Happy Holidays!

Barbossa's the spoke-reptile for this year's merriment! Of course, Loke the bird has to sneak into the picture, but it's all about Barbossa and his gorgeousness. Of course, he was a little scared (read terrified) of posing with those little Santa dolls. I'm sorry, darling, don't hate me. I promise you won't have to do it again...at least until next year.
Anyway, he and I and the entire reptile squad would lie to wish you all happy, happy holidays!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

On this day, I give thanks for family, in all shapes, species, sizes, and scale patterns.
In particular, thank you to my beautiful 6 snakes, who make my life better every single day. Thank you, my darlings, for being your wonderful selves!



(Topkapi and Damascus, with a guest appearance by Loki, my bird, in the back)

Happy Halloween!

Ms. Topkapi would like to wish you all a fabulousssssss Halloween!

A Missiing Mouse

Barbossa has just finished eating and is resting comfortably under his heat lamp. Of course, I did have to help him with one mouse. He killed it and then had no clue where it went. It was, of course, still in his coils, but there was no way Barbossa could figure that out. I had to actually stick my hands in and uncoil him, and then feed him.
He got a littel scared, but the yummy mouse made up for that.

Everyone else has been behaving remarkably well. It's mighty suspicious. I'll be keeping an eye out for any craziness,

Adventures with a Boa

Barbossa had a bit of an adventure yesterday.
He somehow, for some reason, decided he'd been in his cage long enough. It was time for something new. I ascended the stairs with his mice, but he was not in his cage. Unusual, no, unheard of.
How did my shy baby get the courage to attempt a daring escape?

I scoured the room, knowing he couldn't leave because he couldn't get his coils past the door. I found him under the large, large bookcase. He'd gotten underneath and was curled up, happy in his new, if constrained hiding spot. I prodded him gently, but nothing. I would have to move the bookcase, but it's not an easy affair when it is as tall as the room, and packed with books.

So I calle dthe cavalry, my mom and dad. They'd recently bought one of those thingies (see the technical term?) to prod furniture up to place sliding pads underneath, so we used it to carefully lift the bookcase. I cannot describe the scene that ensued, my dad pushing the bookcase up, my mom sticking books underneath to keep it propped up, and I, with my hands under the bookcase, playing a game of catch-me-if-you-can with Barbossa. I grabbed him by the tail, but he was knotted up in his own coils, so I had to keep turning him, unwinding him like a scarf, until finally, with one more tug, he came free.
We were all sweaty and tired, but he looked none the worse for wear, if a bit sheepish. Yes, snakes can look sheepish.
So that was my Sunday afternoon. Interesting, no?

Prodigal Daughter

Yes, I know I've been MIA for a few weeks, but I've just been swamped with getting ready for a recital with my teacher's studio. Tahnkfully, that happened Friday and it went well.


That's a picture of me right after the recital. Can you spot the relief and exhaustion?

In the interim, Coral managed to escape and get found all in the space of a week. She was strolling around the kitchen's window sill, ejoying her freedom. My mom found her.

I might, MIGHT get a carpet python baby. A bunch of reptiles were confiscated from someome one trying to smuggle them in and they were handed over to the Wildlife Center (the reptiles, not the people. Although how fun would that be? Locking criminals up with George the Bald Eagle)If no one claims then, legally, in the next 90 days, anyone is free to take them.
We'll see what happens.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 49

Coral ate again! Yes! I think she's not angry with me anymore because I keep her safe in a cage. She's spending more time in her hiding place, so obviously she's becoming a bit more used to captivity. Or she's planning something major, involving smoke bombs and lasers glass cutters. Who knows with her?

Damascus ate also, with his usual gusto, while Talulah and Tybalt ate on Wednesday, so they are curled up with full bellies.
Topkapi didn't eat last week, I don't know why, so I'm hoping tonight she'll take the mouse. She's a grown snake, so it's not a big deal for her to miss a week, but still it makes me worry.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 48

Coral ate!!! Yay! I guess she saw that I was feeling a bit sick today so she took pity on me. Thank you Coral, you made my day.

Damascus shed and he looks fabulous, a reptilian movie star. He really needs head shots and things. Can you imagine him, gripping a pen with his tail and scribbling his autograph for adoring admirers? I'd be the first in line.
Well, I'd probably be the only person in line. But never mind.

Barbossa did his walking around the pool, like always. he always looks so happy when he walks around the pool. No matter how hot or humid it is outside, his joy at being in the open air makes up for any discomfort I might feel.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 47

So Coral is again not wanting to eat. I think she's throwing a little tantrum becasue I've not allowed her to escape again. She ate two weeks ago, so I'm not panicking yet, but I do want her to start taking the mice again.

Damascus ate, he's shedding but he doesn't seem to care. He atr without issue, by baby.

This morning I cleaned Tybalt and Talulah's cage because they are really messy snakes. They poop or pee and then slither across it, so that there are streaks everywhere. I don't get it. None of my other babies are that messy. Huh. At least they don't complain when I change their paper towels, which is good.
They've both been eating like angels, well, if angels had sharp teeth and strangled prey.

Feeding Frenzy...er, Saturday

I went to see the Harry Potter movie yesterday, so I begged leave from feeding my babies. Of course, lots of complaining ensued, hissing and lunging and pulling out of crontracts. Okay, not really, but that's what they probably would have liked to have done.
I fed them this morning, to everyone's satisfaction. I have Topkapi later tonight, and Barbossa tomorrow.

I won't lie, I was rooting for Voldemort yesterday. I know, I know, I've read the books so there was no way he could have won, but I was hoping. I mean, the man can speak to snakes and takes Nagini of walks! Evil-minded walks, but walks nonetheless! I like Harry, but there's just no competition. And when they killed Nagini, oh, geez, I practically jumped out of my chair. I knew it was coming, but still, poor baby.
Can someone tell me what the hell happened to the final battle scene between Harry and Voldemort? What was that? It was a bit on the pathetic side, in my opinion, nothing like the book. I'm still grumbling about it.



MS. Topkapi, drinking water for your viewing pleasure. The beauty!

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 46

Tybalt continues to want to eat frozen/thawed mice, so I am tap-dancing for joy. Talulah, of course, ate, as did Damascus.

So, Coral is somewhere loose in the house, yet again. She managed to grow hands to slide the glass door open, even with my elaborate cardboard lock. How does she do this?! She's hiding somewhere laughing maniacally at my futile attempts to track her down. I've checked in all the places she's hidden before, but nothing. She's too smart for me. Coral, why do you do this to me?

A Victorian Snake

I'm still trying to get used to having Odin gone. It's hard to walk into the libray/snake room and see the corner where his cage was empty.

Yesterday I didn't get a chance to post about feeding but everyone ate without too much issue. Tybalt was being a bit reluctant, I could practically see his little head working away, wondering if he felt like eating a frozen/thawed pinkie or waiting until Wednesday for a live one. After much convincing on my part (which means I kept rubbing the mouse under his nose) he deigned to open his mouth a bit. Not strike, no, that's too much effort for a subpar meal. I was happy, though. Maybe I can get him back on the frozen mice. Here's hoping.


That's Topkapi, of course, inspecting my table, checking out the vanilla scented candlewax and the feather quill. Perhaps she has an important missive to write. Maybe to a lover on a distant shore somewhere. Very possible with her.

For Odin

Today I'm not going to post about feeding day.
My little baby Odin died yesterday and so today I want to dedicate the post to him. He'd been sick for a while, and while I hoped he'd get better, he was too little to respond well to antibiotics. It was a horrible thing to find him yesterday morning so still in his cage.
It's so awful to lose a pet. I will miss you, little Odin.

Happy 4tth of July!

Ms. Topkapi would like to wish all of you in the US a happy 4th!
She'd also like to ask if any of you have a pair of sunglasses she could borrow? She was out partying until way too late.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 46

Topkapi just finished shedding, a few minutes before writing this, actually. She looks stunning!

I fed Damascus today first. He just looked so hungry I coulnd't start with anyone else. I gave him his mouse then turned to feed Taluah, who ate beautifully. I turned back and I see Damascus following my every movement through the glass, waiting for me to give him something else. He looked just like a dog begging for food. Too cute.

I assumed that Topkapi wasn't going to eat because she hadn't shed yet. I underestimated her, as I usually do. As soon as I put the mouse in, she lunged and wrapped herself around the very, very dead mouse.


I took that picture yesterday, when Topkapi was traversing the land that is my bed. She explored new horizons, discovered new lands, and spotted a really warm spot under my pillows.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 45

Ok, so today was a short feeding day. I'd fed Talulah and Tybalt (who is eating like a greedy little monster) on Wednesday when my sister brought the live pinkies, so I officially had just Coral, Damascus and Odin to feed. Topkapi is shedding so no mice for her.
Damascus ate with no problem, bless his little reptilian soul, but Coral also decided to begin shedding without warning me (I don't really know how she would have done that, but nevermind)so I had to give her mouse to Damascus also. Not a problem for him.

Next was Odin, who is sick. He keeps throwing up his food and I am beyond worried at this point. He's getting fluids but I need him to eat. He always looks hungry but can't seem to keep anythig down. I've checked and rechecked the temperature and humidity in his cage and nothing is off.
Warning: ye of weak stomachs, read no more.

Today I had an idea. I'd been feeding him pinkies that were a little bit bigger than the previous batch which made me think maybe they are too big for him. So, using my little head, I chopped the pinkie in half. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, chopped it in half with a kitchen knife, Ok, this was a frozen/thawed mouse, not a live one. I had visions of PETA knocking on my door.
Odin took it gladly, so now I'm just praying that he can digest it. I really, really hope so.
My poor little sick baby.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 44

I thought, since Tybalt ate beautifully on Wednesday, that I could feed Talulah while he was still in the cage. He couldn't possibly be hungry, could he? Yeah, well, he was. He lunged at his sister's mouth to grab the frozen pinkie from her. Just picture me, looking down at this sibling war, screaming a slow-motion "Noooooo!" as I flung my hand down to stop the bloodflow. Yeah, yeah, it wasn't quite that dramatic, but it was a sticky situation.
I'd defrosted another pinkie so I gave it to Tybalt. Since when does he eat frozen mice? I mean, it would be great if he switched to them so I wouldn't have to worry about getting him live ones.

Odin is sick. He keeps throwing up his food and I have checked everything, temperature, humidity, ligh-dark cycle, everything. I think he may have to go on anti-biotics. We'll see.

Dramatics

Tybalt ate two pinkies last night. I am so proud of him! He is a little eating machine now, which warms the cockles of my heart, or something like that.

Barbossa and I were walking outside today, the usual round around the pool, when I began to hear a screeching nearby. I look up and I see two birds, one blue jay and one mocking bird screaming at both of us. I mean, SCREAMING. Jeez, you'd think Barbossa and I had personally secuestered their babies and were holding them for ransom. Animals can be so dramatic sometimes.


And that's Topkapi, doing some Olympic hiking.

Missing Pinkies

My sister had trouble bringing the pinkies home last night, so I wasn't able to feed the newly hungry Tybalt. I'm going to attempt tonight with frozen mice, and hopefully he'll be so hungry he won't care.

Everyone is in their cages *cough Coral cough* and they all looks pretty happy. Odin still has not eaten, though, which is freaking me out. I'm soaking him in a disinfectant for reptiles just in case it's a bacteria or something that's bothering him and he's also getting fluids. I hope he starts eating again soon. I'm worried.

Award Ceremony

Barbossa has just finished eating and he looks as happy as a pig in mud. Of course, he ahd trouble eating thefirst one, since he grabbed it by the middle of the body. He moved, wiggled, and tried every other movement in his limited repertoire to readjust the mouse so he could swallow it, to no avail. I hat to pull it out of his mouth and try again. The second time went much better and the next mouse also gave him no trouble.
He is really the worst hunter, I should make a certificate and have a little trophy placed on top of his cage. To be fair, I would put it next to the award for sweetest animal.

Victory!

Tybalt ate last night, people! Are you as excited as I am?!!!
Probably not, but let me tell you, I was jumping and hollering and if I could do one without falling on my face I would have done a cartwheel around the room.
He actually ate TWO pinkies. I am floating on a cloud of pink relief.
That's all I had to report today, but boy, is it good news!

A Basket of Scales

Barbossa ate two mice on Sunday! Yay! This week I'm getting him three because he was asking for another one. The glutton.
He is curled up right now in his basket, like a little baby, albeit with fangs. And scales. And a tail. Okay, so not like a baby, but like a cute snake in a basket.
I'm concerned about Odin, he hasn't eaten in two weeks. It's not a long time snake-wise, but he's so little and so thin. I had my sister give him fluids, but he looks so weak, I'm really concerned.
I don't know what else to do to make him eat. I've tried live pinkies and frozen/thawed ones, and nothing. I can't tell if he's sick or if he's just being a reluctant eater. We'll see what happens.

Sofa Explorations

Topkapi is on the couch right now, crawling all over. We usually put something ont he couch so the dogs don't get on it, and today we have a bar stool lying sideways. She's loving it! She's crawling all over the legs and hanging off it, like a pirate looking for land. She's just so adorable. Now, she is crawling onto the side table, so I'm going to have to go stop her or she'll disappear under the couch.
Last night I caught Coral trying to sneak out. As soon as she saw me she ducked under her paper towels, but I saw her! She's such a meenie, she has everything she needs in her cage, why does she have to try to make it out?
Barbossa still has not shed, but it should be any day now. In a little it O'll be taking him out for a walk around the pool.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 43

Coral is still in her cage, halelujah! She ate a pinkie and a mouse today, so she must be quite happy. See Coral, captivity is not quite so bad.
Talulah of course ate, but Tybalt did not. I had my sister give him fluids, although she says he looks fine. She says I'm exaggerating (who, me?) and to stop worrying. He'll eat when he's good and ready, like Barbossa.
Now, I have to go feed Topkapi, or she'll start whining.

Bounty Hunters

My mom found Coral yesterday!
She came into my room as I was about to get up and told me she was beneath the sink. She saw her but could not make herself grab her. Coral is a bit intimidation, although she is more of a bully than anything else.
So, of course, by the time I made it downstairs, and I mean the few seconds it took me, she was of course gone. Yeah. Just picture the two of us, neither my mom nor I were fully awake, hunting a multi-colored snake through the many bottles of detergents and cleaners. The funny thing is that mom told me Coral had been wrapped around the jar where I defrost the snake's mice on feeding day. She smelled it out!
We found her in the cupboard next to the sink, hiding underneath a bunch of cloth napkins. She didn't even bother striking or hissing.
One for the humans! Yay!!
Now let's see how long it takes her to escape again.
Anyone want to put money on it?

I wanted to show you ll that I'm not lying, Barbossa actually loves the pool. The teeny, tiny problem though, is that he can't swim. He goes straight to the bottom, the poor baby. I've actually gotten in the pool with him to see if he can manage, but I think the twisted coil he's had since he was a baby doesn't let him undulate the way he needs to swim. Still, his passion continues. Maybe one day, Barbossa.

By the way, he ate two mice on Sunday, which I am very happy about. Now he's in the process of shedding so he won't eat this week, but maybe next week I can get him three mice. Hear that, Barbossa? Three.

Easter!

To all the Christians out there, Happy Easter! Just don't forget, if you eat chocolate eggs, bunnies or chicks, that the reason they exist is because of Eostara, a Pagan goddess of fertility. Just a reminder, don't mean to rain on your parade.

I was so busy Friday that I didn't get a chance to post about the feeding. Everyone ate, except for Tybalt, who is still refusing. I've already switched the light bulb in his heat lamp, hopefully that will make a difference. We'll see.
Today Barbossa, eats, so lend all your good thoughts to make him hungry and to make his aim true.

Now go eat chocolate until you pass out.

Headache

So Tybalt has still not eaten. I am really concerned now. I have no idea what could be bothering him. I changed the lightbulb on his heat lamp to see if maybe by increasing the heat he'd feel more inclined to eat, but I'm getting really nervous. He's little, not like Barbossa who can go weeks without eating with not serious consequences.
I even tried with a fuzzie instead of with a pinkie, since the fuzzies have hair and therefore smell more like mice than a pinkie, and still nothing. I'm trying again today and see what happens.


Barbossa, however, was a perfect angel on Sunday and ate his mouse without too much trouble. He kept looking up for more mice, so this week I'll get him two and see how he fares. Hopefully, soon I'll be able to get him back up to three mice a week.

I'll be baking today, so if you're interested hop on over to Carabosse's Bakeshop

Reptilian Greediness

It's been such a long week! And it's still going on, because in an hour and a half I have a voice lesson to run to.
But, forget all of that, because my babies are all doing marvelously. Tybalt has still not eaten which is causing me concern, but I have not given up hope. I gave him NutriCal and although he hated it, he drank it down. So at least I know he has some nutrients in his little body.
Everyone else ate just fine yesterday. I'ts funny because I'd completely forgotten I'd fed Damascus an extra mouse a few days ago that Barbossa did't want, and he did nothing to remind me of that little fact. He ate just like he were a little starving snake in the middle of the jungle. Only afterwards did I narrow my eyes with a "wait-a-minute" look. He is something else.

A Toast!

Sound the trumpets! BArbossa ate last night! Yes, it's true, the miracle has happened and I've declared April 10th a national holiday to worship the majesty that is Barbossa. Donations in mice and mulch are welcomed.

Talulah is shedding which is no surprise since she is getting bigger by the second. Tybalt is giving me some problems with his food, he's reluctant to take the pinkies, even the live ones and I'm starting to think he is just as picky as Barbossa when it comes to eating. I wonder if it's a male thing.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 42

I almost got Barbossa to eat a pinkie today. He missed three times because the pinkie is small and his aim has never been the best, but it gives me hope that he is hungry. Hopefully that means that he will take a mouse on Sunday. Send your good vibes his way.

Everyone else was sparkling balls of energy and hunger, hissing and spiting, lunging and rolling. Ok, not really, more like opening their mouths so I can place the mice inside without too much effort on their part, but hey, I have a healthy imagination.

I'm so proud of all of them, not I just have to get Mr. Shyness to eat and I'll be thrilled.

Prison Break

Coral has disappeared again. Ok, now I'm convinced something's up. I checked her cage and the doors were closed, so she could not have escaped through there. There's some other way she's making it out, I guess I'm going to have to tear the cage apart to look for the defective glass pane. Argh!

Topkapi shed and she looks so much better. The mold whatever she had on her tail is gone, so Neosporin works! Yay! She ate on Friday so she is back to normal.
Barbossa, however, has still not had a single morsel to eat. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm going to keep trying, but if he doesn't eat soon, he's getting fluids. That's it, I've decided.

The Traveller

My sister found Coral last night!
She came into my room in the middle of the night proclaiming her miraculous find. She'd heard some noises in her room and decided to investigate, and lo and behold, Coral was enjoying a stroll through her floor.
Ok, here's the thing you need to know: sister's room is downstairs. So Coral exited the snake room, trailed down huge wooden stair steps, and managed to cross the family room to get to my sister's room.
All that while avoiding the many other animals that run around the house at one point or another.
It's flabbergasting. I bow down to your cunning and courage, Coral.

Barbossa and the Evil Syringe

I'm going to make the attempt to feed Barbossa tonight. He still hasn't eaten, which has put me in a mild state of panic. The other day I tried to give him Nutrical, which is a perfect dietary supplement for pretty much any animal,including snakes, and I think he almost died of fright.
I'd diluted it in water so that I could give it to him by syringe instead of forcing it down his throat in one huge chunk.
Yeah...I had more of it on me than I managed to get in Barbossa's stomach. What a mess. My floor is still sticky.

Coral is still a no-show, by the way. I've looked everywhere. She's probably hiding somewhere, laughing as I pass near her a hundred times a day. Evil, evil snake.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 41

Super short feeding day today, only two snakes in the morning and Topkapi in a few hours. I was kind of disappointed, I was looking forward to a full day of shenanigans. Oh, well, there's always next week.

Topkapi's tail is looking better, so I guess the Neosporin and Betadine are doing their job. She is also abut to shed, which will help her heal.
Snakes have really incredible abilities, if they're injured they shed their skin to help the wound close, if they have bacteria they do the same thing.
They're amazing, but then again, I already knew that.

As promised, here are some pictures of Topkapi enjoying my soft, cottony bedspread.
My moniature loch Ness monster.

On the Loose

It's been a crazy bunch of few days, but all my babies are just fine.
One teeny tiny little thing...Coal has managed to thwart my security efforts and is on the lam.
That's right boys and girls, a snake pried apart my state-of-the-art folded piece of cardboard, which I'd placed in between the sliding glass doors, and has Houdini-ed (ha, I've created a verb) her way out.
I was so happy, it'd been months without an escape, but I guess she was just biding her time. Lulling my defenses before she STRUCK with her clever reptilian mind.

Yes, it's overly dramatic, so what?

In other news, I took some cool pictures of Topkapi this morning which I wanted to post up, but I think I'll devote a whole post to the beauty that is Queen Topkapi. She would not appreciate sharing a page with Coral's craziness.

Moldy Tail

Tybalt ate last night! Yay!
I am however, a bit concerned about Topkapi. She seems to have some sort of mold growing on her tail. I noticed it a few days ago and I've been maniacally spreading Neosporin and Betadine on her to try to get rid of it. It's not worse, but it's not really better.
I guess I have to give it more than three days to see effects, but I am not known for my patience. No, indeed.

As a pagan, I can't very well go about celebrating a saint's day so...

Happy Green Beer Day!

Picture Day!

A group picture! Not all my babies are here (especially Coral, since milksnakes actually eat other snakes.

So on the picture, Barbossa on the bottom step, Topkapi on my lap, Damascus doing all kinds of crazy stuff in the back and Odin between my hands. Next time I have to get the other three, so I can have a complete picture to frame up or something.

Atrocities in Sweetwater, Texas

I am taking the opportunity today to share with you what is happening in Sweetwater, Texas right now.
Today is the horrific Rattlesnake Roundup. I have mentioned them before, but to the ones that don't know about it, here is a brief overview of what happens annually in these barbaric festivals.
Rattlesnakes hibernate in large dens, several hundred of them curled up together to keep safe, and humans take advantage of this camaraderie to hunt them down. These "people" pour gas fuel into the dens to draw the suffocating rattlesnakes out. They catch them and take them to a large convention center, where the party can begin. The snakes are all poured out into one giant pit where they run the risk of injuring each other or dying crushed by the weight of their companions. If they survive, they are taken through the rounds, where they are weighed and measured (what the hell for?), they are displayed, angered, frightened and made to bite containers to extract their venom. They are paraded, always gripped by the back of the head with such violence I wouldn't be surprised if many of them die in the brutal hands of these so-called humans. Finally, their heads are chopped off, they are skinned and then they are put up to hang, like at a butcher shop, for people to order a rattlesnake meal. There are pictures of children who watch as the poor creatures are murdered in front of them, while humans laugh all around.
How these disgusting and savage "celebrations" are allowed to continue is beyond me.

Birthay to the Blog

Today is my blog's birthday! It's been a year since I began to chronicle the craziness that takes place in my den. It doesn't feel like it's been a year, not at all.
But anyway, I raise a glass to my beautiful snakes, past and present, for the incredible gift of allowing me to take care of them.
Cheers!

Tantrum

Yesterday afternoon, I saw that Topkapi's much was quite dirty, so I decided to change it. Problem was, I had no much left. Well, paper towels would not be such a bad idea, right? Oh, foolish, foolish human.
It seemed like I'd dipped her body in acid. As soon as I put her down on the QUILTED, very soft, paper towels, she flinched back and began to circle around her cage, hoping for an exit. Even this morning she still looked as uncomfortable as a snake can look.
It's only for today, Topkapi. Tonight I'll bring clean mulch.
I wish she'd get used to it, though, because paper is so much easier to clean. Way more convenient.
Oh, well. Whoever said keeping snakes was easy.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 40

Feeding is done! Every one of my babies behaved with reptilian decorum, you could practically see them demurely wiping their lips on engraved silk napkins.
Damascus, however, is shedding so he did a little frightened dance and hid his head beneath his coils.
All in all, a satisfying day.

By the way, I have started another blog in which I'll review books. Since I'm a reviewer at You Gotta Read and Midwestern Book Review, I thought it'd be a good idea to keep things organized. If it is something that interests you, head over to Carabosse's Library

A Prince

That is Mr. Damascus. He seemed captivated by the camera, well it is bright pink, so it's hard to miss.



He explored all over the table, lifting up the pages if the book I was reading, and just being his adorable self.



A closeup of his majestic profile. And no, I'm not nuts, I happen to think he has a majestic demeanor.

Ode to a Coward

Barbossa seemed to want to eat today. I put the mouse inside and he struck, twice...and missed, twice. Of course, now he does not want the mouse, and is doing all he can to show me there's NO WAY he's taking it.
I'm hoping he'll try again later, but I'm not holding out too much hope. He's so frustrating! I have the poor mouse in a plastic container so he can't escape.
Good thing I love him so much.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 39

It's been such a good feeding day today, everyone ate with gusto.
I have to share how Coral ate though, because it boggles the mind. When I opened her cage she was in her tree, or really, half out of her tree because she doesn't fit anymore. I tried to pull her out but she is ridiculously stubborn, so I took out the whole tree along with her into the feeding container. She took the mouse in that position! I couldn't believe the laziness!
How do they come up with these things?

Oh, by the way, on the right you'll see a badge that will lead you to a petition to stop rattlesnake roundups, so if you could take the time to sign it, I will give you a million dollars. OK, no I won't, but I'll be grateful.

Members of the Hefty Club

I had these fabulous pictures of Damascus that I wanted to post but I just realized my sister took my camera's memory card. Argh!
Oh well, you'll have to wait another day to see my reptilian movie star. My mom saw him the other day and couldn't believe he was the same snake I used to hold in one hand.

Talulah and Tybal are looking great. She is almost twice his girth, and takes full advantage of it, pushing him away whenever she wants a particular spot in their cage. She's a bit of a bully. I have to separate them when they eat or she'll steal his mouse. Feisty.

Coral has shed and is looking around for food. She'll have to wait until Friday, not a huge deal when she's as fat as she is right now. The other day she tried to curl up inside her tree and she couldn't fit. The embarrassment, Coral!

Baking for Venom One

It's been a busy bunch of days. I've been doing a lot of writing and typing, so forgive the long silences.
All my babies are doing wonderfully, they all ate this past Friday (except for Barbossa.
Tomorrow I'll be doing something quite interesting. My sister bought me two baking molds, one in the shape of an alligator and the other one of a snake, so I'm going to bake some cookies for the Venom One team. If you don't know who these people are, my Gods you are missing out! They are the division of the fire department that will come to your rescue if you get bitten by a venomous snake. They fly to anywhere in the country, toting antivenin, ready to see you through the horrible experience.
Apart from that, I've also adopted two of my snakes from Lisa, a member of the unit. She gave me CocoRosie, my darling, and Coral, my lightning bolt.
So, yes, I'll be sending them some yummy cute stuff to eat. I have to remember to double or triple the recipes I use. They are fire-fighters, after all.

Topkapi the Vampire Slayer

I just finished holding Odin. He looks huge. Every time I see him, he's grown a few centimeters. He is calmer, but I still have to be careful when I go to grab him or he starts hissing and lunging in fear. I'm sure he'll grown out of this when he gets older. Just look at Topkapi, she was a little ball of fangs when she was little and now you could do cartwheels around her without disturbing her.
Speaking of Topkapi, today she was on the couch with me and I am convinced she could actually see what was going on in the screen. We were watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the last two episodes of season two, which for any Buffy fans are MAJOR episodes. So I Topkapi was caught up in the drama that is Buffy and Angel.
You had to see her, her little head lifted in attention, flicking her tongue occasionally at the movement before us. Adorable.

Powers

So we're back to square one with Barbossa. Well, maybe not quite square one because he did eat last week, but still. I don't know what he expects me to do, call the winter away and make it nice and balmy so he can walk outside? I do not have those powers Barbossa!

Coral is shedding so she is looking mighty scruffy. She's still laying by the door waiting for someone to forget there's a wee snake in there, but that's not going to happen. And even if she does manage to get out I know her secret hiding place. Mwahahahaha.
Pathetic, huh?

I am baking some yummy stuff, spice muffins, so if you are interested in getting the recipe, hop on over to Carabosse's Bakeshop, link on the right.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 38

Coral is shedding yet again. You know what that means, she's eating a lot! I think I'm going to have to put her on a bit of a diet, for a few weeks at least so that she doesn't run the risk of exploding.
Topkapi just finished eating. She gave me such a smack when she struck, my hand actually jerked back. She's getting so strong.


Odin is eating beautifully, as is Talulah. All I have to worry about is Barbossa on Sunday. Since it's turned cooler and I've not been able to take him out walking, who knows.

Missions

Coral has been giving me evil looks recently. She paces and gazes (rhyme!) around her door, seeing if there's any possible way she might escape. For now, I think I have her thwarted, although give her some more days and she'll probably pull a Mission Impossible. She's probably been watching the movies to get ideas.
Can you imagine, a snake watching TV, remote gripped between coils? Too cute.

I just came back from a lesson and I am tired tired tired. I'm debating whether to bake today or do leave it until tomorrow. By the way, I've been putting all my recipes with pictures in the link on the right: Carabosse's Bakeshop. Stop by and see the yumminess.

Blackmail

Barbossa ate yesterday!
You know, I've come to the realization that snakes are smarter than they appear. Point on case: for weeks I've not been able to take Barbossa outside because it's been too cold for him. So, foolish little me, I thought that taking him out to roam the upstairs hallway was a good substitute. Stupid, stupid human. To snap me back into action, my shy baby decides to go on a hunger strike. I, of course, begin to freak out and obsess about everything around him. Nothing is amiss...until I realize I haven't taken him outside in weeks. That's when it hits me, and, thanks to the obliging weather, I have granted him his wish.
And just like that, he's back to eating.
Incredible.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 37

Yeah, so the experiment with Barbossa was a huge failure, as you could probably had predicted. He looked at the pinkie as if aliens had landed and he was seconds from being abducted by the hairless creature before him.
Then Tybalt didn't want it either so I gave it to the ever-hungry Talulah. *sigh*

At least everyone that was supposed to eat today gave me no trouble. I guess they leave notes for each other like "hey, take it easy on the human today, I nearly drove her mad two days ago", that kind of thing. Except, of course, on those days when they band together and decide to throw a collective hissy fit.
Whenever someone says snakes are easy pets, I have the urge to slapped him or her with a frying pan.

Reluctant Reptile

I am going to attempt something crazy with Barbossa tonight. My sister was mandated to get two live pinkies instead of just one and I will try to tempt reluctant reptile to eat. He can't possibly be afraid of a pinkie, right? Stay tuned and find out.

We might be acquiring a gecko that has gout. He needs a home and people who will give him his medication (which he has to take for the rest of his life). I have no problem with taking care of him, on the contrary, but I asked my sister to make sure he is stable and that he eats regularly, because I don not want a tragedy on my hands. not after Maat. So we'll see. My mom has seen it and she says he is adorable.

Barbossa's Tantrum

Barbossa is refusing to eat. He has finished shedding and he should be hungry but nope, nothing doing.
I got him two mice yesterday, naively hoping he'd get over whatever it is that is bothering him, but he coiled back in horror at what I'd placed in front of his eyes. I tried again today and the same thing. What's wrong, Barbossa? Is it that I'm not walking you outside as much as you like? But it's cold, and you'll get sick if I take you for a stroll, or slither, around the pool. You'd be a boa popsicle. I'm sorry you don't like winter, if there was a way for me to make the days hot and humid the way you like them, I would, but I do not possess that skill. Please eat. Please, please, please, please, please, please eat.
Don't make me worry like that.

In other news, I went to see Black Swan on Saturday, and oh, wow. It is one of the best, most gorgeous films I've seen in a long while. Some of the imagery really stays with you. If you get a chance, go see it.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 36

Finally! I've been trying to log in the whole day but my Internet connection was a bit psychotic today.
OK, well, everyone ate today. I'm so happy, they are all curled up and enjoying their full bellies. I actually thought I was going to have to endure a lot of reptilian attitude because I changed every one's mulch yesterday and that always provokes hissy fits. Coral wanted to strangle me when she took one whiff of the clean, unscented fir chips. Sorry Coral, but I needed to clean your cage.
Topkapi was not happy either but she has grown used to my shuffling her substrate around.
Talulah has shed and she was starving today. A little, poor, orphan snake who hasn't eaten in, oh, I don't know, just one week! You are not going to collapse of malnutrition, Talulah. I'm sorry I did not have a mouse waiting the minute you finished shedding, jeez.
These snakes.

Sense of Security

Everyone is in his or her cage. I think it's been 5 days since the last escape. I think we have improvement, don't you?

Barbossa is still mid-shed so he is hiding underneath his towel. Did I mention it's a Little Mermaid towel? Every time I see him, his serious-looking head peeking out from underneath Ariel's red hair, I have a giggling fit. He's probably not amused, but it was the only towel I had on hand.
Talulah is also not done shedding, but she should look all beautiful in a couple of days.
Not much going on, really, which I'm not to comfortable with. I'm used to being on my toes, chasing after one or another tail slinking into inconvenient places.
We'll see what my babies are planning.

Sunny Morning

I found Coral! Yay! She was curled up in the lining of my laptop leather bag. She actually made a hole in the leather, don't ask me how, and she was hiding away laughing as I searched the room. She is back in her cage and she ate with gusto on Friday. I now have a cardboard piece folded into the sliding door so she can't move it anymore. I'm sure she'll figure out a way, but for now I have bested her.
Sad, isn't it?




That is Topkapi enjoying a Sunday morning on my bed. Paper? Coffee? Anything you require, Topkapi? I know, a mimosa!



"Will you just put the camera away and let me sleep!"

Okay, okay.

Responsibilities

My sister came yesterday with the news that one of the snakes at the center where she works is starving. STARVING. In captivity. It boggles my mind how something like this can happen. Well, maybe not so much because I know who runs the reptile division. The young man (I won't name names although I should) has said many times, and I quote "I hate reptiles". And yet, no one fires him, no one asks him for his feeding schedules, which is good for him because he doesn't keep any, no one does anything. Two snakes have already died in his care. How many more of them does it require for his supervisors to take charge of the situation?
My sister comes day after day, week after week telling me "well, he left without feeding them today" and I seethe at the words. I get stomach-aches of guilt if I am one day late in feeding my babies. We are keeping them in cages with the hope that we can give them safer lives, we trade freedom for steady meals. I just...I don't understand the mistreatment. If you don't care one iota for the poor creatures, then quit.
I told my sister that if they want, I can take care of the starving snake for a few weeks until she is back to the right weight, but I doubt they'll allow that. I have a freezer full of mice and patience by the bucket-full to coax her back into eating.

*whoo* Deep breath.

My precious ones are all doing beautifully (except for Ms. Coral who remains MIA). Topkapi has shed and looks like a movie star, Catherine Zeta-Jones style, while Barbossa is still mid-way through the process.
I took Damascus out yesterday and he is looking so chunky. Beautiful. I just want to snuggle against him, but he pulls back in disgust, a "human, away!" look in his eye.
Oh, well I must manage with my unrequited love.

Ninja Snake

No, I have not found Coral. That's just a picture of her I took the day before she so mysteriously said "screw this I'm going to Hogwarts" and disappeared. Where the hell is she? I've searched everywhere. Well, not everywhere, but some places seem highly unlikely to contain a snake. For example: the oven, the freezer, the top of the bookshelf, the toilet's water tank. Although with Coral who knows? She could very well be on top of the bookcase waiting for the perfect opportunity to spring down and scare me to death. If I suddenly stop writing, that's probably what happened.




Isn't she gorgeously evil looking?

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 35

What is going on with my snakes? It seems like everyday I find another one out of his or her cage! Am I not taking care of you as well as you'd like? Am I being inattentive, mean, cruel, am I starving you? Please guys and gals stay put!
Today it is Coral. I came into the library/snake room and found one of her doors slightly open, with a groan I looked. Of course, she was gone. She had finished shedding and decided it was time to take a trip, an adventure awaited. Yes, well, Coral, now you're running around without water and making me worry about the temperatures at night...Argh!
One of these days they are all going to get together and make an exodus out the front door. I'll walk in the next morning and see empty cages and Barbossa cowering in the corner, shell-shocked and remorseful. It could happen.
My angel Damascus ate. Odin did not seem too happy. I changed his cage for another tank and I think he is mad at me because he refused the pinky I offered him.

The juggling of seven ophidian relationships is taking its toll on me. Poor me.

Stressed Human

Barbossa is driving me bonkers! He doesn't want to eat! Argh!
I don't know of for some reason he decided it's time to hibernate, although he's never done it before. I don't know, why does he have to worry me like this?
Plus, I'm trying to take him out less because I don't want him to waste calories but he looks at me with reproach and starts pacing his cage in a show of excruciating boredom. I'm hoping maybe he's about to shed or something and I haven't noticed yer. Let's hope so.
I'm also sending a prayer for Tybalt to eat tonight. Since he just finished shedding, there's a very good chance he is starving, so we'll see.
As I always say, these snakes will lead me to drink.

Poker Face

It is so gloomy outside I had to muster up energy to type this up. Isn't it incredible how much effect weather has on our systems?
My snakes seem fine, though, depressing weather or not.
Tybalt shed last night and he is looking peckish, unfortunately I won't be able to get him food until Wednesday, so I'm going to see that little head darting up every time I come in the room.
Coral is almost ready to shed and is looking grumpy. I know she is all bluff, but she is a GOOD bluffer. She'd win poker tournaments in a jiffy. I want to take some more pictures of her so maybe in a day or two when she is more herself again I'll attempt a photo shoot. She is a trying model.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 34

Odin ate and Damascus ate. That was all for today since everyone else is in the midst of a shed.
I have to share something that happened the other day with Barbossa. It was a day or two after I'd done the cleaning in the snake room, and in the spirit of updating things I gave Barbossa a much bigger water bowl. OK, it's more of an unused glass casserole pan, but he doesn't know that. I thought it'd be great for him to lay in since he appears to be entranced by water. The only problem is that it's too big to allow room for the basket he also has in his cage. I decided to try it out and see how it went.
Well, it went badly. Barbossa loved the bowl but I saw him start pacing his cage. Yesterday I saw him looking up, longing in his eyes. I knew I'd screwed up and he missed his hiding place. But how to give him another one and keep the bowl he likes?
I put an old soft towel in there and hoped for the best. Apparently, he likes it. He's been hiding under it for the past day. Whew!

Shedding

Just wanted to share what Miss Topkapi looks like when she is shedding. You can see her blue eyes clearly, and that gray sheen on her scales.
She's still active, though, I guess she really trusts me to catch her if she falls.

New Year Cleaning

It's already been a long week and it's only Tuesday.
Yesterday I spent the day cleaning the library/snake room after I found some fleas in there. Fleas don't do anything to snakes except annoy them, but since my babies are extra picky when it comes to their environment, I felt guilty enough to take it upon myself to clean.
I moved all the tanks to my parent's room and you had to see the faces on some of the snakes. Looking at me as if I had lost my mind. Barbossa u=just cringed in a corner. But at least now they are more comfortable, I hope.
I was supposed to have a lesson today but my teacher called to cancel because he is sick. I have all this time on my hands and I am bored. Are you bored?