Angolan Python
(python anchietae)
General Info
Angolan Pythons are native to Africa, specifically regions of Angola and Namibia. Wild caught snakes are extremely hard to obtain due to the civil unrest in those areas, making this
python species very rare in captivity. They are even more difficult of obtain in the U.K., from what I understand, and lately I have had requests from that region alone for more than I can produce in a year.
Due to the circumstances of their natural habitat they are listed in Appedix II of the CITES agreement. Since they are so desired as well as hard to find, this agreement ensures trade (buying and selling) does not endanger them. The snakes in my collection are from legally obtained and imported stock.
A unique aspect of these pythons is the beaded texture of their scales - it feels like hundreds of tiny pearls. They eat and breed very consistently and adapt well to thier environment. They are perfect for both an amatuer enthusiast as well as the serious investment breeder, and a python collection is not really complete until this species is represented. They tend to have a very polite demeanor heavily punctuated by rampant curiosity. You will probably find, as I have, that they have much more personality than their popular cousin,
the Ball Python (Python regius). One of my males has a fairly aggressive personality, much more aggressive than I have seen from any other Angolan Python, so I call him "Junk Yard Dog" after the famous defense of the 1985 Chicago Bears. He's been fiesty since I bought him as a hatchling, but since he eats so aggressively I think he will be a great breeder for me.
Vivarium magazine published a great article by Dave and Tracy Barker in 1995. It's informative and fun to read, so I've included a link here to share it with you.
exerpts below
" Of course we hold dear the usual boid dreams-the albino blood python, the axanthic Burmese python, an albino jungle carpet python, an albino Madagascar ground boa,
a piebald boa constrictor - the list of beautiful possibilities is endless in fantasies. But one of our oldest dreams came true for us when, in 1990, we received in trade from a U.S. zoo hatchling dwarf pythons, Python anchietae, two males and a female."
"Python anchietae is one of the most rewarding species with which we have ever worked... and this has been one of our easiest and quickest projects"
Sorry, this pair has been SOLD!
I finally have another pair of Angolan Pythons for sale!
After much deliberation, I have decided to make another pair of my breeding stock available. I have taken care of them meticulously, feeding them only mice from trustworthy sources and housing them at the precise temperatures at which they are most comfortable. I need the funds for another project, and since the inquiries have been so extremely high I have decided to let a pair go. All my stock have been hand-picked by Casey Lazik himself as having above average potential.
I am asking $7500 USD. The reward for breeding them is not only financial; including this incredible animal in your collection will give you a lot of fun and satisfaction. Angolan Pythons simply are a must have for any python collector or reptile enthusiast. You will find them easy to keep, enjoyable to handle, and well worth the investment. You can find the details of this pair on the "Exceptional Reptiles for sale" page, and to inquire you can contact me directly at the "Contact Me" page.
I have experience shipping these species outside of the United States and would be happy to do so.
"Morphs"
There is a possiblity that a hypomelanistic Angolan Python may exist but the trait is still being proven. My collection includes a grandson of that origianal "hypo". HIs sister is pictured here to the left.