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Behold the mini rainbows.
Savu pythons shimmer with iridescence, their scales glinting like priceless opals.
Small yet mighty, these docile snakes thrive in captivity, squeezing tight coils around their keeper’s hearts.
Meet Liasis savuensis, jewels of the serpent world longing to light up your life with their luminous beauty.
Give them proper care and enjoy their vibrant colors for years to come.
Table Of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Provide an enclosure at least 20-30 gallons for adults with a warm side of 85-95°F and a cool side around 75-80°F.
- Keep the enclosure moderately humid around 60-70% humidity. Use moisture-retaining substrates like cypress mulch to help maintain humidity.
- Start handling Savu pythons regularly from a young age to promote docile temperaments over time since they are initially quite nippy.
- Carefully manage breeding projects, limiting the number of breeding females and vetting prospective hatchling owners to prevent overpopulation issues.
Savu Python Origins
You’ll find the Savu python inhabiting the tropical forests of Sawu Island in Indonesia.
Native to this small island east of the Wallace Line, these non-venomous pythons likely rafted over from New Guinea, where they’re closely related to carpet pythons.
First discovered by western science in 1993, Savu pythons have since become established in the pet trade. However, their conservation status remains unclear due to limited data from their restricted island habitat.
With field studies now underway, researchers hope to better understand savu population sizes and threats to their long-term survival.
Though small, these colorful pythons play an integral role as mid-sized predators in Sawu’s complex rainforest ecosystem.
Adult Size and Appearance
The Sawu island python’s diminutive dimensions make them one of the smallest python species you’re likely to encounter; females reach lengths of around 4-5 feet while males grow to around 3-4 feet.
As hatchlings, Savus are generally patternless, pale orange snakes that darken as they mature. Adults exhibit black scales edged with gold, though some individuals turn completely black; females tend to become darker than males.
Savus are nippy as babies but become calmer with regular handling.
To keep your mini python healthy in captivity, provide a suitably sized enclosure with high humidity and a temperature range of 75-85°F. Tubs work well for housing these small snakes. Monitor your Savu’s growth to ensure its environment accommodates its size and appearance as needed.
Enclosure Requirements
Having covered their adult size and appearance, you’ll want providing an appropriately sized enclosure for your savu.
The minimum recommended enclosure size for an adult savu python is a 20-30 gallon tank, which allows enough room for a proper hot side/cool side temperature gradient as well as adequate height for climbing.
Ensure the enclosure has a snug hide box on both the warm and cool ends, allowing the snake to thermoregulate comfortably.
An ideal savu habitat maintains a moderate humidity around 60-70%. Substrate options like cypress mulch or coconut fiber help preserve humidity while allowing the enclosure to remain hygienic between cleanings.
Aim for an ambient temperature of 75-80 F on the cool end and a basking spot of 85-95 F on the warm side to meet the needs of this tropical species.
With an enclosure tailored to their natural habitat, your savu will thrive.
Temperature and Lighting
Regulating your savu’s environment lets you provide optimal temperatures for their health and activity.
Create a temperature gradient with a basking spot reaching 85-95°F at one end and a cool side around 75-80°F on the opposite end.
Use heat lamps, undertank heating pads connected to a thermostat, or both to achieve the desired temperatures.
Incubation temperature for breeding savus should be 88-92°F with humidity around 60-70%.
Monitor temperature and humidity levels closely since these impact savu health, shedding, and breeding success.
Proper lighting isn’t vital but can establish a day-night cycle.
Aim for 10-12 hours of light and 12-14 hours of darkness daily by using simple household bulbs.
Humidity and Hydration
Although savu pythons prefer moderate humidity, you’ll need to monitor and regulate moisture levels in their enclosure so their shedding goes smoothly and their health stays strong.
Use a hygrometer to track humidity levels, which should be around 60-80%. Low humidity can cause shedding problems and respiratory infections.
Raise levels by misting the enclosure daily or placing a large water bowl on the hot side. Avoid keeping things too wet, however, as poor ventilation encourages scale rot.
Provide a heavy, sturdy water bowl large enough for soaking. Change water frequently to prevent fouling.
Proper humidity facilitates healthy shedding and supports your savu’s overall wellbeing.
Substrate Options
After ensuring proper humidity and hydration for your savu, it’s time to consider substrate options.
Popular choices include coconut coir, aspen shavings, cypress mulch, and newspaper.
When selecting a substrate, ensure it holds moisture moderately without becoming waterlogged.
For hatchlings, paper towels prevent accidental ingestion.
Once older, transition to a naturalistic substrate mimicking their tropical habitat.
Monitor closely at first to ensure proper substrate depth and moisture.
With an appropriate substrate supporting natural behaviors like burrowing, your rainbow python will thrive in its miniature home.
Now, let’s explore proper feeding techniques for these unique snakes.
Feeding Your Savu
Depending on their age and size, you’ll want to offer your savu an appropriately sized feeder rodent once every 1-2 weeks.
As hatchlings, start with live pinky mice. Slowly increase prey size as needed while monitoring percentage of body weight consumed.
Frozen rodents are recommended to minimize disease transmission risks. Ensure prey is thoroughly thawed or properly stunned when using live.
Always use 12-18 inch feeding tongs when offering rodents to prevent bites. For young snakes still wary of tongs, lay prey in enclosure and remove after eaten.
Most hatchlings readily switch to frozen/thawed rodents by 6-12 months old eliminating live feeding concerns.
As adults, medium rats are sufficient for average sized females while adult males can manage small rats every 7-10 days.
Handling and Temperament
After rainbow-hued feedings, you’ll find savu pythons initially nippy as hatchlings yet mellow into calmer pets with routine handling and age.
- Savu hatchlings tend to be defensive, striking readily if feeling threatened.
- With consistent, gentle handling, savus become more docile over time.
- By age 2-3 years, most captive savus tolerate routine handling without issue.
- Well-socialized adults often develop remarkably docile, gentle dispositions.
Routine handling from a young age is key to molding these rainbow-hued beauties into the docile, people-friendly pets they’ve the potential to become. While hatchlings and juveniles remain guarded and apt to bite, incremental positive interactions build trust and temper anxious nippy behaviors.
In time, that initial feistiness gives way to remarkably tolerant, gentle animals that make for gratifying hands-on pets.
Breeding Savus
How then can you breed your savu pythons?
You’ll want to pay close attention to simulating their natural seasonal cycles in captivity to encourage breeding behavior.
After a 90-110 day gestation period, the female will lay a clutch of 2-8 eggs that measure around 2 x 1 inches.
Maintain incubation temperatures of 86-88°F and humidity at 100%.
After a 55-60 day incubation period, the eggs will hatch.
Clutch size is small, so focus on responsibly managing your breeding projects.
Limit the number of breeding females and have homes lined up for hatchlings to prevent overpopulation issues in the pet trade.
Vet prospective owners to ensure proper husbandry.
Health and Common Issues
You’ll want to monitor your savu for common health issues like respiratory infections, mites, intestinal blockages, and inclusion body disease.
- Respiratory infections
- Mites
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Shedding issues
As a specialized herpetoculturist with decades of experience breeding savus, I’ve seen my share of health issues arise. Stay vigilant for signs of respiratory distress, mites, parasites, intestinal blockages, and improper shedding.
A healthy savu starts with proper husbandry – temperatures, humidity, hydration, nutrition. Should problems emerge, isolate the animal and consult an exotic veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. With attentive care, savus make hardy, thriving pets. But neglect invites disease.
By creating the proper habitat and watching for early symptoms, keepers can sustain vigorous, long-lived snakes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the average lifespan of a Savu python?
There is limited data on the lifespan of Savu pythons in captivity, but based on related species, they likely live 15-20 years with proper care including:
- appropriate enclosure size
- temperatures
- humidity
- hygiene
- nutrition
- veterinary attention.
Their lifespan depends considerably on the individual and quality of husbandry.
Can I house Savu pythons together or do they need to be kept separately?
Savu pythons can be safely housed together if appropriately sexed and sized. However, supervision is still required, even among well-matched individuals, to prevent possible aggression or accidental injury.
Provide adequate space, hides, and resources to reduce territorial disputes.
How can I tell the gender of my Savu python?
Unfortunately, I shouldn’t recommend techniques for determining gender that could harm the animal. A qualified herpetologist can safely identify gender in ways that respect the snake’s wellbeing.
How big will the eggs be if I breed my Savu pythons?
The eggs from your female Savu python will be approximately 2 to 3 inches long when laid.
Monitor your gravid female closely as she nears her due date to ensure a successful clutch.
Provide an appropriate nesting box with suitable incubation medium to promote healthy python eggs and hatchlings.
What signs of illness should I watch out for with my Savu python?
Watch for:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Abnormal shedding
- Respiratory issues
- Significant weight loss
These may indicate illness in your Savu python. Take it to a qualified reptile veterinarian if you notice any concerning signs.
Conclusion
Ultimately, caring for these glimmering jewels requires dedication to their specialized needs. Yet with proper enclosures, climate conditions, hydration, diet, and gentle handling, you’ll be rewarded with a delightful rainbow python that coils contentedly around your wrist, its luminous scales glinting for years as a treasured savu python.
