Boelen's Python, my new obsession.

I worked for a guy that had a trio. Super cool snake beautiful. He was never able to get Eggs out of them over the course of three or so years. He raised them slow and steady but they are very hard to get to breed in captivity. Aside from that even catching them in the wild to then breed in captivity is challenging as well. They live in some very rough terrain. Combine that with their high cost, and previously stated reproducing challenges and you have everything you need to know why they arent more popular. Why does a breeder want a snake that isnt going to make them money? There are those out there working with them but simply cant get the production out of them like ball pythons or others. People have been trying to get them to breed in captivity for a while now, though i think there has been a few CBB, but not nearly enough. Its been like 15 years or so that people have been trying now at least.

They are however truly amazing snakes. They are very different than most pythons and boas behavior wise. they seem curious and interested in their surroundings far more than other types of pythons from my experience anyway. They are also fairly easy to handle (if you are experienced with larger snakes) but are very active when out.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

:O
I honestly don't know what to like most about these animals. The black? the iridescence? the face markings? the contrast in the markings? the eyes? the size? They are simply gorgeous!!

Maybe by the time they are more readily available in the trade and more affordable the girl will allow a "bigger" snake. For now, she basically has a 5 foot nothing rule, the snake can't be longer than she is tall, hahahaha!!!!

But man, that is one amazing looking animal :partyon:

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Craig, I agree with you 100%. Looking one over for the first time it was check, check, check... I was mentally checking off each box of what would constitute an amazing snake. Their size is incredibly impressive without stepping up to the 2 person minimum category. Just an incredible animal.

I'm a member of Zoo Miami and go there often with the kids. I think I'm going to have to work on petitioning them to acquire one and start a program. Can't hurt to inquire. Anyone besties with Ron Magill?

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Originally Posted by rock

Craig, I agree with you 100%. Looking one over for the first time it was check, check, check... I was mentally checking off each box of what would constitute an amazing snake. Their size is incredibly impressive without stepping up to the 2 person minimum category. Just an incredible animal.

I'm a member of Zoo Miami and go there often with the kids. I think I'm going to have to work on petitioning them to acquire one and start a program. Can't hurt to inquire. Anyone besties with Ron Magill?

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Yup, darn near perfect. If only we could get our hands on them as easily as we would like. And I agree about the 2 person handling. The girl has her 5 foot rule, and I have my one person rule. If I can't handle the animal myself, it's not the right pet for me, personally. I'd love handling and working with some of the larger species, but not a pet for me.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I have taken a liking to bloods since joining this forum, always thought they were pretty cool but didn't know too much about them. I want to add at least another BP or two before adding anything else though. Yup, white lips are gorgeous too.

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I'm interested in maybe getting a Blood Python eventually, but probably not anytime soon and I'd like to handle some in person first. I've already got a 4x2x1 Boaphile cage that would be a perfect size for one too. I'd need a taller cage to have another Carpet, don't know enough about White Lips or Olives at this point to understand their needs.

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Originally Posted by tcutting

I worked for a guy that had a trio. Super cool snake beautiful. He was never able to get Eggs out of them over the course of three or so years. He raised them slow and steady but they are very hard to get to breed in captivity. Aside from that even catching them in the wild to then breed in captivity is challenging as well. They live in some very rough terrain. Combine that with their high cost, and previously stated reproducing challenges and you have everything you need to know why they arent more popular. Why does a breeder want a snake that isnt going to make them money? There are those out there working with them but simply cant get the production out of them like ball pythons or others. People have been trying to get them to breed in captivity for a while now, though i think there has been a few CBB, but not nearly enough. Its been like 15 years or so that people have been trying now at least.

They are however truly amazing snakes. They are very different than most pythons and boas behavior wise. they seem curious and interested in their surroundings far more than other types of pythons from my experience anyway. They are also fairly easy to handle (if you are experienced with larger snakes) but are very active when out.

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Thank you for sharing your first hand experience. Happy they are as great as they seem and that the real issue is success in breeding them in captivity.

These fall under the I just won the lotto dream snake for me, would love to own one but not at that price lol.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Yup, darn near perfect. If only we could get our hands on them as easily as we would like. And I agree about the 2 person handling. The girl has her 5 foot rule, and I have my one person rule. If I can't handle the animal myself, it's not the right pet for me, personally. I'd love handling and working with some of the larger species, but not a pet for me.

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My wife is around the 5 foot mark as well. She loves our BPs but is still a little unsure about our Bredli. I told her I always wanted a snake twice as big as her, I just didn't tell her why. The joke didn't go over so well. lol A full size Boelen's might have her packing for the hills!

That's why I named the Bredli, Alpha Omega. He was my beginning into Morelia and he also might be the end of it. I need a few new snakes before he really puts on size!

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Originally Posted by rock

My wife is around the 5 foot mark as well. She loves our BPs but is still a little unsure about our Bredli. I told her I always wanted a snake twice as big as her, I just didn't tell her why. The joke didn't go over so well. lol A full size Boelen's might have her packing for the hills!

That's why I named the Bredli, Alpha Omega. He was my beginning into Morelia and he also might be the end of it. I need a few new snakes before he really puts on size!

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Hahahaha! :rofl:

I've already been shot down on a carpet, so pretty safe to say a Boelens would be a no-go. She's still a bit squeamish with my BP (278 grams last weigh-in) because of the head. She absolutely loves my 4 foot Cal King though. Since she's willing to let me keep snakes I'm willing to compromise on which species. Since she likes the slender bodies of colubrids we've added a corn and it seems we've adopted a hognose. So she's getting more comfortable and I'm getting to add more snakes, it's a win/win. More BPs are a definite and I wouldn't rule out another King. Then we'll test the waters again with something like ETB or a carpet or a blood.

P.S. She was terrified of snakes until I introduced her to one about a year ago. I've now got 5 living with us, so I can't complain. She's a keeper.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Hahahaha! :rofl:

I've already been shot down on a carpet, so pretty safe to say a Boelens would be a no-go. She's still a bit squeamish with my BP (278 grams last weigh-in) because of the head. She absolutely loves my 4 foot Cal King though. Since she's willing to let me keep snakes I'm willing to compromise on which species. Since she likes the slender bodies of colubrids we've added a corn and it seems we've adopted a hognose. So she's getting more comfortable and I'm getting to add more snakes, it's a win/win. More BPs are a definite and I wouldn't rule out another King. Then we'll test the waters again with something like ETB or a carpet or a blood.

P.S. She was terrified of snakes until I introduced her to one about a year ago. I've now got 5 living with us, so I can't complain. She's a keeper.

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I like it! Life is beautiful indeed. All great snakes and if I could I would add some of those too.

My wife thought 2 snakes for the kids was okay but 3 snakes in the house was pushing it so I had to jump to the Carpet immediately!

Time will tell, we have enjoyed learning with the kids so it has been a win/win as well.

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Originally Posted by rock

I like it! Life is beautiful indeed. All great snakes and if I could I would add some of those too.

My wife thought 2 snakes for the kids was okay but 3 snakes in the house was pushing it so I had to jump to the Carpet immediately!

Time will tell, we have enjoyed learning with the kids so it has been a win/win as well.

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That's awesome. I love seeing kids introduced to animals at a young age. But there's something extra cool about seeing kids with exotics. I don't have kids of my own yet, but my 2 1/2 year old niece will be meeting the snakes for the first time on Father's Day. She's never been to my house, I always go there. She loves to look at the pics of the snakes on my phone. She'll pet them and make hissssss sounds like a snake. Too cute!!