Persephone, my Liasis Fuscus

Due to popular demand, I've decided to start a thread showing my possibly favorite snake, Persephone.

I purchased her from a small hobby breeder at the fall 2016 Rexpo in Rochester, and was one of 2 snakes I brought home that day. When I went, I realized there was quite a bit of diversity at this show, all the common species were there, but there were quite a few oddballs as well, and I decided that I wanted something different, a bit challenging, and impressive. I mulled over some nice BCI morphs and blood pythons for a while, made my way to a table of carpets and green tree pythons... and just as I was deciding what I wanted.... I saw a table with two massive black irridecent snakes. I went over and the owner let me hold the male, who was easily over 7ft (the female was pushing 9ft, but was in shed so not allowed to be held) and he was gentle, yet bold, unlike any snake I had ever held. His rainbow sheen was impressive, even under the sub par lighting in the venue, and his skin felt like silk. I asked about the basic care, which was not any different than a BCI, just a bit warmer, and decided to get a female hatchling.

She is probably the most intelligent snake I've ever met, she watches everything we do from her mopani wood perch, and once out of her tank is easy to handle. She requires a lot more respect and careful movements than my other snakes, and if handled carelessly she will bite, but she's getting better about that with age and as we continue to learn each other's mannerisms. She also is an insatiable murder-noodle who would eat a small child if only she could get one down .... seriously, you'd think she was a retic with her appetite! So here she is!


[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ps2fhnvqvl.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...psuqpkvebd.jpg[/IMG]

Wow...!!! Rediccccc my god!!!

you expect her to get to 9 feet as well?!

She's gorgeous!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!

WOW.

...only one pic?? come on!!!

just teasing. that is one impressive snake! beautiful!!! what's the husbandry like for this species? just curious. [emoji4]

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Wow...!!! Rediccccc my god!!!

you expect her to get to 9 feet as well?!

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I'm hoping so, the breeder said the mom was a few inches under 9 and the male was 7, so it's possible. I saw the female at his table and I don't think he was exaggerating one bit.

Don't worry, I plan on adding more over time.

I keep her as the breeder told me, 70% humidity, 87f hot spot, 75f cool end, large water dish and lots of climbing branches. She eats an adult mouse every 5 days.

She is very active, currently keeping her in a 20l tank, but am gonna get a large pvc enclosure eventually.

She’s beautiful and seems to be growing nicely.

Thanks! She was only about half that size when I got her, and very slender, but she has really put on a great deal of size lately. It's really a shame these aren't more common than they are, I kinda wish I had picked up a male to breed to her someday, but at the time I didn't realize they are a bit rare in the us.

There has been an adult pair for sale on CL in my area on and off for the past year. The guy has them priced really high. Plus he was a real jerk to my inquiry, which I’m sure he is the same way to others. So I ended up going a bit of a different direction with my Olive.

But that is not to say I’m still not thinking about a WP.

I am just gagging at how gorgeous she is, holy smokes.

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I’d accuse you of stealing my Kajura except that I can see K curled up in the big water bowl! [emoji4]

I’ve read that the WPs with yellow bellies have better temperaments than the ones with white bellies. Kajura was nippy at first, but now is a sweetheart once out of the enclosure, and pretty good in. Also lots of watching what I’m doing.


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Originally Posted by Lirenn

I am just gagging at how gorgeous she is, holy smokes.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reinz

There has been an adult pair for sale on CL in my area on and off for the past year. The guy has them priced really high. Plus he was a real jerk to my inquiry, which I’m sure he is the same way to others. So I ended up going a bit of a different direction with my Olive.

But that is not to say I’m still not thinking about a WP.

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Yeah, I'm not sure how much these normally go for, but Persephone was only 170 bucks... not bad for a rare species. If you can ever get your hands on one, I highly recommend them.

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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

I’d accuse you of stealing my Kajura except that I can see K curled up in the big water bowl! [emoji4]

I’ve read that the WPs with yellow bellies have better temperaments than the ones with white bellies. Kajura was nippy at first, but now is a sweetheart once out of the enclosure, and pretty good in. Also lots of watching what I’m doing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

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Yup, no bodysnachers, I promise. :D

Persephone's belly is a very light yellow, I'm not sure, but I suspect she's either an integrade between the northern territory and Queensland water python, or that she might be a Papua water python. I wish I had noticed the parents belly color.