Hey Jeff,
Rock pythons have a bad rap (I like the way you said "Wrap", lol, talk about a freudian slip, ha ha) because of two main things, I feel; one, yes, like the retics they were mainly imported in the 70's and 80's and were mostly very aggressive as a result. Only the most daring python keepers kept them. I loved my "snakes from hell" with a passion and even miss them to this day. I didn't care that they wanted to rip me a new one. But most do and so the general herp public steered very clear of them. They are still imported to this day, so this certainly does not help the situation, but they are also bred in captivity and docile animals are available. I think they are remarkable reptiles and very complex. In my opinion they have the most reptile "personality" and seem to be the most intelligent.
Now,.. reason two as to why they are not mainstream pets of choice; Even the docile rocks can and usually do have a very confrontational manner. It is often misunderstood and mistaken for outright aggression. It isn't. It is just their nature, their way. Just like burmese are laid back and indifferent, and retics are curious and willful, rocks are challenging and confrontational. It almost mimics a game to me. When I go to remove one from a cage he or she must always remind me that he or she is scary and tough and not to be messed with. And I chuckle and let them smell me as I remove them and once I have them in hand all is forgotten about the instinctive posturing.
Some don't mind being held and actually seem to enjoy it somewhat as they investigate other things of interest in the rooms at neck's length. Others really don't like to be held at all and will not relax into me and will even remain stiff. I respect this and immediately get them into another cage or back into their own. I don't want them to be uncomfortable and these handlings are mostly during their cage cleaning once or twice a week or whenever they are soiled.
Their lengths are about the same as burmese though they are a bit leaner and much more hard and ridged.
Yes, I am working on morphs, but not anything new yet. I am breeding the patternless green, broadbanded and twin striped originally produced by prehistoric. I am currently working on first generation projects involving these that are multi-generation projects that will result in something new several years from now, but I keep these ideas close to the vest.
There is no "indian rock python". That was a misnomer printed some decades ago that unfortunately has been passed on and survived the eons. The indian rock python is simply the indian python. And even the african rock python should be referred to the Southern african python (Northern being Natalensis) as these pythons have nothing to do with rocks. They don't coil on rocks, they don't hide under rocks and they certainly don't look like rocks.
And to your last question: Their coloration is more of an olive green and light or dark grey, sometimes with some yellows and light browns on a very labyrinth-like pattern. Tails generally have a stripe. They look nothing like burmese.
I don't have any normal rock pythons to post pictures of as all I have are the morphs. Sorry. But if you want I can post some pictures of these.
>>Sombody asked in the python forum about Rocks. We refered him here but have not seen his post. So I will ask. He asked how big do rocks get, compared to burms. My guess is the same but hey what do I know. Why do they have a bad wrap. Is it like the retic, that needs more people breeding them. How do there colors differ from the Burm, and are there any morps of the rock. And Brian if not are you working on that one. I don't plan on getting one, just want to learn about somthing different. Is the Rock Python same as a Indian Rock Python. And the other one that was posted below the Cey (whatever spelling) is that similar to the Rock, except for size and again is it an aggressive snake because not enough breeders. LETS SEE SOME PICS of these beasts.
>>
>>Jeff
-----
"If I had 365 enemies it would only take a year out of my life to settle all scores." Mia Miselfani
