Angolan Python

Hello,

Wanted to introduce my Angolan Python female "Zina". Used to keep Ball Pythons and miss them (hence I found this forum)

Right now I only have Zina, but thinking about getting back into Ball Pythons. Perhaps 1 or 2.

Zina came to me as a very shy snake, not a good eater. She still doesn't enjoy being taken out of the cage, but once out, she's fine. She now eats very well pre-killed, haven't tried f/t yet.

Anyhow, here is Zina !!

btw. she has a small area of belly scales that look "odd". Never bothered her in any way, just looks weird, anyone seen this before ? I'll attach a picture of it.

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...e/DSCN0592.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...e/DSCN0568.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...e/DSCN0558.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...e/DSCN0562.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...e/DSCN0549.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...e/DSCN0566.JPG

Thanks for looking :)

Zina10

Aww she's very sweet looking! As far as the scales on her belly, they just look like a strange bellybutton to me, like when the umbilicus was removed it just healed in a funky pattern, that's all. If it doesn't bother her, it's likely nothing to worry about.

Yes, that is exactly what it looks like, however it is further up the body (about 1/3 down the body...)

The area is small and hasn't caused any trouble.

Thanks for the compliments :) She has quite blossomed from the shy/slow to start feeding girl she was. When I got her she would only eat if it was completely dark and the food was live.

Now she will take pre killed without hesitation, lights on or not, activity nearby or not...

:)

Zina10

Wow, I'm jealous. An Angolan is at the top of my "Want" list... :gj:

I have heard of these before, but never seen one, they are pretty! How are they compared to ball pythons, size, temperament, husbandry?

They get a bit bigger then Ball Pythons and husbandry is comparable. They are usually less shy and more curious then Ball Pythons. They usually do not have any feeding problems, if anything, they are ready to eat anytime !!

Zina was an exception. She was more difficult to start feeding. When I received her she had started to eat more regularly, but only live mice. She preferred to eat in the dark.

During the time I've had her I was able to move her into a well lit (during the day) large cage and she is not shy anymore. She will eat anytime, day or night. She will eat pre/killed. I'm pretty sure I could get her to eat frozen thawed as well, but I haven't tried it yet. Since I only have one snake at this time, I do not buy frozen rodents anymore.

I'm sure my initial experience with her is the exception , as they are far "more" snake then Ball Pythons, when it comes to attitude and curiosity.

They are still somewhat rare, as they are only available captive bred/born.

I have to say I miss my Ball Pythons. The ones I had weren't shy at all and were good feeders, hey, they had personality ;) I moved and had to sell my collection at that time.

I would take them to presentations quite often, and they never missed a beat.

I wouldn't feel so comfortable taking Zina to a presentation. Although she has never offered to bite or even hissed at me, she is far more agile and not as "laid back" as my BP's were. She hates being taken out of the cage (who knew snakes could jump around, lol) but once she is out, she calms down nicely.

I've been very busy these past few months and haven't handled her a great deal, now that she is a great eater and doesn't "hide" much, I'll begin to handle her more to see if she'll get more relaxed about being taken out and about...

Thanks for the compliments, she is quite the Beauty ;)

Here she is just now, waiting to eat once again !

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...e/DSCN1423.JPG

Thanks for the info, beautiful snake.

OMG I is jealous :D :D

I want to get one of these pretty bad. I think they are awesome, and yours is a very nice one at that. Super sexy snake...

Beautiful Angolan! They are my favorite snakes right along with bp's!

Thanks for all the nice compliments ;)

Zina just had another big meal and is resting happily.

look at the head on that snake i swore it was a ball python lol nice snake

hmmmm bumblebee's and angolans are around the same price range on kingsnake... i think i know my next purchase :D

i am jealous, i cant wait to get one. thats on my list as well

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bsash

I have heard of these before, but never seen one, they are pretty! How are they compared to ball pythons, size, temperament, husbandry?

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BHB has atleast one, and its big. they have it one of the snakebytes episodes but im not sure which one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dc4teg

hmmmm bumblebee's and angolans are around the same price range on kingsnake... i think i know my next purchase :D

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Really ? Wow, sure came down in price, and I'm glad. There need to be more Angolans out there, they are such cool snakes ;)

I'm probably not going to breed my female, though, just don't have the time.

I'm actually looking at purchasing a Bumblebee female, she is a Beauty. Listed at $650. Prices sure have come down since I last looked at BP's...

Zina is already hungry again, guess its time to bump up the rodent size.
As I was cleaning the cage she became curious and even came out of the cage unto my hand for a bit, before slithering back inside. The only thing she hates is if I grab for her and pull her out. If she comes out on her own, she is fine. And once out, she is fine either way. I just hate stressing her out by forcing her out of the cage.

Since I have more time now I will work with her to get her over that fear...

Beautiful snake where can I find one?

Casey Lazik has been breeding them for awhile, and every so often you find them on kingsnake.com.

Right now there is a lone female advertised on kingsnake. I don't know the seller though. The price is very low for a lone female. Back when I got mine it was next to impossible to get a female by itself. I got her because she was being slow to start feeding and had those few strange looking scales on her belly. Its only a tiny and cosmetic fault, but the seller still discounted her for me because of it. The feeding issue resolved itself with time and patience...

Just ask many questions, ask for more pictures and... good luck :) I'm glad that those Angolans are slowly becoming more available, they are very cool snakes, and pretty, too !

Quote:

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Originally Posted by reggi-BP

look at the head on that snake i swore it was a ball python lol nice snake

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lol yea the head is almost identical to a ball python.

They are very pretty.

What attracted me to the Angolans is the fact that they look so similar to Ball Pythons.

Here is Zina telling me she wants more food !

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...e/DSCN1432.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...e/DSCN1431.JPG

Gorgeous Angolan. If I recall your sig correctly, she's your only python. Nice "first python" acquisition. ;)

I was just looking at these snakes last night, and drooled all over my laptop - LOL. :P They are simply gorgeous, and I'm very jealous of you now! Congrats!!

Nice! And welcome to the forum!