Animals

Jessie and James

Jessie and James are a pair of corn snakes, said to be about 4 years old.
Supposedly, they are good snakes for beginners since they tend to be calm and do not have high demands with regard to temperature, light, environment or food. In this case, it is true; They get a frozen mouse (thawed, of course) every five or six days, and that seems to keep them happy, so far.
I was really surprised how readily they took to accepting dead prey, though...when I got them, they were only used to live mice, which seemed completely unnecessary to me. Contrary to what the web and books had to say on the matter, they needed no coaxing whatsoever to switch to dead food. The first time they were presented with a dead mouse, they both had an expression like "Hell. Why can't I remember killing the mouse? Ah well...dinnertime!" and that was all it took.

Jessie

Jessie is the bigger one of the two. I haven't gotten around to measure her, but her shed skin came to 145 cm. She isn't really happy with being handled yet, but despite her rattle-snake impression that she does when feeling disturbed (they really rattle their tails, even if it doesnn't make much sound) she hasnn't even tried to bite yet.

James

James is smaller and lighter than Jessie and much more curious. He doesnn't mind being taken out and held for a short time. (the fact that they get fed outside their terrarium might have something to do with it :)

Jessie and James

Family picture. The loop hanging over Jessie's home contains a just-swallowed mouse, which might account for the content expression.