neils pythons

2011-12-15T02:50:00.000-08:00

November trip to the
Warrumbungle mountains in northern NSW.
Also some images from around Yoeval, the Dubbo zoo and the
Burrendong Arboretum.

2011-12-15T02:48:00.000-08:00

2011-12-15T02:45:00.000-08:00

2011-12-15T02:40:00.000-08:00

2011-12-15T02:37:00.000-08:00

Darwin

2011-08-02T21:25:00.001-07:00

Just got back from the top end.

Singapore

2011-08-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

Crocodile lizard at the zoo on our recent tour of Singapore.

Retirement

2011-07-30T03:56:00.000-07:00

Many will have heard by now that Cathy and I have decided to retire from serious reptile breeding and from running Sonnemann’s Snakes. In 30 years I have never been able to take a decent holiday because of all the reptiles. Once the collection grew to over 2,000 animals it became almost impossible to have any sort of holiday.

It’s been a very hard decision to finally quit; but I also believe that now is a very exciting time for reptile breeding. The past was about learning how to breed Australian pythons and then developing the first selective breeding programs. Today there is so much new genetic material to work with that there are certainly exciting times ahead. I predict that Black headed pythons will attain the status of Ball pythons in the US, with many similar mutations developed right here. In time we may be able to export our pythons to satisfy overseas demand, all it takes is a change of government and some intense lobbying to make it happen. Some live native fauna exports are already underway with farmed species of birds and invertebrates.

We intend to do lots of traveling in Australia and overseas, observing and photographing a variety of wildlife- so I'm not giving up the reptiles altogether just the breeding and feeding aspect.

We would like to give our best wishes to all the people that have been so good to deal with and those that have been a positive influence on the hobby.

All the best

Neil Sonnemann

Terrarium for sale

2011-07-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

Terrarium style cage to suit lizards.
Black frame with glass and mesh for
ventilation. Has been used for geckos
in the past and would look good with
live plants or as a desert vivarium.
Can be heated via heat cord under
the cage or above with a spot globe
on top of mesh, heating not included.
Pickup NE Victoria. $90.
Sold

Display cages and enclosures

2011-07-02T02:21:00.000-07:00

Two large white cages for sale.
Made of white melamine, top opening doors.
Small viewing windows in the door.
Each cage divided in two, can be used as one
or two boxes by blocking off central divider.
No thermostat.
Single BC light globe fitting at one end for heat.
Used to quarantine large pythons prior to
introducing to the main reptile room.
Pickup only NE Victoria. $60 each.

Now SOLD

2011-07-02T02:11:00.000-07:00

Cage for sale.
Small white melamine cage, thermostatic temperature control.
Front opening single aluminium framed door. One BC batten holder
for light globe heating. Useful for small snakes and lizards or as a
quarantine cage. $80.
NOW SOLD

Calico offspring for sale

2011-06-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

For Sale: An outstanding pair of young and growing black headed pythons from our Calico female.

SOLD

This is the very last pair of Calico offspring to be offered for sale by Sonnemann's Snakes.

Our old Calico female (9.5), was paired with one of her sons last season to produce this pair.

The Sire 4.61 is exceptionally quiet and a well marked animal with great genetics.

Their Grandfather (2.57) was the original Axanthic male born at this facility.

The Great Grandfather (FF) was pinstriped and displayed reduced black banding, which has carried down to the red banding of this female.

This male (FF) was the result of four generations of selective captive breeding from the original breeders.

The pair for sale is 6 months old, and are extremely healthy robust animals. They are very quiet and handle well. Each one has had over 20 unassisted feeds, and are now ready to be sold. They are showing good colour and patterning with good clear background colouring. The female is lacking black on body scales and is an exceptional snake even without the Calico breeding behind her.These babies are some of the quietest animals produced to date, very much like their mother, which is extremely placid and easy to handle.

These were to be kept, but now that retirement is looming, they must be sold. They will be sold as a pair only. These may go Calico, and no guarantee can be given, but many of the progeny of this female have turned Calico.

They are being offered at a very realistic price but are pickup only- no airfreight is available now.

SOLD

Photos below of the pair, and other pictures of the adults are available on our blog:

Enquiries to Neil at: neils@netc.net.au

2010 hatchlings for sale

2011-05-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

Woma Python - Male SA woma is an established feeder with a good temperament. Light in colour with a reduced pattern, this is one of the nicest babies produced this year. Both parents are stunning and guaranteed Moonba locality animals. Juvenile male. SOLD

Rough Scaled python - Male number 3 has had a total of 7 feeds on mice and has just started feeding on rats today. An established feeder and ready to go. SOLD

Rough scaled python - Female number 6 has had 4 feeds on rats only. Prefers rats to mice.$450. plus freight. SOLD

Rough Scaled python- Male number 4. Just starting to feed well on its own with 3 feeds on mice only, has not eaten rats as yet. SOLD

Rough Scaled python - Male number 2 has had 7 feeds on mice and is an established feeder.$400 plus airfreight can be arranged at cost. SOLD

2011-04-09T00:40:00.000-07:00

The above photo shows a panorama
of the Melbourne VHS Reptile Expo.
It was a very successful event with
Sonnemanns Snakes having our final
stand at any Expo.
There are a few reluctant hatching pythons
that I'm still working on to get feeding, so if
you are in the market for a Black-
headed, SA woma, Childrens or a Rough
scaled python then get in touch.
They are going out at ridiculous prices
this year.

2011-01-07T17:32:00.000-08:00

Well, another successful breeding year over with all
the babies hatched out now. We have some very nice
black headed and woma pythons this year that should
turn into superb adults. Most are not feeding voluntarily
as yet, its just a waiting game to see which ones start next.
For those that have particular lines ordered we should be
able to offer you something soon, just as soon as I'm happy
that they will feed on dead rodents every time offered.

As this is my last season of breeding numbers of pythons
there will be some specials to be had at the Melbourne
VHS Reptile Expo. We will have a table on the day with
our banner "Sonnemanns Snakes" on the wall at the back.
In particular we will have Black headeds, Womas and
Childrens pythons at very reasonable prices and intend
to sell out on the day. Come up and make us an offer on
job lots, no reasonable offer refused.

For those that cannot get to the Expos we can airfreight
to most major and regional airports around the country.
Send us an e-mail stating exactly what you are looking for
in your next pet and we may be able to help you out!.

2010-12-03T13:14:00.000-08:00

Hatching time is here again , this
is a nicely contrasting hatchling
that has just sloughed its skin.
Still taking orders for a broad
range of animals, some with
excellent genetics.

2010-11-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

The SA woma female has laid
a big clutch of 17 eggs.
Taking orders for babies.

2010-10-12T23:46:00.000-07:00

Female SA Woma python basking after her pre-lay
slough. Eggs are expected in about a months time
and hatchlings will be available for sale early in the
new year. They will be affordable so that everyone
who wants a woma can buy one.

2010-10-06T03:35:00.000-07:00

The last Axanthic het female
laid a big clutch of 16 eggs today.
This is the last bhp clutch this
year, now the waiting starts until
the eggs hatch in December.

2010-10-03T02:48:00.000-07:00

The above female black headed
is the last to lay for this season.
This is a much anticipated clutch
as she carries both the Axanthic
and the Calico gene.

2010-10-03T02:42:00.000-07:00

Black headed female 11.3 has laid a perfect clutch of eggs, the attached photos show the process
of removing the eggs carefully from the female after the last egg has been laid so as not to disturb the female. Eggs are aired for about an hour on the bench to harden them up prior
to numbering with a pencil and then going into artificial incubation.

2010-10-03T02:39:00.000-07:00

2010-09-23T04:54:00.001-07:00

Its been a big week here at Sonnemann's Snakes with multiple clutches of Black headed python eggs laid. These are due to hatch by mid-November and at least some babies are expected to be ready to go during December. Although the order book has been closed on some clutches due to
the demand for babies carrying exceptional genetics, it is still worth getting your name down in the event of cancellations.

2010-09-23T04:36:00.001-07:00

Axanthic female with her clutch
of eggs laid this week.
Full Axanthic babies will hatch
from this clutch of eggs.

2010-09-23T04:31:00.000-07:00

Axanthic/Calico het female 452 in the inverted position prior to laying eggs this week.
Babies of normal appearance carrying both the Axanthic and Calico genes will be
available from this clutch. Contact us for a price list.

2010-09-23T04:26:00.000-07:00

Female 110 with a big clutch of 19 eggs,
babies will be available at a very good price
so that every household will able to afford
a Sonnemann's bhp this year.

2010-09-23T04:14:00.000-07:00

Axanthic het female number 119 basking under the heat lamp prior to laying a perfect clutch of eggs. Expecting some nice pinstriped hatchlings from this clutch as both parents have reduced banding. Axanthics and full het babies will be available later in the year.

2010-09-10T03:12:00.000-07:00

452 female het showing white
scales under the belly.
Orders taken now for offspring.

2010-09-10T03:10:00.000-07:00

449 het axanthic female is gravid.
100% hets will be available later.

2010-09-10T03:07:00.000-07:00

Axantic Het female 452 in the
inverted position, due to lay this
month. 100% hets will be available.

2010-09-10T03:06:00.000-07:00

119 is a sister to the one below,
also a het axanthic and gravid too.

2010-09-10T03:04:00.000-07:00

Het Axanthic 113 is gravid this
year. Orders accepted for offspring.

2010-09-10T02:53:00.000-07:00

Black headed 110 in the inverted
position, due to lay eggs this month.
Babies are expected to display classic
orange banding and will be sold at
a discounted rate once feeding.

2010-09-10T02:22:00.000-07:00

Good news!
The Calico girl has produced a clutch
of eggs, 9 being fertile, on the
8th of September.

2010-08-08T00:34:00.000-07:00

Above is a close-up photo of the head of the Calico female, showing the reduced black colouration of the hood covering the head.
Orders are now being accepted for offspring from this female. Her babies will carry genes for Axanthics and also for the Calico trait, whilst not strictly double hets they will be special.

2010-08-08T00:26:00.000-07:00

Sloughing on the 6th of August, the
Calico female should lay her eggs in
the first week of September.
A couple of photos here post slough.

2010-08-08T00:21:00.000-07:00

The Calico female ovulated on the 19th
of July as can be seen by the massive mid body swelling. This lasts a couple of days until the eggs are fertilised.
Previously she has laid up to 17 eggs in a clutch.

2010-06-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

Below are some recent photos of this years breeding season in the snake room.

We have put some nice black headeds together this year on a very carefully planned mating schedule. This has been designed to hatch what we hope will be the very best young so far produced here.

After many generations in the pipeline this will be the apex of the lines developed to date, they will not get much better than this.

Orders are being taken now.

2010-06-25T04:26:00.000-07:00

2010-06-25T04:24:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T05:14:00.000-07:00

Below are some images of the recent Expo in Sydney.
Congratulations to the organisers for a well planned
and successful event.

2010-05-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T05:10:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T05:05:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T05:03:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T04:59:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T04:56:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T04:53:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T04:51:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T04:45:00.000-07:00

2010-05-11T04:37:00.000-07:00

2009-11-17T20:50:00.000-08:00

The last of the axanthic babies
has hatched and it looks amazing.
This one has the most reduced
banding of the axanthics so far
produced and is the F5 generation
from the original pair from 16 years
ago. Number 731 on the tree, so far!
Sorry, this one is a keeper.

2009-11-15T02:27:00.000-08:00

The first hatchling from the pure
axanthic clutch. Very happy
with this one.

2009-11-14T15:28:00.000-08:00

The second clutch of bhps is on
the way to hatching. 3 heads out
this morning, photos of babies
coming soon.

2009-11-14T15:25:00.000-08:00

Hatchling bhp with head out
of the egg prior to hatching.

2009-11-08T23:14:00.000-08:00

The first Axanthic baby from
the het clutch of dam 119 has
hatched today and had its photo
taken. A big healthy baby around
90 grams with some very nice
banding.

2009-11-08T23:10:00.000-08:00

Axanthic baby hatched today.
Some thin bands on the body
of this hatchling.

2009-11-08T23:06:00.000-08:00

Axanthic het from female 119.
The het clutch has now hatched
and there are some nice ones
carrying the axanthic gene for
sale.

2009-11-08T22:58:00.000-08:00

Hatchling Axanthic het out
today.

2009-11-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

The first hatchling for the year
emerged today!.
This is a het Axanthic and will
be for sale once it is sexed and
ready to go.
Still taking orders.

2009-09-26T01:28:00.000-07:00

The RHD woma female has laid a small
clutch of 7 eggs, with 2 being infertile.
Orders taken now for hatchlings
at $500 each.

2009-09-20T04:47:00.000-07:00

AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST!
Axanthic X Axanthic eggs

Axanthic black headed with eggs
laid on 20.9.09. A perfect clutch
of 10 fertile eggs.
This clutch is from unrelated
Axanthic parents and is believed
to be the first pure Axanthic clutch
laid in Australia.
The order book is now full for
hatchlings from these eggs but
expressions of interest are still
invited for late cancellations.

2009-09-08T03:05:00.000-07:00

Gravid Axanthic bhp female, due
to lay on the 23rd September.
Mated to an Axanthic male this
year.

2009-09-08T03:03:00.000-07:00

RHD woma female is gravid
again this year. She produces
just a few high quality babies
each year. Taking orders now.

2009-08-13T02:28:00.000-07:00

Close up of the head of an adult
black headed python.

2009-08-13T02:21:00.000-07:00

One of last years Axanthic
females is growing well and
should be ready to breed in 2011.

2009-08-13T02:14:00.000-07:00

Giant cave gecko female.

2009-08-13T02:13:00.000-07:00

Giant cave gecko female on
the wall of the cage. Eggs are
visible in front of the hind leg.

2009-06-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

Female black headed basking.

2009-06-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

Calico female pre-slough.

2009-06-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Black headed python pair.
Female 110 (larger) with male 275.

2009-06-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

2009-06-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

Cages for breeding female black
headed pythons.

2009-06-27T15:58:00.001-07:00

Clockwise from left, hatchling
racks, gecko racks and breeding
cages for larger pythons.

2009-06-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

Axanthic hets mating.

2009-06-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

Adult Axanthic male in
breeding colours.

2009-06-26T03:01:00.000-07:00

The photos below are of the Sydney Frog and
Reptile Expo at Castle Hill in May of this year.

2009-05-06T03:23:00.000-07:00

2009-05-06T03:22:00.000-07:00

2009-05-06T03:21:00.000-07:00

2009-05-06T03:18:00.000-07:00

2009-05-06T03:16:00.000-07:00

2009-05-06T03:15:00.000-07:00

2009-05-06T03:14:00.000-07:00

2009-05-06T03:13:00.000-07:00

2009-05-06T03:12:00.000-07:00

2009-05-06T03:09:00.000-07:00

2009-04-18T01:37:00.000-07:00

The photos above are of this years reptile Expo
at Castle Hill in Sydney, not to be confused with
the shots below of this years VHS Expo in Melbourne.

Sonnemann's Snakes had a breeders table at both events
and we plan to be attending again next year in 2010.

2009-03-01T02:34:00.000-08:00

This is our display at the VHS Expo this year,
featuring some nice black-headed pythons,
as well as womas, childrens ,knob-tailed geckos
and fat-tailed dunnarts.

2009-03-01T02:32:00.000-08:00

2009-03-01T02:31:00.000-08:00

2009-03-01T02:30:00.000-08:00

2009-03-01T02:28:00.000-08:00

2009-03-01T02:22:00.000-08:00

Some photos from the recent VHS Expo in Melbourne.
A great day was had by all and some very nice animals were on display.
Well done to the organisers and we are looking forward to next years Expo.

2008-11-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

Three black headed hatchlings.

2008-11-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

RHD woma pair, four babies
from these this year.

2008-11-14T19:51:00.001-08:00

WA yearling female bhp.

2008-11-14T19:50:00.000-08:00

461 het axanthic male.

2008-11-14T19:49:00.000-08:00

460 het axanthic male.

2008-11-14T19:48:00.000-08:00

278 male.