Help me decide on new species.

[Oleman]

Looking for a new addition.
Here are the parameters. Cage is 6x2x2,would like a heavier bodied snake but not stuck to that idea.
Already have had burmese,retic,anaconda,atb,gtp,and tons of colubrids.
I am seriously wanting a BCC but have 2 months to wait for warmer weather to permit shipping. So with two months of wait time my options are open.
Oh ya my limit is about $300.
I breed my own rats so food supply is easy.

What say you?
Thanks in advance.

[dannybgoode]

If I were you I'd sit it out and wait for a really nice BCC to come along. Have a look at some of nightflight99's snakes - this one in particular - http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/boa-constrictor/111300-surinamese-boa-constrictor.html

Just beautiful - in fact I'd go as far to say that a really nice BCC is perhaps the most beautiful of the constricting snakes...

[Oleman]

I'm in the same thought. I will likely wait it out as new clutches Wil begin to appear.

[sam]

carpet pythons!

not sure about availability in the US but they're a staple in any collection in AU, mostly because they're really the only thing we have here hahah.

a 6x2 would suit an adult carpet nicely though they tend to be a little more arboreal when they're young. Carpets tend to be tame and have some really nice pattens depending on what you get.
Inland/Bredli's tend to do the best in captivity, Jungles look stunning but are the snappiest of the bunch, I've seen people call them 'living chainsaws' haha.

If you want something BIG then the coastal variety can get larger then 2 metres, though Coastals have a reputation of having a bad attitude like Jungles. Though considering you keep Retics/Burms I don't think that will be a problem for you ;)

I can't comment on Irian Jayas as they're foreign and we can't get them here in AU. Don't know much about the Darwin variety either.

Diamonds are from what Ive heard somewhat difficult to keep in captivity.

Hope this has helped. :)

[Oleman]

I didn't even think of carpets. I will definetly look into them.

[macandchz]

please tell me the difference between a carpet python and a regular python. is it just a type or is it one of those exotic morphs? i flunked snake genetics 101! all i know is mac's an albino because of his faded color. thanks.

[dannybgoode]

Carpet pythons are a sub species like royal pythons, reticulated pythons, Burmese pythons etc...

[sam]

Mac&Chz

Carpet pythons are native to Australia, they are named as such because people compare their patterns to those of beautiful indian carpets.

Ball pythons are named so because they 'ball up' when frightened.

Corn snakes are named after where they were found; in corn cribs.

etc, etc.

Carpet pythons are a subspecies of python called Morelia, they are semi-arboreal (which means they can climb if need be but are not dependent on them like GTPs are.) there are 8 subspecies.

To answer your question there are no real 'regular pythons' every snake has its own family and subspecies.

Carpet pythons are just a species of python that is endemic to Australia, they are not a particular morph.

You probably won't find any 'carpet ball pythons'. Though there are morphs currently available for Carpets such as Jaguars, Tiger and Albino. Right now they are nowhere near as diverse as Balls are because they are harder to come by and don't really suit a 'mainstream snake' very well like Ball pythons do.

tl;dr Carpet pythons are a different type of python, not a morph. :)

Here is a comparison:

This is an Albino Darwin Carpet python, notice it's body shape and head structure.
http://s13.postimg.org/deduorunb/897832_800x558.jpg

Here is an Albino Ball python, the head and body has a significantly different shape than that of a carpet python.
http://s13.postimg.org/lilytih2f/000_0013.jpg

[image credit in watermarks]

[sam]

Carpet pythons are a sub species like royal pythons, reticulated pythons, Burmese pythons etc...

Darnit Danny you beat me to it!

[Derek Roddy]

I second the Carpet Python idea. So many types and flavors.

here's a link to my site where you can see some of the Carpet Python variations available here in the states. Just scroll down to you see "carpet pythons"

Other Snakes - Derek Roddys Black Headed Pythons (http://www.derekroddysblackheadedpythons.com/other-snakes.html)


Cheers,
D

[sam]

I second the Carpet Python idea. So many types and flavors.

here's a link to my site where you can see some of the Carpet Python variations available here in the states. Just scroll down to you see "carpet pythons"

Other Snakes - Derek Roddys Black Headed Pythons (http://www.derekroddysblackheadedpythons.com/other-snakes.html)


Cheers,
D

Bloody hell, are those Jungles real, never seen Jungles THAT bright in my life.
And those Rainbow boas are INSANE. Your Blackheads are awesome too, I can't comment on your snakes without mentioning your centre-species. Quite a premium you've got going on there.

Cudos, thats an astounding collection.

[eminart]

Carpet pythons are a sub species like royal pythons, reticulated pythons, Burmese pythons etc...


Don't you mean SPECIES rather than "sub species"? Pythonidae is the genus, not species.

[Derek Roddy]

Bloody hell, are those Jungles real, never seen Jungles THAT bright in my life.
And those Rainbow boas are INSANE. Your Blackheads are awesome too, I can't comment on your snakes without mentioning your centre-species. Quite a premium you've got going on there.

Cudos, thats an astounding collection.

Hahaha...thanks Sam.

Yeah Real Jungles. Thanks for the kind comments.

Ya know, Australia has some top jungle breeders producing stuff like this now. You guys have made leaps and bounds the last several seasons with stuff like this. Now that the commercial market has opened up to the public there....you're going to see a lot more mind blowing stuff.

Check out Roger Lester in North Queensland....he has top jungle carpets. Can find him on facebook.

Cheers,
D

[sam]

Don't you mean SPECIES rather than "sub species"? Pythonidae is the genus, not species.

You'd be correct there Eminart, I made the same mistake on my post. Thanks for pointing that out. :)

[dannybgoode]

Yeah whatever ;)

Actually I'm pleased you did point today out because it's something I've never been 100% sure on.

Taxonomy isn't my strong point although I do find it interesting...

[Andy_G]

My vote is for a BCC as well.

[pet_snake_78]

I would get 2.2 red tailed green ratsnakes

[EL Ziggy]

I think carpet pythons are beautiful display animals. Coastals, Brisbanes, and Bredlis can all get to pretty impressive sizes. A 6x2 is plenty of room too. With their semi arboreal traits they'd appreciate the vertical space.

[macandchz]

sam, thank you so much for the info! i can't get over the comparison photos of the albino ball and the albino carpet! mac looks very similar to that albino ball but his markings are more heart shaped and he has a darker yellow color around them. he is ready to shed now but as soon as my dtr gets home from college she's going to put some pix of him on here.

[Nightflight99]

Don't you mean SPECIES rather than "sub species"? Pythonidae is the genus, not species.

Carpet pythons are a subspecies of python called Morelia...

To answer your question there are no real 'regular pythons' every snake has its own family and subspecies.

Carpet pythons are a sub species like royal pythons, reticulated pythons, Burmese pythons etc...

Ahem. *twitches* Actually, the genus is Python. Pythonidae is the taxonomic family that includes the genus Python, along with about seven other genera. And while I'm in nerd mode--reticulated pythons are actually in a different genus, namely Malayopython (see Barker et al. 2015), while carpet pythons are classified in the genus (not subspecies) Morelia.

Also, not every snake has its own family and subspecies. Every species is classified in a particular genus, and together the two names make up their binomial (two-part) scientific name. If (and only if) a particular species has multiple subspecies, then a trinomial (three-part) name is applied. One or more genera collectively make up a taxonomic family, which are sometimes further divided into subfamilies.

For example:

Boa constrictor is the scientific name for the (coolest ;)) species. The genus is Boa, and the species epithet is constrictor. Taxonomic rules dictate that the genus (but not the species nor the subspecies epithet) is always capitalized. In this case, the genus Boa contains two species: Boa constrictor and Boa imperator. The genus Boa is contained within the subfamily Boinae (boas) along with four other genera (Chilabothrus, Corallus, Epicrates, and Eunectes). There are six other subfamilies that all part of the same taxonomic family: Boidae. That family represents one of six superfamilies (Booidea), including Pythonoidea (pythons and relatives).

As you can see, this can get reasonably complex, but it is basically a matryoshka doll of names that are applied to different categories. All of this is based on the evolutionary history of these snakes, and the various categories represent different degrees of relatedness. Every time we learn something new about that degree of relatedness, we adjust the naming system accordingly, so that it always reflects our up-to-date knowledge of the different groups. Some people find that frustrating, but it is really a fascinating aspect of biology. Sadly, the herp trade largely disconnected from herpetology, the actual study of these wonderful animals, and is thus typically lagging many years behind the current taxonomy.

/Nerd mode off.

[RAD House]

You have an off for nerd mode? I wish I had that, then maybe people would like me.

[Nightflight99]

You have an off for nerd mode? I wish I had that, then maybe people would like me.
You seem to fit in here just fine, so no worries about the broken/missing off switch. ;)

[sam]

You have an off for nerd mode? I wish I had that, then maybe people would like me.

I'll second that

[Nightflight99]

I'll second that
Alright, this is now officially the dead poets society for reptiles. I like it!

[dannybgoode]

Back on topic. You could look at a Dumerils Boa. Saw one in the fish yesterday and wow, what a beautiful snake.

Stays around 6' but very heavy bodied. Something a bit different without being stupid price wise. Great temperament also.

Definitely on my to three next snakes to own.

[RAD House]

Alright, this is now officially the dead poets society for reptiles. I like it!

Haha thanks, I always seem to forget things like dramatics sarcasm don't translate well in type.