My *new* Ball Python

[CharlieJ]

Well, here he is folks, my newest acquisition -- a yearling male ball python. He is my first boid, and only my family second snake.

This handsome fellow was purchased today from Ben Siegal at the Raleigh, NC Carolina Reptiles and Exotic Animals show. I'll post pics of our other two new pets tomorrow -- a baby corn (for Alyssa) and a black/white, wide-banded, California King (for Noah).

Alyssa named her male corn "Cary". Noah named is female king "Sparkle". Both are pretty snakes! We're thinking of naming my BP "Zorro" -- because of his yellow/black mask around the eyes.

Let me know what you think of the BP and the name idea. BE HONEST! Thanks!

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[garrett]

cute lil guy

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[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

HE IS BEAUTIFUL!!! Although the feeding issues make me weary of them, they are just so darn cute that you can't resist looking into them

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[The_Master_Of_Dance_Blaze]

Very cute! My ball python never had trouble eating... She has a great appitite, and she's never turned down a mouse/rat. I wouldn't mind seeing the corn and king snake as well! I'll bet they're beautiful too.

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[jpaulson]

Great photo work!! What kind of camera do you have?

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[Razaiel]

Lovely pics and a GORGEOUS BP - loves posing doesn't he

BP's are really not difficult at all if the husbandry is right - apart from her first week or two of settling in - my BP has never missed a meal.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[louise]

the 4th picture is beyone cute! i love thier faces.

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[Pepsi_35]

Great Photos - hes very hansom, and not camera shy lol - hes great !

[CharlieJ]

THANKS for the great compliments, both on the photography and the BP. I really want to thank those of YOU who assisted me (and my family) in making decisions regarding Noah's & Alyssa's choices, as well as my choice.

I especially want to thank wildscarlettrose2001 for going the extra mile and helping with lots of specific info on BPs.

We took these pics with a Nikon CoolPix 5700. I'll post others (of Sparkle & Cary), taken with a Panasonic Lumix DMZ-LC2, as soon as we find the USB cable for the PC.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[scarlettrose2006]

Oh, Charlie, thanks..hehe, I just can't help but love those Ball Pythons !!!
You picked a WONDERFUL one, look how cute he is. And how CURIOUS...
You can usually make awesome pictures of them because they "pose"... They like to keep their lil heads up high to see whats going on.
Yours doesn't look shy at all, he looks beautiful, healthy and curious.
Love the name as well...it fits him
Can't wait for the pics of the other babies, your kids must be thrilled, and you too
Congrats !!

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[scarlettrose2006]

...oh, and YES, he has that "vibrant" healthy look about him. His eyes are nice and shiny, not de-hydrated looking at all. His skin is subtle and again, not a dry spot on him. He also doesn't look like he missed many meals.

On top of that, beautiful coloration and contrast, I think you picked a winner

Now make sure you set him up with at least 2 hides and a bit of greenery around to make him feel safe...don't bother him or even attempt feeding him for about a week, then you can try. If he doesn't take it, wait another full week while leaving him alone.

As long as he feels "safe" , he will eat. And once he eats, you can start handling him more and more...

They live for a VERYYYYYY long time when healthy, so you have many years ahead with "Zorro" (if that will end up being his name... )

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[amercnwmn]

Congrats Charlie!!! Love the snake, great looking BP! Love the name Zorro!

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[CharlieJ]

THANKS again. I forgot to tell you guys... We won the first door prize -- a medium Exo-Terra Reptile Den. Three new cages, some substrate and feeders were added via purchase. Needless to say my wallet is now emtpy.
The only bad thing is that the hide purchased for Zorro is too large for his terrarium. We hope to get a better fitting one today.

HEY...
I posted another thread (in Colubrids) with pics of Noah and Alyssa -- and their new pets, Sparkle and Cary. The link is http://redtailboa.net/forums/showthread.php?t=23187

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[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Ya, looks like a healthy ball. Hope he leads to a horrible addiction of many more snakes like we all have!!! lol

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[Sleepy_FF]

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

Let me know what you think of the BP and the name idea. BE HONEST! Thanks!

oooh. that last pic is awesome. and as for the name, i like that name, i ddnt think it fit till i saw the last pic. hes a lovely snake.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[Sleepy_FF]

Originally Posted by Pork Chops N' Corn Bread

Ya, looks like a healthy ball. Hope he leads to a horrible addiction of many more snakes like we all have!!! lol

horrible addiction? never... i only want another rtb, a brazilian rainbow, two etbs........ etc

	Emerald Tree Boa The Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus) is a species of bright green snake that lives in the rainforests of South America.

[CharlieJ]

I already have a feeling of addiction. I want to learn all I can; spend lots of time with the snakes; build an awesome caging system... and now Alex (13yo) wants her own BP. Need I go on? I really do have a life. I promise!

QUESTION: Ben Siegal had Zorro, along with 6-8 other males, in a tub marked "fancy" ball pythons. Since I've only begun to learn the subtle differences, I'm at a loss. What is it that makes Zorro "fancy" as opposed to a "normal" BP? Was the "fancy" label a marketing term or is there truly a "fancy ball python". BTW, Ben said one of the males in the tub was gravid. Hmmm... your input would be appreciated.

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[CharlieJ]

Originally Posted by amercnwmn

Congrats Charlie!!! Love the snake, great looking BP! Love the name Zorro!

Zzzank you... Get it? Oh well, I'm a computer geek, not a comedian.

Anyway, "Zorro" has more significance than just the "mask" he wears. As you know, Zorro is a fictitious, masked Hispanic hero. My wife is a Spanish teacher at a local school. So, there are a couple of degrees of separation (or should that be connection) between the snake and his name.

[scarlettrose2006]

Some sellers like to call some Ball Pythons "fancy" . Usually those are normal Ball Pythons that are "stand out" pretty. That could be very bright coloring, stark contrast, or a very vivid Jungly looking pattern. Anything that favorably sets it apart from other Ball Pythons.

I doubt that a male was gravid...that would indeed be some miracle...LOL.

Not sure why Ben said that? Females get gravid...

Oh well, you have a beautiful Ball Python there, and he looks so curious and full of personality. And he sure looks healthy and vibrant as well.

Congrats

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	Gravid Gravid term used in biology to describe the condition of a female oviparous when carrying young internally.

[CharlieJ]

Lucy, Ben may have been talking about the tub next to the males. It had females. However, I thought he was pointing to the males when he made the comment about one being gravid. Anyway, THANKS for the reply regarding the "fancy" tag. I didn't think there was much to it -- but Zorro really stood out to me. His bright yellow colors and deep contrast made him a real standout. I'll post more pics after the settle-in period.

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	Gravid Gravid term used in biology to describe the condition of a female oviparous when carrying young internally.