Apr 2009
A slight problem
I’m going away on business for a couple of days, so I
wanted Vicky to have a feed before I go. So,
yesterday I thawed out another mouse and tried her
with it last night. Only at that point did I discover
her heat lamp had died! I had a spare bulb, so tried
that, but the whole fitting seems to be
non-functional.
So, I spent an hour scrabbling round to put together another heat lamp - a ceramic heater this time. that seem to be working, and the temperature is climbing again.
However, either because of the reduced temperate (her viv went down to 24°C/75°F in spite of an under-floor heater mat) or the disturbance of me sorting out the heater lamp she wouldn’t feed. She showed a lot of interest, as usual, but couldn’t be tempted to strike.
The temperature is now back up to normal. and I’m back tomorrow night so well see what happens then.
So, I spent an hour scrabbling round to put together another heat lamp - a ceramic heater this time. that seem to be working, and the temperature is climbing again.
However, either because of the reduced temperate (her viv went down to 24°C/75°F in spite of an under-floor heater mat) or the disturbance of me sorting out the heater lamp she wouldn’t feed. She showed a lot of interest, as usual, but couldn’t be tempted to strike.
The temperature is now back up to normal. and I’m back tomorrow night so well see what happens then.
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Progress Report - Victoria
She took another mouse today. Still not taking them off the floor, but as soon as I moved it she struck and held it, then disposed of it without any fuss or messing about. Interestingly, I saw her taking a drink of water from her drinking bowl shortly after eating the mouse – not something you see very often.
I’ll have to think about getting some larger mice next time. She seems to have no trouble at all with these ones.
Weight now 540g
Progress Report - Victoria
Checked Victoria all over, 24 hours after feeding.
She’s looking fine, still bright and alert. Weight
490 grams.
I’ll try and get some new pictures of her.
What’s next for the collection? I’m hoping to pick up a pair of ‘beardies’ (Bearded Dragons)next week. they have some at Norwich that they are growing on in readiness for sale. Future additions planned include Giant Millipedes (for our youngest son) and Imperial Scorpions for our next eldest. I have always had a fascination for imperials - under a UV light they look fantastic and are one of the few scorpion breeds that can be easily kept in a community.
I’ll try and get some new pictures of her.
What’s next for the collection? I’m hoping to pick up a pair of ‘beardies’ (Bearded Dragons)next week. they have some at Norwich that they are growing on in readiness for sale. Future additions planned include Giant Millipedes (for our youngest son) and Imperial Scorpions for our next eldest. I have always had a fascination for imperials - under a UV light they look fantastic and are one of the few scorpion breeds that can be easily kept in a community.
Second Feeding Attempt
Over the weekend some additional hide materials were
added to the Royal Python’s viv. These took the form
of rough split logs. the log was retrieved from a
tree trimmed by the council - I baked the logs for 5
hours in the oven to kill off any mould or pests
first, then removed all the bark and loose material
before splitting the logs to form a new hide. This
because she has taken to hiding behind the backdrop
to the viv and I am concerned that she will be
getting chilled behind there - it is away from all
the heat and insulated from the tank by the foam
thickness of the backdrop. She seems much happier in
the main area of the tank now.
Tried her with a second mouse last night. As soon as I lifted the mouse in to the viv, she struck at it, but unfortunately missed! She caught both the mouse and my thumb (drew just a little spot of blood!) this made me jump and her as well. I think this put her off because, although she looked over the mouse for a good few minutes, she was very wary and didn’t take it. It was still there this morning, so I had to remove it again. Disappointing, but still not a major worry. She is taking an interest in the food, so I am not deeply concerned yet.
Tried her with a second mouse last night. As soon as I lifted the mouse in to the viv, she struck at it, but unfortunately missed! She caught both the mouse and my thumb (drew just a little spot of blood!) this made me jump and her as well. I think this put her off because, although she looked over the mouse for a good few minutes, she was very wary and didn’t take it. It was still there this morning, so I had to remove it again. Disappointing, but still not a major worry. She is taking an interest in the food, so I am not deeply concerned yet.
First Feeding Attempt
Well, she’d been settling in for over 24 hours last
night (my still nameless Royal Python), so I thought
I would try her with a mouse.
I thawed one out and made sure it was not still chilled before introducing it to her viv. While she showed some interest and ‘sniffed’ at it for about 3-4 minutes, she didn’t take it. i moved it into the door of her hide and dimmed the light for the night to see if she would take it when all was peaceful and quiet. Unfortunately, it was still there this morning, so i had to remove it and dispose of it.
I would have been nice if she had fed, but I’m not worried - yet!
I thawed one out and made sure it was not still chilled before introducing it to her viv. While she showed some interest and ‘sniffed’ at it for about 3-4 minutes, she didn’t take it. i moved it into the door of her hide and dimmed the light for the night to see if she would take it when all was peaceful and quiet. Unfortunately, it was still there this morning, so i had to remove it and dispose of it.
I would have been nice if she had fed, but I’m not worried - yet!
Settling In
Well the Royal Python seems to be settling in well.
what follows is a few lines on how she is housed.
Read More...
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The Collection Starts!
17/04/09 18:00 Categories: New Addition
I came home today with the start of my new
collection. She’s a female Royal Python (no name yet)
and a very nice looking lady she is too! Read
More...
