Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, after months and months of wanting one of these awesome snakes, looks like I'm finally taking the plunge (big time, at that). I've decided to get myself a scrub python, and found a really nice deal on an 8' or so female southern. I've been busy preparing her temporary enclosure, temporary meaning I realize they get much larger than 8', and have actually been told southerns are reportedly the third longest snake on the planet. So, why am I posting here? Well, I'd like to get a few questions answered if possible.

First, in regards to their size, I've read that the record length on a scrub (forget which ssp) was 27'. I've also read many pages and such on these snakes saying that this ssp averages around 13 to 15'. So I guess what I'm wondering is for those of you who have southerns, what have you noticed to be their usual average adult lengths. Mine is going to be a female so I realize she'll be on the larger size scale for the species. I know that 27' would be the vast minority for this species, so for now I'm just going with the 13 to 15', but I'd like to get some info from people working with these snakes one on one.

Next, housing. I realize housing a 15' scrub and a 15' burm are two completely tasks. Scrubs are obviously arboreal snakes, so taller would be better than wider. Also, a 15' scrub has nowhere near the body thickness of other pythons its length. So what is really ideal for an adult female southern scrub, or pair preferable, that would suite them for the rest of their lives? Again, on this, I've been told and read numerous conflicting reports, so I guess I'd just like to get an average.

Lastly, I know scrubs aren't exactly known for their charming personalities. Mine isn't any exception, as her current owner has told me. She's not insane, but not cuddly either. I know getting a baby and raising it to adulthood is most often the best way to go about socializing any animal, but my question is, since she hasn't really been messed with much during her life, is there any good way to "tame the beast," so to speak? She's only around 2 to 2.5 yrs old, c.b.b., so I wouldn't think she's too old or too wild just yet to be able to make some headway with her. I have no problems with having a hands off snake, since the majority of snakes I keep are venomous and therefore are all hands off anyway, but a 15' snake bent on my death would be something I'd like to avoid if I can manage it (disclaimer for last statement: don't jump on me for that! I realize that's what I may get even after spending copious amounts of time with her, I'm just wanting to know any tried and true methods of socializing scrubs, especially unsocialized subadults).

Anyway, that's about all for now. I really appreciate anyone who can give me input on this awesome snake. She's due to arrive around the middle of next week and I'm greatly anticipating it. Also, if you want to say something to me without having to post it on the forum, you are more than welcome to send it to my e-mail, rvsnakes@centurytel.net. Criticisms, though usually unwanted, will probably even be tolerated in this instance because I want to learn as much as humanly possible about this snake before it arrives. Thanks for reading!
-Chance

That 27 foot thing doesn't apply to southerns, I think. I'm pretty sure that was in reference to a kinghorn scrub, the Australian subspecies that is virtually impossible to get in the US. I have two juveniles, and the female bites relentlessly. I have been trying to mellow her out but she really doesn't like being handled. She whips violently, lets gog of all her urates(usually into my face, once into my mouth), and for a 3 foot plus snake can really light me up. But the male is pretty mellow, and once he's out he's great. As far as caging, I am sure others will have some good responses for you. But I will say this: scrubs are some of the most incredible snakes out there. They have an intelligence that is unbelieveable, and I doubt you will have a problem with them eating. Good luck to you, and post pics when you can.
Dustin

Two juvenile southerns that is. I wish I had some kinghorns.

>>Two juvenile southerns that is. I wish I had some kinghorns.

Thanks for the information. I figured it was kinghorni that was giving them the insane lengths. Kinda sets my mind at ease, lol. Anyway, I have to agree with you about them being amazing snakes. I've never had one, but they seem like they are truly awesome snakes. Second only to my boomslangs
-Chance

OK, here's the real deal on Southerns. Most adults are 13 feet. Never seen nor heard of a 15 footer, but I'd bet it's possible. Your next quest is to go www.SpitfireReptiles.com and read EVERYTHING we have on Scrubs. After you have read everything, you should be ready and educated about taking care of Scrubs.
Good luck,
Josh
1.0 '01 Spitfire Southern Scrub
Since you jumped into Scrubs, you should jump into studying up on them a lot faster.

>>Well, after months and months of wanting one of these awesome snakes, looks like I'm finally taking the plunge (big time, at that). I've decided to get myself a scrub python, and found a really nice deal on an 8' or so female southern. I've been busy preparing her temporary enclosure, temporary meaning I realize they get much larger than 8', and have actually been told southerns are reportedly the third longest snake on the planet. So, why am I posting here? Well, I'd like to get a few questions answered if possible.
>>
>>First, in regards to their size, I've read that the record length on a scrub (forget which ssp) was 27'. I've also read many pages and such on these snakes saying that this ssp averages around 13 to 15'. So I guess what I'm wondering is for those of you who have southerns, what have you noticed to be their usual average adult lengths. Mine is going to be a female so I realize she'll be on the larger size scale for the species. I know that 27' would be the vast minority for this species, so for now I'm just going with the 13 to 15', but I'd like to get some info from people working with these snakes one on one.
>>
>>Next, housing. I realize housing a 15' scrub and a 15' burm are two completely tasks. Scrubs are obviously arboreal snakes, so taller would be better than wider. Also, a 15' scrub has nowhere near the body thickness of other pythons its length. So what is really ideal for an adult female southern scrub, or pair preferable, that would suite them for the rest of their lives? Again, on this, I've been told and read numerous conflicting reports, so I guess I'd just like to get an average.
>>
>>Lastly, I know scrubs aren't exactly known for their charming personalities. Mine isn't any exception, as her current owner has told me. She's not insane, but not cuddly either. I know getting a baby and raising it to adulthood is most often the best way to go about socializing any animal, but my question is, since she hasn't really been messed with much during her life, is there any good way to "tame the beast," so to speak? She's only around 2 to 2.5 yrs old, c.b.b., so I wouldn't think she's too old or too wild just yet to be able to make some headway with her. I have no problems with having a hands off snake, since the majority of snakes I keep are venomous and therefore are all hands off anyway, but a 15' snake bent on my death would be something I'd like to avoid if I can manage it (disclaimer for last statement: don't jump on me for that! I realize that's what I may get even after spending copious amounts of time with her, I'm just wanting to know any tried and true methods of socializing scrubs, especially unsocialized subadults).
>>
>>Anyway, that's about all for now. I really appreciate anyone who can give me input on this awesome snake. She's due to arrive around the middle of next week and I'm greatly anticipating it. Also, if you want to say something to me without having to post it on the forum, you are more than welcome to send it to my e-mail, rvsnakes@centurytel.net. Criticisms, though usually unwanted, will probably even be tolerated in this instance because I want to learn as much as humanly possible about this snake before it arrives. Thanks for reading!
>>-Chance

>>OK, here's the real deal on Southerns. Most adults are 13 feet. Never seen nor heard of a 15 footer, but I'd bet it's possible. Your next quest is to go www.SpitfireReptiles.com and read EVERYTHING we have on Scrubs. After you have read everything, you should be ready and educated about taking care of Scrubs.
>>Good luck,
>>Josh
>>1.0 '01 Spitfire Southern Scrub
>>Since you jumped into Scrubs, you should jump into studying up on them a lot faster.

Josh, thanks for the reply. I'm not exactly "jumping" into scrubs as you put it, as they have been on my mind for quite some time, I just haven't ever had the opportunity for such a deal as this. I actually haven't been on Yasser's site since he updated it and now you have to devote everything you're doing on the computer to looking at the site because it takes over and all..lol. Anyway, I will go on there and take a look at what he has about his southerns. As far as length goes, like I said, I was going by what I've read and been told. It wasn't a challenge in any way to anyone. In fact, I'm glad they tend to max out at 13'. That's two feet less than even I was thinking. But anyway, thanks for the info.
-Chance

My southern scrub arrived just a little while ago. She was really hissy in her bag, but once taken out, she's pretty content to just get her bearings and check everything out...that is...after she dumped all her urates on me and took one tentative swing, which I was only pretty lucky to avoid. She's just a bit larger than I anticipated...thinking scrubs were mostly slendered bodied species, this girl is probably close to 9' and weighs somewhere near 15 to 20 lbs. Good stuff though, she's huge, beautiful, in shed right now so she'll be even nicer when she finishes. I'm hoping that since she's in shed and really not all that bad tempered, that when she comes out she'll be even better (or worse, if she can see and aim better, lol). Anyway, looks like I'll have to look into upgrading her cage sooner than anticipated, not that her current one is too small, but will be before long if she keeps growing. I'll post pictures soon, especially when she finishes shedding. Thanks for reading, and thanks for all the great advice so far!
-Chance

That sounds like a pretty heavy bodied scrub. I'd like to see some pics, and if you could, throw a good visual size reference in as well. Congratulations! And good luck, too.
Dustin

Excuse my laziness, but I'm just going to type in the links to the pages the pics are on. I'll probably go all out and post the actualy pics when she finishes shedding. She's very much in the blue right now as you can tell. Still haven't been tagged yet Anyway, enjoy.

http://rvsnakes.garbersoft.net/scrub1.jpg
http://rvsnakes.garbersoft.net/scrub2.jpg
http://rvsnakes.garbersoft.net/scrub3.jpg

She looks pretty light. Nice pattern too. Good luck with her. And beware when she sheds! Her color and irridescence will blow your mind! Post more pics when she sheds!
Later,
Josh

>>Excuse my laziness, but I'm just going to type in the links to the pages the pics are on. I'll probably go all out and post the actualy pics when she finishes shedding. She's very much in the blue right now as you can tell. Still haven't been tagged yet Anyway, enjoy.
>>
>>http://rvsnakes.garbersoft.net/scrub1.jpg
>>http://rvsnakes.garbersoft.net/scrub2.jpg
>>http://rvsnakes.garbersoft.net/scrub3.jpg

>>She looks pretty light. Nice pattern too. Good luck with her. And beware when she sheds! Her color and irridescence will blow your mind! Post more pics when she sheds!
>>Later,
>>Josh

Ah, you don't have to warn me about how amazing her looks with be. Even as "dull" as she is right now, when I was getting the pics out on the grass, she was still amazingly irridescent. I can only imagine what she'll be like in a couple more days. Just a question, have you noticed any temperament differences with scrubs between being in the blue and finishing shedding? Someone warned me that she might actually be a little bit more strike prone as her eyesight will be normal. However I've noticed snakes tend to be more aggro while in the blue and less so when out of it. And with scrubs, I doubt having poorer eyesight would do much of anything anyway, as they are some pretty major heat seekers.
-Chance

Scrubs can sense up to a tenth of a degree Fehrenheit. Strongest heat sensors than any other specie. And as you may have already noticed, they are very alert of their surroundings. If yours already let you take pics of it out in the grass while it's in shed, I'd say you have a really mellow animal. You might not have to worry about temperament. Their mood is somewhat predictable by their body color. If she's exceptionally dark one day, don't mess with her. But rather investigate to see why she's not feeling good. But this is rare. In 2 years I've only seen mine like this once. Sounds like you have a pretty nice animal. Hopefully you can pop some eggs out of her in the near future. Good luck,
Josh

>>Ah, you don't have to warn me about how amazing her looks with be. Even as "dull" as she is right now, when I was getting the pics out on the grass, she was still amazingly irridescent. I can only imagine what she'll be like in a couple more days. Just a question, have you noticed any temperament differences with scrubs between being in the blue and finishing shedding? Someone warned me that she might actually be a little bit more strike prone as her eyesight will be normal. However I've noticed snakes tend to be more aggro while in the blue and less so when out of it. And with scrubs, I doubt having poorer eyesight would do much of anything anyway, as they are some pretty major heat seekers.
>>-Chance

That is a nice looking snake. Looks fairly heavy bodied, just like you said. Just as a heads up, and you probably already know, but the southerns have an incredible striking range. Awesome snake!
Take it easy,
Dustin

>>That is a nice looking snake. Looks fairly heavy bodied, just like you said. Just as a heads up, and you probably already know, but the southerns have an incredible striking range. Awesome snake!
>>Take it easy,
>>Dustin

Thanks for the compliments man. She is an amazing snake, I can tell already. I've freehandled her now a few times and have had no problems. She struck one when I first pulled her out of the bag when she first arrived, and then the other night when I was trying to get her back in her enclosure (don't think she wanted to go back in there). Both times were pretty half-hearted. Who knows, she was supposed to be a pretty aggro snake, but I've yet to notice anything inherently mean about her. I'm just hoping that when she finishes shedding she'll be even nicer At her size I'd imagine her strike range is pretty impressive. I'll find out soon, because when she finishes shedding I'll attempt the first feeding.
-Chance