She's here, she's here!

So, a year or so ago, I was reading a post here on a so called "Giant" BP. I found out that in certain locations in Africa, the balls do get bigger than normal. A LOT bigger.

So I went on a research frenzy. Saw pictures and read stories of a scattering of what I call the Ghana Giants. And I knew I wanted one. Can you imagine ? A 7000+ gram ball python ?

I emailed a handful of people who had them, and found out they are always imports, and no one can predict when they will or won't get any. So I determined to wait, be patient and not give up hope.

Fast forward to a week ago. I constantly scan the classifieds and breeder sites hoping to see anything on a Giant ball. Turns out there is a place in Germany that has them, but having them sent here is complicated and expensive.

Then suddenly, I find an ad on Kingsnake from Outback Reptiles, they've received a shipment of gravid balls, and some of them are the sub-saharan giants. So I contacted them and with some minor begging and pleading with hubby, I buy a giant and have her sent to me.

She arrived at 9:49 this morning. I hope for some eggs from her soon, good thing I've already got my incubator running for my own collection. She's got a beautiful scarred face and I just love her already. She's not in the 7000 gram range yet, but I have high hopes!

Here she is:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/IMG_0118.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/IMG_0119.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/IMG_0122.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/IMG_0120.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/IMG_0121.jpg

Gale

very nice, i saw the same adds and almost got one, still thinking about it. i hear their heads get about the size of an average size fist. how much does she weight right now? good luck on the eggs. im jealous

I was talking to Josh about these guys a couple weeks ago. They have HUGE clutches so your chances of producing that 1/16 morph odds are quite a bit better:gj: WOuld be crazy to see a 7000G BP!! :O

She is sooo much bigger than my scale it's hard for me to see and get an exact weight, but as best I can guess she's between 3,400 and 3,500 grams right now.

She has the definite "ridge back " look to her. So I hope everything goes well.

Gale

Nice big momma. Goodluck on her upcoming clutch. :) Just wanna ask, how's her temperament?

I had no idea they got this big. 7000g? That's huge. I always think of Brian Gundy's 5000g female who herself's a monster. Look at that little tail :) reminds me of a Blood Python.
How's her temperament relative to the BP's we're all use to?
And we need more pictures asap. ;)

From talking with Josh, the temperment is exactly the same as any other BP. She's just bigger and well yeah... more intimidating loooking hahah :D

Well despite what she must have been through recently, so far she's a doll.

When I unpacked her she was just as calm and collected as can be. She didn't even huff at me. :)

I have a female who is longer than her, but not as hefty. I do so hope she'll reach her potential size here. I plan on keeping her for the rest of her life. I hope that with time and patience on my part, she'll become an ambassador snake for me. That someday she'll help me prove not all big snakes are scary and dangerous.

Gale

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Turns out there is a place in Germany that has them, but having them sent here is complicated and expensive.

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Do you have any contact / website etc. to those guys, because I'm in Europe and would be nice to have a huge BP in my collection :D.

Wow nice! Keep us updated on her!

Godzillaa!!!!!

Hey Gale congrats!! Shes a cutie :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GPreptiles

Do you have any contact / website etc. to those guys, because I'm in Europe and would be nice to have a huge BP in my collection :D.

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Here is the link to their website. I'm pretty sure it's in Germany because of the flag in the corner.
http://www.ms-reptilien.de/index.php

They are listed under ball pythons, look for the tag that says " Giants". I don't read German, but I've used Babelfish to translate, and as best I can figure, these are true sub-saharan giants.

Gale

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Here is the link to their website. I'm pretty sure it's in Germany because of the flag in the corner.
http://www.ms-reptilien.de/index.php

They are listed under ball pythons, look for the tag that says " Giants". I don't read German, but I've used Babelfish to translate, and as best I can figure, these are true sub-saharan giants.

Gale

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If you use firefox, it should translate for you. ;)

Do you mind PMing me roughly how much you paid for her? You've got my interest for sure.

Btw, 7000 grams is roughly 15lbs and 6 ounces. That's HUGE.

Very cool! Congrats!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Here is the link to their website. I'm pretty sure it's in Germany because of the flag in the corner.
http://www.ms-reptilien.de/index.php

They are listed under ball pythons, look for the tag that says " Giants". I don't read German, but I've used Babelfish to translate, and as best I can figure, these are true sub-saharan giants.

Gale

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Love that they have a 700g '08 female "giant ball" for sale :P

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Originally Posted by fishboyUK

Love that they have a 700g '08 female "giant ball" for sale :P

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That is funny, but that 700 grammer has a pretty sick reduced pattern and cool looking belly

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monster Dodge

I was talking to Josh about these guys a couple weeks ago. They have HUGE clutches so your chances of producing that 1/16 morph odds are quite a bit better:gj: WOuld be crazy to see a 7000G BP!! :O

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Well her offspring would give you a better chance anyhow--if she's just a normal there's nothing really you could breed to her that would give you 1/16 odds. That being said, she'd be a dominate, co-dominate, and het. factory, haha.

Cheers,
-Matt

Well guys, you have to remember, these things don't hatch at 7000 grams any more than a standard ball hatches at 2500. :P

It's how big they CAN grow that makes them unique and desirable.

Truthfully, I have at least two females that are longer than she is, but not as bulky. However, close comparison shows her head structure is noticeably different, it's broader and heavier.

Now, will she ever reach the mythical 7000 mark ? Maybe, maybe not. I have high hopes she is fairly young and will in time get big enough to be very impressive.

Gale

What do you plan on feeding her as she gets to be full size?

Even if she makes 7000 grams, she'll still only get rats. Now, at 7000 grams it may be jumbo rats, but rats nevertheless.

She seems to be settling in nicely, I had to pull her tub out to let hubby see her when he got home from work, and she lifted her head up as if to say, " Now what do you want ?"

He thinks she's beautiful too. Granted she's not a morph, I wouldn't even call her a dinker, but I am head over heels for her big, scarred face. Sometimes I'm such a sucker for these guys! :oops:

Gale

I have an 08 female who bred last year for the firdt time, gave me 10 good eggs.
She was 1800 grms. She is breeding this year and my 4000 grm scale, reads error when I put her on.
She put on over 2200 grms in 8 months. She started at small rats, now eats jumbos. she was fed only once a week.
Her head is the size of a small Boa.
I figure she will hit 5500+ grms this year.

What does "giant" mean? Are they literally bigger than other BP's to the point that they are giant? :O
I've never heard of them. :(

Congrats on the pick up! We have 2 females that are 5' and getting close to the 4k gram mark. The biggest girl just broke 3700g. :O

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Here is the link to their website. I'm pretty sure it's in Germany because of the flag in the corner.
http://www.ms-reptilien.de/index.php

They are listed under ball pythons, look for the tag that says " Giants". I don't read German, but I've used Babelfish to translate, and as best I can figure, these are true sub-saharan giants.

Gale

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Thanks ;), and btw definitelly German (even have .de ending of their website adress).

Also another question, because from what I'm reading here - is this actually genetic? I'm asking because your talking about 1/16 chance of getting it - or I understood something wrong?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Here is the link to their website. I'm pretty sure it's in Germany because of the flag in the corner.
http://www.ms-reptilien.de/index.php

They are listed under ball pythons, look for the tag that says " Giants". I don't read German, but I've used Babelfish to translate, and as best I can figure, these are true sub-saharan giants.

Gale

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I have a better idea, click on the "british flag" to get the whole website in english!:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Well guys, you have to remember, these things don't hatch at 7000 grams any more than a standard ball hatches at 2500. :P

It's how big they CAN grow that makes them unique and desirable.

Truthfully, I have at least two females that are longer than she is, but not as bulky. However, close comparison shows her head structure is noticeably different, it's broader and heavier.

Now, will she ever reach the mythical 7000 mark ? Maybe, maybe not. I have high hopes she is fairly young and will in time get big enough to be very impressive.

Gale

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This is very interesting to me!

First - Congrats on a gorgeous girl and best of luck with the eggs!

Second - I have a 3500 gram male that I rescued from someone that is about 15-16 years old (long story). The only reason I mention this is that he has a HUGE head! Everyone who sees him comments on his head! He is also pushing 5'-6" in length. I was told that he was wild caught, so could he possibly be one of these "giant BP's"? I have always wanted to breed him to see if his size was genetic, but my females have been tied up in different projects. This may get worked into my next season plans!

Thanks for sharing and sorry for the slight derail!!!!

Good luck, Hope you get your dream snake.

Our largest is 5.5' long, and weighs in at 2900 grams. She hasn't eaten in a couple months, and is gravid.

She was a rescue we picked up. As far as we know, she's 10-11 years old. Her head is enormous compared to what I've seen in BPs. It's a mangled up head/face, too--much worse looking than your new girl.

Anyway, I dream of getting her up to the 5000 gram range. Congrats on your pickup, and hope you get her up really large!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GPreptiles

Thanks ;), and btw definitelly German (even have .de ending of their website adress).

Also another question, because from what I'm reading here - is this actually genetic? I'm asking because your talking about 1/16 chance of getting it - or I understood something wrong?

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nope. he meant that when u breed with such snakes u have a higher chance to produce the 1 in 16 morphs- because big snake- more eggs.


if its genetic- idk.

but the guy who sells em here in germany flys every year to africa and hand picks his imports. only babies that at birth weight more than 100g are sold as giants.

we get monthly prospects from him but the giants are long out of the list- i didnt knew he sells em still.

the last time i saw it was 2007 (in this prospects).


hes a good guy and people trust him- so i dont think that he want to screw someone with these.

and he has some really big girls there. the biggest is andy lewe- 5400g but its over 10 years old.

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Originally Posted by shelliebear

What does "giant" mean? Are they literally bigger than other BP's to the point that they are giant? :O
I've never heard of them. :(

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Giants are locality BP that do get bigger than the others commonly found.

Here is an example of one, pretty big girl the most impressive was the size of her head.

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...ERD/BigWC1.jpg

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...ERD/BigWC2.jpg

I. Want. One. Or Maybe More Than One lol What is the price range on them if you dont mind me asking?

If it is genetic, that would be insane. I would love to have a giant axanthic pin, amongst many others.

Right now I don't know if it's proven genetic or not. Perhaps if my girl gives me eggs, in a few years time I'll know.

My fantasy is a 7000 gram pied, can you imagine ?

As to price, they are a little higher as you would expect, but not unreasonably high. A similarly sized standard ball female normal is almost the same price. Mine is 3500 grams, so by searching Kingsnake you can get a price range.

Gale