Morelia boeleni Color Change

[Chris Anderson]

I purchased a male Boelen's Python, Morelia boeleni, back in June. Since then, he's shed 3 times and his coloration has changed quite a bit. His latest shed was yesterday and I snapped a few pics.

First, this is a photo taken just after I got him:

And here are some pics from today:

Hope you like the pics!

Chris

 

[jannb]

Chris, those are really nice pictures. He has brightened up allot since the first pic. I'm not really a snake person but he's beautiful.

 

[Travis2008]

haha Jannb i think you are like me (or i'm like you). I had no clue what the scientific name was but just knew that Chris takes awesome pictures and wanted to see them.

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

Chris, those are really nice pictures. He has brightened up allot since the first pic. I'm not really a snake person but he's beautiful.

I have to agree. I am no snake expert either but your snake is amazing. thanks for sharing

 

[Crazy Pet Lady]

He's awesome. How do you manage to get the tongue pix? they are very creative.

 

[SS4Luck]

your snake is amazing!

 

[Kent67]

Hey Chris, beautiful Boelen's! How old was he when he started the color change? Other than the color, they seem very similar to M. viridis. Your baby seems smaller/younger than most gtp's when they start their change, no? Good things to come, I personally think the adult colors are better looking than the juvies!

 

[Pure]

That's a nice looking python Chris. How's his temperment?

 

[Miss Lily]

I don't like snakes either, lol! But I wanted to say how cool that last photo is!

 

[laurie]

Chris you have a bunch of wimps here, a lot of us aren't snake people. But beautiful is beautiful in what ever it is. Your python is beautiful and as usual so are your pictures.

 

[Chris Anderson]

Thanks guys, glad you liked the pics. Boelen's Pythons are definitely gorgeous animals. As babies they are a rusty-brown coloration with yellowish banding/baring. As adults they are an iridescent black with cream-white bellies and barring. He's definitely starting to grow into his adult coloration.

Crazy Pet Lady - He will flick his tongue out in response to movement and I use flashes to spot the action. What I do is get the shot framed and focused and then move my hand out a little ways in front of him and snap the shot when he flicks his tongue. I have to be careful he doesn't strike at my hand though thinking its food.

Kent - He hatched the last week of February '09 so he's not very old. I too like the adult coloration better then the juvies. I'm really enjoying seeing his adult colors come out.

Shannen - His temperament is pretty good. I've only been bit a couple times when I first got him and it was cause he was shier and I was taking pics (go figure).

Chris

 

[Karen]

Stunning, one of my favourite pythons.

 

[jojackson]

An absolutely beautiful boid, sadly not on my 'aquireable' list. Definately a species Id love to keep. Much envy!

 

[Gluuvan]

Chris, What a great python. I really enjoy snakes, boelen's is a great python. I personally am more of a boa guy, but pythons are next on my list. Great picutres!

 

[heloderm]

Chris that's one of the most amazing snakes in the hobby. I plan to import a pair myself in the future. My importer in Indo owes me some money, gonna get a few tree monitors and more chondros while I'm at it! Do you offer UV? Many boeleni keepers claim they need it and do far better when offered UV. Ever check out the Boeleni Forums http://www.boelenspythons.com/home.html?

John

P.S. keep the pics coming!

 

[Chris Anderson]

Thanks again everyone.

An absolutely beautiful boid, sadly not on my 'aquireable' list. Definately a species Id love to keep. Much envy!

You guys have a few species over there that would be interesting to work with that you can't get anywhere else or are extremely expensive. I visited a couple breeders the various times I've been in your neck of the woods and seen some pretty cool stuff. Perentie monitors, rough-scaled pythons and shingleback skinks would all be on my list!

Chris that's one of the most amazing snakes in the hobby. I plan to import a pair myself in the future. My importer in Indo owes me some money, gonna get a few tree monitors and more chondros while I'm at it! Do you offer UV? Many boeleni keepers claim they need it and do far better when offered UV. Ever check out the Boeleni Forums http://www.boelenspythons.com/home.html?

John

P.S. keep the pics coming!

They definitely are one of the most amazing snake species around. If you are able to bring in any CH babies, let me know, I need a female.

I do provide mine with UVB. I haven't tried raising them without it so I can't say what the difference is but it can't hurt.

I am on the Boelen's Python Group as well as the Morelia Pythons Community.

Chris

 

[heloderm]

Chris my contact in indo told me that I can have as many as I want come december...LOL if only it was that easy. It's a 5k min order and shipping, brokering, and wildlife fee's end up in the $1,500 range. I've already dumped all my money into this ambilobe panther project I currently have going on (6.30). If I don't do another shipment this year I will be next year because I'd also like to bring in a number of tree monitors. Please keep us updated with pics, I love seeing those animals! My next shipment will include atleast 1 pair of those guys for ME!

John