Oenpellis

[FAY]

Owen.

hahaha Now that is original..lol

 

[Serpent_Gazeux]

Is it possible to put the male across the three females in the same season?

 

[Bushman]

Thanks for sharing your photos and thoughts with us here Gordo.
I agree with your thinking re: diet not being exclusive to fruit bats, based on the fact that all other members of the genus have varied diets. My experience with Morelia pythons indicates that their diet is much more varied than is commonly thought and I see no reason why Morelia oenpelliensis should be any different. They are essentially opportunistic feeders and prey selection depends on local species availability, abundance and no doubt changes as they mature. The perception that they are specialist feeders may come from individual dietary preferences experienced by keepers of this species in the past.

 

[wokka]

Well done Gordon. Gavin said he was on a winner getting you involved. it seems he was right!

 

[thesilverbeast]

Thanks for sharing! Most of the time information like this is hidden away to those not "in the loop" so I commend you for being so open!

Just out of curiosity, why the drop bears? A handy way to get away from search filters? An In-joke?

 

[FAY]

I was thinking the naming thing was more if Gavin wanted to do it...not APS.....bit like what they do at the zoo. Then you should get the support that you all deserve

 

[Dendrobates]

Just out of curiosity, why the drop bears? A handy way to get away from search filters? An In-joke?

I think out of superstition the Aboriginals won't use the true name of what they are looking for (i.e. Oenpelli) for fear that it will hear that they are searching for it and then avoid them, so the code name 'drop bear' is used to represent the snake. Gordo has taken on the some superstition I assume? Is this right Gordo?

 

[Wiganov]

Thanks for all the pics Gordo, they are unreal. How about a naming comp for the boy , it will get national coverage I am sure ??

Sounds like a good idea. I'll drop Gavin a line and see about getting it into the paper I work at.

 

[jacorin]

how about a native name for it?? from the local tribe(s)

 

[SteveNT]

Thanks for sharing your photos and thoughts with us here Gordo.
I agree with your thinking re: diet not being exclusive to fruit bats, based on the fact that all other members of the genus have varied diets. My experience with Morelia pythons indicates that their diet is much more varied than is commonly thought and I see no reason why Morelia oenpelliensis should be any different. They are essentially opportunistic feeders and prey selection depends on local species availability, abundance and no doubt changes as they mature. The perception that they are specialist feeders may come from individual dietary preferences experienced by keepers of this species in the past.

I never said they eat fruit bats exclusively. All the specimens I have met hunting have been doing so at ground level. Not good bat habitat . Countrymen tell me they think bats are their main food but wallaroos and possums are definately on the menu.

 

[SteveNT]

how about a native name for it?? from the local tribe(s)

Dinner?

 

[jacorin]

hahahaha steve....... if who ever gets one of these guys,you had better have some bl oody good security in place me thinks

 

[Striker]

That's awesome. Although I'm not a particularly frequent poster here I often get online just to check the progress of the Oenpelli project. Particularly after Gavin's talk at the AHS meeting last year. This is fantastic news. Thanks for the information and pictures.

 

[thomasssss]

good news , i dont look at them and think their a must have myself but i can see why some people do and definitely agree with the points made , regardless of their wild status , would you rather see a couple taken into captivity or take the approach of leave them be and hope for the best?

 

[junglepython2]

Fantastic news Gordo, those bigger specimens are truly magnificent. Also great to see young ones being found indicating they are still breeding in the wild.

 

[Varanid]

I think the local people have a name for it, something like Narawan?

 

[Pythoninfinite]

This is truly fantastic news, and full credit to all involved! I certainly hope that the first animals made available for purchase are passed on to absolutely ethical keepers. At least one individual I know who operates under dozens of different names would wet himself to be able to send them overseas for the outstanding profits he could make.

Beautiful animals Gordo and Gavin, and great photos too. I remember Weigel's early prediction that Roughies would be a $200 snake within in 10 years, and he wasn't too far off the money!
This is a great example of what can be done with a cooperative effort...

Great news indeed!

Jamie

 

[Darlyn]

Way to go Gordo. I sure hope someone took a pic of your face when you finally realised your dream?

 

[scorps]

I remember years ago how I felt when I found my first wild BHP, cant imagine how you guys felt finding them.

Congrats guys.

 

[Cockney_Red]

The first female (Esther) was 2.3m on capture. Second (Ingird) was 4.2m, latest girl (Kate) hasn't been measured but looks to be over 3m and the boy (yet to be named) is about 1.4m

This is Ingrid.

Magnificent girl, well done, Black and Whitefellas alike...