Reptile & Amphibian Forums

O.K. managed to find a high-lighter to out-line the scale(s) in question.
EAST...

Notice how the 3 scales in RED are touching

WEST....

Now, look at the scale in yellow on this animal. This separates the 3 RED scales.
I know of breeders that got some of Caseys "west" animals that turned around and breed them to the animals in their collection, which were most likely east or NT animals.
I'm certain that if an animal with the extra scale breed with an animal that didn't have it....that you would get a combo of both types in the clutch.
This is what I would like to find out.

How accurate is that head scale pattern comparison? If thats true I have a pair of Westerns and a pair of Easterns, the ones I got from Tom are the Easterns. How are your eggs doing?

Here are mine...no, that's not mite dust. Might have to use 2 posts for the pics.

Image

-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

2nd. What do you think?

-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

lol..and I was LIGHTLY holding their heads..they kept wanting to explore..
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I don't know either.
All of the animals I bought as west have it. The one's I got as east don't.
We all know saying east/west doesn't mean squat but I can trace my west animals to Lasik (who as I understand was the first person in the states to get documented "west" animals).
Going by that, it would be safe to say that the scalation pattern of my west BHP's would be of that in the west or north west in Aussie (as they have never been bred to another source animal).
I'd like to hear from more Aussie breeders to see if it is in fact... a populational difference.
Doesn't mean anything here in the states because I'm sure if the animals where crossed you would get a mix ratio of both types of patterns.

Mine came from the Bell's in Florida. They may or may not be siblings, but I don't think so. Looks like too small of a population to tell for sure, but you might email Dave Barker at VPI for his opinion.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I guess its possible, my animals that have the west scalation pattern that you are talking about are from a breeder in St Lucie County who received them from Jerry Marzec who supposedly received them from zoo stock and is a co author of the book Reproductive Husbandry of Boas and Pythons. The last half (zoo stock) might be crap if you know his reputation! Let me know what you find out! I would like to think I have Easterns and Westerns but would be happy with just all Blackheads, I like them all either way!

From the locale pic's I can gather, It looks like this type of scale pattern happens commonly in the Northern Territory. Seems like the country is divided in half with both types.
Wouldn't really prove anything here in the states as only a handful of snakes can actually be traced back to "true" western stock.
Here are some shots of my west animals.You won't find more black and white animals anywhere in the states than these. And they're almost 9 years old to boot.......


I only know of 2 or 3 other breeders that have animals this black and white. Not that it means anything but I think these are the closest to "pure wests" as it gets in this country.
I'm like you Tom..........I love them all and really don't care about ANY of this................ but it is intersting.
I'm going to do as much research on it as possible.

The rumor I hear was that virtually all BH stock was descended from a pair at the San Diego Zoo back in the 70's. There may have been some European stock brought in, but the last ones to come in legally from Australia that I know of are currently in the new Australian Exhibit at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC