Rare Jewels is a repeating segment where I spotlight a species of reptile that’s not very common in the pet trade. A lot of attention goes out to animals like corn snakes, ball pythons, leopard geckos and the like (for good reason!), so this is an opportunity to take a peek at some of the more obscure species. Simply because there are so many incredible options to choose from, it’s nice to highlight ones you might not have heard of before.
So the first feature of the column goes to the beautiful Bismark Ringed Python. These beauties from the Bismark archipelago off of Papua New Guinea begin their life bright orange and black, then turn golden as they age. One of the characteristic features is their black head, which has the appearance of a mask with a colored spot around their eye. For these burrowing snakes, the dark head helps absorb sunlight while the rest of their body is concealed underground. They are a medium sized snake, getting about six or seven feet and staying fairly slender. Another neat thing about these pythons is that they like it cooler than most, only needing basking temperatures of about 85 degrees. As a group, the ringed python is known to be a bit of a reluctant feeder when they’re young, but morph into having a ferocious appetite as they get older.
Unfortunately these snakes are not too common in Canada as of yet, though they are seen more frequently in the United States, so are not impossible for a determined collector to get a hold of! Before you purchase one, try to take a look at the parents, since these snakes go through such a massive color change over time. High contrast in between the rings is what is often preferred with these snakes, so look for that in the parents!
* Photo obtained from Google Images, unfortunately I have never had the chance to see one of these in person!
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