African Rock Python Question.

[Podo]

I was just wondering who here keeps these. Also I was just want to hear some of your imput on them.

[Podo]

Could you give me some info on them and also what your exprience has been with them. thanks

[KLG]

Hey Podo! Ian (one of our Mods) is just about obsessed with Afrocks. ;) He's very friendly & likely a great resource for you on these animals - I'd recommend sending him a PM if he doesn't catch this thread.

K~

[Ian]

He's very friendly & likely a great resource for you on these animals
Now you are making me blush! :p If you would have moved this to the Rock and Burm forum, I would have caught it sooner :smt016

I love Rocks, plain and simple. Though my collection is trimmed down a bit (a lot really), I do plan on getting it back to size within the next month or two.
Rocks are great snakes, plain and simple, but you do need to work with them a bit more than most snakes at first. Though, with all the rocks I have dealt with, I have only had one that was "mean" and she wasn't that bad. A bit of handling calmed her down reasonably well. IMHO, I think they are one of the "smarter" snakes and you look in their eyes and you can see that there is something going on in there (Like retics or scrubs for example). I always recommend CB babies, as they are the most likely ones to calm down easily, and they dont have all the WC problems. Always buy from someone you can trust, that is the best information really. A good breeder will let you know the snakes temperment and such. I have never had a "picky" eater, though they don't always eat while in shed. I never had a problem switching between rats, rabbits and mice, and mine have also taken chickens and quail (good for putting weight on them). They are heavier bodied than retics, but not as thick as burms. My 7 foot female weighs around 15-20 pounds, though she is probably not much wider than a silver dollar. There are a few pattern morphs out there, but the only one that seems to have been proven genetic is patternless though some breeders have some gorgeous striped Rocks.
If this is your first large snake, then I do recommend against them. But, you are the only one that can judge if you are ready for them. Always keep in mind they are in the top 4 giant snakes, and there are pictures of them taking down gazelles, so never underestimate them.
If you have any other questions, concerns, comments, feel free to ask. I love talking rocks!

(PS, sorry for the run ons, and spelling errors. I am on lortab and muscle relaxers....)

[Podo]

Wow, Thanks IAN for that information. It was pretty much what I wanted to hear because I always hear "Oh, Afrocks are the spawn of hell/satan and they are just flat out mean." But, I was always thinking what if I were to get a CB baby and raise him or her from there. I mean even if they were mean then I'm sure they would calm down a little bit.
I also would like to say this and I hope I don't get flamed. But yes this would be my first "Big" snake. But, I would also like to say that I think I am really ready for one and I think I could provide great care for a big snake like a Afrock. Although I did hear you say if this is your first large snake that you do not recommend them. I mean I respect your opinion its just that I would like to hear some reasons why.

(PS- Sorry about not putting this in the right section)

-Joe

[Ian]

HI Joe,
Don't worry about not putting it in the "right" section, this is pretty laid back forum for sure.
I do not recommend Retics, Rocks, Scrubs or Annies as first big snakes, just due to the fact of how large they get, how fast they are, and they seem to be a bit more prone to aggression. However, you are the only that can decide if you are ready for the snake. If you start with a CB hatchling or even yearling, your chances will be much higher for success.
The best advice I can really give is to just follow the K.I.S.S. style of care. Keep it simple and things work much better.

[Howard Teitelbaum]

One problem I've seen with rocks (and it's not their fault) is that people can pick them up cheap. I've seen them at shows for as little as $20. People who shouldn't get them do only because they're cheap. Someone investing in a more expensive snake or morph is not going to "binge" with their last spare change at a snake show. Joe average person who is inexperienced brings one home and has horror stories to share with the world about how bad the snake is.
Just like Ian said, with the proper time and care most are great animals, but like dating a real pretty girl they keep you honest and on your toes so don't let your guard down

[RRusso70]

but like dating a real pretty girl they keep you honest and on your toes so don't let your guard down

Careful U might be going into dangerous waters there bud. Rocks are cool. But' gotta say My Retics are the best snakes I've ever had.

[liasisguy]

Podo,
The one Afrock I have dealt with was a rescue back in 1993, which I got from a friend's friend who was force feeding it oatmeal (beats me why!!), and would poke it with a fork when he thought it was aggressive (meaning it hissed). The thing was not mean by any stretch, just very nervous and stressed. The right kind of cage, some food and proper vet care made him calm down quite a bit, but I never ended up using him for school shows, because he would hiss like mad occasionally.
I'm not at all an expert on these snakes, but a retic seems like a better choice if you want a cool, big snake.
Good Luck!
Travis

[Dr Alan]

Podo,
I have an Afrock and it is possibly the most attractive snake in my collection (certainly he is the most active boid), but my experience with them is that they are probably not going to be as placid or as easily handleable as some other big boids. He has good days and bad days, and if he needs to be cleaned or moved on a bad day, you can count on an adrenaline rush. He is not indiscriminately mean, but he does have a well developed set of boundaries, a personal space if you will, that I haven't observed with my Retic or Burm. IMHO, an Afrock is possibly not a good "first boid". I do have to bow to Ian's opinions, as he has much more experience with many several Afrocks then I do.

[RhacBreeder]

Is it me or is your ^^ avatar HUGE?

[1staburmthenaconda]

Wow, no doubt, that is a serious avatar the Dr's got there, it would be nice as a series at that size... :icon_cheers: :102: ... :lol: ...jk... I just thought it was funny how it altered the screen porportions. for a second I thought it was my computer's fault...

[RhacBreeder]

yeah me too that's why i asked lol.

[Ian]

Dr. Alan, your observations are pretty spot on with my experiences as well. Rocks on a bad day can be quite a rush, though I have never had one bite (except once when I had a rat in my hand.... :blackeye: :dead: )
They are much more active than burms, or retics so it throws some people off, and they start thinking the snake is going to bite. That is why I recommend experience with other large constrictors before buying a Rock.
But, like all snakes, there are good ones and bad ones. Buy carefully though, and you should be quite happy with the snake :biggrin2:

[Dr Alan]

Is it me or is your ^^ avatar HUGE?

Yeah...gotta work on that. Don't know why.

[Dr Alan]

though I have never had one bite (except once when I had a rat in my hand.... :blackeye: :dead: )


:sobstory: Mine has bitten me - my fault - I misjudged his "twist and lunge" range once when restraining him when he was much smaller. He's pushing 50# now and I'm much more careful about adequately restraining his head. I may be able to find the (literally) bloody pics if anyone is interested.

[Andrewpythonman]

Rock Pythons are beautiful snakes and a joy to own. I have one extreamly nice male and I am goinging to get him a beautiful feamale for him