Bismarck ringed python

Common name: Ringed python

Scientific name: Bothrochilus boa

Other common names: ring python or Bismarck ringed python

General Description: A small round-bodied species with a head only slightly wider that the neck. Ringed pythons have black heads, and the body is dark brown patterned with wide black rings around the body. Some specimens may have black rings that are irregular, incompletely formed or even absent.

Average adult size: 36"- 56"

Distribution: restricted to northeast Papua-New Guinea, from the region of the Bismarck Archipelago. Most specimens in captivity come from either New Ireland or New Britain.

Comments: A highly iridescent, beautiful little python. Hatchlings are patterned as adults, but the brown of adults is replaced by bright orange; many keepers consider hatchling ringed pythons to be the prettiest of all the pythons. Ringed pythons are typically snappy as youngsters, but then settle down to become trustworthy captives as they mature. Wild-caught animals are not available. The species appears to be well-established in captivity with several hundred ringed pythons hatching out around the country each year. Captive specimens seem to benefit if provided with a box of damp moss in which to occasionally sit. This species likes high humidity but is intolerant of poor ventilation or wet conditions.