Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A friend recently saw an advert for a rock python on a website and decided to purchase it for her son, I have told her how big/aggressive it will get (currently only around 2ft)anyway she had it for a few days and has now asked me to look after it whilst she tries to sell it, as she couldn't change water or feed without getting bitten, The main reason for the post is I was wondering if anyone had any tips/experiences with them they would care to share like how quick they grow in a year e.t.c I know the mainstream care sheet info but find peoples personal experiences beneficial also, It is worrying me sick incase she sells to somebody who is inexperienced with large constrictors, I have told her she has to make whoever buys it fully aware of the risks . Other than that though I think it's a beautiful snake and can't see how she got bit so many times, as he has tagged me once but that was my own stuipid fault for not being careful enough. I was considering offering to buy it myself but don't believe it's worth the risk in the future as i have young children (and don't have room really without getting rid of a monitor lizard or 2) ,but i also would prefer the snake to gain a bit of weight and size before it's shipped again to anybody else.
Basically I just wondered if anyone had some constructive advice to help me out

n/p
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phflame
kingsnake.com host

They get large, they're mostly aggressive, and really not suitable for pets.
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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

Afrocks are not for the meek of spirit nor inexperienced keeper. If the seller will not take it back, perhaps your friend can find a reptile rescue that will place this snake with someone who really wants it and can care for it.

Some friends found an 11 footer that had been abandoned in a state park in Connecticut. (I shudder to think about why it was released.) They took it home, set it up in an appropriate enclosure (they breed burms). It was fairly tractable until they cured it's respiratory infection. Then it became the most vicious creature I have ever witnessed--and that was on a good day.

Yet, they somehow found a guy who had purchased a house and renovated it so that each of his four afrocks had huge, zoo-quality enclosures. He didn't breed them--he just LOVED them. Apparently, all of his snakes were very aggressive. He was thrilled to take this male off of my friends' hands.

It takes all kinds of people in the herp world. Your friend was unaware of what she was purchasing. Please advise her against selling this creature to another unsuspecting person. The issue isn't money at this point--it's safety and sanity.
rgds,
althea

Have had P. seba most of my life, only had one that was tame!
Most are pure evil. If you feed them well in three years you have one of the strongest snakes next to the Papuna Olive that you could ever keep, It will take two people to clean its cage and in five years you will have a 60 pound monster the will take three people to clean its cage. Thes snakes will hunt you down and can strike about 1/4 of their body. I still have a tooth in one of my knuckles from the only time one got me. Normaly thing purple arms as you try to uncoil it from your body and put it in the bag as you clean.

A five year old male will eat $200 to $300 dolars a year, and be 12 feet long a female will 10% to 20% longer!

But, if you like the idea of having the most dangerous non-venomous snake on earth then this is the snake for you, other wise get as far away from this as you can.