Taken a few years ago at Elachee Nature Science Center with one of the volunteers holding Alice during Snake Day at Elachee. They have expanded the event in the past couple of years to include other forms of wildlife. We will be there again this year, however Alice will not be attending. We will however have our Eastern Ratsnakes, Eastern Copperhead and if weather permits one of our Columbian Boa Constrictors.
Alice is now almost 14 years old. She is still doing pretty well, however she is aging and it is likely some of her glands may be failing to regulate properly. Her appetite has gone through the roof which has made her decide that anything that can fit in her mouth, is food. This change means that I cannot take her to public events and remove her from an enclosure. Basically, she is great when being handled as long as what her head is near, is bigger than she is. So arms and legs are just curiosity items. Hands, fingers and toes are prey items. The veterinarian I take my reptiles to would like to run a blood test on her, however that is on hold for now due to the cost.
Alice looks to be solidly off her fasting period after eating two times in a row. Not uncommon for Bullsnakes, however it is comforting to see her back on schedule.
It’s that time of the year again when Alice’s focus is on reproduction and not when’s my next rat. Her activity levels had been high recently, which is typical during this season. She refused the last meal, even though she initially showed interest. Waiting to see what happens with this feeding.
Alice looking straight up at me from her holding tub. She had been relaxing in there while I was cleaning her habitat.
Alice is into her shed cycle again. She only has one or two a year at her age. Hopefully she will complete the cycle and be ready for a nice plate of ratatouille next week.
We just received the news yesterday that the event was going to be postponed for 2020 in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are hopeful that by the following year a plan and procedure can be followed that will allow the event to safely resume. In the meantime, we are starting work on video segments that will air on the Scalebrations Facebook page that will occasionally feature Alice (some of those will likely be aired here as well).
We have been torn in so many different directions recently and have not posted anything. We will be at the event again this year with Alice and her friends. She wanted to assist in the announcement so I am letting her add her 2 cents.
“Ssssssss ssss ssssss ss ssssssss ssss sss sssssss sss ss sssss”
Could not have said it better myself.
