A special new arrival

MantisGirl13 · Mar 1, 2020

You've got me hooked. I really want a snake now, I've been doing my research and the rosy boa sounds perfect. My menagerie is already pretty big for a teenager, so how do I convince my parents to let me get a snake?

- MantisGirl13

hcarlton · Mar 2, 2020

Exposure. If they don't already like snakes there's not much that is going to help, so that would need to be fixed. Otherwise, literally, it's a frozen mouse a week and the cleanup after for most species, heat pad on one end, clean water bowl on the other, and I shred paper as substrate.

As a first snake I'm not sure I'd suggest a rosy, as females tend to be chewy, some males off-and-on feeders, and you have to balance the desert conditions they need most of the time with higher humidity for shedding, plus there are some keepers who report them living 60+ years so it is a VERY long commitment. The gopher and rat snakes, or most of the kingsnakes, are somewhat more forgiving.

MantisGirl13 · Mar 2, 2020

My parents are fine with snakes, they don't hate them or anything, but the problem is that I already have a lot of animals and every time I add another, they ask what I'm going to do when I get to college in a few years. I just wish I could see into the future and know what to do and what not to do right now.

- MantisGirl13

hcarlton · Mar 3, 2020

It would be wise to figure out a plan for that future time before getting the animal then, especially as just about any snake should live at least 10+ years and most can push 20 minimum and will be around then, and most college dorms etc. are not often willing to permit more than a goldfish.

MantisGirl13 · Mar 3, 2020

Yeah, I know. My siblings would be more than happy to care for it (and all my animals) for me, but my parents don't exactly trust them with responsibilities right now as they are still younger.

A snake is probably just a dream that is out of reach for me right now, maybe someday though!

- MantisGirl13

MantisGirl13 · Mar 14, 2020

Nevermind what I said before. For my birthday today, my parents gave me permission to get a corn snake!!!!!

- MantisGirl13

hysteresis · Mar 15, 2020

MantisGirl13 said:
Nevermind what I said before. For my birthday today, my parents gave me permission to get a corn snake!!!!!

- MantisGirl13

Thats very cool!

hcarlton · Mar 16, 2020

Callie is over 8 feet now

Callie by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

MantisGirl13 · Mar 17, 2020

Wow! So pretty!

- MantisGirl13

hcarlton · Apr 14, 2020

Male vs. female, typical vs. T+ amelanistic house snakes; Carmel dwarfs her eventual (hopefully) boyfriend, and still could almost double her own size

Carmel and Hobbes by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Domhara became an ankle monitor

Domhara ankle bracelet by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

And Callie gave me a 10 foot shed

Callie shed by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Callie shed by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Now, she's not that big herself (sheds stretch), but at 8 feet plus she's still a handful. Only references I can get of her head are with someone else doing a video (one of those on the Carlton Carnivores FB page).

Callie by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Callie by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

And while Domhara became an ankle monitor, the male Reynard became an eyepiece

Reynard by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Gubler's starting to grow fast

Gubler by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

And has also added to the mystery: why, why do snakes like my hair?!

Hair hide by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

MantisGirl13 · Apr 15, 2020

Beautiful snakes, as always. What kind of snake is Callie? She's gorgeous!

- MantisGirl13

MantisGirl13 · Apr 15, 2020

Also, I'm also wondering why snakes love hair! Lol

Mine just tangled herself into my hair and it took me a while to get her out.

- MantisGirl13

hcarlton · Apr 15, 2020

Callie is a reticulated python, the longest species on earth.

Mantis Lady · Apr 25, 2020

Maybe they like to hide in your hair

my hubby wont allow me to keep a snake. He didnt like it when i took in a mouse who was looking for a home

Kids came at the door with him and i decided to take him in. hubby think that was strange because last year we has a mouse infestation. now snake in my home, but i can enjoy your pics of your snakes.

hcarlton · May 1, 2020

Ever more red with each new shed...

Domhara by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

And iridescent

Domhara by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Domhara by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Once the more snappy, skittish of the two, Namer the male spotted python is now the one I trust more (because Serafina has decided it's okay to occasionally "taste-test" me). Luckily, he's got the nicer pattern.

Namer by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Namer by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Pretzel, anyone?

Carmel Pretzel by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Callie sat still long enough for a head shot, for once...

Callie by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

And one of the few non-snake reptiles not meant for snake food in the house...just look at all that judgement...

Pickle by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Pickle by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

So much judgement...

Pickle by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

And, someone very special has shown up recently....what's long, reptilian, scaly, legless, but ISN'T a snake?

Answer: Piberius, the Eastern Glass Lizard

Piberius by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr

Among differences from snakes: a very lizard-esque head, ear holes, eyelids, a lateral groove where his legs would have lined up, and most of his length is tail rather than body

Piberius by Hawken Carlton, on Flickr