Looking for a 7-10 foot snake

What's up all?
I have thrown the thought around in my head of looking into a snake that will grow upwards of ten feet. I'd love an albino burm, or lavender retic, but cannot see myself housing or correctly caring for a 20 foot snake in 6 or 7 years. I've had a kingsnake for 13 years, and have had ball pythons for the past two years. I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I definetly know how to care for my snakes, and realize the commitment an animal of this size (of any size for that matter) deserves.
So I have been looking into different types of pythons, maybe even a bci.
I have seen and held a woma, which are gorgeous and smooth as silk.
I am fascinated by the amazing coloring of a white lip, but hear they are a difficult species to handle (I enjoy holding my snakes often, and without bleeding after I do so).
And I have seen one of the most beautiful snakes I had ever encountered, a 9 foot female carpet python at the NARBC Anaheim show a few months back. But I had some questions about the different kinds (jungle, diamond, etc.).
So, my question to you guys is, who's got snakes of similar sizes. What do you reccommend? Did I leave out any snakes of similar size? What caging requirments does a snake of this size require.
I'd also LOVE to see some pics that may persuade me in my decision.
I greatly appreciate all of your fantastic input.

I don't know how big they get but Black headed pythons are cool!

Boelen's python but they are pretty expensive.

I wouldn't necessarily recomend a Boelen's. While I think they are great looking snakes, and I would love to own one myself someday, they are fairly new to captivity and not a whole lot is understood about their needs. In fact, there has only been a handful of successful breeding attempts so far.

First of all, with the limited amount of snake keeping experience you have, Boelen's are way out of the question. Bad suggestion IMHO.
White lips are also too high strung for your experience as well.
While a BHP is nice too, I think it is probably out of your price range.

If you are looking at pythons, I would suggest womas, carpets, bredli's, bloods, or Macklot's.

Coastal carpets are the largest of the Morelia complex. They can grow to 10'. With morphs such as the tigers, jags, and soon to be caramels on the market, there is lots of possibilites. I suggest a cage of 4' x 2' x 18"H for an adult.
Jungles are a bit smaller and tend to require more of an arboreal cage although this is not necessary. If you look around and spend the time searching for a quality one, you will not be disappointed.
Irian Jaya's (IJ's) tend to grow to 5 1/2' - 6' and also tend to be arboreal.
Diamonds can also be great captives but again, probably out of you price range unless you are looking for a mixed species carpet.

Hope this helps.

7-10 feet is BCI and BCC territory. You could get a beautiful Peruvian or Suriname Boa....and there are enough BCI morphs to please just about everyone.

Boas are great snakes for handling :)

Yeah, boa would work. Also Queensland carpet pythons are nice and would fit right into your size requirements.

i would say everything mpenn said, with an emphasis on coastal carpets... for two reasons, one, most of my collections is coastals so i'm extremely biased ;) and two, 7-10 feet is right where female coastals tend to be...

Macklotts.

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Originally Posted by MPenn

First of all, with the limited amount of snake keeping experience you have, Boelen's are way out of the question. Bad suggestion IMHO.

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I was just suggesting it because its in the 7-10 ft range. I also mentioned that they were expensive which likely puts it out of the price range of most keepers anyhow. It may not have been a practical suggestion but not a bad suggestion. I was replying to the part where he asked "Did I leave out any snakes of similar size?"

I would say some sort of Carpet Python. Id go coastal to, as the smart guys above have stated ;), Femal coastal, would hit 9-10

i would definately recomend carpet pytons, also bismarck ringed pythons, or maybe brazilian rainbow boas.

How big do suriname boas get? I love their colors, they have the nicest red tail I have seen in all the boas. But I heard they get bigger than other boas.
Would you guys be so gracious to post some pictures of your carpet pythons? I have seen some with amazing colors, and others with lack luster. I'm sure a lot depends on the locality(?) and the parents.
Thanks guys. You rock.

Edit: Also, what kind of caging requirements would I be looking at for an adult suriname?

Mmmmm, I'm really liking the albino boas I'm looking at. Maybe get a hypo too and get a sunglow project.....

Along with other suggestions, I would say super dwarf reticulated pythons, or dwarf retics.
A male dwarf Retic grows to about 9 to 12 feet. A super dwarf retic grows to 7 or 8 feet.
Here is a new thread of my SD Retics
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...335#post922335

While the lavendaer albino and ghost retic are two of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen, I cannot get into the 'normal' retics. I am not a fan of the color.
Butheythat'sjustme.

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Originally Posted by Papa Burgundy

Would you guys be so gracious to post some pictures of your carpet pythons? I have seen some with amazing colors, and others with lack luster. I'm sure a lot depends on the locality(?) and the parents.

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a lot does depend on the bloodline, but it also depends what you're looking for, as each subspecies has it's own good qualities... a good jungle will usually be bright yellow and rich black, while coastals can range from grey to brown to yellow and generally are more earth toned. irian jayas are just ugly... ;) (just kidding, that's kind of an inside joke).
anyway, here's some random pics of some of my snakes... don't mean to highjack your thread or anything.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../g-stripe1.jpg

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

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../2/jagsept.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...2/jagsept3.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../holdback2.jpg

Here are a few of mine.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../03HLDBCK2.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...n73/OSCAR3.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../9M-CP07-1.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...73/8F-CP07.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...3/P3300218.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...3/P3300227.jpg

And for some Irians.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...73/FEMALE2.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...73/SXNFEM2.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../HLBKMALE2.jpg

When it comes to carpets, it just depends on the quality of the animals that the seller is working with. Colin and myself, and a few other breeders that post on here, breed for quality and not just pairing anything to breed.

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Originally Posted by mpenn

when it comes to carpets, it just depends on the quality of the animals that the seller is working with. Colin and myself, and a few other breeders that post on here, breed for quality and not just pairing anything to breed.

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AMEN Brother!

Personally i would go with a red tail...
I got a couple rescues a few months back, they are great snakes, i love um to death im re-homing two of the three. I highly reccomend them, but as someone already stated, if you are looking for a python, I suggest Jungle Carpets, or well, Carpet Pythons in general... they are GREAT snakes. no doubt about it, they are one of the best snakes i have owned.

[QUOTE=Colin Vestrand;922420]

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...astal_male.jpg
[QUOTE]

This is sorta what I am looking for in a carpet. And this kind is...?

I'm almost set on getting an albino boa now. I have been looking at them all day, GORGEOUS. I can't tell if I like them more as a baby or as an adult!

i guess most would call it a 'designer' carpet... supposedly it's a pure coastal. the parents were imported from norway as pure coastal carpets from a well known breeder... they normal siblings to the famed 'hypo jaguar line'. the two normal sibs produced several of these crazy looking carpets when they were bred together... this guy was pale orange as a baby. now he's a soft pastel yellow and red-tinged black.

Theres some guy trying to sell me the exact carpet python (looks wise) its a male and I think he told me 3 or 4 years old. However $325 seems a little extravagant for him though it does include a tank. If your in the florida region you could probably pick him up. Though its not going to be a 7-10 footer it being a male and all. I've tried looking at albino boas and found them all pretty expensive so if you find a good deal I'd go for it. I have a boa about to hit 7 foot and they're great snakes. Most docile thing I've ever seen. If your in the Python department though Macklots have always been one of my favorites and they all seem to have a great feeding response as well as looks.

good luck

jampea dwarf retic = ]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NBkilla

Theres some guy trying to sell me the exact carpet python (looks wise) its a male and I think he told me 3 or 4 years old. However $325 seems a little extravagant for him though it does include a tank. If your in the florida region you could probably pick him up. Though its not going to be a 7-10 footer it being a male and all. I've tried looking at albino boas and found them all pretty expensive so if you find a good deal I'd go for it. I have a boa about to hit 7 foot and they're great snakes. Most docile thing I've ever seen. If your in the Python department though Macklots have always been one of my favorites and they all seem to have a great feeding response as well as looks.

good luck

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it very well could be one of his siblings... he's an 05. $325 would be a great price really...

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Originally Posted by Thor26

jampea dwarf retic = ]

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A Jampea dwarf still grows to 12 - 14 ft. Not quite the 7 - 10 ft. the OP was looking for.

If you are really into retics, super dwarves or Kayuadi dwarves. Super dwarves being the smallest adult retic.

i thought supers were kayaudis

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Originally Posted by Thor26

i thought supers were kayaudis

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No, super dwarves and Kayaudis are different.

Red tailed boas are a great snake. If you want to stay with pythons the suggestion of a super dwarf retic is a good one. I do not know about their temperment, but the retics I had as a kid could get nasty. If you get a male red tailed it should reach the size you mentioned. Females can get a bit larger.

Make sure to quarantine the boa for longer than normal. If you had more snakes I would suggest a biopsie to rule out IBD. Pythons, and at least one king snake have gotten this symptom wise. The King was housed with a boa.

Source Dr. Jacobson's web page at University of Florida Vet school
http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/college/de...easeVirus.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ohyeahnow

Red tailed boas are a great snake. If you want to stay with pythons the suggestion of a super dwarf retic is a good one. I do not know about their temperment, but the retics I had as a kid could get nasty.

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Red tail boas make excellent pets, and can come is all sorts of sizes depending on the locality.

Super Dwarf Retics have amazing dispositions, mine have never hissed, struck or have ever even shown signs of aggression. Some of my ball pythons are more aggressive than they are. :O Imo, if you can handle a honduran milksnake, then a super dwarf retic is nothing. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jyson

Super Dwarf Retics have amazing dispositions. if you can handle a honduran milksnake, then a super dwarf retic is nothing. ;)

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How long have you had your Dwarf. After reading about them, made me want to try a retic again. I can handle anything I have tried, of course I have been bit and musked numerous times LOL.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ohyeahnow

How long have you had your Dwarf. After reading about them, made me want to try a retic again. I can handle anything I have tried, of course I have been bit and musked numerous times LOL.

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I have had mine since the beginning of summer. ;)

I was thinkin. I think IJ's although maybe not the 7-10 foot mark, are a remarkably good looking snake. I know MPenn already posted some, but they ARE truly magnificent.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81...an/Carpet5.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81...an/Carpet6.jpg


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81.../newskinIJ.jpg
Super bright sorry ^

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ohyeahnow

Red tailed boas are a great snake. If you want to stay with pythons the suggestion of a super dwarf retic is a good one. I do not know about their temperment, but the retics I had as a kid could get nasty. If you get a male red tailed it should reach the size you mentioned. Females can get a bit larger.

Make sure to quarantine the boa for longer than normal. If you had more snakes I would suggest a biopsie to rule out IBD. Pythons, and at least one king snake have gotten this symptom wise. The King was housed with a boa.

Source Dr. Jacobson's web page at University of Florida Vet school
http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/college/de...easeVirus.html

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I have been doing a bit of reading lately on IBD in boas. Have heard many horror stories. I hate to say it but it is sort of scaring me off a bit. Read an article that said 50% of boas tested had IBD.
I just couldn't imagine getting a pet, having it become a part of my family, and then watching it get sick and die. I know that is a risk you take with ANY pet, but with how little is understodd abotu the disease...
I don't know, sway me guys.
How much do biopsies cost to rule out IBD?

Edit: And that a gorgeous looking carpet Pat, you've got just about everything don't you?

don't believe everything you read about IBD... it's very rare, even in boas. seriously. most of the stuff on the net is hype and a lot of it is people speculating about inclusion bodies being the cause of whatever neurological symptoms their snake exhibits. the truth is, pythons and boas are sensitive animals all things considered... encephylitis could be brought on by a variety of things. it's the less than qualified 'exotic vets' that tend to point to IBD when a snake goes downhill healthwise...when in reality, most of them don't even own the electron microscopes that would be necessary to detect IBD.

red tails are awesome :D most of my snakes are bci's and they have the best temperaments, plus they are the best feeders too, IME. my balls and my blood can be a bit of a pain sometimes as far as feeding goes. female bci's can get up to 10ft, and nice and girthy too, this is my 21lb 7-footer, lavona. i wish she would grow some more actually LOL

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/DSC05628.jpg

this is just her tail, to give you a bit of an idea how girthy she is:D

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/DSC04932.jpg

bcc boas normally get a little bigger than bci's though, i know of someone who had a 14ft female :O

She's a beauty! Yea sorta still lookin around. My mom and I chipped in to get my Dad a Plasma TV for his birthday, which he loved. So that, along with my lasik, is going to be the main financial focus for me over the next year or so. So once that's all done, I'll have to pick up something new.

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Originally Posted by boachick

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/DSC05628.jpg

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Very nice! I had a female that was just over 10 ft. and weighed close to 40 lbs.

i was thinking this same thing actually i know a guy thats selling 5 vision 221 cages he was using for his womas.

colin you have some sweet looking carpets not just one all of them!

i really like all sorts of herps but i cant have them all unfortunately:(

i think pro exotics has a boleans on ks right now too

Quote:

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

I wouldn't necessarily recomend a Boelen's. While I think they are great looking snakes, and I would love to own one myself someday, they are fairly new to captivity and not a whole lot is understood about their needs. In fact, there has only been a handful of successful breeding attempts so far.

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Actually, no one has succeeded. Oh and Dwarf Tiger retics! Dwarf Tigers are smaller and have awesome temperaments for retics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AaronP

Actually, no one has succeeded.

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actually that is incorrect!

Yeah, as far as I'm aware there have been three sucessful captive hatchings of Boelens Pythons.

http://www.boelenspythons.com/reproduction/index.html

IMO I'd go with the BCI

I would go for some sort of Carpet. I happen to like Coastals the most but if you want the brighter colors the Jungle would be better.

If you don't mind straying from pythons, go with a Red Tail Boa. Maybe a male Peruvian or a female Colombian.

I would like to recommend a Super Dwarf Retic to you but I don't know about the agressiveness. I've heard that some of them are pretty vicious but since I don't have experience with them, I couldn't tell you.

Also, you might be interested in a Blood python. They're gorgeous, big bodied, and have an okay range of color selection.

Whichever you chose, go for it. :)

IJ carpets are my fav. carpet...you should try one! Mpenn has some of the best looking ones around, i would love to get my hands on one!:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jknudson

Yeah, as far as I'm aware there have been three sucessful captive hatchings of Boelens Pythons.

http://www.boelenspythons.com/reproduction/index.html

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Yes sir, I'm glad you posted a link to that site as I completely missed the progression of this thread. If anyone is the LEAST bit interested in Boelens, they should have the Boelen's Group bookmarked!