There's more where this came from

The day after his moulting, Python Dante ate a meal.  I knew then that as long as he remained our pet, a series of nameless, cute rats will be paraded before our eyes ---only to be eaten by him. The rats' squeeks of terror are part and parcel of what it means to own Dante.   

What do I remember from this particular feeding?  The rat managed to scream longer. Its mouth wasn't enclosed in the folds of the Python's death grip as was the previous rat.  We could see its eyes as it was asphyxiated. I did not notice them clouding-over in unconsciousness and death.  As the rat was lifted by Dante in the process of being swallowed, I saw that it had dark poo remnants on its bottom. Likely the result of its overwhelming fear.  

To my family's credit, we remained mostly silent during the feeding. There is nothing funny in the death of one creature to benefit and support another.  Hmmm....sounds almost Biblical. 

Snakeskin

The top 2 energy-sapping activities in a Snake's life are the following:

1. Killing/Swallowing/Digesting prey
2. Shedding skin/Moulting

Other than the above, Python Dante spends a lot of time in one corner of his glass case, coiled quietly by the heating "rock". His forked tongue flicks in and out, smelling his environment.  His  always-open eyes give every indication of being alert.  How do I know he can see adequately?  I don't, but he looks like he's staring back at me, ready to pounce.  At other times, he's at the other end of the glass case, checking-out what's going on.  I think this end is also his main bathroom.    

Here are pictures of activity number 2.  He was unusually subdued for over 10 days before this occurrence.    The actual shedding took about an hour.  Man, he was all-muscle!  The process almost reminded me of giving birth.  Just push that baby out (or off, in his case). The end result looked like half of a used-up panty hose.  Python Dante was quite active afterwards, almost as if  endorphins were working their way through his system after quite a workout (and indeed it was!).  Time for him to relax and paaaaaarty!  And get re-energized.  Hey, Waiter!

It began at the snout area; his eyes still partly covered

Ta-daaaaa!!!!!

Python Dante update

From clear-eyed and bushy-tailed (August 30, 2010)...

....to this (September 13, 2010)

Python Dante is getting ready to shed !

Reepicheep --- Pet Python eating a Rat

"How's the snake?"  Mr Pet-store owner asked.

"It was delicious", Jared said, patting his tummy and smiling

"Oh, don't say that!"

"Actually, we're here to buy a rat. It's time for it to eat"  I knew a sale would please any storeowner.

"Okay, I'll get a live one in the back"

"Live?!  Aren't those dangerous for the snake?"  The warnings from snake books we had read were fresh in my mind.

"Take it out if it doesn't get eaten.  Anyway, yours has always gone for a live one."

The storeowner returned shortly with a totally unsuspecting black & white rat with large ears, and graying whiskers. It had beady, albeit innocent-looking, alert eyes.  It was at least a foot long from nose to tail; and looked bigger than the snake was round.  It was sniffing around, grateful for the fresh air and relatively open space.  My heart sank, knowing that this lovely creature would be dead by the end of the day.  "Take it back," I said. "Give us an ugly Rat!!!"

Should we have even named the Rat?

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Part 1: I like how the rat squeeled (quote from neighbor)

God has given pythons such amazing abilities!

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Fun Festival at Saint Charles & the Fox River

The day began with rain, but by the afternoon, it was gloriously sunny. Kris, Brian, Camille, Jared, and Jill had a wonderful time at the town of St Charles by the banks of the Fox River. Exotic animals (including a 15-foot albino python), dogs, pigs, and rock / face painting were some of the attractions. Aaaaah....Summertime (almost) and the living is easy...

Our daughter by the tail-end 

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