(Some of) Austin's Pets
This is Chip, the bull snake. He's
4.5 ft long, is very gentle, and eats small rats. The 3rd
picture shows Pete (last year's escapee) in Austin's right hand, and
George and Georgene in his left hand. Pete is a California
Kingsnake. The Georges are corn snakes. And his newest
experiment is breeding the food for the snakes. Momma mouse had 9
babies.
Next pet is Rosie, the Tarantula. While
technically poisonous, the reaction to her venom is about like a
mosquito bite. But she hasn't bitten any of us yet. Rosie
likes to eat crickets.
Austin can pull the silk
out of Rosie. Cooper was NOT interested in playing with
Rosie. But was more than happy to pose for the camera after all
the other critters went back to their environments.