Shannon's Snakes Photo Thread

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

So, I like the idea of having one thread for all my garter pictures and updates, etc. So I will be posting the vast majority of photos here now! Here are some photos of recent arrivals as well as some snakes that are growing up fast!

These photo's were not taken with my camera, seeing my charger is missing. therefore, they will not be as high quality!

first... the BUTLERS ARRIVED TODAY!!! oh so precious and CUTE!! Kyle sent me 5 of them... and they turned out to be the perfect ratio... 2 boys 3 girls!!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673005.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673013.jpg

And here are my Eatern Blacknecks from Joanna! theyre smokin! the picture of both of them together is the only picture that comes close to capturing their colors.. the others are washed out.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673056.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673060.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673068.jpg

Kyle also sent me this adult pair of Radix... for just the shipping cost! He wants me to get them feeding consistently... they are mine to keep, but if they produce this year he gets 4 babies! Pretty awesome deal if you ask me!
the female:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673185.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673194.jpg


The male:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673198.jpg

My female Similis from scott just shed... she sure is blue for being so little!
oh did i mention she's vicious?!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673083.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673087.jpg

My Fitchii are growing FAST!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673106.jpg

you can hear her saying "look at me, im SO pretty"
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673112.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

here's the female flame... her name's Orangeness!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673134.jpg

and heres the male flame... His name is Orangetime, even though he is red.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673139.jpg

here's one of the high black concinnus, the one with the most red
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673156.jpg

here's the female Fitchii again!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673164.jpg

here's Bluebie, my female Puget
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673176.jpg

There's the hypo in shed and dull, and Marigold peeking!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673203.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Here's my female Striped keelback (aka indonesian "garter") Xenochrophis Vittatus, not a garter at all... but oh so gartery in her ways!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673209.jpg

my male northern water snake
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673219.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673220.jpg

And his new girlfriend!!!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673224.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/38673226.jpg

[ssssnakeluvr]

Nice photos!!!! nice plains......female looks pretty big!!!!

[Hornets23]

Awesome snakes shannon. I got a similis from Scott too and its not nearly as blue....but, the green color is so awesome that i am kind of hoping it stays that way.

[Snaky]

Very nice snakes, Shannon :)

[bsol]

awesome!
Do you think you can get that male northern up to breeding size by next spring to have some babies by next fall?
Or do you have other plans for that northern 1.1 combination?

[Odie]

Totaly awesome snakes Shannon :)
You keep making me jealous showing them pretty garter pictures :o
LOL ;)

[garterchick]

very nice snakes and great pictures, shannon. is that the pair of radix i sold to kyle earlier this year? wonder why they're not eating?

[jitami]

Very nice Shannon! That Radix girl looks huge and your similis baby is gorgeous! I think she's the prettiest I've seen :)

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow those snakes are beautiful:D

[memnoch1970]

nice collection, i know we kind of got off on the wrong foot. but i see you have watersnakes. i have 5 babies left over from a previous breeding project . anyway im looking to give them good homes. there very tame, dont try to bite or spray. eat very well. id like to sell them all at one time. im only asking 50.00$ for all 5 including shipping. they sell on kingsnake for about 15.00$ a piece. heres some pics.... oh yeah there florida banded watersnakes.http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s228/memnoch1970/IMG_0810.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s228/memnoch1970/IMG_0811.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s228/memnoch1970/IMG_0800.jpg
thanks, memnoch1970@yahoo.com

[Lori P]

Shannon, love all your pics as always! I can't even pick a favorite out of this group!!

[memnoch1970]

shannon check your pm box:cool::cool::cool:

[memnoch1970]

check it again lol lol . i want some of your snakes.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

hey shannon, i dont think those are fitchi (i might be wrong) but ive never seen a fitchi with a full red head, looks like a red spotted garter mixed with something else, the side markings just dont look fitchi like
Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi - Valley Gartersnake (http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/t.s.fitchi.html)

oh and once again i love ur puget female, have u found a male yet? and how big is she?

[ssssnakeluvr]

I had a male from Idaho with a complete red head....I'd say fitchi...red spots have no side stripe, black going to blue bellies...

[Loren]

I was thinking the same as Reed, and my peterson field guide lists head colors of black brown or dark grey. Not that it couldnt be wrong. Ca.herps says they might have "some red of sides of heads" Very nice either way, but I was thinking maybe they came from near where infernalis range meets fitchi range, and have some infernalis influence.
Don, maybe this is a locality thing ?

[ssssnakeluvr]

could be.....but pretty much every fitchi I have caught has red on the head......

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Just as every other species of garter varies greatly.. ther is no reason my fitchii cannot have red heads. Scott felzer held these himself at daytona and agreen with me that they are true fitchii.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Well saturday at hamburg... I was proud of myself... I was really really choosy about which snakes I was interested in and which I passed on. I also sold over half of what i took with me... including my pyromelana, both hatchling corns that I took, a couple FL blue garter babies, two ball pythons (my black back pair), The adult Dumeril's, an adult female corn, the pine, and just some other random stuff.
However... some snakes DID catch my eye and got to come home.. but they are way more in my focal point of snakes I REALLY enjoy keeping and hope to make more popular. The only one I don't have a pic of is a little eastern ribbon... she was too shy so I decided to leave her be!
Snatched this nice pair of house snakes at the beginning... the female looks like she has a clutch of eggs on the way. They are both flawless, fat, and the male is now in shed... but i got to see him just before he went into it and he is a lovely bright orangey color!
Here's the male
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/357026.jpg
The male with the female (he is in shed so hes ugly)
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/357024.jpg
The female is a good size... here she is next to my shiny new sexing probes... (yes... I can probe snakes now! I am officially a snake sexing machine! yay!)
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/357023.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/357020.jpg
Heres a baby female King Rat snake,, captive bred, possible het amel, and eating great! This is Ra's future girlfriend... isn't it amazing the color change they go through...? she looks NOTHING like a king rat haha!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/357032.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/357034.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

King rat hatchlings are BIG...
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/357036.jpg
Next is Casper... this is a 6 foot (possibly longer) Cave dwelling rat snake. Me and my boyfriend were both stopped in our tracks by him, it was kind of like the first time I saw Ra.... had to have him.. couldn't stop visting him... was not leaving without him.. I ended up getting him in the same fashion... traded a pair of BP's and some cash for him! He has so many subtle colors!
here he is with Eddie.... he is EXTREMELY docile.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/357011.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/357003.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/357016.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/357018.jpg

Now..best for last...the garters! I ran around and did my garter search before the show even opened... and I used my grabby hands on these two before the guy even had all his deli cups unstacked! I saw them... asked how much?! And are they het for albino?? he told me "no sorry"... was surprised to se me jump for joy, I said... DEAL... wham bam thank you m'aam! The female... is absoultey the most spectacular looking checkered I have ever layed eyes on. I simply LOVE her... she is so light... and LIME green... everybody kept asking me where I got her and telling me I am lucky I saw her first. The male is not green at all, hes actually bursting with yellows instead and has a very thick stripe. He's very pretty... but he kind of has me wondering if he is pure checkered! He has the classic marcianus facial markings... but his stripe and pattern say "radix" and "sirtalis" too!
Here is the male.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357101.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357077.jpg
and here is the female! They are both one year old.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357040.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357076.jpg
Wookit that yellow striped tummy!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357071.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357046.jpg

Now lastly... here are the two babies I held back from this year's eastern babies. The both just shed and boy did I do a good job in selecting them!
This is Pumpkin... at birth... this little one looked exactly like her brothers and sisters. Over the first few weeks.. pumpkin started to show hints of oranges on her while the rest did not.... So pumpkin stayed! and ever since... pumpkin has been getting more and more orange every week! Being so young and already becoming so vibrant.. I cannot wait to see how this one colors up! ignore the dirty patch of carpet... LOL
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357125.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357128.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357112.jpg
This is the second one... I separated this snake at birth because it was so much lighter and less patterned than the rest... and since this shed... this snake truly is a NEAT little sirtalis!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357109.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357103.jpg
I also have a trio of hypermelanstic wanderings from Don... they are doing fantastic... eating unscented pinky parts and loving life! The males name is Anubis... have not named the females yet!!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357123.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/357122.jpg

Thanks for looking!

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

the male checkered doesnt look 100% checkered, and i like the house snakes

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I have since looked up photo's of many marcianus... and I noticed there are a lot of other checkered's out there that look like him... so I am no longer concerned. I did scale counts earlier and they matched up.

[ssssnakeluvr]

looked like a normal marcianus to me....love the green one! looks jsut like my little male, same green stripe on the belly!!!!! niice photos of the hypermels :rolleyes:

[Stefan-A]

Nice additions, Shannon. :)

Lamprophis was on my list a while back, before I decided to get more garters. I read somewhere that they have pretty interesting dentition.

[bsol]

damn dude... that cave dwelling rat looks awesome!

[Garter_Gertie]

Wow! But my favorite has to be the GREEN checkered!

[Lori P]

Omg Shannon.... Casper... Casper... he is--- (bowing to him) a SNAKE GOD!!!! LOLOL I am infatuated. He is absolutely a stop-in-your-tracks kind of guy!!!!!!

But so is that green checkered.... Gertie, I'd have to wrestle you for that one....!!!!!!!!!

[NikkiSixx]

looked like a normal marcianus to me....love the green one! looks jsut like my little male, same green stripe on the belly!!!!! niice photos of the hypermels :rolleyes:
Yep the male checkered is like Green as all get out!:D

[jitami]

Shannon, I can see why you were so taken with Casper! Wow! He's gorgeous!!! Love the green marcianus, too. My two hybrid munchkins look somewhere between those two... green, but not as green as your female, dorsal stripe, but not as thick as your male...yellow belly stripe, just kind of interesting to compare :)

[GartersRock]

the male checkered doesnt look 100% checkered, and i like the house snakes

I have seen many many checkereds here in TX and he looks like 100% to me. ;)
Shannon! I have said it a million times I will say it again! You manage to buy and find anything and everything I love. I guess we have similar taste. That king rat and the cave dweller are HOT STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!! So is everything else!!! Congrats!!!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

thanks guys :D

I am just so glad that I waited all this time to find the RIGHT checkered's. I was tempted so many times to go with het albino's... but i didn't want to.... I said just wait shannon you'll find them some day... and here they are!!!! I LOVE THEM!! lol! The female's skin in between her scales is a really awesome lime green... it makes her look like a glow in the dark toy. I would LOVE to find a male with similar coloration and line breed these genetics....

oh and as a side note... she is kind of chubby back there... so she will not e put down into brumation as soon as the others... so that I am SURE she is not prego!

[drache]

very nice, Shannon
of course I'm totally envious - I really need more space
I do have a very nice green marcianus male - perhaps he should meet your girl some day

[Garter_Gertie]

Shannon - All - if you should hear of green phase garters, I'd appreciate you letting me know. I'm partial to green in anything. LOL! Shannon, your girl is jaw-dropping stunning. Lucky you!

[drache]

Shannon - All - if you should hear of green phase garters, I'd appreciate you letting me know. I'm partial to green in anything. LOL! Shannon, your girl is jaw-dropping stunning. Lucky you!
Gertie
there is a good chance I'll be having green maritime babies in spring - fingers crossed
and perhaps Shannon will have green checkereds
I wish I'd known, because one of my sirtalis babies was quite green also

btw, Shannon
that ribbon baby becomes more outgoing when kept with other babies her size - or at least for me she did

[Garter_Gertie]

Rhea, if you would be so kind, DO keep me filed away in your head. If I've the funds, I'm buying. The greener the better.

I'd contracted for one Hogglette, a normal. When I found out the breeder had ONE green phase, double the price, I couldn't help myself and HAD to get it! And that's my pride and joy, love o'my life, Mr. Niizh!

Thank you very much, Rhea. I appreciate you letting me know.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Gertie
there is a good chance I'll be having green maritime babies in spring - fingers crossed
and perhaps Shannon will have green checkereds
I wish I'd known, because one of my sirtalis babies was quite green also

btw, Shannon
that ribbon baby becomes more outgoing when kept with other babies her size - or at least for me she did

Thanks rhea!

I actually have her in with my two other ribbons, whom are exactly her size... and tonight she took two fish off my tongs along with the other two snakes no problems! she is SO GORGEOUS!!!

so how's my little baby doing?!

[Loren]

Nice snakes Shannon.
That cave rat is sweet. King rat is cool too.
I have been craving to get 1 snake of some sort that gets big (not "retic big", but like 8'). My buddy just hatched some more taiwan beauties, so we'll see. Nothing much over 5' right now in my whole collection.

I think I read somewhere that house snakes breed like rabbits.

Marcianus have a fairly big range, so I suppose there could be some geographical differences in pattern?

[drache]

Thanks rhea!

I actually have her in with my two other ribbons, whom are exactly her size... and tonight she took two fish off my tongs along with the other two snakes no problems! she is SO GORGEOUS!!!

so how's my little baby doing?!
little blue-babe hasn't shed yet and today I'm going to wet-bag the girl, if nothing's happened over night
she's housing with a little flame male and the last of Sammy's babies and the three of them can usually be found in one little heap
it's kind of cool because they're all so different looking although they're all sirtalis
I want to take pics as soon as blue-babe has shed - hopefully today

I'm so glad you took the little ribbon
I really didn't want to her to go to a stranger
she's got a kind of glow to her
and once she feels at home, she'll be right out front, watching the human show
did you get the other ribbons at the show?

[drache]

little blue-babe hasn't shed yet
it's happening as we speak
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2971845278_b8fb98dbd3_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2971848322_8fcd54a9d3_b.jpg

[Garter_Gertie]

OH MY GODS! Is that NOT the cutest baby one has seen in like FORVER! I just want to kiss it and snuggle it to death! What a darling snake!

Is that Babe, Rhea? What a HONEY!!! How could someone not LOVE that face!!!!

[drache]

yup - it's Babe
and a babe she is

[Garter_Gertie]

Yes, she is!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

YES!!! I finally was able to get a charger for MY camera... so I can finally take REAL pictures again.... after two months of having to use an average camera... it feels GOOD! So here are a bunch of random snakes and my camel spider!
This is Cuddles.... Cuddles enjoys sunshine, laughter, the insides of living creatures and the flavor of your first born child. Yes, in some of these photos, I have picked Cuddles up to get a better shot.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/3695011.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/3695006.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/3695004.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/3695002.jpg
Side view
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/3695013.jpg
Bottom view
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Inverts/3695014.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

My male african house snake shed and he is ORANGE! I simply love him and cannot wait to see his wifey drop her eggs and those adorable little heads peeking out of shells!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/3695092.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/3695105.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/3695114.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/3695111.jpg
Here's a grumpy little Corn x Blackrat telling me where to go!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/3695129.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/3695146.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/3695147.jpg
This is my male White sided black rat snake... hopefully he will breed tightie whitie this coming season! He is really, really cocky! And he loves to bite the camera!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/3695178.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/3695176.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/3695173.jpg
Got lucky and caught a couple shots mid-strike!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/3695171.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/3695164.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/3695151.jpg
And now for my favorites.... the garters! These are ALL '08's, and growing fast. The killer is that this is not even half of my growing up '08's.
Here are finally some decent photo's of my female flame. Even though she is orange and the male is RED, I actually prefer her coloration to his.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695267.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695266.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695256.jpg
Here's my female valley garter.... I cannot BELIEVE how fast this snake is growing!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695247.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695254.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Here is Pumpkin, one of my two eastern holdbacks. Pumpkin continues to grow more orange!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695241.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695239.jpg
Here's the other holdback, still unamed!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695238.jpg
Heres a male anery Plains garter, het for both nebraska and Iowa albino!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695229.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695225.jpg
heres my female iowa snow! She is sexy!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695218.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695219.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695224.jpg
Here is my female nebraska albino... my personal favorite plains!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695216.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695215.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695211.jpg
And last... my female eastern blackneck. allow me to emphasize that there is nothing more breathtaking than seeing one of these in person. They have a HIGHLIGHTER-like glow to them that cannot be captured with a camera.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695194.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695195.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695198.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695203.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/3695205.jpg
As always... thanks for viewing!

[drache]

wow - very cool, Shannon
I love your snakes - and your photos
thanks

[prattypus]

Is Pumpkin the snake you have climbing the Marigolds this month? For your other ohld back, how about half-tone?

[Lori P]

Thanks Shannon-- it's always an oooooh and aaaaaaahhhh fest when you post pics!!! :-)

[Sid]

Quite a collection now, Shannon. Great looking garters.:D

[Snaky]

A nice update, Shannon :)

[guidofatherof5]

Snakes alive! They look great.

[jitami]

Awesome Shannon!!! What are your breeding plans for your male anery Plains? I love him :)

[Snake lover 3-25]

yay shannon:D great pics as always:D

[MoJo]

Great snakes and photos!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I know not everyone on the forum is fond of BP's... but this thread is meant for ALL of my snakes.... and so since I did an update on the other forums, I may as well post the pics here as well!

Here's my new spider BP, his name is Sly... I've actually had him picked out since he was peeking out of his egg! Got him for $200 shipped... a steal and a WONDERFUL little snake! He ate the day after he arrived at my house. i guess he likes me!
He is Bella my blonde pastel's future mate... for some sweet Bees!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/85002.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/85009.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/85010.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/85013.jpg
This guy here is a rescue that I took in two weeks ago. This snake eats like he has not seen food in months... and judging by him being underweight and what the previous owner's wife had told me... I am pretty sure that is the case. She also told me "oh that snake hasn't had any water for days"... boy did that make me mad! But anyways this snake will eat a cold dead wet mouse right out of my hands on the carpet of the snakeroom and does not even wrap them! He just swallows them! He probed a male, he is a very good looking snake, great disposition, and he is suppsoed to be 10 years old. The pictures hide it pretty well but he is underweight and on the road to recovery! I have not decided whether or not I am permanently keeping him.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/85005.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/85007.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

And now here are some updated pics of some random BP's in my collection!
Thief, the banded ball!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695078.jpg
Eric Cartman... he's a BIG '08, my biggest
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695052.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695050.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695033.jpg
Here's 'Stache, named for his silly yellow spots on his nose... this is the BP that I took home for just $20 at the daytona auction. He is heavily contrasted and has an irredescence that most bp's lack!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695044.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695039.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695041.jpg
Here is Splat, who just recovered from having a major poopy backup that took me a week to slowly massage out of her. Splat has since eaten a small meal and pooped it out so shes all better! If anything happened to her, I would just be sick. She is my favorite BP and beleive it or not, possibly the favorite of my collection and family. She is very dear to all of us!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695045.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695046.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695047.jpg
And finally, here's Bella Pastella! the blonde pastel female. She is splendid and the only BP besides my rescue that will eat cold dead wet rodents out of my hand with absolutely no movement needed!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695058.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695059.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695065.jpg
Natural sunlight!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/3695071.jpg

[Lori P]

Great pics Shannon, as always, and just beautiful bp's!! My favorite, of course, is the 10 yr old rescue guy... if you ever decide to place him, give me a yell. :-)

All the others are stunning too. I love the black substrate you put them on for pics!

[drache]

nice animals, Shannon, and great photos as usual

[ssssnakeluvr]

nice pics!!! guess I should get photos of the bp I got for my son.....cute little bugger!!!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

there is someting about BP's that I am attracted to... I suppose it's their cute little faces! Gartes and BPs may be very different... but I love them both!

or maybe its the fact that I am so good at keeping them successfully that I can't afford not to keep them!:D

[duh duh duh]

great photos!

Neato mosquito.

[Loren]

Very nice Shannon. :)

[GartersRock]

Awesome BPs Shannon! Keep us update in the Bee's! My "grail" BP is a clean white Blue Eyed Leucistic, and a couple others. Hot stuff!

[Snake lover 3-25]

amazing pics!!:D lol to be expected:D omg i LOVE the 2nd snake!!!!!!

[Scaley.Jade]

you have so many nice snakes its not fair when i get my garters ill pop a post up with all our lot on there but dont want to post my snakes untill i have some garters in my collection

[guidofatherof5]

Great snakes. Rescued can sometimes be the best. Nice job!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Well with hamburg went an adult graybanded kingsnake, a russian legless lizard, and 1.1 FL blue garter snakes. And with me came home a couple *little* additions... merely Xmas present to myself! Two of them are non-feeding baby cornsnakes, ultra's het caramel, both little girls... and one has more of a stripe than spots! I am going to give them all I have to get them started... they both ALMOST ate tonight! I just couldn't leave Adam's table without giving SOME of those babies a chance! I didn't take any pics of those yet because I am not wanting to freak them out any further! Their lives hang in the balance.

First and foremost... Sledge has a future girlfriend! I used the $$ from the excess male grayband I had to bring home a long awaited snake... an adult female western hoggie! She is really, really BIG, and she's a doll! (until i scared her when I opened up her cage and she rolled over dead!! She's easy to spook! She's a red phase... omg... she's so cute i can't get over it!!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4789089.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4789086.jpg

And here is her pulling the "I am a stinky dead snake with a gaping mouth and wiggly tongue" stunt!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4789059.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4789066.jpg

Oh, and I finally found that perfect aberrant cali king I have always wanted. And she's not shy about food! I simply love the way that from the top, she is solid black and white, but from the bottom, she's black and yellow! The bands on her go from white on top to yellow at the bottoms!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/4789118.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/4789131.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/4789125.jpg

The choice of garters at the show was... basically there were none! except albino checkered's, three baby male parietalis, and one guy had a big deli cup with 3 adult radix in it. I was about to keep walking until I noticed that while the two on top were very dull and drab... the one buried underneath looked red! So I grabby-handed this radix for $20. I said... sooo.. uhh, will you sell these separately?! haha! She's WELL worth it. Judging by her size, she's probably a year or so old. I can't wait to see what she looks like when she's full grown! Not to mention what kinds of babies she produces!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/4789161.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/4789163.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/4789144.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/4789152.jpg

Last but certainly not least... I stumbled upon two of the most breathtaking snakes I ever saw today. I was like no shannon, don't get them, don't give in... but then we probed them and they were 1.1 so I simply HAD to! These are Red-Necked Keelbacks, Rhabdophis subminiatus. When angered they will flatten the orange part of their neck in a defense posture. They were once considered non-venomous but they ARE rear fanged, just like a hognosed snake.... they have VERY rarely caused problems due allergic reactions, when they are allowed to bite for too long or there were multiple sequential bites involved. One person has died following a reaction had to the bite of this snake, so these are considered a dangerous animal by most and so they are not for everyone. Much like garters... they are semi-aquatic and mainly feed on frogs and fish in the wild. I find them simply stunning and a very fitting display animal! They are settling in quite alright, the one I took pictures of had some stuck shed that I did not want to peel off. They have the same exact shape as a garter, and they are extremely docile.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4789103.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4789116.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4789109.jpg

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Shannon's Snakes Digest!

[GartersRock]

Oh my god!! That hoggie is simply precious!!! She has chubby cheeks!!!! EEEEE!!!
Congrats!

[GartersRock]

NO WAY............................................... .................................................. ................................ You FOUND SOME RED-NECKED KEELBACKS!!! AND AN ADULT PAIR!!!! Darn you Shannon! How many times do I have to rant and rave at you!! Have you noticed?? Huh??

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

howabout the fact that I ended up actually spending out of my own pocket, less that $100 today! and got all that! Plus 135 adult mice and 35 rats :p

[GartersRock]

Could you PM me with the vendors contact info? Maybe they can get me some. lol!

[GartersRock]

:rolleyes: WHAT?! Grr... Gosh. i wish I had some bigger shows around me. You get all the cool stuff.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I have his card, whenever I find it in my STUFFED purse I will get it to you. When I walked past his table... I just happened to start picking up deli cup after deli cup browsing his snakes. Oh look a cali king. Oh hi little cornsnake. Oh here's a fox snake. And heres a WHOA, what in the HELL is THAT?!?!

And that is how I ended up getting them. The deli cups he had them in had lids that were only semi seethrough, and i think that's how they lasted until 1:30 when I found, had probed, and bought them! I took them back to the table and took one out and all the people were oohing and aahhing at them! haha!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

:rolleyes: WHAT?! Grr... Gosh. i wish I had some bigger shows around me. You get all the cool stuff.

not to mention the guy I always buy from who sells me my rodents gives the the best deals evarrrr! mainly cause he wishes he was in my boyfriend's shoes :o

but oh well! he still does it!:D

[GartersRock]

Thanks! No big hurry.
Well you are just darn lucky you are! I haven't seen those for sale ANYWHERE online... Yeesh. But I should have seen it coming. :rolleyes:

Lol!! The advantages of being female. :D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Thanks! No big hurry.
Well you are just darn lucky you are! I haven't seen those for sale ANYWHERE online... Yeesh. But I should have seen it coming. :rolleyes:

Lol!! The advantages of being female. :D

Haha I asked him when I was buying them... are these the ONLY two you have cause I'll take 2 or 3 more if you have them! hahaha.... he said he also had checkered keelbacks but he had sold out of them before the show. I hunt for anything labeled "keelback" as avidly as I do garter snakes... their similarities to garters make them irresisible!

[drache]

those are stunning, Shannon
were they pricey?

and that close-up of your new hog with the tongue flopping out - fantastic

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

hahaha, the keelbacks were not that pricey. Not pricey enough for me to say no!

[snakeman]

Soooo jealous!Anything that can make you bleed out of every oriface is bad-***.I saw them on kingsnake about 7 years ago.They were 35 each.They also had the red phase which are totally red.I passed on them.Had too many snakes at the time.Good luck with them!

[jitami]

Awesome snakes Shannon!!! Sledge's new girly friend is adorable and the keelback is gorgeous!!! Congrats! Good luck with the corn babies :)

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Soooo jealous!Anything that can make you bleed out of every oriface is bad-***.I saw them on kingsnake about 7 years ago.They were 35 each.They also had the red phase which are totally red.I passed on them.Had too many snakes at the time.Good luck with them!


you would never think that such a cute, colorful lovely docile little snake hid any danger beneath it's smile... would you?!

[Snake lover 3-25]

OMG!!!! those are AMAZING!!!!!! wow shannon!!!! WOW!!!!!!:eek:

[brain]

Wow, what a great set of pics guys. If I were a better if photographer or knew how to post, I would set some of mine out to share.
Michael

[gregmonsta]

you would never think that such a cute, colorful lovely docile little snake hid any danger beneath it's smile... would you?!

I think I've read that they can be more dangerous when collected from a certain areas as they accumulate toxins from the local amphibians that are on offer.

[jitami]

Wow, what a great set of pics guys. If I were a better if photographer or knew how to post, I would set some of mine out to share.
Michael

Eh, share anyway :) We're suckers for pictures. I've even shared cell phone pics a time or two... they sucked, but served served their purpose :)

[brain]

With the help of Wayne i'll try to posthttp://C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\Snake Information & Pictures\My Snakes

[brain]

That didn't work

[brain]

Maybe from here

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

there you go... nice snakes!!!



Here is a little teaser regarding the red necked keelbacks I brought home on saturday! When I brought them home they both had dry shed issues, and were slightly dehydrated. A good soak fixed both of those issues and they looks MUCH better, fatter, happier! They are ZOOMING around their 20 long and thy looked ready to eat today. They both ate for me tonight, they each had a small aquatic frog, 3 feeder guppies, and half a BIG blacknose dace. They ate this stuff right off the tongs. These snakes are NOT shy about eating at all, they didn't do any of the flinching or twitching and even chased my tongs for more!! These snakes are off to a great start in my collection and I am going to offer them scented pinks in a few days which I doubt they will refuse! Here are three pics, in two of them the male is still swallowing:

I liked this photo because it shows off the intense yellow between the scales:

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4747001.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4747005.jpg

Just LOOK at that beautiful snake! I am so proud of myself for spotting these :D
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/4747006.jpg

[drache]

I'm proud of you too, Shannon - and envious
they kind of look unreal - not something I would ordinarily like, but they've got all my favourite colours

[gregmonsta]

They're absolutely gorgeous :)

[anji1971]

Wow. Just love the colouring on those guys!:cool:
What a blessing you discovered them, Shannon.

[brain]

Good looking little buggers. What is the species? Love the flicks of yellow in the back.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

These snakes are identical to garter snakes in shape and personality! Their species name is rhabdophis subminiatus.

[jitami]

Amazing snakes Shannon!!! Wow!

Michael, nice to see your "kids" too :)

[reptile3]

Shannon, I soooo wish I had all those snakies... GORGEOUS! You take great pictures too! You can see all the love they get, colors awesome, they look healthy! I am drooling over here! I showed my daughter, she kept saying... awwwww & how nice they looked.

Thanks for sharing your snakies with us!!!!:D

[olive oil]

They are simply stunning!!!
I can't wait to see more pictures of them.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

They can get to one meter in length.... I can't wait to see them grow more so I can take more pictures of them that you can see!:rolleyes:

[ssssnakeluvr]

those are sweet!!!! Kinda fond of rhabdophis myself....used to have a tigrinus.....brought it back from Korea. had it for about 5 years, awesome snake!!! crap...thought I had a photo of her on here....will find it later and post it

[brain]

Hot, Hot snake, right? Its a rear-fanged species which has fatal envenomations toxicity. And recently been reclassified as a dangerous species, but then of course you knew this, right?
We don't want to read about your death in the news. Please be carful. Is there antidote?

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Hot, Hot snake, right? Its a rear-fanged species which has fatal envenomations toxicity. And recently been reclassified as a dangerous species, but then of course you knew this, right?
We don't want to read about your death in the news. Please be carful. Is there antidote?

I knew all of this, yes. I am not concerned. And I would not classify them as a "hot, hot snake" I would classify them as a "watch where you put your fingers at feeding time" snake. There has only been one report of a death, he sought no medical attention, and probably had an allergic reaction on top of that.

they have been reclassified as dangerous because a few envenomations have been serious... but i read that anyone who's ever had problems after being bitten by one of these snakes allowed the snakes to bite them SEVERAL times, or allowed the snake to chew for MINUTES before making it let go and then had some complications. Ever which way you put it, I am not worried about these snakes biting and killing me. I was a CRAZY kid and have been bitten, stung, and chewed by a wide variety of lovely creatures... bees, wasps, emperor scorpions, a centipede once (ouch), spiders, lizards, snakes, latex, peanuts, penicillin, I am not one to break out into allergic reactions. If one of these snakes were to somehow get ahold of me... Which would be hard for these little guys because I work behind a big set of tongs, I would at least use common sense and seek some medical care.

Don, I am a big fan of tigrinis and they are next on my list, Tigrinis are very neat in the way that where they come from they can eat normally VERY toxic toads and store the toxins in a gland on the back of their neck, making them poisonous to anything that would happen to eat one of their species (these toxins are separate from the venom they produce and secret) They will actually arch their neck and display this gland if confronted!

Eventually I am going for the majestic mangrove snakes, but I am going to wait on a healthy pair to come my way before I get into them. From there, I will probably start keeping a few crotalus and bitis species. I am not much a fan of elapidae but I DO love the viperine's!!!

As long as I use some common sense... as in, do not make it a point to handle/cuddle these snakes, do not allow fingers to be chew toys for snakes.... these snakes are NOT going to hurt me :)

[brain]

Ok it’s just that a good buddy of mine out here who has dealt with monocles, mambas and rattlers for a good bit of time. Just last summer got tagged by his “defanged” monocle we guess the venom sack must have grown back or not properly removed, but the short of it was we rushed him to Seattle.

[ssssnakeluvr]

my mom was feeding my tigrinus while I was away...it bit her finger, no problems at all, she was hand feeding it...since my other snake was brain damaged from the spoiled fish it ate.... the tigrinus almost seemed to feel bad and never took food from her hand again! took me a year or 2 after she passed away before I found out what kind of snake she was.... would love to have some more of them, but utah won't allow rhabdophis, rear fanged snakes.... POO!!!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Ok it’s just that a good buddy of mine out here who has dealt with monocles, mambas and rattlers for a good bit of time. Just last summer got tagged by his “defanged” monocle we guess the venom sack must have grown back or not properly removed, but the short of it was we rushed him to Seattle.


You must be referring to venomoid's cause you can't de-fang a snake, teeth grow back! If the venom gland was entirely removed, it is impossible for it to grow back. Just like a kidney, a venom gland is an encapsulated organ that does not have the ability to replicate once removed. Therefore, when a venom gland is completely and correctly removed, it cannot, does not, will not won't ever grow back. In a proper venomoid surgery, the entire venom gland and duct system are removed and are usually replaced with a silicone filler to retain headshape and a metal rod inside for permanent ID through Xray that the animal is indeed venomoid. While the surgery is generally done from inside the mouth to promote quicker healing and no scarring, the fangs are left untouched seeing as removal of fangs does absolutely nothing permantently to a venomous snake. Venomous snakes regularly shed their fangs and replace them with new ones. If a small piece of the venom gland was left behind, that most likely was still able to function and produce venom. and it means that the surgery was not properly done, and was most likely performed by someone that was not liscensced and with no real knowledge of how to perform an operation. Picture a guy in a basement hacking up a snake that has been chloroformed. It is very important for aspiring venomoid owners to acquire their snakes from a reliable source and recieve firm documentation ID'ing the snake.

I own a venomoid animal myself that was more of a rescue than anything, she has cancer unfortunately and I don't ever really talk about her publicly. She is a texas blacktailed rattler, her name is Cuppycake, and she is a doll. She is like having a cornsnake with fangs. I can pick her up, pet her, hold her, let her crawl on the floor, poke her, prod her, she is totally indifferent to people. Until her cancer starts to impede her daily routine, she will remain alive and in my care. I love her to death and I will miss her very much when she is gone.

Not to go off on a tangent but I feel very strongly about this...Do I support mutilating an animal for sheer convenience, vanity and safety? no. I think it is wrong for us to cut off any part of an animal that we don't like, that goes for declawing cats, cropping dogs' tails and ears, even dew claws, who are we to say that they are imperfect? I find any of these commonly performed procedures disgusting, selfish, and backward. Every time I see someone walk into my store with a dog with cropped ears and tail, or is looking for litter for their declawed cat, I just want to cut off one of their toes, chop off their buttocks, reshape their ears with scissors and rip out their fingernails and see how they like it. I watched a littelr of day old poodles have their tails and dew claws cut off, with NOTHING to sedate them, they just take scissors and chop them off while the puppy screams in pain. Just because they won't remember it when they are older does not make it okay.

Will I have another venomoid following cuppycake? no way. But I may as well put out the information about the topic for all to read.

[ssssnakeluvr]

I don't necessarily agree with removing venom glands....the venom is there for a reason...to subdue prey and also starts the breakdown of the prey for digestion. at least yours has a great home and will be well cared for!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

and also starts the breakdown of the prey for digestion.



this key point is often overlooked when people have their crotalus devenomized, their venom is supposed to play a very important role in digestion.

[ssssnakeluvr]

yes it is!!!!! :D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

poor cuppycake :(

[ssssnakeluvr]

poor cuppycake :(
cuppycake is in good hands now!! :D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

cuppycake is in good hands now!! :D

I know, but i still feel sorry for her plight!

[Lori P]

Not to go off on a tangent but I feel very strongly about this...Do I support mutilating an animal for sheer convenience, vanity and safety? no. I think it is wrong for us to cut off any part of an animal that we don't like, that goes for declawing cats, cropping dogs' tails and ears, even dew claws, who are we to say that they are imperfect? I find any of these commonly performed procedures disgusting, selfish, and backward. Every time I see someone walk into my store with a dog with cropped ears and tail, or is looking for litter for their declawed cat, I just want to cut off one of their toes, chop off their buttocks, reshape their ears with scissors and rip out their fingernails and see how they like it. I watched a littelr of day old poodles have their tails and dew claws cut off, with NOTHING to sedate them, they just take scissors and chop them off while the puppy screams in pain. Just because they won't remember it when they are older does not make it okay..

Shannon, I luv you!!

[jitami]

And I have tremendous respect for you :)

(but will likely have a cropped doggy again... done right there's no pain during the procedure and minimal pain/discomfort during healing, less than a spay or neuter surgery which is also done for convenience of man...ok, I'll be quiet now)

Love ya both! And with Anesthesia I'd be happy to have some of my own body parts cut off! Don't know if I'd trust Shannon to do it, though :D LOL

[mtolypetsupply]

Not to go off on a tangent but I feel very strongly about this...Do I support mutilating an animal for sheer convenience, vanity and safety? no. I think it is wrong for us to cut off any part of an animal that we don't like, that goes for declawing cats, cropping dogs' tails and ears, even dew claws, who are we to say that they are imperfect? I find any of these commonly performed procedures disgusting, selfish, and backward. Every time I see someone walk into my store with a dog with cropped ears and tail, or is looking for litter for their declawed cat, I just want to cut off one of their toes, chop off their buttocks, reshape their ears with scissors and rip out their fingernails and see how they like it. I watched a littelr of day old poodles have their tails and dew claws cut off, with NOTHING to sedate them, they just take scissors and chop them off while the puppy screams in pain. Just because they won't remember it when they are older does not make it okay.



You mean like we circumcise little boys in the hospital strapped down to a table with not even a topical, solely because it's supposedly "cleaner"????? Or at a briss, not even done by a doctor, no anesthetic either, for religious reasons?

We are a cruel species, aren't we??? Most living things only cause pain so they don't starve to death.

[jitami]

You mean like we circumcise little boys in the hospital strapped down to a table with not even a topical, solely because it's supposedly "cleaner"?????

One of my boys was done just like that by my gynecologist, hubby stayed in the room with my son and was appalled. I could hear my son crying from down the hall... even though they had placed me in a private room as far away as possible. My second son was done by our pediatrician with a local anesthetic, cradled in the arms of a nurse, and did not even whimper. When done appropriately, with anesthesia, I'm ok with many procedures, but can certainly understand why others choose to believe differently. I'd say neither boy has suffered any long term effects either way, but still...

[snakeman]

Yes we are.Keeping wild animals in cages forcing them to produce mutant offspring!

[mtolypetsupply]

Yes we are.Keeping wild animals in cages forcing them to produce mutant offspring!


LOLOL!!!! All in the name of "color morphs"! Forced breeding, eating unnatural diets, not to mention the species we keep and force to do tricks!!! We are rotten! Rotten to the core!!!!

[deborahbroadus]

The Puget is totally beautiful. I am partial to blue.

[Stefan-A]

When done appropriately, with anesthesia, I'm ok with many procedures, but can certainly understand why others choose to believe differently.
I'd be one of those people. Cutting bodyparts off an underage person for no legitimate reason would be one of many, many things I'm opposed to. But this would be the wrong place to start debating that issue. ;)

[ssssnakeluvr]

here's some ooooold shots of my tiger keelback....from 1984....

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/medium/rhabdophis_2.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/medium/rhabdophis_1.jpg

[jitami]

I'd be one of those people. Cutting bodyparts off an underage person for no legitimate reason would be one of many, many things I'm opposed to. But this would be the wrong place to start debating that issue. ;)

Respected & agreed :)

[brain]

Yes I do understand about not getting all of the gland growing back sort of like another operation done on male mammals growing back.

I just wanted to express my concern for your health. And it appears you are well learned on what it is you are getting into. To take in an animal with health issues is commendable.

I strongly agree with Mr. Thamnophis to cut and sculpt to fit what it is I like, is wrong. Each part of the body has a purpose. The venom is a pre digestive part of the snake.

[mtolypetsupply]

Yes I do understand about not getting all of the gland growing back sort of like another operation done on male mammals growing back.

I just wanted to express my concern for your health. And it appears you are well learned on what it is you are getting into. To take in an animal with health issues is commendable.

I strongly agree with Mr. Thamnophis to cut and sculpt to fit what it is I like, is wrong. Each part of the body has a purpose. The venom is a pre digestive part of the snake.

Forgive my ignorance, but I never thought about the digestive ramifications of venom. Now, I'm curious. Other than paralyzing/killing prey, how do different venoms play which parts in digestion? Or did I miss the point that it is soley, but no less important, *pre*digestive?

[ssssnakeluvr]

the venom starts the breakdown of tissues in the prey item

[brain]

Forgive my ignorance, but I never thought about the digestive ramifications of venom. Now, I'm curious. Other than paralyzing/killing prey, how do different venoms play which parts in digestion? Or did I miss the point that it is soley, but no less important, *pre*digestive?

The venom starts immediately breaking down tissue, skin and the nervous system.

Each snake venom acts differently and quickly but a very much part of the digestion.

“Dr. Bryan Fry a Deputy Director of the Australian Venom Research Unit at the University of Melbourne.

Wrote a paper published in the March 2005 issue of the scientific journal GENOME RESEARCH, Fry and colleagues note that the active ingredient in snake venom is often an “evil twin” version of chemical proteins that the snake’s own organs need to function. Over the last 80 million years, snakes “learned” to adapt these proteins and convert them into toxins. So a protein that helps a snake’s liver function became a weapon able to destroy the liver of the snake’s prey.”

Overall, Fry’s team found that some snake toxin types originated from proteins normally made by the snake’s brain, eye, lung, liver, or other organs. Gradually, the toxins were produced in tandem with saliva, to create their deadly bite.

“Snakes are incredibly inventive,” Fry says. “The wide-ranging origins of snake venom explains the amazing diversity of ways that snakes can kill their prey and why they have so much potential use in medical research.””

Check these out
http://www.vipern.de/Vipers/Snake_venom/body_snake_venom.html (http://www.vipern.de/Vipers/Snake_venom/body_snake_venom.html)
The Venom Cure - Sea Snake Venom . Nature | PBS (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/the-venom-cure/sea-snake-venom/2065)

now Wikipedia is blog driven but some good inputs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_venom (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_venom)

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I appreciate the support, but anyone who may have an animals that is cropped or declawed.. know I won't judge you for that. I am sure that you didn't do it with intentions of malice... I once thought it was okay too, but having set out into the world to form my own views... I have deeply researched this kind of stuff and have decided for myself that I don't see it as something good or beneficial. If I have a cat, he will have a scatching post. If I have a dog, he will have a whole tail to wag, big ears to flop around and dew claws to.... well... they don't really do anything but he will have em! If I have a venomous animal... he will be venomous!:D

[mtolypetsupply]

Thank you Brain, for that BRAIN FOOD!!!! LOVE IT!!!


Now back to your snakes, Shannon. You do such beautiful art photography with your babies, how about some garters and evergreens and ornaments, or one peeking out of a Santa hat to get us in the holiday spirit?????

[jitami]

but anyone who may have an animals that is cropped or declawed.. know I won't judge you for that.

Thanks Shannon :) And really, you don't know if those people walking in adopted the dog already like that or if they had it done themselves. I've had three cropped dogs. I had one that I rescued, one the breeder had already cropped, and one I had cropped. I'm really not sure how I feel about it anymore, but that doesn't mean I think the choice should be taken away or that I want to be judged when I come visit you at your store with my next dane, however I aquire him and how ever his ears happen to be :D

[Snake lover 3-25]

i believe it is wrong as well to change an animal for our benifit..... but some dogs have their dew claws removed because they can actually be ripped off when the dog is running on rough terrain and can cause a more serious injury..... bernese mountain dogs have them removed for this reason.... we breed our dog and have the puppies extra toes removed only because many of the other people who have bernese mountain dogs with their extra toes have been injured multiple times and some of them had been injured so many times that they eventually had to get them done anyways..... i believe that changing them to make them look better is wrong, but if it is done in the right fashion by a profesional and is for the benifit of the animal it is ok.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Thanks Shannon :) And really, you don't know if those people walking in adopted the dog already like that or if they had it done themselves. I've had three cropped dogs. I had one that I rescued, one the breeder had already cropped, and one I had cropped. I'm really not sure how I feel about it anymore, but that doesn't mean I think the choice should be taken away or that I want to be judged when I come visit you at your store with my next dane, however I aquire him and how ever his ears happen to be :D

it's the people that are arrogant about it and actually full on support it that I dislike. when a person is a real **** about something, especially that, it irks me. Its like when people are absolutely dead set on keeping a goldfish in a bowl or a turtle in a tiny critter keeper. Just because tehy did it when they were kids does not make it okay!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Well, I finally finished last night's batch of photo's, from 206 pictures I give you the cream of the crop!

My female eastern milk, full of color even after a few sheds! I call her Ladybug!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/836019.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/836011.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Kings%20and%20Milks/836013.jpg

Here are the two other non-feeding corns I brought home from hamburg. Buth fully digested their assist-fed pinky heads. These are two little girls, ultramel's het caramel, and the second one looks to be a motley as well.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/836001.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/836006.jpg

Here's Ashes... Boy is he growing up fast!!!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/836053.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/836057.jpg

Here's my female Abbott's Okeetee... she' really starting to color up. Her name is Solaris!

Is it safe to come out yet?
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/836034.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/836039.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Rats/836045.jpg

Merry Christmas, says Bella!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/836088.jpg

Starting at the pastel (bright yellow) and traveling clockwise, we have Bella, Thief, Splat, Mr. Hat, Cinnabun, Eric Cartman (the fat pissy one), and in the center is Sly the Spider!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/836101.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Eric Cartman is my biggst fattest '08... hes MASSIVE for his age!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Pythons/836114.jpg

Stephanie's Parietalis
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836166.jpg

Stephanie's male FL blue
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836025.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836028.jpg

A Non-Oregon Un-red Spotless!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836192.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836187.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

The flame I caught this summer! Her name is Chilly... like, the cold chilly!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836182.jpg

My female flame Orangeness
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836176.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836175.jpg

My male flame Orangetime
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836173.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836167.jpg

Pumpkin!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836158.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Anubis, one of the Hypermel's!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836155.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836154.jpg

Boo, the nebraska amel radix!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836076.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836072.jpg

Thanatos, male eastern blackneck
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836061.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836068.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Wow! Nice!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Albinia, Affectionately named that by Scott Felzer (not sure why haha but it stuck!) the only ( as far as anyone knows) amelanistic florida dekay's brown snake! Boy is this snake growing!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/836145.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/836140.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/836135.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/836144.jpg

Last but not least... Skittles! The male Red Necked keelback! The female's name is Starburst. They both had two pinkies tonight!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/836206.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/836205.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/836200.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/836201.jpg

I hope you enjoyed this incredibly awesome batch of photo's!!

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow shannon AWESOME PICS!!!!!!:D

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

are you breeding any of the balls?

[drache]

Shannon - excellent photos, as usual
Pumpkin is my favourite

[snakeman]

Those hypermels are awesome!Great shots!

[jitami]

I, too, love the hypermels... and that head on picture of Stephanie's baby is just too cute for words! Perfect names for the keelbacks, too! Awesome job Shannon!!! Thanks for the treat this morning!!!

[Lori P]

Oh, loved every pic Shannon! I can't even pic a favorite... they're all my favorite! LOL

[mtolypetsupply]

Shannon, you do such beautiful work! I love Bella's holiday bow pic!!! More holiday, more holiday, give us more! :)

[Stefan-A]

Excellent photos of beautiful animals, Shannon. :) That's the best looking concinnus I've seen and the Rhabdophis isn't bad either.

[deborahbroadus]

Wow! Those are some simply awesome pics. You have some great models to work with.

Your Bps are some nice looking critters! :)

[ssssnakeluvr]

nice hypermels!!!! :rolleyes::D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

nice hypermels!!!! :rolleyes::D

thanks!!

if only i knew where they came from... :D

[ssssnakeluvr]

thanks!!

if only i knew where they came from... :D
yea...wish I knew.......:eek:

[Faunaofthenorth]

sweet snakes i love that cave dwelling rat snake, but i especially admire your water snakes...they look extremely healthy too...i once had a huge female broad-banded water snake that was mean as hell, and her musk smelled raunchy kind of like rotten hamburger meat...it was awesome but your snakes are sweet

[brain]

Very nice set of pics

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

thanks guys!!!

I snuck up on my red necked keelbacks tonight to find that the male is courting the female!!! They were curled up under the same hide, and he was zooming round and round in a circle on her! Hopefully she will eventually become responsive! :D:D:D

[anji1971]

I always enjoy your pictures, Shannon.
Another great batch..........I can't pick a favourite-- you have too many to choose just one!

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

i want one, put me on the list

thanks guys!!!

I snuck up on my red necked keelbacks tonight to find that the male is courting the female!!! They were curled up under the same hide, and he was zooming round and round in a circle on her! Hopefully she will eventually become responsive! :D:D:D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

i want one, put me on the list

are you experienced with venomous, reed? These snakes are actually considered dangerous, both this species and their close relatives have caused deaths....and they are spunky! They have large rear fangs for their size! Sure I handle my own at points (briefly and NOT anywhere near feeding times for ANY snake in the room) but I am taking a risk even though the snakes do not get defensive as the red-necks normally would prior to biting.

The first clutch that I get from these snakes... provided I do ever get one, will not be up for sale. This species is not available captive bred in the US, and seeing as the parents themselves were once WC, I want to hold back the entire first, and possibly the second clutch. The reason for this is to procure and grow up healthy, flawless specimens which will be the REAL future of my work with these snakes. I have no idea how old my pair is, or what conditions they were in prior to me getting them. They could love for 10 years, or they could die tomorrow... Therefore, to have a better sense of security in keeping/breeding this species I will find it necessary to hold onto a large group of them, because if something were to happen to my pair, and all or most of the babies had been sold, there is a VERY good chance I will never see them for sale again anywhere!!! :eek:

I will also be extremely choosy about who I sell these to. VERY little is known about the venom of the rhabdophis genus and it's effect on humans, and if something did go wrong with a bite, there is no antivenin to reverse the damage. There are reports of nothing happening wih bites, but there are also reports of these snake's bites killing or badly damaging!

As for a price.... I won't need to set one of them for a few years:D

[crzy_kevo]

very well put shannon maybe you could work with a venomous snake bite expert to help with obtaining samples of the venom for study and antivenom production some time in the future as well

[GartersRock]

Good for you Shannon! I was gonna say sign me up too. But I would as well hold back a few litters as well if I where you! ;) So guess I will have to wait until I find my own or until you have yours going!

I have been practicing with extremely aggressive WC Tx Rat snakes, Amazon Tree Boas, Water snakes and the like of all different temperaments and care requirements in preparation to keep rear fanged species. They fascinate me to no end!! :D

Keep us well updated on these guys!

[Lori P]

I stole this pic and set it as my wallpaper. :rolleyes: Hope you don't mind. It's so stinkin' CUTE!!!!!!!!!! :):)

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/836025.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I don't mind one bit Lori! I take these photo's sheerly because I enjoy taking them.

Amanda, I too love rear fanged snakes. Many of them including the mangrove snakes, and the false water cobras are simply stunning to look at and oh so interesting! I also would love to keep crotalus in my future, as well as a gaboon or a rhino viper. I will probably stick to those because they are heavier bodied and slower moving. Don't have to worry about them FLYING 6 feet across the cage out of an open cage door and nailing you in the chest like you would with mambas, cobras... etc...I probably will never keep elapids. Mambas are reallllllyyyy nasty. I like to look at them but they sure do intimidate me. I will gladly admire them from behind glass!

[Stefan-A]

I will probably stick to those because they are heavier bodied and slower moving. Don't have to worry about them FLYING 6 feet across the cage out of an open cage door and nailing you in the chest like you would with mambas, cobras... etc...I probably will never keep elapids.
On the other hand those heavier bodies don't slow them down one bit when they eventually strike and apparently viperids can have a pretty impressive reach considering the length of the body. I think it would be pretty easy to become complacent around them.

[infernalis]

On the other hand those heavier bodies don't slow them down one bit when they eventually strike and apparently viperids can have a pretty impressive reach considering the length of the body. I think it would be pretty easy to become complacent around them.


I can attest to that, My BP is as heavy bodied as you can get, and when I smell like a mouse, he hits so hard and fast, I cannot get out of the way.

Not quite the same class of snake, but the point is the same.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I never said they didn't have a fast strike... in fact viper's have some of the quickest and farthest reaching strikes around. I am well aware of all of that, but I would prefer to work with them over the zippy flippy venomous species. I've studied venomous snakes since I was a small child and recently... in GREAT detail and I am well aware of what I will eventually be getting myself into. Sure it would be easy to become complacent around them.... but that's something you won't ever see me doing. If I were to become complacent there's a good chance of taking a bite. If there are two things that do not mix with venomous snakes, number 1 is alcohol, and number 2 is becoming complacent. Amazingly, I am a huge worry wart and will not come within 10 feet of a venomous snake in the wild (I don't herp with a hook) Once I do start keeping venomous... which will be a few good years from now...As long as I keep myself at the end of a very long hook, and observe from a distance, and keep safety as my number one concern, I'm not going to have any problems. I am extremely confident in that. Not overly confident like some of the people that get bit and could have avoided it, just confident enough in my own knowledge and abilities as a snake keeper.

[snakeman]

A lot of people don't know this but with gaboon vipers.You cannot hook and tail them like other snakes.They are one of the few snakes that can switch their head with their tail.Meaning that if you have it hooked and holding it by the tail.Even straight up and down.That snake can hit your hand faster than you can react.They are amazing athetes.I kept venomous for five years and decided it was not worth it when my kid was born.Still would love to get a gabino though!

[snakeman]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/l_0603f0487504d49b195e41fd60b6c81e.jpgcheck this out!

[snakeman]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/l_382f21ea8b22f432a3c9379a99fda49d.jpgWhat happened to fluffy?

[Snake lover 3-25]

oh my.... :(

[brain]

Awesome snake and don’t then have different morph colors?

[snakeman]

There was a totally black one back in the day.I don't think it made it though.

[Snake lover 3-25]

what kind of snake is that???

[Stefan-A]

what kind of snake is that???
Gaboon viper, Bitis gabonica. James could probably tell you which subspecies.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

haha, gaboon vipers dont even NEED color morphs!! they are plentyyyy gorgeous all on their own!:D

those pictures are crazy! Shanley, don't feel too sad about the cat... he fell prey the same as a mouse, rat or a bird would.... it's hard to swallow but sometimes, cats, dogs, and even snakes become food too.

[Stefan-A]

haha, gaboon vipers dont even NEED color morphs!! they are plentyyyy gorgeous all on their own!:D
Indeed they are. Nearly as good looking as Bitis nasicornis and B. parviocula. :)

[Charlet_2007]

man those cats must be plain dumb just to stand there and watch the one get eaten.. :confused::confused: I would have hi tailed it out of there lol.. After I took pictures that is lol..

[jitami]

I was thinking the cat was probably teasing the snake to begin with :D They're not the smartest creatures... but they're usually quick enough to survive their stupidity :)

[Snake lover 3-25]

how big is that snake? it looks like a full grown cat....... lol i just hate to see things get eaten....:( but they are cool pics lol

[brain]

Remember “Everyone is on someone’s food chain”. Even we at the top are fodder for the insect world.

[Stefan-A]

Remember “Everyone is on someone’s food chain”. Even we at the top are fodder for the insect world.
Cochliomyia hominivorax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochliomyia_hominivorax)

[Snake lover 3-25]

yup lol sure are lol i just don't like to see it:p

[brain]

Yes my point, TY Stefan :o

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Well guys... no AWESOME photo's tonight... but a quick update. A few changes to the snakeroom have been made. I switched the clunky black shelf that was in the corner, I did not like it because the shelves were JUST short of being able to hold ten gallons... I picked up this nifty little plastic one at home depot tonight for $14.... and it DOES hold ten gallon tanks! They won't go in from the long side though, so I positioned in this way so that I may slide them in and out with ease. heating pads heat three of them and the one on top has a light, which I put the blacknecks in and they seem really happy!!!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/7477001.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/7477018.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Garters/7477003.jpg

I also bought a much more heavy duty steel 36x18x60 shelf and set that up in the center of the snake room... to hold the custom build cage that was given to me and a few other tanks... since some of the garters are growing up and need more room. That shelf is not wuite ready to show off yet... still in the process of getting everything situated! But I DID fashion a new, MUCH better looking and snakeproof lid for that cage. The old lid was just a weird piece of plastic with screen DUCT TAPED to it that sat on top of the cage... nothing to secure it in any way. I used some aluminum screen , thin strips of wood and a staple gun... and it's much better now! Since the doors are on the side... the lid can be permanent an is VERY securely on there as well as will now be able to handle a light.

BEFORE:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/6843001.jpg

AFTER:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/7477002.jpg

Oh.... and you guys HAVE to meet No-Feet! He is a russian legless lizard that I took in about a month ago. A guy I know that comes into the store rescued three of them that were seized from a guy that was keeping them ALL (they are 3 feet long each) in a ten gallon tank with newspaper for substrate and a tiny water bowl. He was supposedly "feeding" them superworms... but I doubt they were eating in those crowded, unforgiving conditions. These guys need a good bit of space and a nice deep substrate to burrow. I traded a rescued BP for him and I am glad I did because he's come a long way. When I got him he was kinda unresponsive to me and his environment... but slowly he started to develope a sense of "home" and now he's zipping out of his hide to grab anything I offer off the tongs!! He's my only not-a-snake reptile and of all people, my MOM loves him. My mom has never been fond of the dead rodents in the freezer, she tolerates them but would never touch them... until one night she felt that no-feet looked hungry and she actually thawed 2 pinkies out and fed him all by herself!!! ever since then I hardly ever get to feed him cause she likes doing it so much!! She claims that he is hers and that she loves him! lol!! I am keeping him on a mixture of walnut shell, sand and newspaper pellets... the pellets are large, absorbant, and give him some footing while the sandy stuff allows him to dig and be comfortable. Anyways... here's no-feet.... still working on clearing up that nose rub! (he doesnt rub anymore but he must have with his previous owner)

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/7477006.jpg

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/7477014.jpg

[ssssnakeluvr]

Very cool!!!! wouldn't mind have one of them!!!! the physician's assistant I worked with in Germany found one of the local legless lizards over there....cool little critters!!!!

[mtolypetsupply]

No-feet is cool! The cord you have taped under the custom cage, what is that? It looks like the heat cable for under seedlings.

[anji1971]

Hello, No-Feet!!
He looks very happy, Shannon.:)

[guidofatherof5]

Great looking legless. You made a good trade and I'm sure No-feet is much happier.

[NetBSD]

omg i want one, no-feet is awsome looking and im glad hes in good hands now

[reptile3]

No-Feet Rules!!! Wow he is so cool!! I have never seen or heard about one.
I see why your mom likes him!!:)

He is in good hands now with you!!! what are you putting on his nose?

my 2nd iguana ended up with a nose rub, took forever to heal!

[olive oil]

No feet is so cool.
Is it similar to handling a snake or are they slower?

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

well I was putting cream on his nose, but he started RUBBING that off... so I stopped and I have not seen him rub his nose once since.

The only way I can describe what it is like to hold a legless lizard is... imagine a piece of wiggly glass in your hands. Snake are very loose and floppy, while these guys are much more rigid. Their scales are very smooth and HARD, and their entire body itself does not bed anywhere as flexibly as a snake's does. This one here is for the most part tame, but many of them do this roll thing that makes them impossible to hold onto. If you have ever touched a blue tongued skink, they feel a lot like that only nowhere near as soft. Another neat thing about him is that his actual body is only the first third of him. you got his head... and you go a third of the way down and there's his butt. ALL the rest is his tail!!! And they are nick-named glass lizards for the fact that if you grab one by the tail in an aggressive manner they can pop it right off, much like many other species of lizard.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I was feeding tonight and Skittles and Starburst both were eating close to the glass.... so I used the opportunity to try and capture their fangs!!! Skittles, the male, is the one with a bit more yellow on his neck and a larg black dot behind his eye.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/68r3002.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/68r3005.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/68r3025.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/68r3026.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/68r3029.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakes/Other/68r3030.jpg

[ssssnakeluvr]

wow!!!! excellent photos!!!!! excellent shot of the fangs!!!! would love to have some of them (the snakes, not the fangs......well.....maybe both :rolleyes:)

[gregmonsta]

Definately!!! ... Excellent shot of the rear-fangs :)

[drache]

fantastic photos, Shannon

[olive oil]

Thanks for the description of no feet :) He sure does have a heck of a long tail!

Those snakes are so awesome. You were so lucky to happen upon those.

[anji1971]

That's a fabulous set of photos. I'm still amazed by the colours on these snakes.........so beautiful.:cool:

[jitami]

Nice Shannon! Very cool shots of the fangs!

(and I can "taste the rainbow" flavored pinkies from here :))

[Snake lover 3-25]

nice pics shannon!!!:D those snakes are just too cool:)

[brain]

Yes wonderful shots Shannon.:D
Rear fanged … maybe one day ill get the never to play with a hot?:rolleyes:

[guidofatherof5]

Great photos!

[charles parenteau]

Yes nice picture,omg huge rear fangs..

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

just to let everyone know.... I did something spectacular tonight! I photographed, every, single, one of my garters, on a solid white background. Be on the lookout for them tomorrow or at the latest, the next day!! I also took some of a few other snakes, but that's nothing compared to all the garter shots. I have over 500 pics to sort through right now... so...... yea!

[Hornets23]

That sounds really cool shannon. Cant wait to see them!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I also have really, heartbreaking news regarding the red necked keelbacks. The male regurged last week and the next day was wanderinging aimlessly and listlessly. I knew he was dying, and sure enough he did. I am so..... sooooooo upset. I am realllllly hoping that they possibly bred and that possibly the female snake could be a mama... will keep feeding her heavy and hoping to see signs of eggs :(

I have a feeling it will be a long time before I am able to find another one of these :(:(:mad::mad:

[GartersRock]

That SUCKS..... :(:( I am so sorry.... Ugh. I feel sick for you. :(

Look forward to the pics!!

[Loren]

looking forward to the pics, Shannon.

sorry about the keelback.

[drache]

sorry about the keelback, Shannon
looking forward to the garter photos

[guidofatherof5]

Shannon,
Sorry to hear about your loss.
I know you care deeply about all your snakes.

[olive oil]

Terrible news:(
I so hope the female is pregnant!

[anji1971]

Shannon, so sorry to hear about the keelback. You were probably one of the only hopes for captive bred keelbacks around. That's just crap.:(:(:(
I'll keep my fingers crossed that something went on between the two of them before he passed, and that you get a wonderful surprise.

[count dewclaw]

Sorry to hear about the male keelback. They are very pretty snakes, hopefully the female is gravid.

[Stefan-A]

Sorry to hear that, Shannon. It's a real shame.

[Lori P]

Oh I'm so sorry about the keelback. That sucks. Crossing everything I've got that she's gravid for you!!

[jitami]

I'm so sorry Shannon. He was a very special snake :(

[mtolypetsupply]

Sorry for your loss, Shannon. :(

[adamanteus]

I'm sorry to hear about the male, Shannon. They really are beautiful snakes, let's just hope that your female is indeed gravid.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

thanks everyone, I really am crossing my fingers, but my hopes are not high. I will do everything i can to acquire more of the species... one day my luck will turn! ONE day you will see me with c.b. keelbacks of several species available!!! If its the last thing I do in life!!! He was such as beautiful animal, and it really sucks when they are doing THAT well, and then within a day they are gone.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

just thought i would share these.... my little cousins from the other side of the state visited this weekend, I was finally well enough today to spend time with them, we played dinosaurs, barbies, and cars... and then we played with snakes and they LOVED the expierience. This is the first time that I have seen them since they were 1 and 2. Their names are Skyler and Sebastian and they are 4 and 3! Skyler absoultey fell in love with my sunbeam snake, and named her Rose, we had to go visit her about 6 times periodically throughout the day :o

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/682029.jpg

Skyler got really skeeved when suddenly she felt her ear being tickled by the snakes tongue!!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/682030.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/682028.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/682031.jpg

[charles parenteau]

Its so cool ,I think is good for education...

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

those kids had so much fun :D:D:D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

by the end of the day, they were able to tell me exactly what to do if they saw a snake in their yard (run and get mom or dad and do not touch), and they were also able to tell me which of my snakes were ball pythons, and which of them ate worms (they loved helping me dip garter heads into the worm tub and watching them slurp them down)..... Skyler even learned how to work the tongs and she helped pick up f/t pinkies with them for me!!! We must have fed Rose ten of the darned things :rolleyes:

[drache]

how fun . . .

[count dewclaw]

Looks like a lot of fun!

[anji1971]

Awww, they look like they had SO much fun with you, Shannon!
I find children are the easiest to educate about snakes. They are much more curious and willing to change their mind about the "scariness" than adults.
I'm taking a couple to my kids' school tomorrow, actually. Should be a blast!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I was so worried when I came home to hear that they slept in my room last night and were SCRUNCHED up against their dad in terror because of Ra, the 7 foot evil monster (by that I mean super docile king rat snake) that lives up there.... after they met all the "little" snakes, they were reluctant but finally we went upstairs and put that fear that Ra was an evil monster to rest!!! I think the way that he keeps his head poking out all the time and his huge eyes and mean stare got to them at first... lol!!!

[jitami]

Awww, mean ole Ra :) Nice job teaching the kiddos about snakes Shannon. Sounds like they had a blast, too. Very cool :)

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

King rat snakes have this way with their eyes... they have eliptical pupils, and when they rest they often slant their head forward and that combined with their big red slanty eyes makes them look REALLY mad all the time :p

[mtolypetsupply]

Good job with the kids, Shannon, and I hope you're feeling better!

I SOOO love those Dora Jammies!!!!!!

I think its great to educate the kids early. You're already a great snake mom, you'll be a great human mommy too!

:)

[Lori P]

Shannon, great pics, your cousins are adorable!!! And great job on helping them learn about your snakes. I know they had a ball with you. :-)

[guidofatherof5]

So nice to see kids enjoying snakes. Great job, Shannon

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Last night I tore apart Kisses, my diamond x jungle carpet python's tank and built her a miniature jungle!!! She is in deep shed in the pic, once she sheds my friend George is bringing over his male and we are hoping to breed them. We brumated our snakes and his JUST shed, so the fact that they both shed simultaneously, is a good thing!!! Then, I flip flopped my cave dwelling rat snake with my banded water snakes, because I wanted to give them a pond but couldn't unless they were in an actual tank because of the filter cord.. and so I gave them a little pond for swimming and fishing!!!:rolleyes: The hypo male celebrated by "riding" the female around their new home... as is his normal fashion! When I picked her up to put her in the tank, he just clung to her and twitched some more.... little hornball! anyways let me shut up and show you pics!!!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/P1060400.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/P1060426.jpg

Here's her boyfriend snake, James Bond.... on the right...they've met before as you can see here!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/Snakeroom%20Tour/583022.jpg

It's rare to see him anywhere else except on top of her, twitching! The other male does not care one bit about her.
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/P1060428.jpg

The survey is in, the pond was a hit!
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/P1060431.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

neat cages!!!! congrats!!! i hope you get lots and lots of babies form both of them!!!:)

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

neat cages!!!! congrats!!! i hope you get lots and lots of babies form both of them!!!:)
me too, Shanley!!!:eek:

[Snake lover 3-25]

btw kisses is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Shes much more beautiful-er when she's not in shed, as she is in all the above pics!!!:mad:

[drache]

nice photos
that water basin looks like a hit

[Snake lover 3-25]

Shes much more beautiful-er when she's not in shed, as she is in all the above pics!!!:mad:

but it'll be worth it lol just think of how beautiful she'll be when she's out!!!!:eek::D

[drache]

oh - I forgot to say . . .
that python shot is very cool