Liasis Fucus/Water Python

I had a fail at Tinley today - a teeny-tiny (only 16 grams) couple month old baby water python. Not sure if the gender, and no name yet. The vendor had two, this one seemed a little less snippy - not that a baby this size is any threat! Currently set up in a half-size Cambro tub. I defaulted to our usual aspen, thinking I'm going to switch over to paper towel until it gets bigger - the aspen is soooo big/rough compared to tiny python.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e0217afe87.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...323a1592db.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f117e433d7.jpg

The retic owners here are a bad influence! I drooled at retics, especially the goldenchilds, but none were identified as dwarf/SD (and I don't know localities), plus their intelligence intimidated me a little. [emoji846]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome pickup.

I had looked at those too. I wanted an olive, and thought a water would be more manageable.

They can eat crocs, (smaller crocs) when they are bigger. Some good video and pics out there of it.

Congrats!

yay, congratulations!!! beautiful little thing! 😊

Thanks Gio and tttaylorrr. I named baby this morning: Kajura, which is an Aboriginal name for the Rainbow Serpent. Kajura was burrowing in the aspen last night, but I went ahead and replaced the aspen with paper towels, and gave K some crumpled-up bits to hide in/under. This morning K was out looking around when we turned the room lights on, which I like to see.

I need to hit up PetWhatsit and pick up a 6-pack of pinkies. I think Kajura is too small for the small fuzzies I've got. K's such a tiny baby I'm not sure if I want to offer food Tuesday (python day), or wait until Thursday (Colubrid day). I don't think I'm comfortable waiting all the way until next Tuesday. I may also feed small meals twice a week or go with feeding every 5 das for a bit.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Kajura tagged my this morning. I had the tub open to put in a TP tube for them to hide in, and it looked like they wanted to come out, so I offered my hand. Chomp! Um, err, ouch? OK, you get to stay out for a couple minutes once you let go. I think they were confused by my lack of reaction. [emoji4] At this point I think they were trying to strangle my hand:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9af031932f.jpg

A couple shots of Kajura's tub, taken prior to the dramatic attack.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a091d5d13d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d17069cf8d.jpg

I suppose I shouldn't mock Kajura, those tiny baby teeth actually managed to draw blood! A minuscule amount, but I wasn't sure there'd be any. [emoji6]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

very nice!

i'm sure it can take a fuzzy. i think that big, cute head can swallow big things. the real questions is - where are u gonna find crocs to feed to Kajura once it's ready? ;) j/k

I've also got a Woma, and IIRC Bredlis will eat other reptiles, so maybe I should start a colony of feeder reptiles. :D

At the moment I'm leaning toward starting with fuzzies. I've got some small-ish ones, and am going to eyeball one nearer to Kajura's head before feeding it to the sand boa tonight.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You were right Ax, Kajura had no problem with a small pinkie. Slammed it off the tongs, swallowed down, then seemed to be looking for more.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c6797f156b.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Very cool animal!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome critter Prog!

I'm really digging the little one there.

Aussie pythons are all pretty spectacular.

It sounds like you have a nice collection of them!

That is one cute little snake.

Kajura is feisty - a couple days ago they struck at me so hard they fell off of my hand! Fortunately landing on some laundry, so no damage done, Also shed last week, but Kajura's so iridescent I didn't see a lot of difference. I also forgot how fast the shed cycle is on little ones. Never looked blue, except the eyes, so I guess I have another stealth-shedder. [emoji846]

Here's a drawing I finished yesterday, substituting a mushroom in for my hand. I tried a metallic ink for highlights, it wasn't entirely successful.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...66e5b1a625.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Kajura is feisty - a couple days ago they struck at me so hard they fell off of my hand! Fortunately landing on some laundry, so no damage done, Also shed last week, but Kajura's so iridescent I didn't see a lot of difference. I also forgot how fast the shed cycle is on little ones. Never looked blue, except the eyes, so I guess I have another stealth-shedder. [emoji846]

Here's a drawing I finished yesterday, substituting a mushroom in for my hand. I tried a metallic ink for highlights, it wasn't entirely successful.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...66e5b1a625.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

---

That's pretty cool.

The snake is adorable and you are a very talented artist!

Thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The last couple mornings I've found Kajura like this. I think I have another busybody snake. [emoji4]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6d31b03ace.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's pretty cool. I like the active ones.

Kajura is settling down - out being busybody snake in the evenings and often in the mornings, too. No more vicious attacks, except to my phone last night, which in fairness was hovering overhead. After that, Kajura investigated it or ignored it, and I got some pictures. I think my fingers are now branches, not scary things. Weight is up to 23 grams.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...765dcd3cb5.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...382c46e348.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...59fdbd1c10.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In two months Kajura's weight has doubled from 16 to 32 grams. Was looking cute taking a bath in the water dish this morning, but the picture attempt flopped.

Kajura was helping me feed my fish last night, and I think wanted to investigate their food.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prognathodon

In two months Kajura's weight has doubled from 16 to 32 grams. Was looking cute taking a bath in the water dish this morning, but the picture attempt flopped.

Kajura was helping me feed my fish last night, and I think wanted to investigate their food.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Try again with the pictures soon.

Always nice to see some different species out there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gio

Try again with the pictures soon.

---

I will - I suspect Kajura may be going in to shed, so definitely when there's new paint to show off.

And I'm slowwwly making progress on re-arranging enclosures after moving the BPs to a rack, which means K will be getting about quadruple the floor area, and overhead space for some things to climb on. I've read that water pythons aren't much for climbing, but K doesn't seem to have gotten the memo. I'm hoping to get some climbing pictures.

I had been thinking of an intermediate size enclosure, but Kajura is growing like a weed and seems pretty fearless, so schlepping enclosures to/from storage made less sense than moving straight to the bigger one that's already in the house.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did manage to get a picture last night:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2a5f0eb5ce.jpg
"Killing" pinkie #2 - we found a bag of 25 in the freezer, so Kajura's getting two every five days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kajura in new paint:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d544d62db3.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d66b738ed1.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3d7fd3d619.jpg
That last picture was taken with flash, shows off the iridescence.

When I first got Kajura they ignored the hides I had in the tub, so I replaced the hides with crumpled paper towels. Last night I changed the bedding, so I tried a hide again (in addition to the paper towel). This morning Kajura was using it - mostly in the hide, with their chin on the water bowl being a busy body, all "Lookit this neat thing I found!" :)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Finally got Kajura into a larger enclosure on Sunday. I always forget how much water a block of Eco-Earth sucks up!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b6483dd65a.jpg
Kajura's the coil at the right front, enthusiastically constricting their f/t pinkie (#3 of 3 - as Bob as my witless we *will* finish off the bag someday!)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Finally got Kajura into a larger enclosure on Sunday. I always forget how much water a block of Eco-Earth sucks up!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b6483dd65a.jpg
Kajura's the coil at the right front, enthusiastically constricting their f/t pinkie (#3 of 3 - as Bob as my witless we *will* finish off the bag someday!)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

That looks great!!

Thank you Gio! Its just aquarium background, Eco-Earth, and artificial aquarium plants. I need to get another piece of that background for the left side, which used to face the couch. The off-white bin isn't bad, but the background looks nicer.

I'm annoyed with myself for forgetting to look for some climbing branches or another magnaturals vine when I went to the local expo on Saturday. At least the "tree" offers some climbing opportunity, the information I've found isn't helpful on how much water pythons climb to help me determine how much height I'll need to provide in an adult enclosure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm a big fan liasis, I actually keep an olive and a water myself, both of which are yearlings. Regarding the arboreal nature, my water has a pvc perch and an arboreal hide mounted to the cage ceiling and I'd say she spends her time split 50/50 between terrestrial and arboreal hiding/cruising/hunting. Both while out actively search for high ground and perch once there. I always turn off ceiling fans as my olive will climb to the top of my head and then try and lift himself onto them.

As adults they aren't quite as heavy bodied and I think even my olive when he gets 8ft+ will climb given the chance. They are no morelia, but I think a 4x2x2 would be utilized pretty well and it's what I plan on having for my adult water cage. My olive will get a 6x3X2 but he's gonna be significantly bigger and it'll be much harder to provide usable vertical space.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 350z

I'm a big fan liasis, I actually keep an olive and a water myself, both of which are yearlings. Regarding the arboreal nature, my water has a pvc perch and an arboreal hide mounted to the cage ceiling and I'd say she spends her time split 50/50 between terrestrial and arboreal hiding/cruising/hunting.

---

Thank you for the input! Kajura was hanging out in the tree yesterday, I think they're getting the idea climbing is a thing to do.

Soaking at night and this morning, I suspect another shed soon.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just out of curiosity what do those go for? I am local to ne il also and will be at tinley in October.

That's a lovely new enclosure! It looks like a little landscape!

Is that an exoterra-ish type of screen top enclosure? How did you attach the RHP to the top?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bcycling

Just out of curiosity what do those go for? I am local to ne il also and will be at tinley in October.

---

It's not really what they go for but if you can get your hands on one. Only major name I can think who works with them is Inland reptile, he even says on his website they are some of rarest pythons in US collections.

I've gotten both of my liasis from what I would consider a hobbyist breeder, who just happens to keep all four species.

That being said IF you can find them, they don't command a high price. I'd say 200 or so. Kind of unique in that there is almost no supply with little info and species recognition, leading to low demand.

Bcycling, I paid $175 for Kajura. The seller was RJS Reptiles, but they were selling the two water pythons for someone else. I don't remember seeing much (any?) else in the way of Liasis species, but if I were looking I'd check Morelia Row as the most likely vendors.

Redshepherd, thank you! The RHP is screwed into a couple lengths of one-by lumber that are on the outside of the screen top. Using the lengths of wood spreads the weight out over more of the screen. On another one we used large fender washers for the smallest size Reptile Basics RHP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We weighed snakes on Friday, Kajura was up to 48 grams, which is triple their weight since coming home from Tinley with me. We *finally* finished off the bag of pinkies, feeding off three per feeding the last few times. Last week I fed a fuzzy mouse, which didn't leave much of a lump, especially with how long Kajura is, so tonight I fed a hopper. Took a little longer to get down, but I don't think the lump is too big:https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...324eb88f8a.jpg

I think Kajura's eyes look cloudy from the flash, didn't look cloudy to me.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

A Kajura-snoot in the ear TICKLES!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Still growing like a weed, up to 88 grams. Also still a social little busybody.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...931e976557.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...851b3c36c6.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7e9511c29b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e5f2ff78ce.jpg

The tan blob in the 3rd and 4th pictures is a standard-size pillow, for scale.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Still growing like a weed, up to 88 grams. Also still a social little busybody.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...931e976557.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...851b3c36c6.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7e9511c29b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e5f2ff78ce.jpg

The tan blob in the 3rd and 4th pictures is a standard-size pillow, for scale.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Looking good and like a fun species.

they're getting so big!

Do you have a pair or just one?

Just the one. Not sure of sex, so I'm practicing my gender-neutral pronouns on something that doesn't care when I mess up. [emoji846]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Just the one. Not sure of sex, so I'm practicing my gender-neutral pronouns on something that doesn't care when I mess up. [emoji846]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

---

hahaha this is funny because i was looking back a few posts trying to find the gender so i could use the right pronoun, but since i couldn't find it i just used they! i try to practice using gender-neutral pronouns, too!

Last night was feeding night for the pythons...

Kajura will be fed tomorrow with the colubrids...

Tommy the beagle's new nickname is "Mousebreath"...

[emoji57]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...547a6b33f2.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Kajura's getting bigger, I think pushing 3' long. Wasn't cooperating for photos, though.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ec7c98e9b7.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f983dda182.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2cf90cec97.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Lookin' good Prog!

Kajura shed Saturday night - I came upstairs and held the (sopping wet from the water bowl) shed while they finished the last couple inches of tail. I managed to get a couple good pictures of the iridescence.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c022464da2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a1e6d3fefe.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

AAARGH!!! Mites!!! I was starting to think Baljeet (Deckert’s ratsnake) was out of the woods, and discovered some on Kajura last night!

Warfare (re-) commencing in 3...2...1...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I think we won the mite warfare, and Kajura shed Saturday. I tried getting pictures last night, but Kajura was too busy being big brave ‘splorin snake to hold still. [emoji846]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...37f1bc13ca.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...db61c7a0bc.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...af1f826bd7.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ab9f2791f7.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Very cool critter Prog!

Kajura out helping change water in the fish tanks and learn about cabinetmaking to build Moresby a bigger enclosure.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ec993255b7.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d5f992452a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ec7459c9cb.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro