Boelen's Python, my new obsession.

Boelen's Python. Is this not one of the most amazing, kick-butt looking snakes on the planet? Why are they so scarce??

Okay, I've read up a little bit on how sourcing them has not been easy but this does not fully explain why they are so rare in captivity. Does anyone here currently have one in their collection?

Here are a few pics I have taken randomly from the internet. Behold...

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...age_278970.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...age_388202.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...age_146949.jpg

Seriously, they're super cool. They're like stouter scrub pythons with wild colors.

I've no clue why they're so rare in captivity though, but they're really pricey the last I checked! Like a couple thousand dollars at least.

Boelen's Pythons are second only to Albino Olive Pythons in terms of my dream snakes. Both species are still pretty expensive though. IIRC, not many people have had success breeding Boelen's. Give it a few more years and I think we'll see more of them in the hobby.

Yes, it seems they are protected but not endangered and are limited in being exported. You're correct, Zig, they do not seem to be within any successful, widespread breeding programs.

They seem to have certain husbandry requirements but not any more complicated than Diamond Carpet Pythons.

Pricey, yes. I saw a few old postings for $3500 for one or $5500 for a pair. Think we need to get Nick Mutton to spearhead a new breeding program!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redshepherd

Seriously, they're super cool. They're like stouter scrub pythons with wild colors.

I've no clue why they're so rare in captivity though, but they're really pricey the last I checked! Like a couple thousand dollars at least.

---

Iridescent like a Tanimbar!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rock

Boelen's Python. Is this not one of the most amazing, kick-butt looking snakes on the planet? Why are they so scarce??

---

They are awesome, for sure!
They are rare to see in captivity because of the elevations they are found at in the wild, they can't seem to adapt well to the barometric pressure changes. They will be fine for a while and then die from what I know and have heard.

They're gorgeous, for sure, but notoriously hard to CB. Even the ones that show up for sale seem to mostly be captive hatched or "captive born" from WC gravid females.

http://www.boelenspythons.com/home.html

Would be great if someone could crack the husbandry on these guys, would love to see more of them around.


Cheers,
Kat

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rock

Pricey, yes. I saw a few old postings for $3500 for one or $5500 for a pair. ...

---

or $6,500 for a pair of hatchlings
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...ghlight=boelen

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joenapoli

or $6,500 for a pair of hatchlings
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...ghlight=boelen

---

:o

$8000 shipped! The $6500 was what the babies sold for. $8k is for the 2 year olds and yet they are NO LONGER AVAILABLE!

Think I am going into business to corner the Boelen's Python and Eastern Indigo markets.

Get on Bushmaster's fax list - I don't believe they do the email anymore. You'll save yourself several grand for the same animals.. If memory serves, they were closer to 3k for a pair.

Disregard that, I dug up one of the old pricelists and they were offering CH boelen for 3k each.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rock

$8000 shipped! The $6500 was what the babies sold for. $8k is for the 2 year olds and yet they are NO LONGER AVAILABLE!

Think I am going into business to corner the Boelen's Python and Eastern Indigo markets.

---

you might want to do a bit more research before investing any of your hard earned dollars into that business!

They've been on my dream snake list. Just can't seem to justify paying that much for a pet though

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DennisM

you might want to do a bit more research before investing any of your hard earned dollars into that business!

---

Yes, I should have added some type of emoji to that statement. I understand some of the issues with keeping and breeding both. I just wish there were more Eastern Indigo in the wild here in Florida to observe and I would really like to see a Boelen's in person.

There are definitely breeders interested in working on them, I keep hearing a lot of the guests on the Morelia Python Radio podcast mentioning them in passing. Just got to give it time...

They are beautiful snakes though.

Yes, that's good to know. I was able to pull up some detailed info on prior successful pairings in captivity. It seems having a stand alone Boelen's as a pet is definitely possible with proper husbandry.

Certainly a snake worth waiting for!

: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:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

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!!!!

---

So what you need then is a Blood Python. That way it can be 5 feet and still be pretty massive. Either that or buy the girl some REALLY high heels :)

The Boelen's reminds me somewhat of a White Lip. Both have iridescence and both have the contrast of white & dark scales adjacent to each other.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dboeren

So what you need then is a Blood Python. That way it can be 5 feet and still be pretty massive. Either that or buy the girl some REALLY high heels :)

The Boelen's reminds me somewhat of a White Lip. Both have iridescence and both have the contrast of white & dark scales adjacent to each other.

---

Hahahaha, I like the heels idea!! I can't go too high though, I'm only 5'8"!! Can't have her taller than I am, hahaha!

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.

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.

Quote:

---

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:

---

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?

Quote:

---

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?

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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!

Quote:

---

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!

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

still a bit squeamish with my BP (278 grams last weigh-in) because of the head.

---

What is it about the head she doesn't like? Just that it's wider than the neck? I mean, it's certainly not wider than most of their body.

Personally (and don't hate on me here Ball folks!) one of the things I don't like about Balls is their heads. They look like duck bills. Look at a Ball head next to a Boa or pretty much any sort of python and you'll see what I'm talking about, the end of their snout widens and flattens a bit like a cartoon duck. Actually, don't. You might not be able to un-see it afterward :)

So I know this isn't a personal collection...but the San Diego Zoo either has a pair or trio of Boelen's pythons, they have been there for years and they are massive. So they must be doing something right.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

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!!

---

Your niece will be in for a treat and so will you. It was my daughter back in November who asked for a snake for her 8th birthday and at the reptile shop she picked the Super Pastel BP out of all of them. Now here we are, searching for Boelen's to bring home!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dboeren

What is it about the head she doesn't like? Just that it's wider than the neck? I mean, it's certainly not wider than most of their body.

Personally (and don't hate on me here Ball folks!) one of the things I don't like about Balls is their heads. They look like duck bills. Look at a Ball head next to a Boa or pretty much any sort of python and you'll see what I'm talking about, the end of their snout widens and flattens a bit like a cartoon duck. Actually, don't. You might not be able to un-see it afterward :)

---

Yeah, I can't un-see that now. lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jclaiborne

So I know this isn't a personal collection...but the San Diego Zoo either has a pair or trio of Boelen's pythons, they have been there for years and they are massive. So they must be doing something right.

---

You're right, they have massive Boelen's!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jclaiborne

So I know this isn't a personal collection...but the San Diego Zoo either has a pair or trio of Boelen's pythons, they have been there for years and they are massive. So they must be doing something right.

---

Yup! I found out last night that the SD Zoo is also where my bf had first heard about the barometric pressure difficulties with this species as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dboeren

What is it about the head she doesn't like? Just that it's wider than the neck? I mean, it's certainly not wider than most of their body.

Personally (and don't hate on me here Ball folks!) one of the things I don't like about Balls is their heads. They look like duck bills. Look at a Ball head next to a Boa or pretty much any sort of python and you'll see what I'm talking about, the end of their snout widens and flattens a bit like a cartoon duck. Actually, don't. You might not be able to un-see it afterward :)

---

Yup, you got it! The head is so much bigger than the neck. She doesn't like the "big, mean bulges".

I certainly won't hate on you, it'd be a pretty boring world if we all liked the same stuff.
...and I can see what you're saying about the cartoon duck, hahaha.
I'd rather my snake have a cartoon duck face than a drunk girl in a selfie duck face though!!:rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Yup! I found out last night that the SD Zoo is also where my bf had first heard about the barometric pressure difficulties with this species as well.

---

Makes sense I have talked with the staff that handles the reptiles multiple times and they are very knowledgeable. There is actually a number you can call for the reptile group, they encourage you to call and leave messages if you have any questions about the reptiles, husbandry, etc. and the actually call you back!