Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Guys,
Looking to get one of either of these, male preferred.

From what I've read, they both make good pets with enough handling, and the former gets significantly larger- especially the female.

I've also noticed that the Olive is much more expensive than the water. I'm looking for a young animal- not interested in getting one that's already large.

I got a good bit of info on the olive from VPI (http://www.vpi.com/5VPIBreeders/Oli...OlivePython.htm), and some info on the water from here (http://www.northernreptiles.co.uk/c...ater_python.htm), but wanted to get others personal experience with them.

I think I'm leaning toward the water because it looks like they don't get near the size of some of the olive's out there, and they seem to be more affordable. I also want to make sure I understand what the animals require to be healthy and happy before making a purchase.

Anything you guys can share would be much appreciated!!!

Thanks,
//Todd

The only Fuscus I ever had was super agressive, but that was a baby years ago. I may have Olives this year, the female is pregnant. My smaller male is about 4 years old, and 7'. I think the Olives are nicer
-----
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

Baby fuscus are nippy, but calm down very fast(IMO). I have had clutches 2 years in a row, and all of the babies where easy to handle within about 2 weeks, as are all of my adults. I think it can definately vary with the animal though. My friend had bought some a while back from some one else, and he said his was evil, but I also know someone with a nasty BIG olive too. ANy how, both are cool animals.

Although olives do indeed get larger than waters, they are FAR more laid back and docile; one of the nicest snakes you can have. Waters are much more unpredictable. I would personally lean towards a male Olive that will be big but not too big for most people.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>Guys,
>>Looking to get one of either of these, male preferred.
>>
>>From what I've read, they both make good pets with enough handling, and the former gets significantly larger- especially the female.
>>
>>I've also noticed that the Olive is much more expensive than the water. I'm looking for a young animal- not interested in getting one that's already large.
>>
>>I got a good bit of info on the olive from VPI (http://www.vpi.com/5VPIBreeders/Oli...OlivePython.htm), and some info on the water from here (http://www.northernreptiles.co.uk/c...ater_python.htm), but wanted to get others personal experience with them.
>>
>>I think I'm leaning toward the water because it looks like they don't get near the size of some of the olive's out there, and they seem to be more affordable. I also want to make sure I understand what the animals require to be healthy and happy before making a purchase.
>>
>>Anything you guys can share would be much appreciated!!!
>>
>>Thanks,
>>//Todd
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Rob,
That's exactly what I needed to know- thank you!

Regards,
//Todd

Just to echo Rob---

Fuscus that are docile really are the exception. My fuscus, which I have had since their first shed, are both the most defensive snakes I own. They have an incredible feeding response--olives can too, but olives tend to "learn" that their keepers aren't out to get them. Many fuscus never do. My male fuscus in particular is the only animal in my snake room that has any interest in striking at me, repeatedly, for the slightest movement. Now over two and a half years old, I still paper the majority of his enclosure to prevent injury from these strike attempts. I can very cautiously freehandle him after hooking him out, but I would never consider him remotely close to a "pet." On the other hand, I have met many, many tractable olives.

I agree. My female and smaller male are like kittens. My larger male occasionally has an off day, so I approach him with a glove on until I have him...then he's fine. I saw a show where they were catching fuscus at that dam in N. Queensland, and the guy swung the snake between his legs so that he could sex it..until it bit him on his butt through his pants, lol.
-----
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

Thanks guys- that's exactly what I needed to know...

Sounds like I might as well get a white-lipped if I'm going to mess with the Fuscu- not going to happen with my three little ones here.

//Todd

If you like the way olive's look then I have something that might work. I breed the Roti Island Macklots from Carmichael. They have very little speckling and calm down like kittens. The male is around 6.5' and the female is close to 8'. I believe they look alot like the olives and my two are some of the calmest snakes I have seen. Its another option to look at those snakes from that locale. Thanks

Cool! Do you have any pics?

I'm not interested in breeding or anything- I just want a healthy animal that's not going to scare the you know what out of my wife/kids, and there's something about the way the olives/waters/white-lipped look that's very attractive to me.

Thanks,
//Todd

The adult are breeding right now. Send me your email address at matrix2316@excite.com. I will send you some pics of the adults. She had a great clutch last year at 27 eggs. Hoping for more this year.

I have a 1.1 pair of 05 olives and they are very nice and docile! They tried snapping at me once or twice when I first got them, but have settled down nicely since then. I have a 1.1 pair of water pythons (L. Fuscus) coming next week...it should be interesting to see how they react!! Ya think it's a bad sign when the seller posts pics of them hanging off a snake hook...lol? Can't be any worse than my coastal/jungle cross male carpet python...I have been punctured and left bleeding almost every time I handle him. Good thing he's still a baby...lol.

SNSnakes

You are right about size. One of my adult male breeder fuscus is 6 years old and is only about 5'. My Adult females are about 7'. He does eat large rats, but has pretty much maxed out in size. I own both, and Either way, both are cool animals. But if you have limited space, waters are a better bet. You could keep a pair in the same amount of space needed to house one olive.
Good luck,
Jasin

Cute pics. I've always wanted to try fuscus, but started this time around w/olives. The new Australian Exhibit at the National Aquarium in Balto has some on display in a nice natural environment. I hope I have the same luck with my olive eggs that you did with the waters.
-----
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

I'll agree with and echo what everyone else has been saying. Though I've never personally kept waters, there just aren't many snakes out there that can compare to the simplistic beauty and docility of the olive python. I had a pair not long back consisting of an 8' male and a 12' female (why I sold them...I'll never know). The female had her days, and the male was snappy if he smelled food, but otherwise they were excellent. And for a snake her size (see photos), she really wasn't difficult to handle. I would very much recommend looking into getting olives.

Jaykis, if you wouldn't mind, let me know when your female is due.

Here are a few photos to demonstrate the olives size and such. Enjoy.

Male

Female




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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com

Oh man- those are great pics!

I want one SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad!

Thanks guys,
//Todd

Yes, she ate a small rabbit this week, but this is her hindquarters. You can see how large she is from her head size, which is resting on her coil. However...nothing is certain until eggs are laid and hatched.

-----
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

...