Lori's snakes and such

[infernalis]

BBQ Chops anyone?

Lori, you are a goddess. What is your address, I know of some critters in need of a home.

[anji1971]

Hate to admit it, but when it comes to pigs, I side with James and Stefan. YUM!

[Stefan-A]

Just teasing you a little, Lori. It is a nice little pig.

[Lori P]

Thanks, Stefan. I know you all are teasing. And don't get me wrong-- I love pork too, especially real, home raised pork-- and in fact I'm getting three baby hogs in a couple of weeks to raise specifically for the freezer. I loooove raising baby pigs, they are such a riot-- so much personality and just full of antics!!! If it doesn't bother anyone to see them and know their eventual fate, I'll post pics of the babies when they come. At least they'll have a free, happy (if short) life here. It's kind of like when we take good care of our feeder mice... short life, but happy. They have a purpose, but that doesn't mean they have to be mistreated and unloved!

Now, I'm sorry to disapoint the rest of you, but potbellies just aren't good eatin'. Way too much fat, very little meat yield. So James, Anji, Wayne, Stefan, stop drooling now. He's here to stay (or find a new home).

Hey!!! I know!!! To thanks Wayne for his hospitality in July--- I have a special present in mind!!!

[drache]

pigs are very clean - I'd feel tempted
and it would be much easier to talk Jeff into a pig than a dog
and imagine what that little hog would do for my compost
but it wouldn't stay that little, and once it grew up, it could actually start looking kind of like a year's supply of food for the family
I guess I'll have to pass, but I highly recommend pig adoption to anyone with the space and ready for a really clever animal

Lori - how big do these grow anyway?
I just grew up with the regular kind and the kinds with the extra ribs

[Lori P]

They really are very clean. Yes, they love a good mud bath in the summer, to protect their skin. But they want clean mud, not a mucky pen. They are really fastidious about where they potty if given the chance.

Potbellies have a huge size range, which is one of the reasons they get dumped so often. They can range from 75 lbs on the tiny side to 300 lbs on the more normal side. Pigs don't mature until they are about 5 years old, so they are growing until then. So many people think they'll stay small and are in for a shock. They are also remarkably strong animals, and being pigs, they root... so people trying to keep them indoors are in for a surprise when piggy roots up the linoleum or the carpet, or the molding around the walls. They're pigs-- they aren't dogs, they need to be provided with a place to root.

I once had one brought to me because her owners came home to find she had literally destroyed the couch to build a nest. (They had never had her spayed) She got here with couch stuffing still stuck in her hair!! The males, if not neutered, get very bossy and aggressive and can be dangerous. So there is a lot of thought involved with these animals that people just don't put out. It's like people getting a bermese python because it's so cute as a baby... but never thinking about what will happen 5 years down the road.

[misskris]

What a cute pig My older sister used to raise them.

Lori I love that dragon, what a doll!!

My daughter wants to know if she can come visit? I'll send her to ya for the summer. Don't worry about letting her around the animals, one of their chores is cleaning litter boxes and poo patrol

[Lori P]

Oh, heavens, send her! LOL She can brush horses and play with dogs and rub piggy's belly all day!! Well, there might be a *little* work involved. :-)

The water dragon is still not 100%. He's barely eating. I can't seem to get him right where he needs to be... Wayne, if you read this, and he survives until July, don't you seriously want to adopt him?? I feel like I'm not doing something major right but I can't figure out what it is!!!! And haven't found anyone local to help or adopt him...

[infernalis]

Wayne, if you read this, and he survives until July, don't you seriously want to adopt him?? I feel like I'm not doing something major right but I can't figure out what it is!!!! And haven't found anyone local to help or adopt him...

I always read what you say

Bring that dragon out here, what's one more reptile.

Seriously, I have wanted one for years, and adopting one makes it even better

[Lori P]

Thanks, Wayne. I've already had him treated for parasites, and that did not help his appetite. I'm meeting the humidity and temp requirements. He moves around the tank, but he just does not want to eat... he won't eat crickets, roaches, pinkies, or earthworms. He has taken all of four superworms from me total. I have no idea if they go off feed from time to time, I can't seem to get that answered. I'll keep trying!!