True length of "record" giant pythons. - Page 9

smy_749 · 04-16-13, 07:38 PM

we had a discussion about this in the varanid section and how far to go in mimicing the wild , and how far is too far. Its too complicated of a subject and theres not a clear cut line since we dont know alot of whats actually ideal and whats not, etc etc. I'd say no need to change whats ready working. Maybe the males are smaller ? About feeding a deer, Isnt there too much risk involved in that? Can the snake actually burst (like the famous pic of one swallowing a gator)

StudentoReptile · 04-16-13, 07:55 PM

I don't think there has ever been a documented case of a snake "bursting" from eating too large of a meal. There have been some accounts of larger snakes eating deer or antelope and the antlers/horns will penetrate out of the stomach wall through to the skin. Allegedly, the snake digests the rest of the animal and the horns either get reabsorbed back into the stomach wall (maybe "reabsorbed" isn't the most accurate term, but you know what I mean) or they just fall off. Either way, the snake heals with a nasty scar, but lives on. I don't know how true that really is.

The infamous photo of the python dead floating in the swamp with an alligator sticking out of its burst torn-open belly is been discussed to death. There is no clear evidence that the gator "burst" open the belly of the python, as snakes this size and species prey upon small crocodilians routinely (the gator in question was only about 6 ft long). It is more likely the python successfully killed and swallowed the alligator, then later was killed by something else; either a larger alligator or a human that shot it. The head was either missing or pulverized to bits when the photo was taken. Or heck..maybe both, someone shot it, then another alligator started tearing up the remains.

smy_749 · 04-16-13, 08:01 PM

thanks for clarifying, always wondered About that photo. That and the python biting the bar b wire fence and the one with the human inside lol

StudentoReptile · 04-16-13, 08:13 PM

The python biting the fence - If I remember correctly, the snake (an African rock python) slithered into a fenced-in area in South Africa where there was sheep or goats, swallowed one, and tried to come out the same way. Unfortunately for the snake, its distended belly touched the electric fence, which it apparently struck in retaliation, but of course, died.

I think I know which photo you're referring to with the human inside the snake. There's a handful of them floating out there, and most were hoaxes; i.e. people posing inside the guts of a killed snake for publicity.

smy_749 · 04-17-13, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

The python biting the fence - If I remember correctly, the snake (an African rock python) slithered into a fenced-in area in South Africa where there was sheep or goats, swallowed one, and tried to come out the same way. Unfortunately for the snake, its distended belly touched the electric fence, which it apparently struck in retaliation, but of course, died.

I think I know which photo you're referring to with the human inside the snake. There's a handful of them floating out there, and most were hoaxes; i.e. people posing inside the guts of a killed snake for publicity.

I figured as much with the human thing, but I didn't think of an electric fence for the rock P, thats unfortunate.

**millertime89** · 06-27-13, 10:34 PM

bump, there are always people that need to read the article in the first post.

**millertime89** · 06-27-13, 10:43 PM

Someone dug up a bunch of the old reports and quoted the fun parts, if I remember I'll look for the reports and post them here, but here's the excerpts in one nice easy place.
Serpent Research: Size Records for Giant Snakes

smy_749 · 06-28-13, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I can blame them. If you can't handle it at full size then why at all? Why stunt and animal purely for OUR self gratification to keep it? That's a load of horseshit blaming it on politics and you and everyone else knows it!

That's PURE animal cruelty!

I agree. Unfortunately alot of the hobby has become about aesthetic appeal and pretty colors, not about reptiles. Just about who can come up with the craziest looking nonsense like scaleless snakes and blind albino monitors. I don't doubt that if a color morph was bad for an animals health but looked wonderful, we'd be seeing them everywhere.

Not to take away from those who truly enjoy keeping reptiles AND breeding morphs etc. , I just have issues with those who call everything that isn't white, orange, blue, whatever ....ugly. No appreciation for any animals true beauty anymore

For some reason I thought Aarons comment was the last one till my response got posted. Sorry I changed topic, but I'll leave it there anyways.

**millertime89** · 06-28-13, 04:42 PM

So using dwarf locality genetics is wrong? Won't get any argument from me that maintenance feeding an animal to keep it small is wrong but when a snake won't grow due to genetics it won't grow. Evolution is a wondrous thing (usually).

I still say one of the best looking retics is a high silver normal.

**Aaron_S** · 06-28-13, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

So using dwarf locality genetics is wrong? Won't get any argument from me that maintenance feeding an animal to keep it small is wrong but when a snake won't grow due to genetics it won't grow. Evolution is a wondrous thing (usually).

I still say one of the best looking retics is a high silver normal.

No problem with dwarf localities. Never said there was one.

Lots of people don't solely use them.

Even worse, if you want dwarf localities to be recognized as dwarf localities the lines should have been kept pure. Now they'll be banned because everyone needed dwarf morphs.

Just play with already small pretty snakes. Problem solved.

smy_749 · 06-28-13, 06:03 PM

Not saying wrong or right. Just disapointing to see people changing things to please them, as opposed to appreciating what nature has to offer. and even then, my beef is with those who ONLY enjoy color morphs, convenient packaging, etc.

**millertime89** · 06-29-13, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

No problem with dwarf localities. Never said there was one.

Lots of people don't solely use them.

Even worse, if you want dwarf localities to be recognized as dwarf localities the lines should have been kept pure. Now they'll be banned because everyone needed dwarf morphs.

Just play with already small pretty snakes. Problem solved.

Politicians don't give a damn about subspecies or localities. They rarely use the most up-to-date science even when its presented to them in peer reviewed publications.

**Aaron_S** · 06-29-13, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

Politicians don't give a damn about subspecies or localities. They rarely use the most up-to-date science even when its presented to them in peer reviewed publications.

That's your excuse? If they don't care why should we? That's the argument for doing it? You giant keepers get crazier by the day.

Let's not give them any more reason to.

StudenttoReptile made a very solid post about similar to this topic in another thread.

I'll just link it here....

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/850798-post69.html

**millertime89** · 06-29-13, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

That's your excuse? If they don't care why should we? That's the argument for doing it? You giant keepers get crazier by the day.

Let's not give them any more reason to.

StudenttoReptile made a very solid post about similar to this topic in another thread.

I'll just link it here....

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/850798-post69.html

Don't go putting words in my mouth. I know you're not stupid enough to think people don't keep pure lines. Plenty of people, myself included, have pure dwarf and SD animals and they (and myself once my animals are old enough) make sure to continue to produce pure locality/subspecies animals. I'm trying to locate importers to bring in other pure SD/dwarf localities as well.

I'm reading the link, I'll get back to on that. I'm at work now so I don't have to work the holiday so my time is a little broken up to read longer posts.

Sherman · 07-01-13, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

No problem with dwarf localities. Never said there was one.

Lots of people don't solely use them.

Even worse, if you want dwarf localities to be recognized as dwarf localities the lines should have been kept pure. Now they'll be banned because everyone needed dwarf morphs.

Just play with already small pretty snakes. Problem solved.

Why should we solely use them? I use dwarf stuff, and mainland stuff. I enjoy both. I keep both responsibly.

Unless they are classified as a completely different species (which won't happen, and if you think it will- go study some taxonomy and take a seat).

Just play with already small pretty snakes? Like what? Ball pythons and corn snakes? No thanks they bore me and frankly don't have the personality of a retic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

That's your excuse? If they don't care why should we? That's the argument for doing it? You giant keepers get crazier by the day.

Let's not give them any more reason to.

StudenttoReptile made a very solid post about similar to this topic in another thread.

We are crazy, but real keepers of giants, real dedicated keepers are not the problem, idiots are. Guess what- idiots will find a way to get hurt regardless. Whether it's owning a big snake, hots, a car too fast, or doing some other dumb crap, a few keepers being huge idiots should not punish everyone. I enjoy and love my big snakes.

I guess by your logic we should ban cars and liquor, because someone might be dumb enough to drink and drive and hurt someone, so lets get rid of them all JUST TO BE SAFE.

Please kid, take a seat.