What next?

[REM955]

Yeah. Another one of these posts.
Currently, the thought was I get Cuddles (Woma Python) to adult hood in a healthy fashion, I might be able to consider taking care of a Blackheaded Python. Even if that is not a lowball estimate, I do not see that as being next year or even the next, but I was pondering what could be considered before going so far. Something somewhat bigger, but that is for conversation.

Current Ideas:

1. Bullsnake
   • Female
   • 6*2 Cage
2. Carpet Python
   • Female
   • 6*2 Cage
3. Ball Python
   • Female
   • 4*2 Cage
4. BCI (Most uncertain about this group)
   • Male / Female
   • 6*2 into 8*2 if needed

Space:
I have room for 4*2, 6*2, 8*2. These will likely be AP cages and after quarantine likely stacked on the existing. I am thinking that with the BHP, I would spring for the 8*2 w/ divider to give more room to move along with an appropriate size, but that's later.

I have a lot of time to do research. No set time.
Y'all know more about these than I do. I'll be bothering the shop and vet about their opinions too. Not only that, I have thought about taking in a checked out rescue from a local group. (Still will quarantine)
Thoughts? (Including other snake species)

[EL Ziggy]

A 4x2x2 would work well for a bull snake or carpet python. If you wanted more space for a carpet a 4x2x3 would be awesome. My female bull snake is about 7ft and she's in an AP T8 comfortably.

[REM955]

I do like to splurge a bit size. Just more room for some to use it.
The 3ft is the depth dimension?

[Minkness]

Hight since carpets are semi aboreal. They like hight almost as much as length.

Still thinking of doing a custom for my IJ girl hehe.

[REM955]

APCages.com - A20
That works. I have a corner of my office that is just over 4ft long.
This cage dimensions are 48"L*36"H*24"D.
I suppose more could be stacked on if I found something for 4*2*2.

What else is there to consider?

[Sevvy]

I would definitely consider what you want personality-wise, and whether you want a display snake. I don't know much about bull snakes, but with the other three, carpets are probably going to be the most active and the best display snakes. They'll want to explore a lot when you take them out. Ball pythons will be the least active and most reclusive-- lap snakes, if you will. And I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that BCIs are a happy medium between the two-- curious and "intelligent", but not as fast moving as the carpet pythons.

[REM955]

The idea is to bridge the gap between the Woma I currently have and the Black Headed Python. From what I have heard, they are considerably more skittish and sensitive about their head, some behavior similar to a retic. But I have no first hand experience about any of that. I do know I should expect longer than what I have now.
If anything to describe:
+More intelligent
+More speed
+More size
I hate to keep praising the Aspidites, but it doesn't seem like I will find something comparable in intellect, so bigger and more active/ faster.

[dannybgoode]

Boas are not quick but are a really impressive snake but one that stays entirely manageable. One of the larger carpets may fit the bill also (coastal for example may top 10' for a big one).

Bulls get nice and chunky and long as do gophers.

I'd go for a boa though. Supreme snakes imo. Love mine to bits.

[REM955]

I know of the coastals and that they do get to that kind of size. 8*2, I suppose.
You mention fondness for the boas, but will that get me comfortably with what a Black Head may bring?

[REM955]

And I will add another specific option as well:
Sunglow RTB is what I believe it is. I think that may get out of hand though.
6*2 at minimum with divider, but may be replaced thereafter.
Getting a male may help, but I do not plan on low-balling on food.

[marvelfreak]

The person you need to talk to is Derek Roddy. He breeds BHP and is a member on here.


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Join Date: Apr-2013
Posts: 562
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Re: Black Headed Pythons?
Hey there, any information you want on the BHPs....just give me a shout.

derekroddy@hotmail.com


or you can check my website below.

The one thing I hear people say about BHPs are their size. BHPs are NOT supposed to be any bigger than 6 to 7 feet. It's very rare that you would see an individual in the wild over 7 feet. And even then...they are very slim and trim snakes in the wild.

The reason they get big in captivity (and the reason 95% 0f the people working with them can't get em to lay eggs or hatch them if they do) is the over feeding on the commercial rodents we feed in captivity.

They require a certain feeding regime to be kept and bred successfully over their life time.

Here's a video I recently made and it shows a good size range that the western BHPs should have. They are slightly smaller than other forms of BHPs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax9HyTecE28

Cheers,
D
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[REM955]

Yep. I am quite aware of him and I do have the above post book marked.
The size part was something I was aware of. 6-7 because in the wild lean reptile meat as opposed to the rodents.
The video I will look at. Still a ways off. I have another person to talk to as well.

I kind of wanted to hold off on bothering him until I was ready to make the jump into getting the cage and supplies.

Thanks Marvel.

[REM955]

I sent him a ping asking about a tweener. I'll share what comes of it if anything.

Meanwhile, I will look into the RTBs for certain. I think the idea of the Coastal Carpet may outweigh the bull snake due to body type and

But for the Coastal Carpet Python, I saw a specific care guide mention two items:
+Female size can get to 7-9
+Cage suggestion is 6*2*2 at MOST.

Doesn't seem right to me.

[EL Ziggy]

Most of my carpets don't use much floor space. Rarely are they stretched out on the enclosure floor. That may change as they get older but they definitely appreciate a bit of vertical space when they're young. I'll end up with 2' of height on most of my carpet enclosures but hopefully I can have a couple with 3' of height. My coastal is about 5' and he's in a 36x18x18. He'll be upgraded to a 4x2x2 in a few months. This is how I usually find him.

[REM955]

So a female would be comfortable with a 6*2*2 up until what length?
Also, could you share the temperature gradient you are using? I see a typical 80-90, but another that is 77-92.