Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi; I was inquiring on the papuans offered in the classifieds and basically wondering if they would be a good investment.I spoke briefly with the seller,and he told me they're recent imports and have acclimated very well and are feeding lovely.My only concern is are they possible to tame at 4 feet of length and wildness. I estimate at 4ft. it could possible be a yearling. Any feedback on this? Some experience info would also be appreciated too. You can email me at hassan72@tmail.com to chat on this issue.
Thanx, Hassan

I have a trio of these animals. Only one was captive bred. They all took to handling very well, including my ten foot female, who came to me as a wild caught 8 footer. They are however, very cage and perch defensive. Getting them out can sometimes be a challenge. Make sure you have have a hook to use with them. Once out, they are pretty decent snakes, though pound for pound one of the stronger snakes I have ever owned, if not the strongest. Also, When holding them, they sometimes get defensive of you, as their perch, and might snap at others who come to close. Basically, they can be handled pretty easily IMHO, but you just need to be careful with them, because they can get snappy in certain situations.

Shawn

Agreed. They're not a snake that's content to just sit in your lap. They constantly move, and usually up. My gloved hand usually keeps the head away from my face....
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
0.1 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
1.0 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

BTW, Shawn..have you had any breeding luck with them?
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
0.1 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
1.0 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

Nah, male my is too small. I figure if I am lucky, I have at least another year, if not...3 more. Either way, the reason i own them is they are one of those species that offer a real challenge in breeding. I will make CB babies....one of these days.

Shawn

Shawn...that's one of the best reasons to work with them...just because they're hard to breed. My personal belief (yes, I know it's not supposed to be true...but it's still my opinion) is that Apadoras and Boelens are very closely related, and are just a subspecies separated by altitude.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
0.1 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
1.0 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

Well, if hardiness is any indicator of that theory, then they must not be related. Even my freshly imported female was/is as tough as nails. Eats everything I throw at her. She is extremely tolerant of pretty much everything.

Shawn

"Well, if hardiness is any indicator of that theory, then they must not be related."

LOL Must be that high altitude for Boelens that makes them less than hardy.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

In terms of a monetary return, I can't really picture papuans as a good, and certainly not a safe, investment. The demand is relatively low, and I think even a few more successes in captive breeding could satisfy the market. In terms of the "challenge" and "joy" of getting these guys to breed I think they are an excellent investment. Especially given the more advanced age at which they seem to breed, I think its a pretty long-term project. I am, of course, in the process of trying , but a few years away from seeing any success. In fact, in the interim, I may lend my male as he is has begun displaying quite the eagerness to breed.

I'm still trying. My female keeps inverting the last 4' of her in the hide box. I haven't seen any courtship...and who knows what goes on in the hide box. At least no one's being eaten.... Until someone gets an albino, no...I don't think they'll be in high demand, but they ARE neat, intelligent, get fairly large, and do a neat color change when they feel like it. For those reasons, and that very little is actually known about them, they make a good animals to study.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

Send me your male! I'll try him in the spring with my girl!

Shawn