Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'd love for you to share your pics if ya got em (or just experiences).
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www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes

Hi:

I have three. I purchased them last year, from Bob Garby, out of Michigan. They are all doing fine. They are 'very' difficult to photograph, in my opinion. They are super flighty. The most flighty snakes I have ever come across. Much worse than Honduran Milks...which are bad enough!

I do have some pics of them though they are not that great. If you go to the Kingsnake photo gallery and click on Snakes, then do a user name search on StuMiller, you should see my pics of the Bismarks. They'll be replaced as I get better ones.

Stu

2003 hatchlings...

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Regards,
Bob Garby

High orange baby from 2001 that wound up turning very dark. I would love to produce a solid black animal. I hope to breed her next season.

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Regards,
Bob Garby

This is what sometimes happens during breeding introductions. Ringeds have incredible feeding responses and will often attack at the first sign of movement. After considerable effort spent separating them, I was relieved to find both animals uninjured.

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Regards,
Bob Garby

It still grew up to be a nice looking animal, Bob. Nice irredesence. At first glance it almost looks like a D'Albert's python...until you see its head.

Stu

I'm intrigued. I just recently picked up another 1.1 ringeds to add to my 1.1 I've had for a year now. I'll post pics in another week after they settle in. I simply LOVE them. They're my favorite species especially with their docile personality. I've heard many people shy away from them b/c they are labeled as nasty snakes. I don't have that misfortune with mine.

You're right about their feeding response. I thought it was mine that were just crazy about eating. They constrict it and drag it and literally seem to play with their food before eating it. You'll have to let me know when you produce more of these awesome snakes. Someone posted about hybridizing them a little while back and I almost had a heart attack. Why? LOL. Is there any cases of albino's in this species? Also, what do you think are the evolutionary advantages for their bright orange coloration as hatchlings?

Thanks for the super nice pics! Also, I'm wondering who you sold them to(if any breeders) since one of the new ones I bought from Don Hamper looks alot like one in the pic of your babies...I know its probably a long shot but they do vary alot and I've never seen two identically alike PLUS that happened to someone on another forum... where their new snake (sold by dealer/broker) was posted by the actual breeder (small world)...lol
Thanks again,
Jason
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www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes

Hello,

The coloration of the Bismark Ringed Python juveniles is likely the same reason many animals are brightly or garishly colored. The technical term is aposomatic coloration. It basically means don't eat me I taste bad or I'm dangerous. Whether the Ringed Python really does taste bad probably has yet to be determined, after all how many people have eaten one? At any rate, that's likely the best explanation for the coloration. Another theory could be that the coloration is intended to mimic something like a toxic centipede of some sort or other noxious insect.
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Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois

Assistant Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, Illinois

Matt...I figured as much but I couldn't think of what is possilby similar in coloration that is also poisonous or alarms predators. I didn't even think of the possibility of snakes mimicing insects...pretty interesting though, is that really possible? Now it has me thinking of what, if any, other reptile species mimic insects for averting predetors. I am not too familiar with the snakes in that area other than the book I have by Mark O'Shea, but I would guess that they evolved to mimic some sort of sea snake or maybe even a solomon small eyed snake? (simply b/c I don't know any better..lol) Loveridgelaps elapoides looks somewhat similar but found in slightly different regions/islands (solomon vs. bismarck?) in that part of the world. Who knows, they could have evolved from OR mimic something that is now extinct or not yet discovered. I would love to find out more since they fascinate me. I know they have undergone several taxonomic changes in the past too...in fact, i'm not even sure what they are now... Liasis was used when I was volunteering at the Toledo zoo's reptile house almost 10 years ago and now its Bothrochilus, right? -Jason

"The coloration of the Bismark Ringed Python juveniles is likely the same reason many animals are brightly or garishly colored. The technical term is aposomatic coloration. It basically means don't eat me I taste bad or I'm dangerous. Whether the Ringed Python really does taste bad probably has yet to be determined, after all how many people have eaten one? At any rate, that's likely the best explanation for the coloration. Another theory could be that the coloration is intended to mimic something like a toxic centipede of some sort or other noxious insect."
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www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes

These are older pics of my male & female. I'll post the two new ones once they get settled in.

Female just before she started losing her orange color. I wish I had my digi camera prior to this. Oh well I like their adult colors better anyway!

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www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes

OOh I have ringed pythons!

I havn't had them for long though... Managed to get an unrelated pair of hatchlings last year and am very happy with them indeed!

Below should be a pic of the female...

Mike

Heya! You have ringed, too?! LOL...those are on my "wish list" and have been for a while. Cool snakes. You thinking about breeding them?
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1.1 Ball Python 0.0.1 corn snake 1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish 1.2 cats 3.1 kids 1.0 husband and now...
0.0.1 Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantula
2.0 Solomon Island Boas