Small Python Care: the Savu Python

[frank indiviglio]

Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a herpetologist, zoologist, and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo.
Pythons are highly valued by snake enthusiasts, but most become too large for the average household, and cannot be safely handled by young or inexperienced keepers. But in the early 1990’s a “big python in a small package” appeared in the pet trade, and its popularity has since soared. Averaging only 3 ½ to 4 ½ feet in length, the Save or White-Eyed Python (Liasis savuensis) is beautifully iridescent and calm in demeanor. And, with a natural range that spans a mere 60 square miles, this interesting snake is also important from a conservation perspective. Read the rest of this article here Savu Python : Keeping One of the Smallest Pythons | That Reptile Blog
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My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: That Pet Place Welcomes Frank Indiviglio | That Reptile Blog

Best Regards, Frank

 

[Aimless]

interesting read! I have a trio of these lovely pythons and am hoping to breed them.

I got my first one over 7 years ago. she's been in a semi-naturalistic tall aquarium since she came out of QT and has never had a mouth issue (and I do feed in-cage). likewise my other two, although I haven't had them as long. can you expand on portion of your article? I've spoken to a number of other Savu (and Liasis) keepers and breeders, and have not heard of this being a problem.

for substrate, I use a base of soil with a top layer of one side cypress bark and the other side moss. they like to burrow. they are aggressive feeders and often will eat from perches, which they mount when I come in the room with food. perhaps it's more of an issue with Savus that actually wrap and consume their prey on their substrate more often?

and Frank, do you keep these yourself? the several successful breeders that I have known don't even try to cycle before late winter, since they typically breed much later in the year than most pythons (at least in the US). there's also strong anecdotal evidence to suggest that misting schedules and feeding cycling can contribute to successful breeding, since equatorial Savu is so even in temperature year-round but does have a marked monsoon season. I've never heard of a clutch dropping earlier in the year than late June, and have seen them as late as November; have you had different experiences with yours?

and yes, I love these small pythons and always appreciate finding someone else who does too!

 

[Aimless]

and don't forget the insane iridescence!