Reptile & Amphibian Forums

These little guys have started feeding on mouse pinks and fuzzies.

I'm curious, was it a male carpet and female Boelen, or the other way around? There is such a size difference between the two species, any clue from the hatchlings how big they'll end up?
Andy Via
Richmond, Virginia
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I'm curious to see if there's a color change when they get older.

I follow this forum pretty casually, but enough to be aware how successful you have been over the years with BHP's, rings, etc. That being said, I have to ask why would you hybridize Boelens and carpets?
Thanks.

Tim, thank you! I think we have spoken before on the phone about other pythons! I do keep many pythons and have been lucky enough to breed several that I keep. I keep Boelens Pythons and have been trying to reproduce pure Boelens just like many other people but have not had success so far! I feel that a Boelens python hybrid could make a very pretty pet python that may be capable of reproducing in captivity with some of the beauty of a pure Boelens. I feel that these are pet pythons in a cage that are bred for our enjoyment. In my opinion breeding a male Boelens to a female carpet python is a step in the right direction to help unlock part of the clue to finding out how we can start reproducing pure Boelens in captivity here in the US. I know there are arguments on both sides about keeping animals pure but I feel any snake in a persons collection (in a cage) will never be released back into a natural wild state (legally) and for that reason are just pets. I know others have a different opinion and they are entitled to their opinions. I would never misrepresent an animal I breed or sell and if other people stood by that rule there would not be a purity argument. Thanks for your interest! Tom

True that. Once we put them in cages, they are essentially taken out of the equation anyway. I have no doubt that you would represent them honestly. Take care.

Tom....Irian Jawas?

Tom,

I am not sure if you know a woman by the name of Joan Moore out of the chicago area. I believe she has the secret. We were just discussing her breeding of Boelens on wednesday. She mentioned something about people not keeping them cool enough if I remember correctly.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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This montane species is typically found at 4,000 to 8,000 feet in their natural habitat and experience cool season night time temperature drops into the low 50's. Significant cooling will most definitely be required for sustained successful captive reproduction much similar to that needed for successful long term captive reproduction of Diamond pythons. The thing to remember is the daily temperature regime that must be applied. The low night temps must be offset by a corresponding significant warming each day into the 80's as is occurring in their natural environment. Their black coloration is obviously an adaptation for absorption of thermal energy by daily basking during these cooler periods. Without this daily warming period, you will have a certain and significant risk of respiratory issues, however I would strongly believe that this species could tolerate heavy night time temp reductions with ease as long as you maintain the daily warming cycle.

Kelly

Kelly, I think youre right as this is the way I produce Diamond Pythons. I've temp gunned Diamonds basking after a cold night at 96 degrees and still tightly coiled in the sun. This is my second year of 100% production on my female Diamonds keeping them outside year round. Also I believe that NATURAL sunlight may be very important to Boelen's and Diamonds. This year I have 3 clutches of Diamonds hatching out of a group of 3.3. adults. Additionally because mine are in lg cages and because I monitor their weight my Diamonds feel like steel ropes not mushy fat slugs and this is important also. Soon I'm going to try to breed Boelens outside here and we'll see if my theory is correct....

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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

If I'm not mistaken, Boelens also have a "familiar" area, secented with urea that they return to at night.

Hi Cindy, Hi all,

I just stumbled upon this thread and wanted to make sure no one reading it (in the future, anyway) believes that I have successfully bred boeleni. I have not.

But, anyway, what Kelly said covers exactly what I've heard to be important on the subject of temperature manipulation during the breeding season for these animals.

And not wanting to rain on Tom's or anyone else's parade, I just have to say that it grinds my gears to see rare or infrequently-bred animals bastardized like this. YMMV

-Joan

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>>I am not sure if you know a woman by the name of Joan Moore out of the chicago area. I believe she has the secret. We were just discussing her breeding of Boelens on wednesday. She mentioned something about people not keeping them cool enough if I remember correctly.
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Tom,

Although not a fan of hybrids this is what I consider to be a huge leap forward with Boelens! I had to read several posts to realize you weren't kidding! BIG congrats! I related this to Diamond pythons in which people couldn't get females to breed. Now it's common to see pure diamonds available, or getting to that point! I'm sure someone will eventually figure it out!!! I hope to have a few boeleni in the not to distant future! Best of luck!!!
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John Light