purchased it from, yes, but he also said it was feeding on pellets which I have yet to see. It loves nightcrawlers and chopped pinks. There were a few people that had them available at the Columbia, SC repticon back in March. All of the ones I had seen that day were almost black in color.. This little snapper is brown with hints of white, almost pink in the right light, on his skin.

[guidofatherof5]

I've never had an interest in them. I guess my heart belongs to C.serpentina.

I'm going to make a call and say Panzer is a female.;)

[mikem]

I love the ally! I can tell when he's hungry.. He sits at the bottom with his mouth open, waiting for something to swim by :cool: Way too small to sex at this point... just calling it "he" until I can think of a name. It's been over two months and I haven't thought of one yet. :rolleyes:

I'm going to have to agree with you. The cloaca is almost even with the shell. No signs of it dropping any further.

[guidofatherof5]

Thaddeus is making no efforts to grow-up. As I make this post my left hand is being used as a roost.

I put him out in the back yard today. When I went out to check on his he flew right to me and followed me into the house.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/spoiled_grackle.jpg

[abcat1993]

Wow I can't believe a thread I started 6 years ago is still going...
I would upload some current pics of my current pets but I can't find the cord that connects either my phone or camera to my computer right now. But I guess here are some horribly outdated pictures of my coolest reef pets:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/abcat1993/th_042.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/abcat1993/?action=view&current=042.jpg)
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/abcat1993/th_NewPictures202.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/abcat1993/?action=view&current=NewPictures202.jpg)
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/abcat1993/th_NewPictures080-1.jpg (http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/abcat1993/?action=view&current=NewPictures080-1.jpg)

[guidofatherof5]

Thaddeus has left the building. I guess the wild was too big a call.
Hope he'll come back and visit.

[ProXimuS]

Charis, I have to ask you: What kind of snake is that? Is it a type of garter? It's sooooo beautiful!
I'm slowly working my way back and looking at all the pictures of yall's kids.

5281 This is my girl Tppy:D

5282 Here she is the other day at my friend's house with her two best friends: Batman(cat) and Maggie (dog)

[guidofatherof5]

Last month 4/30/12 Tank weighed in at 13.53 lbs.
This evening 5/22/12 he's at 14.30 lbs
Looks like he's having a good growth spurt.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/1430tank.jpg

[tress29]

Tank's chilling in his hot tub!

[guidofatherof5]

Tank's chilling in his hot tub!

You are so right. I had just drawn a warm bath for him in that photo.
The was then served warm pinkies........ on a silver platter.:D

[chris-uk]

One of the things I love about garters is the people who keep them seem to really care about the welfare of their animals. On another general reptile forum I keep reading the argument between RUBs and vivs, and with royal pythons being so popular I frequently hear the argument that royals don't like living in vivs where they have more space. So you hear about people keeping adult royal pythons in 20l RUBs and claiming the snake prefers it.

I don't have any experience of snakes other than garters, but I know a few of you guys do keep other snakes, and I respect your answers more than the ones I'd get on other forums. So, is it complete rubbish to say that a snake doesn't like a larger viv? My instinct is that a royal in a larger viv and provided with adequate hiding places will be quite happy to use the hide, the fact that they spend most of their time in a small hide and not using the full extent of a viv doesn't (IMHO) justify removing their freedom to choose to leave their hide by keeping them in a box that is little bigger than a hide you would put in a larger viv.

Rant over. Feedback from royal/ball python keeper?

[tress29]

I kept a juvenile in a 20 gallon long aquarium, before we decided none of us liked him! What they do like is a sense of security. In the wild, they'd crawl down a burrow, eat the inhabitants, and then snuggle in to nap while they digest. I'd guess a rack setup probably most closely mimics that. Mostly what I've heard is that they appreciate a hide that fits snugly.

[thamneil]

Im not sure if they prefer less space or not but they usually seem to do better when housed this way. When housed in smaller enclosures, I find that picky eaters begin to feed better. They also become less nervous. But for animals that do feed, enclosure choice has never influenced them. I have an adult female in a 55 gallon that feeds weekly. Nothing can stop her! So I guess that it all really depends on the snake. I dont believe that smaller enclosures are always a bad thing but they are no excuse for proper husbandry. Too often, I see snakes kept in bins so small that they cannot thermoregulate. This is not fair or helpful to the snake in any way.

[ScimitarX]

We have a large adult female, that we keep in a large-ish RUB. She does really well in that, the moment you put her in an approriate sized vivarium, she refuses to feed at all. Back in the RUB and shes back to her perfect feeding routine. This is the case with many royals that we have dealt with in the shop, keep them in smaller enlosures/tubs, or failing that make sure they have a very tight hiding cave, as they really do prefer to hide in places that they have to really squeeze into.

[Steveo]

I've never had pythons but it seems like most constrictors are content to remain sedentary as long as they're well fed. I rarely see my kingsnake out in the open, she'll often spend 3 or 4 days after feeding hiding between newspaper layers under the carefresh. I still use newspaper so I can hear her moving around, but she doesn't move around often. Usually when I catch her being active she's staring at her smaller milk snake neighbors, probably plotting to eat them ;)

If my king or milks have a day when they're as active as a garter, that's quite unusual for them.

[InsanePirateDragon]

Well I have a new little friend for the moment.

On the way home found a young female Ornate Box turtle in the middle of the street. The little girl is no bigger than a baseball so she's probably a few years old, it'll have to wait until morning to see how old exactly. Now I'm no expert on turtles so it might get released somewhere away from any roads or people.

[joeyjoe9876]

Have expanded my collection from just garters to a nice little ball python. Picked him up today, and if it weren't for the fact that I didn't have any more spare enclosures I might have bought him a future mate :P Excuse the messy background I am in the process of moving.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/303378_3489108420583_1057637146_32625370_210612374 2_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/556095_3488750931646_240383669_n.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/joeyjoe9876/71adab6e.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/joeyjoe9876/79c6bbdd.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Niiice.

[Light of Dae]

Usually when I catch her being active she's staring at her smaller milk snake neighbors, probably plotting to eat them ;)

If my king or milks have a day when they're as active as a garter, that's quite unusual for them.

Haha sounds like my King snake, except my girl gets to stare at my Garter boys lol I find she's only really active when I take her out or if she's hungry. Speaking of being hungry... Last time I was holding her when she was hungry... she let me know.

**Damnit my pictures are missing!!**

Anyways... She bit me! My first ever snake bite. She latched onto the side of my middle finger! It wasn't bad. It just annoys me that my picture of my bloody finger is gone. She did down a huge fuzzy and a pinkie mouse... and was looking at me like she wanted another pinkie! But she looked full enough. lol

[mark cope]

Hello peeps,
I have nearly finished building Neos new viv, so I went to pet shop to get some furniture for it, and saw this
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u453/copey1975/Kellogg%20the%20Corn%20snake/2012_05260003.jpg
.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u453/copey1975/Kellogg%20the%20Corn%20snake/2012_05260005.jpg
.
http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u453/copey1975/Kellogg%20the%20Corn%20snake/2012_05260002.jpg
You'll hve to excuse the scruffy guy in the back ground.
But I still remembered to get the stuff for Neo too, so gonna move him into his new viv tomorrow,
Then get the timber to build a viv for Kellogg..(named him Kellogg the cornsnake).#
Mark
(my god this hobby is addictive)

[mark cope]

Lovely colours
Mark

[katach]

Very nice! Congrats on the new addition!
This thread will most likely get merged into the other pets thread, so if it goes missing you know where to look. :)

[katach]

Very handsome. Congrats!
If this thread goes missing it must likely got merged into the other pets thread. :)

[guidofatherof5]

I've never posted to this thread with an insect, so I guess there's a first for everything.
I received a call last week from a friend at my former work. He informed me that his wife(a teacher) had a group of Bess Beetles (Odontotaenius disjunctus)
in her classroom that needed a home or else they were getting the freezer. I knew they wouldn't take up much room and shouldn't be too much trouble to care for. The are wood recyclers.
I've always like insects, so here we go.
Odontotaenius disjunctus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odontotaenius_disjunctus)


http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/bess1.jpg

[mikem]

Very cool beetle! :cool:

[Wheat]

That's really cool. I'm hoping to expand into Balls in the near future as well.

[Charis]

Charis, I have to ask you: What kind of snake is that? Is it a type of garter? It's sooooo beautiful!
I'm slowly working my way back and looking at all the pictures of yall's kids.

5281 This is my girl Tppy:D

5282 Here she is the other day at my friend's house with her two best friends: Batman(cat) and Maggie (dog)

Cute furry critters! Atari is an Old World Ratsnake. Some of the common names are Red Mountain Racer, Thai Bamboo Ratsnake, to name a few. Can't remember how to spell the whole scientific name off the top of my head but part of it is p.coxi, the part that you need to know if you want to research them. There are a few cousins that are close to them and they often share the same common name. The coxi are the only ones that don't change color as they age.

[d_virginiana]

Great looking snake!

[Charis]

Here is a cute shot my husband got of one my juvi crested geckos.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/The%20Crested%20Geckos/c4306e92.jpg

And a few more of Atari that my husband took a few minutes ago. He was living up to the name Racer, LOL! But he did calm down after a few minutes.

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/4df8c4e5.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/fff9d8dd.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/0967c463.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/a3a7ff43.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Nice looking group. Thanks for posting.

[katach]

Just beautiful! That snake is gorgeous! The crested help gecko is adorable!

[EasternGirl]

All the pics of the animals everyone posted are awesome. My son thinks Atari is so cool looking!

[guidofatherof5]

This beautiful little female was delivered a few moments ago.
That is my youngest daughter hand. The turtle is just a little larger then a nickle.
A welcome new member to the Ranch.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/western_painted.jpg

[katach]

Awwww. So cute! Do we have a name yet?

[guidofatherof5]

Awwww. So cute! Do we have a name yet?

Yes. Lilo.

[mark cope]

Here is a cute shot my husband got of one my juvi crested geckos.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/The%20Crested%20Geckos/c4306e92.jpg

And a few more of Atari that my husband took a few minutes ago. He was living up to the name Racer, LOL! But he did calm down after a few minutes.

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/4df8c4e5.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/fff9d8dd.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/0967c463.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Thai%20Bamboo%20Ratsnake/a3a7ff43.jpg

Your rat snake is stunning .........I so want one of those:)
Mark

[Charis]

Nothing cuter than a baby turtle! Wish they didn't get so big though. There are newly hatched RES available all the time around here but I don't have the space, or desire really, to maintain as big a tank as an adult will require.

[aquamentus_11]

Hey everyone. I assume this is birthing season so I hope everyone's is going well. I've been avoiding all things herp for months while I've been studying for boards (1 week away :D). I'm not going to be tempted by the influx of incredible melanistics that I know are being born even as I type this, but I do have a question: how hard is it to get cb eastern hognose juvies to take pinkies and where would I find one? The westerns are cool and everywhere, but I have to be difficult. I like the coloration and facial structure of the easterns and have a strange predilection for herps/amphibians with ranges that lie within my own natural range. I've read that they're even more toad-specific than the other species. I've also read that adding rodents to their diet can lead to liver disease, so any experience with this is pretty much necessary before I go any further: feeding exclusively amphibians is not an option. Anyway, I'm obviously thinking of rewarding myself for all this hard work by allowing myself to try a snake again. Either that or Diablo 3. Info on either is welcome. As are pics of baby melanistics.

[guidofatherof5]

I think you would get more enjoyment out of a garter then Diablo 3 ;):D But then again I'm not a gamer.

[kibakiba]

Kyle (my boyfriend) and a few of his friends have it. His friend said there's only 16 hours of gameplay, so I'd go for something else.

[mikem]

I just hit 47 hours played on my Witch Doctor in Diablo 3 :D I haven't even tried the other four classes yet! Have you played the other Diablo games? If you just play through once, then you're only going to get 15-20hrs of gameplay. But Diablo is all about the replay value. Your character can level to 60, unlocking new skills and runes to play around with.. add in the random dungeons and loot, there's just tons of content in the game. Diablo has always been about grinding for gear to defeat tougher monsters to get better gear to defeat tougher monsters... If that's your thing, Diablo is the way to go. I'm seriously addicted to this game, lol! I'm on my way to unlocking Inferno difficulty!! :cool:

Eastern hogs can be converted to mice, but I've heard that feeding them a rodent based diet leads to fatty liver disease thus shortening their natural lifespan in captivity. I have a little female eastern hog that I'm donating to the Nature Center (http://wildwnc.org) here. They have the ability to feed her the proper diet needed to live a long and healthy life. They are going to use her for educational and display purposes. They already have a nice melanistic, so mine will also be used to show color variation.

Here she is:
http://i.imgur.com/afbgb.jpg

and playing dead:
http://i.imgur.com/RUnN2.jpg

[aquamentus_11]

she's awesome. it's too bad you can't buy f/t frogs like you can mice. some ancient snake pregenitor must have had those bilateral black patches behind its head because they turn up everywhere: Natrix, garters, hogs

i have played the first 2 games and i agree: it's all about the replay and doing things differently each time. the witch doctor and the monk are the reasons i want to buy it ;)

[joeyjoe9876]

The little guy is already eating for me :)
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/joeyjoe9876/46a573ea.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/joeyjoe9876/8c5a00ca.jpg
http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/joeyjoe9876/0d0fd944.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

That's great news. Glad things are going so well. Beautiful snake.

[guidofatherof5]

Here's Tanks bed the other day. I doubled over a cedar dog pillow and covered him with his favorite blanket.
The 2nd photo is after 36 hours of snoozing. I tried getting him up earlier but he would just peek out of one eye then go back to sleep.
The more I work with him the more I love him. I believe snapping turtle are very intelligent but are never given the chance to show it. Tank truly is one of the family and is treated so. He walks around unafraid and knows just where he's going and what he's doing.
I know him like a book and understand many of the different eye expression/body language he uses. Many of them are the same as when he was a baby.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//744/medium/sleeping_tank1.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//744/medium/sleeping_tank.jpg

[katach]

He's just amazing!

[RedSidedSPR]

I'm getting a hognose like next month. Been trying to find a damn reptile show but nooooo

[ProXimuS]

Here's Tanks bed the other day. I doubled over a cedar dog pillow and covered him with his favorite blanket.
The 2nd photo is after 36 hours of snoozing. I tried getting him up earlier but he would just peek out of one eye then go back to sleep.
The more I work with him the more I love him. I believe snapping turtle are very intelligent but are never given the chance to show it. Tank truly is one of the family and is treated so. He walks around unafraid and knows just where he's going and what he's doing.
I know him like a book and understand many of the different eye expression/body language he uses. Many of them are the same as when he was a baby.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//744/medium/sleeping_tank1.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//744/medium/sleeping_tank.jpg


That's adorable! Does he get free range of the house like a dog? I'm also curious if you know his age?

[guidofatherof5]

Yes, he has the run of the house but stays where the people are. He'll be 4 this Oct.

[Didymus20X6]

Has he defeated that lizard that shoots rainbows out of its back yet?

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/tank_is_friend.jpg

[tress29]

I'm getting a hognose like next month. Been trying to find a damn reptile show but nooooo
And you're too far away or I'd sell you mine!

[ProXimuS]

Yes, he has the run of the house but stays where the people are. He'll be 4 this Oct.

Wow only 4! I was thinking he'd be older. I guess he's got alot of growing still, if he's only 4:p

[Invisible Snake]

I read this on another forum and wanted to share it with all of you.

"The National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species (http://www.necis.net/) announced today that Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-New York) has introduced the Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act of 2012 (H.R. 5864), a bill to tighten regulations on non-native species deemed to be invasive:

This legislation would strengthen the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) ability to designate animals as "injurious," which cannot be imported or shipped between states without a permit. The legislation would empower the FWS to become proactive rather than reactive in its listing and restriction process, and stop harmful invasive fish and wildlife from ever arriving at U.S. shores.

[...]

For years, the federal government has come under sharp criticism for allowing the import of invasive animal species that cause damage, are a burden to taxpayers, or present safety or health threats. Examples include venomous red lionfish, originally imported for the aquarium trade and now invading the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, and Burmese pythons originally imported for the pet trade and now menacing the Florida Everglades. The bill would implement a new regulatory process to more rapidly evaluate risks of importing non-native wildlife, and restrict those species that pose serious risks before they are imported to the United States. Current legislation regulating animal imports does not require that animals being imported first be screened for invasiveness, for diseases they might carry, or for the risks they pose to human or wildlife health.

This proposed legislation will create a new FWS screening system within six years, while immediately giving the agency greater flexibility and authority to make science-based decisions regarding prohibiting or restricting live animals in trade. The FWS also would get emergency authority to respond to the animal and human health threats posed by the live animal trade, a known potential vector for pathogens such as the West Nile and monkeypox viruses."

[guidofatherof5]

He'll probably top out between 40-60 lbs.

He's originally from S.Dakota, I've been told the males up there grow big.
His front legs/paws have always been large for his body which is another indicator that he has a lot of growing to do.
A year from now he could very well be 30 lbs.
He'll need a different enclosure and those arrangements will be made. Whatever he needs he'll get. Except some female turtle friends.:D

[tress29]

Except some female turtle friends.:D
Aaawww, Dad! You're no fun! (This from the mom whose 13 yo son asked her last night if he was allowed to date:eek:)

[guidofatherof5]

Here is little Lilo(Western Painted) sound asleep on her basking rock. Then we have Tank(Common snapping) in a classic stretch position. This after eating 25 pinkies.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/lilo.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/tank_stretch.jpg

[EasternGirl]

I will be checking out the hognoses...if they have some...at the expo Mike and I are going to in PA next weekend. But alas...I will not bring any home...too many snakey mouths to feed already! An interesting little story...my son has a friend and her uncle just drove back from a vacation in Florida. When he arrived home...he found that a gecko had hitched a ride all the way back to Delaware inside his car. He will be keeping it as a pet. :D

[ConcinusMan]

I ended up hatching out about 1000 Pacific chorus frog eggs collected from puddles in the backyard. Most hatched in early April. The puddles dried up weeks ago but the ones I brought in and raised did just fine. In just about 60 days, those eggs are becoming little frogs and have been moved to an outdoor fountain so they can disperse across the yard as they see fit. And yes, some ended up as captive garter food but far more made it to be frogs and will go free. None at all would have made it had I not collected the eggs in the first place. Cute little boogers:

http://oi47.tinypic.com/257n2ts.jpg

http://oi50.tinypic.com/2dlursj.jpg

http://oi46.tinypic.com/1fzqr5.jpg

[katach]

Soooo freaking cute! I love the progression pics!

[ConcinusMan]

Not exactly progression. They hatched over a period of about two weeks and so I have them at varying stages. The first to come out of the water is only beginning. Some still have a ways to go.

http://oi46.tinypic.com/ddf77s.jpg

[Invisible Snake]

Will you be keeping a few as pets or breed some to produce feeders for your garters?

[mikem]

Box of hogs that sound like a box of vipers! :D Bad lighting and I couldn't get them to sit still for a good photo, so this will have to do.

http://i.imgur.com/pPKQ1.jpg

They're all normals except for the albino and the little girl escaping in the bottom corner is 100% het albino.

Right click - View Image for bigger picture.

[kibakiba]

Thos PCFs are adorable. It makes me miss little frogger. She was the tiniest thing I've ever seen!

[ConcinusMan]

Will you be keeping a few as pets or breed some to produce feeders for your garters?

No. I moved them outside now so they can disperse into the yard as they become terrestrial. I just collected the eggs to raise them for the heck of it. I knew the puddles wouldn't last long enough so I raised some inside, from eggs. Just so happens they also doubled as an occasional treat for my snakes but for the majority, they will go into the yard with the adults. I find big ones in the yard all the time. Back in April there were thousands of them breeding in puddles right outside the house. The sound at night was deafening there for a while.