Hello, seeking advice on new python

[Meshagirl3]

Hello all. I recently purchased an amethystine python at a pet shop. I currently own a ball python, a corn snake, and an irian jaya x jungle carpet python. When I purchased the snake I was told its about the same level of difficulty as the irian cross....the only care instructions I was given were 80 cool/90 hot, keep it damp and use substrate that holds moisture, give it something to climb and handle it a lot. I was told it would get to 12-15 feet long and would never get big enough to eat anything larger than a jumbo rat or rabbit up to 2 pounds in size....but now that I am doing research I am wondering what the heck I've gotten myself into. I've seen some things online that say the snakes can get up to 7 meters long and can eat large chickens....OY! :Wow:

And before anyone asks, my research has led me to discover the five sub species of this breed, however, I have no idea which sub species I have, because I havent been able to locate a picture that looks like her. Any care instructions, suggestions, thoughts would be helpful!

I'll attach a picture. She's roughly 2 feet long ish, very handleable currently, eating nicely on hoppers

[TragicTaste]

I am not an expert on scrub pythons, so I cant help you with care, but I know that there are people on here that keep them, that can probably answer your questions. Good luck with your new snake!

[Theweinz]

That is a beautiful snake! If it is a male I do not thnk you have to worry about seven meters. I cannot identify the subspecies, but do you know the sex?

[Meshagirl3]

The pet shop sexed her before I took her home, and told me she is female. They asked if I cared, I told them yes, since that helps me get a better idea of size...lol

And yes I agree that she is beautiful, I fell in love with her and brought her home but like I said, wondering if I may have leapt before I looked on this one lol

[shaunyboy]

i pm'd you some information on scrub python locales mate

cheers shaun

[marvelfreak]

I think you were lied to. Yours looks like it might be a Aru scrub. they stay under ten feet, but or some of the most aggressive scrubs there are. Check out this thread. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-python-forum/85418-1-1-aru-scrub-pair.html

If it's not a aru you could be looking at something this size.

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As for food size you be amazed at how big of food items they can eat.

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[Meshagirl3]

Well i specifically told them i dont want anything in our house big enough to eat pur pit bulls, and nothing that took more than one or two people to handle at full growth. Shehas tje rainbow /irridescant sheen if that helps to identify her?

[marvelfreak]

Here is something that anyone ever handling scrubs should know. This from Keith Mcpeek for one of the top blood python breeder in the U.S. Who over the years as worked with just about ever kind of pythons there are.

"Just a word of Caution from someone that has worked with them. Even calm tame Scrubs can have a involuntary feeding strike. They have super heightened heat pits that sometimes get the best of them when first reaching in the cage. They will launch their heads like a scud missile, their range is long and your face is the usually target. It is mother nature at her finest, a instinctive adaptation for survival. nothing to do with aggression. Don't let your guard down because the animal is unusually tame and calm. It isn't their fault and they mean no harm. Hard to tame 1000's of years of evolution for survival.

[presspirate]

It looks like an Aru scrub to me. Have fun with that one, they are feisty!:bouncy:

[Meshagirl3]

Hmm so two say aru scrub. Figures. I take it they are not a four or five on difficulty scale like the pet shop claimed? At least if thats what she is she wont get huge. I handle her with ease right now...our irian cross bit the heck out of me yesterday, hes been having a rough shed and quite cranky. Ill keep handling her as much ad possible to avoid her behavior deteriorating is all i can do i guess.

[presspirate]

As far as care goes, they are pretty easy. Your temps are good, they don't need a whole lot of humidity, provide a humid hide, and a nice sized water dish, I found that mine would soak prior to shed. They are easy feeders.
For handling I had mild success if I washed my hands in cold water prior to handling, and wore a sweatshirt. Keep her away from your face. I had 2 face tags from my pair. :wacky:There should be pics on here somewhere.

[Meshagirl3]

I will keep that in mind. She hasnt snapped once since i got her, and has been super gentle. She likrs to wrap around my pony tail or tank top strap...i will keep my eye on her though fof her cranky days and not tempt fate those days

[shaunyboy]

Hmm so two say aru scrub. Figures. I take it they are not a four or five on difficulty scale like the pet shop claimed? At least if thats what she is she wont get huge. I handle her with ease right now...our irian cross bit the heck out of me yesterday, hes been having a rough shed and quite cranky. Ill keep handling her as much ad possible to avoid her behavior deteriorating is all i can do i guess.

i have found that some Irians require a little more humidity,than other Carpet Pythons

that said i have an Irian,that has 1 or 2 bad sheds in the 2 years ive had her,although nothing has chaged regards her husbandry

its only Irians that have ever acted this way with me

cheers shaun

[marvelfreak]

It looks like an Aru scrub to me. Have fun with that one, they are feisty!:bouncy:
That's what i was thinking.

Btw nice to see you back on here Greg.

[Ivanator]

I don't know much about scrubs but seeing more and more people on here with them is making me consider getting a pair. I hope you find out which kind it is, good luck and have fun with it ��

[CottonOtter]

If that's an Aru, it's a "type 2" phase. Most captive Arus have a more muted pattern. It could be a kinghornii; in which case, prepare for a giant. Then again it could be from a poorly discribed locale.
You're lucky: I've had my Aru about two years now, and he stills strikes for the face. If you haven't had any trouble than you should be alright, but wear some eye protection when handling to be safe.
Mine rarely visits his cage floor, but if you provide perches make sure they're modular. Up the humidity near sheds, and you'll usually get a clean slough. Be carefull not to overfeed if you ever plan to breed, as obesity seems to hinder fertility.
Most importantly, watch the head! Even if she never bites, scrubs are fast and long and slender. Mine's great at getting tangled around chairs and disappearing into couches.

[caffers1982]

I would also agree with a type 2 Aru...the patterning is similar to a Merauke but it doesn't seem dark enough to be Merauke (although it was my first thought)

This is my freshly shed Merauke and u can see the difference

http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae14/caffers1982/324F63D2-3E30-4270-B037-BE8B8FDDFDFA-3525-00000A65926B5B7E.jpg

My biggest scrub is about 10ft and doesn't eat more than a large rat or small squirrel every 2-3 weeks

With a baby it's good to grow them really slowly an have a nice big enclosure so they end up long and lean...I have a 3/4 year old male Merauke and he's still only about 4.5ft long bless him

Humidity doesn't need to be too high...a humid hide is fine

Good luck...he/she is gorgeous!!