• Posted 12/19/2024.
    =====================

    I am still waiting on my developer to finish up on the Classifieds Control Panel so I can use it to encourage members into becoming paying members. Google Adsense has become a real burden on the viewing of this site, but honestly it is the ONLY source of income now that keeps it afloat. I tried offering disabling the ads being viewed by paying members, but apparently that is not enough incentive. Quite frankly, Google Adsense has dropped down to where it barely brings in enough daily to match even a single paid member per day. But it still gets the bills paid. But at what cost?

    So even without the classifieds control panel being complete, I believe I am going to have to disable those Google ads completely and likely disable some options here that have been free since going to the new platform. Like classified ad bumping, member name changes, and anything else I can use to encourage this site to be supported by the members instead of the Google Adsense ads.

    But there is risk involved. I will not pay out of pocket for very long during this last ditch experimental effort. If I find that the membership does not want to support this site with memberships, then I cannot support your being able to post your classified ads here for free. No, I am not intending to start charging for your posting ads here. I will just shut the site down and that will be it. I will be done with FaunaClassifieds. I certainly don't need this, and can live the rest of my life just fine without it. If I see that no one else really wants it to survive neither, then so be it. It goes away and you all can just go elsewhere to advertise your animals and merchandise.

    Not sure when this will take place, and I don't intend to give any further warning concerning the disabling of the Google Adsense. Just as there probably won't be any warning if I decide to close down this site. You will just come here and there will be some sort of message that the site is gone, and you have a nice day.

    I have been trying to make a go of this site for a very long time. And quite frankly, I am just tired of trying. I had hoped that enough people would be willing to help me help you all have a free outlet to offer your stuff for sale. But every year I see less and less people coming to this site, much less supporting it financially. That is fine. I tried. I retired the SerpenCo business about 14 years ago, so retiring out of this business completely is not that big if a step for me, nor will it be especially painful to do. When I was in Thailand, I did not check in here for three weeks. I didn't miss it even a little bit. So if you all want it to remain, it will be in your hands. I really don't care either way.

    =====================
    Some people have indicated that finding the method to contribute is rather difficult. And I have to admit, that it is not all that obvious. So to help, here is a thread to help as a quide. How to become a contributing member of FaunaClassifieds.

    And for the record, I will be shutting down the Google Adsense ads on January 1, 2025.
  • Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

It's a Miracle!!!!

W

whippet

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I am crying...I am sooo happy! It has FINALLY HAPPENED! My baby albino ball python ATE! On her own!!!
She arrived on Halloween....
she would not eat...not live, not f/t, not brained...nothing! I tried everything. One week I put her in a bag with something overnight.
One week I left it in her tank.
Last week I was so upset because she was only 75 grams and she lost 5...her skin was loose...her spine sharp. She was such a little one. *and maybe my worry was making me see things*
So after talking to many people and buying the best bp book I could find *the one by nerd* I forced a pinkie mouse into her mouth, closed her mouth and pulled it back so it was stuck in her teeth. She swallowed.
I rejoiced...but was so afraid for her.
Then tonight...One week later, she was in her new really small hide and I decided to try one more trick. I dipped a large fuzzy *nearly a hopper* in boiling water until I pulled it out steaming.
Then so she could not see me..I "walked" it with long tiny tongs across the entrance to her cave......
SHE STRUCK!
SHE COILED!
SHE SWALLOWED!
and I cried! Silent as a mouse I took a picture *forgot the flash but thank goodness she didn't notice* Silently tears streamed down my face....
She ate all on her own...and frozen too!
Then happy as a lark she curled up under the bigger log hide and practically licked her lips.
I am the happiest snake owner in the world right now....
truly
Isn't this the prettiest picture you have EVER seen...

012asia.jpg
 
Congratulations, I'm glad she's started eating for you.
 
Congrats Tara! I think everyone that has kept Balls any length of time knows the jubilation you are feeling right now.
 
Congratulations Tara! Your dedication for doing the best you can for her has paid off!
 
That is SO great to hear!!! Congrats and high 5's!!!

I do want to note though....

I dipped a large fuzzy *nearly a hopper* in boiling water until I pulled it out steaming.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't use "boiling water", ever, to thaw out the prey item. Not only can you begin the cooking process on the outside (thus making the prey un-tasty to the snake), it will thaw on the outside very quickly, but it can still be cold in the middle, which can lead to regurges.....or if it is "steaming" it can be TOO warm and burn the snake's mouth.

It's much safer to use very warm tap water, then let it soak for a bit longer, until you can lightly squish it between you fingers and feel that it is warm all the way through, but not hot.

Now that you've finally got this girl chowing down, you don't want ANYTHING to throw her off! :thumbsup:
 
Congrats! I hope she keeps on eating for you and she gains weight... :)
 
Just so you don't get the wrong idea...I dipped it in boiling water for only a second AFTER I thawed it the normal way. It was warm then...but that made it even hotter. And by the time I walked from the kitchen into the snake's room it had cooled enough that it was just very warm and no longer hothot. So I agree, boiling it entirely is not a good idea, just getting it hot enough to seem alive was my strategy! Oh and no she did not regurge!!! Horray for it staying down!
 
Hate to say I told you so!

But,
I told you that you would get her eating and probably switch over. That almost sounds like I am being an ass and I don't mean it that way. I just could tell from your posts that you were determined to get her going and if the caging is right you would get her going. Glad to here the great news! Side note I think I got my new male pastel healthy again. And this seasons breedings have begun. Later Mike
 
whippet said:
Just so you don't get the wrong idea...I dipped it in boiling water for only a second AFTER I thawed it the normal way. It was warm then...but that made it even hotter. And by the time I walked from the kitchen into the snake's room it had cooled enough that it was just very warm and no longer hothot. So I agree, boiling it entirely is not a good idea, just getting it hot enough to seem alive was my strategy! Oh and no she did not regurge!!! Horray for it staying down!
Click to expand...

LOL, that makes more sense......you had me worried there for a second. I'm thinking boiled rodent...ew. ;)

Congrats again, ya done good girl. :thumbsup:
 
CONGRATULATIONS!! I fully understand your excitment and being thrilled to tears. Nothing like a snake that finally eats when you think you may loose it. Looks like it may be all growth and happiness for your little one now... best wishes! :eek:
 
UPDATE! She did it again! 6 days later and she took another big fuzzy and gulped it down!
 
That's great! I'm glad it looks like she's going to keep it up. Now that she has the idea I bet she'll be fine. Keep us posted.

Shelly
 
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