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Feb. 6th, 2007 10:19 pmAh, there's nothing like a new pet ball python to remind you of just how stupid and frustrating the denizens of the reptile kingdom can be.
When I first adopted Orpheus, it took almost six months for him to eat voluntarily. I figured this was because he was a special-needs child, though, and the gent at the pet store reassured me that the snake he sold me was a good eater. This was backed up by the fact that he's honestly quite chubby and healthy-looking, so I wasn't too worried. I figured I'd give him a week or so to get used to his new environment, and then offer him something to eat.
I've been trying not to worry for this past week. Oberon seems quite fond of crawling *under* the paper lining his cage and sleeping directly against the glass floor of his tank, and he's getting rather pink on his belly. It doesn't look burned, and I'm hoping it's just that he's getting ready to shed, but... I worry, especially after poor Orpheus passed away.
So today was scheduled to be Snake-Feeding day. I've got a new feeding tank for his serpentine majesty, and a stock of killed rats from the store I adopted him from, and I figured that watching him enthusiastically devour his snacksicle would assuage any worries I had about his health. I put him in the tank, and dangled the poor deceased rat for him, and prepared to be overwhelmed with his youthful appetite and speed.
He proceeded to wander aimlessly around the tank, repeatedly surprising himself each time he encountered a corner.
He's been in there for half an hour now, randomly exploring the vast and complicated wasteland that is a 56-quart rubbermaid tub. I think he has managed to get lost inside it at least twice, which is quite a feat. Right now, he's resting with his chin on what was supposed to be his supper. And I am trying not to beat my head against the wall in frustration and anticipation of another months-long food fight of the even-less-fun-than-usual variety.
I refuse to let him be sick. This has to be just shedding and intelligence issues.....
When I first adopted Orpheus, it took almost six months for him to eat voluntarily. I figured this was because he was a special-needs child, though, and the gent at the pet store reassured me that the snake he sold me was a good eater. This was backed up by the fact that he's honestly quite chubby and healthy-looking, so I wasn't too worried. I figured I'd give him a week or so to get used to his new environment, and then offer him something to eat.
I've been trying not to worry for this past week. Oberon seems quite fond of crawling *under* the paper lining his cage and sleeping directly against the glass floor of his tank, and he's getting rather pink on his belly. It doesn't look burned, and I'm hoping it's just that he's getting ready to shed, but... I worry, especially after poor Orpheus passed away.
So today was scheduled to be Snake-Feeding day. I've got a new feeding tank for his serpentine majesty, and a stock of killed rats from the store I adopted him from, and I figured that watching him enthusiastically devour his snacksicle would assuage any worries I had about his health. I put him in the tank, and dangled the poor deceased rat for him, and prepared to be overwhelmed with his youthful appetite and speed.
He proceeded to wander aimlessly around the tank, repeatedly surprising himself each time he encountered a corner.
He's been in there for half an hour now, randomly exploring the vast and complicated wasteland that is a 56-quart rubbermaid tub. I think he has managed to get lost inside it at least twice, which is quite a feat. Right now, he's resting with his chin on what was supposed to be his supper. And I am trying not to beat my head against the wall in frustration and anticipation of another months-long food fight of the even-less-fun-than-usual variety.
I refuse to let him be sick. This has to be just shedding and intelligence issues.....
