Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I got talked into buying a Calabars Burrowing Python from LLL Reptile over the weekend at the Anaheim show. They told me they were easy to care for and that they ate really well. After reading up online today through many old forum posts and articles from past keepers...I see that I am probably screwed and should probably not have gotten it. Sucks!! Was a birthday present for my lady and she loves it! But I have been reading that they tend to not eat and die pretty quick. I never do this spur of the moment type purchase and the one time I do it bites me in the buttholio!!! I sure hope somehow I got one that will be the exception to the rule!

Anyone in here have any success with keeping one?

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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

I'm not sure where you have heard about calabaria not eating. Most of the ones I kept ate pretty readily if you left them alone. They prefer fuzzy mice to adults. Most of them will not eat much that is bigger around than their body.

Give it some subtrate to burrow into and some privacy and you will find they are not that hard to feed.

Now breeding them.....that's a totally different story!

Chris
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Ah thats good to hear!!! And yeah I gave him a good thick layer of aspen to bury into and some nice cozy hides too! The place I got him from emailed me last night and said he ate great every week on fresh killed mice and rat pups. So I am hoping all will continue on great with him afterall! Thanks for the input and nah I aint gonna go anywhere near trying to breed

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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

I have always heard that they ate pretty well also. I do know that there are a few more people here who have kept or are keeping them with success so hopefully they will chime in.
As I recall, most keepers have said they keep them in a mulch of some sort, usually including coconut husk to help keep some moisture in.
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Steve Perry
North Idaho.

I have had some Calabaria that ate pre-killed Rat/mouse pups, but others that didn't take them unless you tease-fed them.

With Calabaria I would let the smell the rat pups by putting them in the container and disturbing the snake enough to get it tongue flicking. If they didn't take it within 30 minutes or so, I would take the small rodent in forceps and gently press it against the side of the snake about 1/4 of the way down the body. This would usually result in a slow defensive constriction after which the snake would swallow the mice if left alone. You can often get them to constrict multiple mice by pressing one against the anterior region of the body and while it is constricting, pressing another against the posterior part.

That's how I got this -

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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Ah very cool I will for sure be trying that! Thanks so much!! I would assume a settle in period is needed for these guys when placed into a new home so I think I am going to give him another few days before I try anything.

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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

Here's what I did with over the 200 Calabars that I had:

1. Always used Panacur and Flagyl first
2. Cypress mulch 9 inches deep in a 40 gal. cage. They like the weight of the substrate on top of them
3. 250w red heat lamp on top. Thermoregulate by depth
4. Filled a large crock with 20 mouse fuzzies. Most gone when left overnight. Stay away from adult mice or rat pups
5. Kept 2.6 per 40 gal.
6. Leave them alone. No handling
7. You're not going to believe the size of the eggs

Good luck,

Mitch

Thanks for the info BEHMN8R

This is not the greatest news for us unfortunately. I think I am going to have to look for a new home for this fellow with someone more experienced with these guys before it is too late. My fiance just does not have the know how or the means to meet this guys needs. The way it was made out to me at the show it would be much more simple. I feel terrible now. I am going to pursue a trade for a Rosy Boa I think. We just need something that is far less demanding. My fiance has a KSB and a Black Milks snake that are thriving with her and are very easy for her to care for properly. I have read that Rosy Boa's are also a good snake for those that need simple care species. If I don't find a Rosy trade then I will put this guy up for adoption as we do not want to be the cause if his demise due to my poor judgment in making such an un-informed spur of the moment purchase at the show. If there are is anyone interested and local to Orange County, CA, please contact me asap. Thanks so much!
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

I know this is a late reponse, and I'm wishin' I didn't live in Michigan, but was wondering if you found a home for him. I have a seven year old female and have been considering finding a boy friend for her . I actually find them pretty easy to care for. What were the issues your fiancee(sp) was having with him that she couldn't care for him, if you don't mind me asking?

Quig

Hi Quig,

Yeah we found a home for him and he is doing very well there. Basically the problem was that he wouldn't take f/t mice. My fiance buys her f/t mice all in bulk for her other 2 snakes and it just wasn't the right fit for her to have to go out and buy a live mouse each week too. She really wanted something that was easier going when it came to food and care and matched up more with her other 2 snakes as far as needs and feeding went. So we traded for a yearling rosy boa that has been perfect and eats like a pig on f/t and my fiance is very happy
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

I believe humidity is important. A substrate of coir (the ground up coconut husk available at any store selling reptile supplies) might work out better than aspen. I mix it with a little calcium sand, and it will hold burrows quite well. Depends on your ambient humidity in the cage if you need a more damp substrate. Where I live, Winter humidity is so low that I have to use a more moisture-laden substrate during that time.
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Mark

I have been hearing that alot as well. I have him in a spacious sterilite right now that holds in moisture quite well so hopefully he will thrive in there. So far he seems to be doing great! I find him cruising about and burrowing by night and early mornings, and then by day he is in one of his hides curled up and content (at least I think he is haha!). Sometimes he even sleeps curled up in the open next to a fake plant I have in there. So I would hope that means he feels pretty safe and comfy to do that. I am going to try a f/t mouse hopper tonight when I feed the rest of my crew and see if by some miracle he will take it down (I dont have rat fuzzies handy yet). I really want this guy to work out so keep him in your prayers tonight everyone! Haha!
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

Well, no luck. He wasn't interested. Oh well I'll give him another week and try again then. Maybe I need to feed him when its dark/night as he seems to be out cruising his cage all night long, and sleeps while its light.
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."