Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone recommend reputable/honest breeders of Black headed pythons (selectively bred for color & pattern)?

I appreciate the input.

Abe

If you're in the US, I think you may be overestimating how much selective breeding has been done. The numbers of breeders out there are pretty limited and the number of generations is the same. So selectivity isn't going to make much difference just yet.

There is a couple of morphs out there, along with the standard "Eastern/Western" varieties. But it isn't time to be sucked in by any morph that isn't wildly obvious. Mild differences probably aren't worth noting.

Personally, I have seen my own Black Heads change from contrasted and neat looking to darker and a bit more 'blah'. A well heated, nearer to sheding snake seems to me to look quite different from one that has recently shed and is cooler. What causes the color differences may be heat, proximity to shedding time, current stresses, feeding... I don't know.

I've seen pictures of a morph that has less black in its head, with many of the black scales much lighter. Now it was a pretty snake and I'd love to have one in my own collection. BUT....To me, it's pretty ironic that people would be interested in a Black Head Python whose head wasn't very black.

I apologize for not really answering your question. You'll probably begin to see some babies becoming available soon. I hope you get some that you enjoy as much as I like mine.

Doug T

Hi Doug,

I appreciate your input from your experiences and observations on my Black-headed python post.

Thank you,
Abe

As was stated, there isn't much selective breeding going on yet, unlike the womas. I have a pair I've had for a few years now that I got from Doug Price, of Price Animal Company, who was very helpful and a very nice guy. My female is now over 9 feet in length! Personally I do prefer the eastern variety, as they get bigger, and are usually more docile. I have yet to hear of a western that is not at least somewhat spastic towards people.

Guy

You have any pics of that female Black Head Python of yours?

My pair is at about 7 feet these days and happily eating and growing.

Doug T

Guy,

My pair of westerns from Lazik are sweet and easy going. About 5 year olds now.
All eight hatchlings I have from last year my 3 year old handles.
Tom..