Should I or shouldn't I??? [Archive]

gregmonsta

02-24-2009, 05:58 AM

I recently went into a local petshop (I've been there many times but didn't like the owner's attitude much as 1-he won't buy in CB from local people 2-he had no interest in getting in garters). To be fair it has a good reputation ... so far lol ... and the prices are great on frozen food in Scotland (100pinkies - £19).
So I was there at the weekend and saw an exo-terra filled to the brim with some beautifully coloured ribbons which have an amazing blue colouration, really I've never seen ribbons like these in the flesh before. They (about 10 of them) were sharing their small exo-terra with a few rough green snakes :confused:. They're WC, look perky but a lot of them had scale damage (obviously from predation thoughout their life). Feeding on pinkies fish and earthworms (at least the shop got that right .. although they've been 'sharing' the rough-greens' insects :().
I'm considering scrimping out and getting one of the larger females (:rolleyes: might be a chance there to get some free babies) ... They're £30 each ... Should I?

Stefan-A

02-24-2009, 06:04 AM

I'd seize the opportunity simply because I'm never going to get that chance here where I live. But because you probably have it slightly better over there and because of the reasons you mentioned, I'd rather not support the people who catch them or the people who sell them. There will be other opportunities, with healthier better treated CB snakes.

guidofatherof5

02-24-2009, 06:08 AM

You sound like you want to. If you have the money and space, why not. It's only one more(how many times have you said that to yourself)

infernalis

02-24-2009, 06:38 AM

Blue ribbons, Yeah Greg, Go for it.

I agree with Stefan's statements, But at least one (or some) would have a proper home.

gregmonsta

02-24-2009, 06:53 AM

I do want to .... I'd rather they were captive bred but ... I'm hoping to take over the local garter availabilities in the future ... he's the only shop that hasn't been interested in what I would have to offer when I've approached then ... but how will his ribbon sales go if I start flooding the other pet shops with CB babies and sell them privately for £10-15 a squiggle?
I'm more thinking about parasites etc. I've got the space to quarantine but medicating a ribbon for worms etc has got to be pretty tricky (Our ratsnake was fine but then she was big enough to control easily), the scale damage would also potentially cause shedding problems in the future.
I'll ask when I'm in next .... maybe I can beat him down on price yet. I think so far I'd be looking at £60 for snake, fecal smear and potential medication.

gregmonsta

02-24-2009, 06:58 AM

The colouration is similar if not stronger than the top snake in this pic - Google Image Result for http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/1542878923_c98506041e.jpg?v=0 (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/1542878923_c98506041e.jpg%3Fv%3D0&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/8191458%40N05/1542878923&usg=__vin2t3SXBCFE29sxQ39D4TRPDm0=&h=375&w=500&sz=79&hl=en&start=55&tbnid=TNTZKrAYkUW1sM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthamnophis%2Bsauritus%2Bblue%26start% 3D40%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN) ... actually not even ... it's the closest thing I could find ... these ribbons are leaning towards puget-blue colouration and have a muted yellow stripe. I'm fairly certain their eastern ribbons too.

guidofatherof5

02-24-2009, 07:11 AM

I was hoping you would post a photo.

EdgyExoticReptiles

02-24-2009, 09:06 AM

Maybe its a gulf coast ribbon those can have lots of blue
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/mxmike458/StonerForums/RibbonSnakeOnShore.jpg

jitami

02-24-2009, 10:12 AM

I would go ahead Greg... and while you're there, supporting his business, I'd broach the subject of selling CB to him once again. Couldn't hurt? If he agrees that he's willing I would even consider picking up a pair. My thinking is that if you could get him to accept your CB's then he'd place less of a demand on importers/exporters/collectors. I wouldn't make it an ultimatum like if you'll promise to buy from me in the future I'll buy this ribbon... have a feeling he'll tell you where to stick it... but after you've talked to him about the ribbon a bit, picked out your female, perhaps are even at the register, then bring it up. Good luck :)

infernalis

02-24-2009, 11:59 AM

Medicating a ribbon is not too hard, inject the meds into some fish and feed it to them.

We had to do this to get med in our Puget "Sky"

drache

02-24-2009, 12:38 PM

like this one?
Thamnophis sauritus nitae (http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/Thamnophissnitae.htm)

gregmonsta

02-24-2009, 02:02 PM

I think gulf coast ribbon is closer :) they're definately not blue-stipes. I guess we'll know for definate after my next visit to the shop ;)

gregmonsta

02-25-2009, 03:37 PM

Saturday may just be the day :D

guidofatherof5

02-25-2009, 05:32 PM

It's only one more, Greg. One little snake. In the words of Rocky Balboa----Go for it-------:D

aSnakeLovinBabe

02-25-2009, 09:46 PM

quite honestly, if I were in your exact situation, I would go for it. when I get an opportunity, however large or small, I seize it. I learned to do that from the time that I once saw a guy selling cb baby european grass snakes at hamburg for $20. I had no idea back then how awesome this really was. I passed. I still kick myself.

Scaley.Jade

02-26-2009, 02:02 PM

go for it !!!!!!

count dewclaw

02-26-2009, 07:36 PM

I think you should get them, but then, I'm kind of partial to blue....

gregmonsta

03-01-2009, 07:34 AM

Well .... with Xena passed away I'm glad I can pass on some good news .... I got one :) ... well I got her yesterday and she's 3feet of cheeky ribbon ... I have some pictures from my phone (our camera is now officially dead) .... these don't do her justice at all!!! .... i'll be getting a fecal analysis done after her first feed. She has a few little bumps, being WC.

Meet Panama

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07075.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC07073.JPG

One to show her length

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC000581.jpg

adamanteus

03-01-2009, 07:35 AM

Very nice, Greg.:)

guidofatherof5

03-01-2009, 07:47 AM

Those ribbons are so slender and beautiful.
Remember Greg, it's only one more.
Glad you got her. She has a good home.

gregmonsta

03-01-2009, 07:49 AM

She was definately worth setting up the extra tank for ;)

dashnu

03-01-2009, 07:55 AM

I really like Ribbons, looks awesome! They are crazy little bugger great fun to watch. Glad it has a nice home.

gregmonsta

03-01-2009, 07:59 AM

My first snakes were a couple of male ribbons .... just looking at Panama's face takes me right back ;)

dashnu

03-01-2009, 08:02 AM

Haha, cool. I had one for a while and I swear she would get moving so fast at times she would actually get 'airbourn' launching over her hides and stuff.

guidofatherof5

03-01-2009, 08:02 AM

My first snakes were a couple of male ribbons .... just looking at Panama's face takes me right back ;)

Great name.
If you don't mind me asking, how'd you decide on that name?

gregmonsta

03-01-2009, 08:06 AM

I was trying for hours last night, while I was waiting to go on stage, to think of a good name for her ... the word 'gulf' for some reason made me think of the Panama canal (dunno why :rolleyes:) ... her other name is Pandamonium.

drache

03-01-2009, 08:12 AM

very nice, Greg
pretty colours
glad you got her and I like the name too

guidofatherof5

03-01-2009, 08:36 AM

jitami

03-01-2009, 10:04 AM

Very nice Greg. Congrats!

Did you get a chance to talk to the shop owner? I went into my local Petco yesterday and, of course, had to look to see what they had marked as garters this time. Pretty little ribbons :) One bluish green, two brown. Have always figured that label is close enough.

gregmonsta

03-01-2009, 10:20 AM

I spoke to him ... he was happy to have the proper classifications for his ribbons but he's still closed off to buying in CB ... in his opinion baby garters are just too small for people to want them .... ???? .... I saw a couple of young western hognoses in the shop ..... they were tiny!!! .... We'll .... if my breeding projects ever take off I'll put the local garter world to rights!!!

count dewclaw

03-01-2009, 11:15 AM

Congratulations! Panama is beautiful.

Snake lover 3-25

03-01-2009, 06:21 PM

congrats! she's a beauty!!:D

Snaky

03-02-2009, 06:19 AM

Congrats with the addition! She looks nice :)

gregmonsta

03-02-2009, 06:11 PM

First feed with me today ;) ... 2 pinkies and 3 chunks of Salmon :) probably the best feed she's had in weeks!!!

guidofatherof5

03-02-2009, 06:38 PM

It's always great when a new arrival eats for the first time.
Gets them over one of the big hurdles.
Great news to hear. Someone should have a good nights sleep.
I meant you, Greg.:D

gregmonsta

03-03-2009, 07:22 AM

I slept very well indeed :) ... it was a tough yet fruitful day.

gregmonsta

03-05-2009, 10:21 AM

Was royally musked last night .... shouldn't have fed her rofl.

infernalis

03-05-2009, 05:10 PM

Congrats Greg.

GarterNovice

03-05-2009, 10:02 PM

Beautiful looking snake! Congrats on getting her all settled in:)

GartersRock

03-05-2009, 10:14 PM

Nice! Looks like one of my Gulf Coast ribbon girls. Congrats Greg!!

gregmonsta

03-06-2009, 06:19 AM

:D she was great last night ... 40 minutes of handling and no fuss :D

gregmonsta

03-09-2009, 03:13 PM

Well, as I type, she's climbing all over me :D ... feeling firmer thanks to her two feeds here so far ... still a little skittish with tank invasions but totally happy once out :) ... she likes to be shown new things (it seems to settle her when I take her to different objects and let her investigate) ... she's great :D

Snake lover 3-25

03-09-2009, 03:28 PM

lol i've got meadow around my neck too lol:p

glad she's happy in her new home:)

drache

03-11-2009, 06:54 AM

very cool, Greg
glad you got her

anji1971

03-12-2009, 12:29 PM

She's really beautiful, Greg!
Glad to see you took the opportunity.:)

gregmonsta

03-16-2009, 05:58 PM

:) happy to say she seems 100% settled now ... she's spent about 65% of the day in the open ... very attentive and no longer phased by people passing the tank, waving at her or even tapping the glass. She seems extremely fascinated when the hoover comes out :D

guidofatherof5

03-16-2009, 08:24 PM