Diamond Pythons?

Brad_J · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2002, 10:17 PM

Does anyone know where I can buy a Diamond Python. I live in Michigan, I would prefer internet sites. Thank You
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#2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2002, 03:51 PM

Man, you must be rich. The cheapest I've seen a Diamond list for is $1000. Still interested? They have VERY different requirements than most pythons, you keep them almost like a colubrid.

How much snake experience do you have? These are very advanced snakes to try and keep, they have a thing called "diamond syndrom" which tends to kill a lot of them before age 3. I highly suggest you read our caresheet on diamond pythons...

http://www.eastbayvivarium.com/price...ythonlist.html (currently sold out, $1000)

http://www.reptilicusreptiles.com/htm/pythons.htm (currently none available)

http://www.centralcoastreptiles.com/babydiamond.htm (no price, must call)

http://www.a1pythons.com/febcurav1.htm ($1000)
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Brad_J · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2002, 05:15 PM

Thanks for the links. I had no idea they were that expensive [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] I think I'll just get a carpet python [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] I have three years with snakes. I read about that Diamond Syndrome, it doesn't seem like a big hassle, if you keep an eye on things.
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#4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2002, 06:54 PM

I think the carpet is a wise choice, espically if you have no previous Morelia experience.

Snakes cost that much for 2 reasons usually:
(1) they're hard to breed
(2) they're very rare
2 usually is a result of 1

That's why Eastern Indigoes are $600+, they're difficult to breed also. The fact that diamond python prices haven't dropped much in the last few years tells me there are still very few people breeding them successfully.

Things ALWAYS look easier on paper also, actually applying the knowledge sometimes is a different thing altogether.

A diamond python is on my wish list, not strictly for the price but because I have a 3 year old daughter and some other snakes right now, and I know I don't have the time to devote to the Diamond to ensure it's health. So if I don't have the time, I might just as well flush my $1000 down the toilet. They're aren't some mystic snake that requires voodoo knowledge to keep healthy. I just liken them to Emerald Tree Boas, they have narrow, specific requirements and don't do too well if you get outside the husbandry boundaries for them.
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bensnacks · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2002, 11:44 AM

Hey J!,why do you say quite difficult??
Is it a climate thing ?? Here they are considered
reasonably basic!

P.S. I may have a tip for you on the beeding of diamonds issue.
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#6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2002, 03:05 PM

Yeah, there they are native down there and people are more knowledgeable about them. Here, people try to raise them like Burms and it just doesn't work. They cannot be raised to breeding size in 2 years like most other pythons can, diamonds need to be raised to breeding size in more like 4 years. They cannot be kept successfully with temps in the mid 80's to low 90's

Like I said, they aren't voodoo magic, they just have specific requirements and don't do well if kept like 'regular' pythons. If you took a north american ratsnake caresheet and applied it to a dimaond python, you'd probably do quite well. But the fact remains that in the US they aren't bred nearly as successfully as burmese pythons. I think if people looked at where they come from geographically and checked the temperature data for that region, they'd see why.

If you try to power feed a diamond, they end up will skeletal troubles. Their bone structure seems to grow more slowly than other pythons.

If you have any Diamond tips, let'm rip!
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najaboy · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2002, 03:35 PM

Here in the US, you're exceptional if you can keep a diamond alive longer than 7-10 years. Diamonds over here typically suffer from chronic degeneration of the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. Breeding results in a high percentage of infertile eggs.

Of all the pythons that have been kept in captivity for some time, diamonds are considered to be the most difficult to maintain. This may be due to a need for UVB and a preference for cooler temps.
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bensnacks · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2002, 09:53 AM

I was talking to a guy today who told me
that Diamonds almost always kick it at 6yrs
"if kept indoors " outdoor cages have housed
diamonds for 30yrs!!! this comes from a reliable source.

On breeding diamonds ,in the wild they most often form
breeding aggregations stimulation from other snakes
may be needed to get things going .Try freezing the
sheds of male pythons when fresh & introducing
them into the enclosure w/the lucky couple .
(You've probably heard this one before)

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