Strange Activities

Barbossa is pacing his cage. Do you think he is training for a marathon?
Neither do I.

I'm sure he's just looking for a place to poop, which means I'll have to check throughout the day so His Royal Highness doesn't throw a hissy fit.

Topkapi has been behaving really well for the past few days. I'm getting a bit scared of this exemplary behavior. It never bodes well with her.

Last night I offered Maat a live pinkie. I placed it at the opening of her hiding place, moved it around (sorry mouse) and then left it inside. I turned off the lights, since sometimes snakes like to eat in complete darkness. If the mouse were bigger I would never have done this because it's not safe to the snake, but since it was a baby mouse it was fine. I checked on them 20 minutes later and Maat had left the premises. She refused to take it, yet again. I sighed and gave her Pedialyte.

I handed the mouse over to Tybalt who ate it in about three seconds.

Fear Tactics

I took Coral out last night. Mainly because I wanted to see her, but the fact that my sister is scared of her doesn't really hurt. It's quite amusing, because she is not usually scared of snakes, but my personal striped lightning-bolt makes her queasy. Something I take full advantage of whenever I get the chance.

My baby was her usual crazy self, lunging at everything. What I tell my sister is that Coral is a big bluffer. She might lunge at you, but her mouth is closed, she is not hissing and she doesn't attempt to bite. At all.
I'm on to her, so I just hold on while she squirms and does her fear-mongering routine. Now she's also gotten into the habit of moving the tip of her tail really fast, creating the sound of a rattle. You are not, nor will ever be, a rattlesnake Coral. Ever.

Adventures in Dining

Barbossa ate his three mice yesterday. He had problems with all of them.

The first one he grabbed from the middle, so, of course he ended up killing it and then putting it down to rearrange it...and then loosing it. He looked like a guy in a parking lot "now, where did I put that car?" Except he has a superb smelling sense and a tongue designed to pick up exactly where the prey is.
I had to stick my hand in there, which I DO NOT advise anyone to do when a snake is in "feeding mode", but I know my shy baby well enough to know he'd rather chew off his own tail than bite me.
I repositioned the mouse and down it went.

The second one he grabbed by the tail. He's done that before and it takes him a few minutes to realize that the only thing he is constricting is a tail and that he'll get nowhere if he doesn't restrike. Which he did, and ate that mouse also.

The third one he was a little confused on. It was a light brown, spotted mouse. I'd heard before that some snakes are super picky when it comes to even the color of the mice they eat. Some will only eat white ones, others only black ones, etc.
I'd never encountered this behavior before in my snakes, but I saw a little of it yesterday.
Barbossa looked disconcerted. Not sure if it was food or an alien sent to destroy him. After a bit of prodding, he realized it was food and promptly ate him, while I shook my head.

I swear, these snakes will lead me to drink.

Villainous Affairs

I was lazy yesterday and did not post about how the feeding went. Everyone who was supposed to eat, ate. Ta dah! Done.
Now that I look at what I wrote, I'm pretty sure I could have mustered up the energy to write it yesterday, but at the time it felt like a cataclysmic event that I just couldn't bring myself to perform.
Dramatic, aren't we?

Anyway, I went to my French class today, not the most fun I've ever had but at least I'm polishing up my long-forgotten inner French person. Afterwards I stopped by the library and got some books. I picked up The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and an Agatha Christie in French so I can continue practicing.
I then went to the movies to see Devil.

Now, after The Happening, I wasn't sure I would EVER watch another M. Night Shyamalan movie. If you've seen that laugh-riot you understand completely. The wind, people, the wind.

Ok, I saw the previews of this new movie and I thought, unless he's on crack, I don't think he can screw it up too badly. A bunch of people trapped in an elevator, and one of them is the devil. Good, simple scenario. I still went into the theater with trepidation, hoping I wouldn't spend the whole afternoon cursing Mr. Shyamalan.
The movie started...and it was good.
I was so relieved and kind of proud. He managed to redeem himself quite nicely. Good suspense, good acting, some frightening moments and a killer soundtrack.
I left the movie with a new pep in my step, which is surprising after watching a movie about the Devil killing a bunch of people, but don't judge me. I have a soft spot for villains.

Musical Snake

Today's been a pretty dull snake day. I had a voice lesson this morning, so I didn't take Topkapi out. She was not too thrilled. but I made it up to her in the afternoon.
I took her out and placed her around my sister's neck while I finished some muffins I was making. She was playing the guitar (my sister, not the snake, although how cute would that be?) and Topkapi was extremely interested in the vibrations coming off the instrument. She kept stretching herself out to reach the strings. Adorable.

This is what I was baking:

Orange muffins

1/2 cup and 2 tbsp. butter
1 3/4 cups and 2 tbsp. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. orange zest
3 1/4 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups orange juice

Beat butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, add orange zest. Sift lour, baking powder and salt together. Pour flour mixture in parts to the butter mixture, alternating with the orange juice.
Pour into prepared muffin pans. Bake at 350 F. for 20-25 minutes.

To Be or Not to Be

Damascus has finished shedding and he looks gorgeous!
I guess I am going to have to give the humidifier SOME credit, even if it is reluctantly done. I love having fights with inanimate objects. Sometimes I feel like just throwing a glove at the toaster and challenging it to a duel.

Barbossa is not done yet. I have been placing him in his steam baths and slathered him with baby oil, so we'll see how he ends up shedding. I'm hoping to take him out after I'm finished writing this, so he can soak up some Miami moisture. There is plenty to spare, believe me.

It is getting perilously close to Halloween and I still have no costume. I wanted to be Medusa, because, hello, having snakes in my hair is my job description. But we'll see.
Last year I was Cleopatra, so if anything, I could dress up as her again. I don't know, I am torn. It also has to be a costume that I can pack up and take to the next Florida Pagan Gathering, which is in early November. It celebrates Samhain, which is Halloween in Pagan-speak. I'm so excited, I'm already having dreams of setting up my tent. I'm such a camping dork.

Waddles of Courage

This is not snake related, but I thought it was quite amusing.
A few days ago I step outside with my iPod and as much sunblock on me as I could slather, to go for a walk. I go most mornings, a good 45 minute walk that clears the head but might one day give me sunstroke. So I open my door and I encounter a grey cat and a momma duck with her babies. They were both sitting, patiently waiting to ambush me with heir cuteness.
Of course I went back inside and brought out a big bag of cat food for them. I placed a pile in front of the cat and was about to put one in front of the ducks, when they decided I just wasn't quick enough. They took matters into their own hands.

Cat, what cat?


We laugh in the face of danger!
The cat, however, did not find it too amusing. Is a little respect too much to ask for?

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 23

Some babies ate today, some babies did not.

Damascus of course ate the mouse I offered him. It was a pretty large mouse so at one point I really thought he was having trouble swallowing it. I was preparing myself to jump to the rescue (don't ask me what I would have done if he really was choking, I have no clue) when he managed to slide it down a bit more down his throat. I almost had a coronary.

Maat, say it with me, did not eat. I gave her Pedialyte and checked her for the millionth time to make sure she has no injuries or anything that might give a clue as to why she is being so stubborn. I found nothing, of course.

Talulah ate fine.
I did not offer Coral food since she already ate earlier this week and I don't want her to explode. She looked disappointed, but she'll get over it.

Upgrade!

I'm trying a new thing with Maat. My sister brought an article from the wildlife center about feeding reluctant colubrids, which is what Maat, as a corn sake is. This would also include Coral, but thankfully, she likes her food just fine.
One of the recommendations they give in the article is to check and see if the container the snake is in is too big. Snakes live in dens in the wild, so they prefer smaller, more constrained spaces. For an older snake this is no problem, since they are used to being in captivity, but for a really teeny tiny one like Maat, a smaller cage would maybe make her feel safer.

I have a ton of containers, but none of them are really appropriate. I was standing in the snake room, casting my eye around, when I tripped over an idea. What if I switch Tybalt and Talulah into Maat's tank, and put her in their's? The two siblings are getting chunkier by the hour it seems, so a new tank is not such a bad idea. Maat's is roomier so they might, I say might, be tempted to, I don't know, maybe MOVE a bit. Lazy snakes.

So that's what I did. I scrubbed the two cages and placed fresh paper towels in them. I placed Maat inside her new home and she seemed pretty okay with the move.

Tybalt and Talulah, not so much.
They are still up there bemoaning their fate, but hopefully they'll realize their tank is actually bigger. It's an upgrade, guys!
I know it's hard, but have faith in the human who's been taking care of you for a year. Geez.

Something New

The one and only Coral, of course. I took her out this morning to feed her and I was able to keep a hold of her while I pounced on my phone to see if I could get a picture. Voila.
I decided to feed her today instead of waiting until Friday. She's missed about three weeks of mice, so although a few more days of waiting wouldn't make much of a difference, why make her wait?
She ate in a very interesting position. Today she decided that she was feeling needy, and so she wrapped herself around my hand, as you see in the picture. I placed her in the container where I feed her and put the mouse in front of he. At this point she usually wants to explore all around the container, but today she stayed wrapped around my hand. She didn't bother striking at the mouse, I think she's on to me. Yes, Coral they're frozen/thawed mice., it's better for you than live ones. She started swallowing with the majority of her coils still holding on to me. I thought there was no way she could swallow in that position, but I was wrong. I learned something new toay, snakes can swallow prey in whatever position they like, and the feel of a mouse going down a snake's gullet is interesting to say the least.

In This Desert

Coral finished shedding this morning. All in one piece, good for you Coral! This is because she is super smart and she actually lays inside her water bowl when the humidity levels in her cage go down. My other babies don't quite get this concept, it could get as dry as a desert and they'd still be laying under the heat lamp, waiting for the stupid human to mist their cages.
I gave Barbossa a steam bath again yesterday morning, and I'll probably do it again tonight. I am still miffed with the humidifier, but I'll guess I'll keep trying to use it, leave it for more hours on and see what happens.

I just have one more thing to say for today: it is damn hot outside. I just came back from a lesson and stepping outside is like opening the gates of hell. Truly God-awful. Ok, that's it.

Feeding Frenzy Friday Part 22

Today feeding time was short. Coral has still not shed so I knew she wouldn't eat. I attempted to feed Maat for the millionth time and she again refused. I ended up giving her Pedialyte. I think she's becoming used to it because she grimaces less. Yes, she actually grimaces.
Talulah ate. I can always depend on her gluttony. Damascus also ate although he was shedding. I love ball pythons, I don't know why everyone says they are picky eaters. I've never had too much trouble.
Tybalt ate on Wednesday night, since he is still eating live pinkies, he has to eat when my sister brings the baby mouse from the wildlife center.

I have Topkapi to feed tonight and that's it for this week.

Tomorrow I have to get up bright and early to go to my French class. It's every Saturday from 8:30 to 11:00 am. It is looooooooong. But at least the teacher is good.

Steamy, Dreamy Clouds

I'm a bit disappointed in the humidifier I bought a few weeks ago. I guess I had a little fantasy going on in my head of me walking into a beautifully steaming room and each snake happy and with a big grin on his or her face.
Not surprising I'm disappointed because I would have to create an alternate universe where snakes can grin to make this dream work.

Anyway, I filled the humidifier with a good amount of water, a pinch of salt, and I plugged it in.
A few hours later and there is only a wimpy stream of steam (ha) making it's way into the room. And which is of course being completely massacred by the air-conditioning.
I placed the humidifier really close to the snakes that are shedding, so hopefully they are reaping some benefits from it.
It also has a night light, which I thought was kind of cool, although I'm sure the manufacturers were thinking more in the way of keeping a child happy, not 7 fearsome snakes who happen to be mostly nocturnal.
Fearsome. Right.

Pillow Talk

That's Topkapi having a nap inside my pillow. I took her out in the morning and placed her on my bed while I put some stuff away. When I finished,I turned around and she was making a bee line for my pillows. I guess it was too early for her.

Poor Coral is shedding and she is looking really dull. More than usual. Her eyes are powder blue and she is also more skittish than she is normally, which is saying a lot. I haven't used the humidifier yet because Coral is smart and she goes and soaks in her water bowl. If on top of that I use the machine she'd get a respiratory infection easily. Hopefully she'll shed soon so she can eat on Friday.

I am baking some Banana Peach Bread, here's the recipe.

1/2 cup butter
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 bananas
2 peaches
zest of one orange
2 tbsp. fresh orange juice

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Mix the dry ingredients. Put peaches in blender and pulse. Place in a bowl and add mashed bananas. Add zest.
Cream the butter, add eggs one at a time. Add fruit mixture and orange juice.
Add to dry ingredients. Stir until just moistened.
Bake 50-60 minutes.

Bad Characters

A few days ago, Coral decided she needed to make my life a little more interesting. I walk into the snake room in the morning to turn the lamps on and I see Barbossa acting strangely. He's in a weird angle and he looks nervous (don't ask me how I knew he was nervous, I've just had him long enough to KNOW). I look around his cage for feces but I didn't see any. Finally, I lift my eyes and I see Coral with her whole body squeezed between the wall and the back of Barbossa's cage. Somehow, she managed to slide her cage door open and walk over to my poor shy baby's cage to terrify him and me. I guess it amuses her. I put her back and made sure the door was fully closed. She'll probably do it again one of these days, so I'm going to have to come up with some type of lock for the door.
Crazy, crazy snake.

I just finished "The Magicians" by Lev Grossman. I did not like this book. People describe it as an adult version of Harry Potter but I actually considered it much more childish than any of the J.K. Rowling books. Adding sex scenes and curse words really does not add maturity to a book. We know, they're teenagers, they have sex and they curse, big deal. I don't feel more grown up reading about it.

The main character, Quentin, is completely unlikable. He is supposed to be an anti-hero, the skinny, tall misfit who makes it into a magical school where he thinks he will finally find what's been missing from his life. Sounds good, right? Predictable and completely done, but good. Well, it's not. I usually root for the anti-heroes but none of the ones in this book had anything remotely interesting about them. The story line, as I said, is nothing new so the least the author could do is make the characters cool. Think of the worst, whiniest, apathetic teenagers you've ever met and then give them magical powers and you'll have the torture Mr. Grossman put us through. It's actually a shame that he chose such poor characters and storyline because his writing style is actually quite beautiful. All he needs is to come up with his own ideas and leave the magic to the professionals.

Ducky

I just came back from a voice lesson. Jesus I am tired.
Tomorrow I have another one and then I'm heading over to see the concert of one of my teacher's students.
Which means I won't be able to feed my snake babies tomorrow. And THAT means that there will be a lot of reptilian attitude to deal with. Topkapi already thinks my feeding schedule is crap so she is not going to be ecstatic about a further delay. They are going to be sooo pissed.

So, my sister brought home a baby duck yesterday from the wildlife center. We are going to find him a momma duck who'll adopt him. He is just the cutest, noisiest, most huggable thing in the world. I'm a bit concerned that he'll get seriously imprinted on humans, but we're doing what we can. I can hear him peeping for attention as I write this. Must..resist...the...cuteness.