YR’s African Rock Pythons

wanted to create a thread for my boy Onix - once he gets established i would like like to make a progressive video series of me handling him over time to demonstrate that they can be socialized the same as burms, retics and other big snakes - he is over F3 so probably the perfect candidate for this

him:
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...c9a02f79d.jpeg

^which to that point - he seems significantly calmer than my 2 dwarf burms but time will tell i guess lol basically seems in between my scrub and my ball python vibe wise

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Originally Posted by YungRasputin

wanted to create a thread for my boy Onix - once he gets established i would like like to make a progressive video series of me handling him over time to demonstrate that they can be socialized the same as burms, retics and other big snakes - he is over F3 so probably the perfect candidate for this

him:
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...c9a02f79d.jpeg

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I look forward to your updates. I think African Rock Pythons are beautiful.

Don't see many of these around, I'll definitely be following to admire.

many thanks for all of the compliments! v excited to begin this journey and so is my boyfriend apparently - like, he trains and works with horses for a living and he’s always been v supportive (but anxious) and says my snakes are neat but this time he took a special interest and was all like “maybe i should hold this one when he’s big 💪😤” - which was presh lol will also be posting more pix as well, i just didn’t want to overwhelm the little fella

Congratulations and there is just something special about the name Central African Rock Python! Peaks interest and curiosity first then it goes to amazing animal / reptile that has all power. Can’t wait for the picture and video showcase. Thanks for sharing!

his cuteness is overwhelming - be warned

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...9a8918bf6.jpeg

i have a small clip from our first handling sesh but when I tried to upload it it wouldn’t let me and idk how to convert it unfortunately but ironically he’s one of the tamest snakes in my collection already - as tame as my Colombian red tail boa who previously was my most tame

Can’t wait to see the clip of Onix! That’s a terrific looking python. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Can’t wait to see the clip of Onix! That’s a terrific looking python. :gj:

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yes when i can figure out how to convert i will post - might take still shots of handling next time or something - i will say after our first successful feeding tonight i can definitely see why they have their reputation because that bite power is incredible lmao

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Originally Posted by YungRasputin

i have a small clip from our first handling sesh but when I tried to upload it it wouldn’t let me and idk how to convert it ...

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I found this old thread with instructions on how to post video, but I haven't tried it myself. I'm anxious to see your beautiful boy in action.

I couldn’t believe how many African Rock Pythons are available on Morphmarket. I’m really tempted but have to stay in control. Did Onix come from the Bob Clark collection? Lol.

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

I couldn’t believe how many African Rock Pythons are available on Morphmarket. I’m really tempted but have to stay in control. Did Onix come from the Bob Clark collection? Lol.

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no, i actually have a friend who breeds them and they gave me pick of the litter - been wanting something from Bob for awhile but at present the stars haven’t aligned - not trying to be a “bad influence” but imo the key is finding a specimen with small genetics then using sexual dimorphism to your advantage eg: Onix’s mum is 12 feet, his dad is 9 feet, Onix is male so from all that i can assume 8-10 feet, max 11

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I found this old thread with instructions on how to post video, but I haven't tried it myself. I'm anxious to see your beautiful boy in action.

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i’ll have to give it a looksie! many thanks!

haven’t recorded anything yet still however since it’s been a couple months thought i would give update: i have been holding him nearly everyday since making this post and he’s still been as chill and delightful - absolutely zero problems in this respect - throughout this entire time he’s at most hissed at me 1 time because he just didn’t want to be held that day but that’s been it

he’s actually 1 of my most favorite to hold because he’s so reliably and consistently friendly

also noting that their growth rate is p fast it seems

not the greatest pic since *someone* decided to be bashful at the last minute and hide half their body lol but little Onix has doubled in size since the first post! (better pix forthcoming)

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...2b1be34b5.jpeg

I love his patterns & coloration- 'shy' doesn't hide any of that.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I love his patterns & coloration- 'shy' doesn't hide any of that.

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awe ty! me too! and the background of his lineage according to my personal friend who breeds them is his line is 100% normal - not even Albino or patternless - so it’s just 100% the pure beauty of the species

and the background on the pic is - when i first approached his enclosure he was giving me signs that he was up for handling but i noticed his water seemed low and he was soaking his tail in the dish so i decided to top him off but apparently pouring water on his tail was an offense because he gave a short hiss and then got bashful lmao he’s real funny like that

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Originally Posted by YungRasputin

awe ty! me too! and the background of his lineage according to my personal friend who breeds them is his line is 100% normal - not even Albino or patternless - so it’s just 100% the pure beauty of the species

and the background on the pic is - when i first approached his enclosure he was giving me signs that he was up for handling but i noticed his water seemed low and he was soaking his tail in the dish so i decided to top him off but apparently pouring water on his tail was an offense because he gave a short hiss and then got bashful lmao he’s real funny like that

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As I often say, "nature" gets it right- the natural beauty that survives is what I like too.

I can see where pouring water on his tail would be annoying- :rofl: And snakes never consider that was our best alternative for the situation, they're just so ungrateful...:D

1 month vs. 5 months:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...d4c05d47d.jpeg

My strategy with my burmese has been to never let it strike at food to avoid any unnecessary issues. I lay Rats on rocks and he goes hunting... fun to watch.

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Originally Posted by Wanik4

My strategy with my burmese has been to never let it strike at food to avoid any unnecessary issues. I lay Rats on rocks and he goes hunting... fun to watch.

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i couldn’t do this with my Burms tbh - outside of my scrub python they're my most food snakes in my collection - i can’t even get the enclosure open before they’re popping they’re heads out haha

my strategy for safety has just been maintaining consistent feeding conditions eg: i always feed late at night in pitch black lighting, etc - that way both the Burms and Onix know that unless it’s dark there will be no foods of any kind given - which i feel that they understand the difference because there is a v clear difference between day time Burms and night time Burms - day time they loaf about or go swimming/soak - at night they’re in 200% hunting mode so i just leave them be - it’s like we have an understanding

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Originally Posted by YungRasputin

i couldn’t do this with my Burms tbh - outside of my scrub python they're my most food snakes in my collection - i can’t even get the enclosure open before they’re popping they’re heads out haha

my strategy for safety has just been maintaining consistent feeding conditions eg: i always feed late at night in pitch black lighting, etc - that way both the Burms and Onix know that unless it’s dark there will be no foods of any kind given - which i feel that they understand the difference because there is a v clear difference between day time Burms and night time Burms - day time they loaf about or go swimming/soak - at night they’re in 200% hunting mode so i just leave them be - it’s like we have an understanding

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My burm is always pretty quick to come by the glass when it's opened, but since I have tap trained him since day one I just put my hook on his head and he switches off right away. I also have never let him strike at a prey item, nor have I ever put my hand in his enclosure without removing him. I did my best with this snake to remove any triggers and it seems to have worked well. He's just a goofy happy snake that eats any rat you give him off a rock and has never even nipped or hissed in the least bit.

better pictures forth coming but wanted to introduce my patternless female “Aura” (Latin for gold) - she is just a little bit over a year old and roughly 4.5 feet at present or there abouts:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...811d1a1ea.jpeg

Love the name- AND her coloration!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Love the name- AND her coloration!

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many thanks! :D i honestly love her already - basically identical to my normal male behavior wise just bigger - was handling her right out of the bag with zero issues or negativity - was like i had been handling her for ages - she’s a bit spooked but i am sure that will go away once she settles

adding “Lara Croft” to the team - roughly the same age as Onix tho a bit bigger in size i think - her lineage is WC female unknown locality 11 feet x CB male from Bob Clark 9 feet unknown locality - het for patternless

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4bf462739.jpeg

better pic

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...b028922fb.jpeg