All photos and text are property of Dave Forney and may not be used without express permission.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Our New Friend--Cute, Cuddly...and Slithery!

Here she is--the newest member of our family! Isn't she a beautiful little sheila? (Or perhaps it's a bloke--we haven't quite figured that one out yet.)

For now we'll assume it's a "sheila." She's a beautiful baby reticulated python, straight from jungle near the village of Long Padi. I had the word out for a while now, that my son would love to have a baby python. Well, when Pak Ronsono caught one he proudly walked half a day round trip throught the jungle to meet me in the village of Binuang with the snake. Since numerous people from several villages were looking to catch the snake for Britton, we was pretty excited to be the one that got it first. He was smiling from ear to ear.

His smile was matched only by that of Britton, who's been on cloud nine since the snake road home with me on Tuesday. Joy's reaction was quite the opposite--a high pitched scream followed by a world-record-setting dash that ended on top of the dining room table.

But things have settled down now, with the snake seeming to be at home in her aquarium, with plenty of love and care from her new friend, Britton.
On a side note, we're hoping that the info we've read on reticulated pythons is incorrect--that is to say, we're hoping that she in fact does NOT grow at the rate of 5 feet or more per year her first few years. That said, reticuled pythons currently hold the world record for the longest verified snakes in the world, though Anacondas (one of my childhood fascinations from Brazil) are the largest by overall mass.

7 comments:

Zaankali said...

That little boy has one REALLY nice mom to let that snake stay in the house. He does know that right?
Smiles!

Carrie Koens said...

Um...Dave. I'm TOTALLY with Joy on this one. In fact, even before I got to that part of your story I was thinking, "And WHAT was Joy's reaction to this snake? Poor Joy!" I also had an automatic mental image of a pregnant Joy leaping into your arms to be carried up to the Cabin when the black snake was slithering around Dad and Mom's place. :-) I know Britton is happy, but my main question is WHERE is the tank?!? :-) Hugs all around!!

Ginger said...

Wow. There's a deadbolt lock that is twin-proof on that aquarium, right??? Your wife is amazing.

Rita Loca said...

Ummm ,no not cute! Hello from Paraguay.

Rebecca Conduff Aguirre said...

She's (he's?) beautiful! Yeah, hope she doesn't grow that fast!!! Yikes...

Lew Cass said...

Aha! I knew you guys would warm up to the idea of eventually finding away to start looking for a Anacoda. You may need something the size of a swimming pool to house the giant. Expect a large groccery bill each month when you catch it. We'll send you a box of tranquilizers Joy once the Anacoda is living at your house. Ha!
Happy Easter! We are praying for you all...snake included.

Jennifer said...

Aunt Jenn is very happy for Britton but is on Joy's side with this one. I can't imagine having a snake permanently living at my house. (shivers shivers)...