Why they're called "stargazers"...

[Arcanefate]

I do believe it is similar to a human illness that my mother has. It's called Menieres disease.
It's a type of fluid buildup in the inner ear that causes Vertigo, however, in extreme cases the "dizziness" can cause a severe confusion in direction. Due to the Vertigo, or loss of central force, direction can be confused. The person can no longer stand upright or walk.
My mother describes it as a sudden lack of gravitational pull. When the vertigo hits her, and it can be sudden, she often falls over. She says her eyes no longer register to her brain that she is standing upright because her inner ear is telling her she is upsidedown. Sometimes she starts getting headaches or slight dizziness before hand so she knows to sit down, but she says the worst possible thing she can do is lye down. Then the room continually spins and she feels like her feet are above her head and blood is rushing to her brain.

Perhaps it is similar to these "Stargazers". It would be interesting to see if there was a correlation, and who knows Connie, maybe you are the one to create the research for finding a cure!

 

[desertanimal]

Some of those kittens can be so bad that they'll fall over, but most have perfectly happy lives, if a bit drunken-looking while walking.

This reminds me of those sheep (maybe it's goats? I can't recall) that sieze up and fall over if they get excited for any reason. I forget what they're called, but they were bred intentionally to be kept in herds of other things so that if the herd was attacked by animals, those would get eaten while the herd would get away. Sorry. That wasn't much help, but hopefully someone else can fill in the details I'm lacking.

 

[Kitty]

This reminds me of those sheep (maybe it's goats? I can't recall) that sieze up and fall over if they get excited for any reason.

Fainting goats. A genetic thing. It will be interesting to see if there are any similarities between the goats' and the snakes' conditions.

 

[desertanimal]

Thanks!

 

[Hurley]

Another meal down tonight and I figured I'd post some pics of them showing how normal they can be.

They've also garnered names, so here's the 6 pack of stargazers and siblings (67% poss het). The stripe is obviously from a different clutch. (But I needed a male stargazer to go with the girls.)

First up is Stevie, eating and posing.

Here's Raye chowing down and chilling out.

This is Ronnie enjoying her meal (which was nearly MY pinky, not the one she finally settled for) and hanging out for a photo op.

 

[Hurley]

The next 3 are siblings to the above girls.

Man, Orion is going to be a stunner.

Hubble has some nice bits of aztecing.

Halley is just too cute for words.

 

[Joni Garcia]

Neat to see how normal they can be... happy as ever and just chowing down some good 'ol dinner. They're such darling snakes and great names too! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to the updates.

 

[desertanimal]

What's the origin of the names on the stargazers? Is Stevie named for Steven Hawkings? I expected them to be named Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, etc. I see that you went in that direction with the sibs but what am I missing with the names of the stargazers themselves?

 

[Serpwidgets]

What's the origin of the names on the stargazers? Is Stevie named for Steven Hawkings? I expected them to be named Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, etc. I see that you went in that direction with the sibs but what am I missing with the names of the stargazers themselves?

Hint: Stevie Wonder. :dancer:

 

[Hurley]

Heh, yeah Stevie (Wonder), Ray(e) (Charles), and Ronnie (Milsap), some famous stars whose music I enjoy and whose talent I respect. They also happen to have a presentation that reminds me of the stargazers at times.

"My Cherie Amor..." Great skit with Eddie Murphy and Stevie Wonder on SNL.
:dancer:

 

[desertanimal]

Ooooohhhh. I get it. Thanks. I knew there had to be something, and that I was missing it.

 

[pgr8dnlvr]

This is surely an exciting thread to follow! I actually recieved a stargazer anery with my serpenco order back in the early summer. I think that boy was the fastest growing one of the bunch and one of the best to handle.

I certainly wasn't going to sell him with his condition and the longer I kept him the more I fell in love with the little bugger. Well I too was interested in seeing the long term affects as he sure seemed happy, healthy and not in distress.

Long story short I ended up adopting him out <for free of course> to a friend who lives about five doors down on the conditions that if he was ever to need a new home for him he'd come back to me, and I must get updates at LEAST monthly. He'll surely be interesting to follow!

Keep us all updated!

Rebecca