Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi There:

I keep over 30 herps in a small reptile zoo that I own; it is a local neighborhood attraction. I design tons of naturalistic vivaria with the works, housing mostly amphibians, but I also enjoy keeping exotic snakes. I was very sad today because my beloved rosy boa died. I would get another before you could even say Lichanura trivirgata, but they are very expensive where I live. So I am looking to keep a new type of small, attractive, and most importantly docile snake. My local exotic dealer has some baby captive-bred spotted pythons that are feeding well. I've got the setup and everthing... Should I buy one... or two...

DAVE

Yes! They are a wonderful small snake.

Hi there:

I am a very experienced snake keeper. I keep snakes that deficate, thrash, bite, hurl... you name it. I also keep docile snakes as well, so I figured a Spotted python would be no problem. My mother, who does work around the zoo, was happy because she likes the graceful species. All was going as planned. When the clerk took the python out of the cage, the very first thing it did was stike him. Then again. And again. It reared up, and tried striking at us. A small crowd gathered. It repeatedly lunged at the man, biting at him about 18 times. Then it started spinning like a water snake. He put it back. I don't mind being bitten; I work with just about anything, but my mother wanted to try something new. I got a Kenyan sand boa. Its a little nippy as well, but still a good snake. Oh well. Thanks anyway.
DAVE

My spotted did the same thing when i first got him... but know about 6 months later he is the sweetest snake in the world and i even use him in children education at the zoo when we have large groups