OK...you Afrock People...

[KLG]

So what is it that "does it" for you with regards to these snakes? I'm just really curious to hear it from you guys, since this is probably one of the last animals I'd keep if I had a choice...I don't say that to be disparaging at all, especially since they're lovely, challenging snakes, but it's just not an animal that gets me sweaty.

So I'm curious to know how you die-hards got hooked on them & what your favorite experiences have been.

K

[kwickfix2001]

I love the way they look. I really like the patternless rocks, but I also like the normals. Most people know that I am tic freak, so the size that the rocks get is very appealling to me.

It's just not just the fact that they get big, it's because they are gorgeous in my mind, and they become a big gorgeous snake. I really like the shape of their heads.:D I also think it has alot to do with that they are a challenge.

They are nothing like a retic. They are in my mind alot stonger and faster, which is where the challenge comes into play. My girl keeps me on my toes, and I can not wait till she gets bigger. She is going to be a real looker when she gets bigger.

There is probably more I would like to add to this, but I just got off work, and I'm going to bed.:D

[Omar]

Afrocks always interested me. I like their heads and flame patterns. They are kind of like burms and retics in a way. AT first they are real flighty like a baby retic, but they seem stronger. In some ways they kind of look like burms, and like burms, they get real girthy. The only reason these guys get such a bad rep is cause people may buy a 6ft WC Afrock and expect it to be tame. If u get a nice cb baby like I did, they tame real easy. I had three, and only 1 needed taming, the other one needed a little taming and the final one was always tame. I only have 1 now and I really like him. I am keeping a male since I don't think I'm gonna breed Afrocks and I have no use for a large female, I just want him for a pet.

[csnake]

The reason for me is plain and simple... I LOVE BIG SNAKES! And afrocks remind me of burms. Afrocks have some of the wildest pattern mutations (genetic and not) that fasinate me. Such as the patternless, abberant, twin stripe and my favorite the patternless twin stripe. All of those morphs mentioned are really affordable for someone like me. (prices under $650)

I would really like to aquire some patternless and twin stripe afrocks in the future. And like qwickfix said, they keep you on your toes, they each have their own distinct personalities, and you are always learning from them. (not that you wouldn't with anyother snake species)

[Ian]

Loaded question Kara ;)
As for me, I LOVE their patterns. The patternless morphs are great, but the normals are beautiful as well.
What got me started is that they are so unpopular. While I was growing up, my neighbor used to own a reptile store and would import AfRocks all the time, and they were always great snakes.
I also like how strong they are. They are thick like a burm, but stronger than a retic of similar size. My big male is a total sweetheart, dog tame, but his power is unbelievable! I cant believe how strong he is.
My big female is a b*tch, but I still like the challenge of keeping a snake not many people work with.
AfRocks are GREAT snakes for those with the experience to keep them. They are NOT beginner snakes, thats for sure, but they can make extremely rewarding captives if you take the time to hand tame them as hatchlings.
I expect to see them become more popular as CB becomes easier to buy and find.
Just my .02
(did I answer the question or just start rambling????)

IAN

[Ian]

Also their personality is unlike any other snake I have kept.
They are are highly curious snakes...which is another think I really like about them.

IAN

[KLG]

Ramble on bro...living vicariously through other herpers can be a great way to gain perspective on species one would not normally consider. It's always a pleasure to hear why folks enjoy working with their favorites & what made them favorites to begin with. :)

K

[Ian]

:) I am good at rambling.
Its hard to explain why I like AfRocks so much. Alot of it was due to the fact everyone was scared of them.
I also plan on working with Ceylonese pythons this year (thanks to your suggestion a few months ago Kara!)
They really are a blast to work with, strong strong snakes with awesome personalities. Its really hard to say why they are so great, they just are ;)

IAN

[Omar]

I was always unsure about getting one, but Ian got me crazy about them on BC forums. I got my first one back in june and she was awsome, but needed taming.

[ogrefcf]

Ian has some very nice afrocks. I love his patternless it is beautiful!

Owen

[Ian]

Thanks Owen.
That patternless was trying to take a 2 pound gpig when I left home this evening :)
Afrocks are amazing snakes!

IAN

[ogrefcf]

Sweet man! Glad to hear that. Rember you were worrying about Her eating or not.

Owen

[Brian Ott]

Does anyone have any pictures of some big rocks? I've seen tons of of the little guys, but does anyone keep these past 5ft?:)

[Ian]

Sure, all 3 of mine are over 5 feet!

I will try to get pics up tonight

IAN

[kwickfix2001]

Mine is around the same size as Ians. You could go to pp's site, they have some pics of their big ones.

[bogwan]

Beautiful,Inquistive and always a challenge.I love that they are so active.I have a female patternless and a male regular pattern both equally fascinating to me!As soon as they are out of the enclosure they just want to roam and explore.In my opinion they are misrepresented.I believe it is the same old story as the Retics.At one time they were all just wc, now alot of people are breeding them and they are not as bad as once thought. I know both mine were extremely flighty and nippy when first acquired.Now both handle well out of the enclosure.But like I said once out they just want to explore.Definitely not the type of snake that will be content wrapped around your arm.I have a passion for these large beauties that started when I was a reptile keeper at a zoo up here in NY.We had a 14' plus female that was a challenge to work with but she became one of my favorites.Well that is my humble opinion!

[murinus]

i would also love to see some pictures of 'bigger' afrocks please ;)

[Steve Ray]

This is my Biggest:

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/56203afrock-med.JPG

[Steve Ray]

Heres Another:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/Irwin_jr/African%20Rock%20Pythons/arock1.jpg

[murinus]

thanks, nice snake. has yours got much darker as it has aged? theres one for sale near me (hatchling) and it is very light coloured, so just wondered ?

[Steve Ray]

Thanks.

He has darkened up a little bit, but not a heckuva lot. Some keep their color better than others in my experience. Below is a pic of my newest baby one, she has some very light colors.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/Irwin_jr/African%20Rock%20Pythons/arock.jpg

[BoaBabe448]

steve-o are you a member on repticzone.com? just wonering because I think i've seen those pictures by someone on repticzone whos users name is "irwin" and his names steve.....just wondering...

[Steve Ray]

steve-o are you a member on repticzone.com? just wonering because I think i've seen those pictures by someone on repticzone whos users name is "irwin" and his names steve.....just wondering...


Yes, I am Irwin on repticzone, and several other forums.

[Kevyn]

I'm new to the Afrock thing, but I have always thought they are beautiful animals. I'm enjoying my little guy mainly because of his attitude. I really enjoy the challenge of working with spirited snakes. That and I just love working with big reptiles. I still prefer Asiatic Pythons (Retics, Burms, Bloods) but so far I'm loving being an Afrock owner.