Aussie Pythons and Snakes

AustHerps · #1 25-Aug-06, 07:26 PM

Just wondering who's had them?
What sort of housing they've supplied along the way?
Anyone have recorded growth rates?
What sort of feeding shedule have people used for hatchies through to adults?

We just ordered our first one (despite the fact that she bit us both, well, Misky more than me lol) and can't wait to bring her home. She's at about 3ft atm, with a beautiful yellow head (full of teeth hehe).

I checked out Brian Barnett's article on them, a good read. Just wondering as to others' experiences in general.

Cheers,
Austy.

zard · #2 25-Aug-06, 07:53 PM

wow, interesting first snake..

this is cwarrens, she just lives at my place.
Lives in a 1.5 sq mtr enc and eats whatever she is offered as often as she can get it..
I havent got a growth chart as she isnt to partial to being handled

not very helpful am i

AustHerps · #3 25-Aug-06, 07:56 PM

lol i didn't say it was our first snake.

zard · #4 25-Aug-06, 07:58 PM

my bad.. sorry

still no help though

AustHerps · #5 25-Aug-06, 07:59 PM

Oh and how rude of me, thanks for the reply

(lol and for the record, we've keep most of the python species and main ven species)

olivehydra · #6 25-Aug-06, 08:05 PM

I have only one, a little two year old girl. Great handler out of cage but snappy whilst in "her" home. Very clever snake imo. Always hungry, but I only feed once every three weeks or so. I house her in a 6ft wide by 6ft tall enclosure. She loves climbing. Stunning looking I think

zard · #7 25-Aug-06, 08:13 PM

PMSL.. i realised my mistake after i actually read your username..

The scrubby is the best eater we have, she will eat anything, prolly the kids if they got too close

hmmmmm......

AustHerps · #8 25-Aug-06, 08:15 PM

I was hoping you'd reply

she's absolutely gorgeous, thanks for the shot mate. What size is she?

In terms of housing, what would you recommend a 3 footer? Same as any other python? Or not?

Cheers,
Austy.

zard · #9 25-Aug-06, 08:15 PM

olivehydra i find ours is very swithched on also.. do you think it is indicative of the species???

olivehydra · #10 25-Aug-06, 08:20 PM

Mine is about 5 or 6 ft atm, but doesnt look it due to her being so slim. They are one of, if not the quickest growing pythons, so I would go to an adult size enclosure with plenty of hides. I started with a click clack, then a 5 ft by 3.5 ft and now her adult cage, all within a year.

olivehydra · #11 25-Aug-06, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zard

olivehydra i find ours is very swithched on also.. do you think it is indicative of the species???

Cant really comment as I only have one, but alot of texts suggest that this is the case. She doesnt strike at random, but rather calculates distance, and only attempts to bite if the target (me) is within range. Seems to be able to distinguish normal cleaning activity from feeding time, while my olives assume every time is a possible meal :wink:

AustHerps · #12 25-Aug-06, 08:47 PM

From the one's I've seen (and we handled 10 young ones the other day), they never miss a bite, only striking when they know they're gonna nail ya.
That's one thing that only dawned on me upon reading that.

olivehydra · #13 25-Aug-06, 09:45 PM

thought I would share...... I supplied an artist a pic to produce some artwork for my home. I like it anyway, considering it was the first snake painting she had ever done

elapid68 · #14 25-Aug-06, 09:53 PM

AustHerps
PM sent

raptor · #15 26-Aug-06, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustHerps

Just wondering who's had them?
What sort of housing they've supplied along the way?
Anyone have recorded growth rates?
What sort of feeding shedule have people used for hatchies through to adults?

We just ordered our first one (despite the fact that she bit us both, well, Misky more than me lol) and can't wait to bring her home. She's at about 3ft atm, with a beautiful yellow head (full of teeth hehe).

I checked out Brian Barnett's article on them, a good read. Just wondering as to others' experiences in general.

Cheers,
Austy.

As you know, we have a pair (still pretty placid as far as scrubs go) of yearlings, and have kept 10'+ in the past.. The big guys were "typical" amethystine temperament, ie: "you're in my enclosure...have one of these *chomp*!! Oh, you've got food? Great, I'll have that!"
They were kept in 6' x4' x6' enclosures, spent most of their time curled up (usually in their water bowls), and watching everything that went near "their space".
The yearlings are around the 4' mark, pretty good as far as handling goes, and typically voracious appetites. In fact, we've had them looking for food while shedding! At this stage, they're quite content in tubs, but that will be changing soon.
As far as growth rates go, we haven't been keeping records, but would estimate they've grown around 4'-6' in the last 3 1/2 months, with 3 sheds in that period. I'd go as far to say that they easily exceed olives when it comes to growth spurts.
A yearling scrub will basically eat until it bursts, & ours are being held back to 1 (occasionally 2) feeds per week, and I cant say I noticed any real difference in feeding responses from the biggies. If there's any personality trait (other than bitey) that I could single out, it's the voracious appetite. In fact, I'd say perpetually hungry! Mind you, with you only living 5 min from me, & having handled most of my critters, you're in a good position to both ask & observe for yourself!