Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Any one here have experience with these? How are they as pets? I just want to learn a litle more about these guys, they look pretty interesting!
Adam
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My pic gallery

Rings typically get about 5 to 6 feet but with a of slender build. They are defensive and will often strike (or bluff a strike) when you enter their cage. For this they often get a bad reputation. But if you remove them with a hook and transfer them to your hand you will likely not be bit. I have not been bit by an adult using this procedure in over three years of ringed keeping. They are quick and active, and don't like to be restrained. Don't clamp down on them but rather let them crawl from one hand to the other. They also have a very strong feeding response and if they think whatever entering their cage might be food they will attack aggressively. Breeding introductions have to be supervised as you will sometimes wind up with both snakes wrapped each other. I can tell you from experience getting them apart is not easy. They are very powerful constrictors for their size. They need humidity but at the same time shouldn’t be kept in wet conditions. I use dry newspaper for substrate and provide a plastic hide half filled with damp cypress mulch. I haven't had any problems using this set up. Mine rarely shed in one piece but never have incomplete sheds. They are unlike any other python I have kept, and their unique qualities make them interesting to keep.

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Regards,
Bob Garby

Thank you very much and thats a great looking snake!
Adam
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My pic gallery

I want to add to the great info you got from Bob. My experience with ringed pythons has me thinking that they are very very aware. They seem to figure things out. They have rather active metabolisms as well. You clean the cage often with these but waste is small, as opposed to a boa for example where the cage cleaning is infrequent, but when it is time, it is big.