[Zoodulcis]

OK, here is a fun story.  All true.  What parents have to cope with when kids want snakes.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl (me) that had parents that hated snakes (mine).  Because almost all of my family members worked at the San Diego Zoo at some time or the other, we were all exposed to various forms of wildlife.  My cousin holds a PhD in herpetology and loves snakes.  So did I at a young age, to my parent’s horror.

So best story of all….I once found a tiny rattlesnake on the threshold of our country home in southern California.  I saw the snake about one minute before our cat saw it.  It was not going to be a pretty scene for the fat lazy cat, so I scooped the little rattlesnake up in a most professional manner, right behind the jaw and whisked him up and out of harm’s way, and that of the cat.

He, or she, wrapped their tiny little body around my wrist, and with it’s tiny little fangs protruding and its tiny little rattle going like mad, I made the unwise decision to take it INSIDE THE HOUSE to show my parents.  Needless to say, they were not amused. Restriction for a week was the least of my worries.

With that in mind, and with the desire to be the perfect parent, when my daughter announced at the same age that she, randomly, wanted a ball python, I said, “of course.”  I made her earn the money to pay for it, but the snake was a delightful creature that brought much joy to our house.  Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

[Zoodulcis]

I wouldn’t be surprised if in a year from now Mushu enjoys sleeping on top of Stitch.  Did you get a beardie to eventually keep the dog company, or just because you just wanted one?

[Zoodulcis]

Sounds like there is hope for Mr. Turtle becoming a sweetheart, eventually.  Enjoying the sound of human voices is an encouraging sign.  He may have been mishandled when younger, and this may take quite some time to overcome.   30  minutes per day is quite a lot.  I wonder what would happen if you gave him a day or two off each week, just as an experiment, to see if he is reacting to handling by going into stress mode daily, and it is too much for him if he has bad associations with handling.  Just a thought, but you might give it a try just to see if it makes any difference in his attitude.  If it does, please do share it with us as this may be of use to other readers.  Or if it doesn’t, or you find something else that does work wonders, please share that as well!

[Zoodulcis]

Can’t wait for that picture of Mario.  Is he named for the video game?

[Zoodulcis]

I think interspecies friendships are so awesome.  Who came first, the pup or the dragon, to your household.  Did they get on right away or did it take some time?

[Zoodulcis]

Or is it too soon after you acquired him?

[Zoodulcis]

Are you able to handle him at all, or it too soon after rescuing him?

[Zoodulcis]

Are these hungry folks in that tub while it is being cleaned?

[Zoodulcis]

Ah, kids these days, never appreciating the things you do for them.  He does look a little grumpy pants in this picture.  What a nice clean home he has to go back to!  How old is he?

[Zoodulcis]

OK, gotta ask, why Pyro?

[Zoodulcis]

I am in-between reptiles at the moment. I am traveling overseas and already have enough pets and livestock to be taken care of at home by house sitters to give the said sitters fits and give me nightmares that my animals are not being properly attended to, which, so far, they are.  In fact, I am currently replying to your post from the west coast of Ireland.  Next year however, a nice bright morph like Cheeto is in my future.  Got any good breeders who ship to Colorado you can refer me to?

[Zoodulcis]

The Colonel looks like he is clean and shining and very aesthetically pleasing in black and white after his bath.  Tell the Colonel to get all of his friends to log on and give him a Critter Gold.  That is the best way to win those yummy jumpers!

[Zoodulcis]

Gee, I wonder why you named the younger one Cheeto 😉  Cheeto looks like he is saying, “Ah come on, seriously, another picture!”  They are all fine-looking beardies.  What got you started in the beardie keeping business?

[Zoodulcis]

Still a wee lad, yet already a personality!  Is he your only beardie?

[Zoodulcis]

Or maybe he feels about Mondays the way I do!  He’s a big fella, how old is he?  Cool furniture in that tank, BTW.

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