Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just curious as to how these gorgeous pythons are as pets? I'm going to be getting my first snake next month. Rainbow Boa is my current #1 choice. But my mind changes every few days all over the place. I'm just trying to make sure I make the best decision for my first snake.

Do females get larger than males? how mean are they? Every video I see shows a very docile snake eating, or being handled well. I assume that takes alot of work to get them like that.

Actually, neither of your choices qualifies as a "good first snake". On the other hand, neither is terribly difficult either. My opinion is that a captive bred and born (CBB) Blood Python would be an easier keeper and much less prone to bite than any Rainbow Boa, but that is based on my experience only. But I'm confident that very few Blood enthusiasts expect to get bitten by their pythons. With the newest generations of CBBs, the psycho-chain-saw reputation of Blood Pythons is only a relic.

Yeah, I hear both species aren't exactly beginner snakes, but i'm up for the challenge. I'm going to research whichever I decide on for sure before I purchase. I already ordered my cage, and plan to get a thermostat next week along with everything needed for the inside of the habitat.

I'm just worried about the snakes in general, Bloods seem like they would be a cooler pet overall vs. a BRB.

Both are neat snakes. And since you know to do your homework in advance, neither will pose insurmountable problems. The only piece that I think is critical is CBB and then from a breeder who will act as a resource after the sale. Have fun.

Hey Bill, last couple of questions. Sorry I ask so many...heh

Do all the different types of Blooods get to be about the same size? or are certain ones larger/smaller than others? Any good sites with alot of info on Bloods? I haven't been able to find much so far.

The three types are in fact, three different species. For the details on taxonomy, range and size, see Rich Crowley's post of June 17th for a link.
As far as care info, I like NERD's and VPI's essays. Also Pro Exotics' Robyn did a nice piece for Reptiles which may be reprinted on that website.

Awesome, I appreciate your help. Time to study up.

My experience with bloods is of the old school when they were all imports and were pissing acid mean. The CBB animals that are available today are a breath of fresh air compared to those animals, even the aggresive CBB animals now are nothing like those imports. As far as BRB's go, I currently have 1 female that is about 4ft long and a chow hound. Until 2 days ago she has never even given me the idea she would bite, but that was until 2 days ago. I had taken her out of her cage doing routine cleaning and was letting her crawl around the snake room like normal. When I went to pick her up, she quickly struck at me but missed and has yet to attempt biting again. This BRB is not handled tooo often, maybe once every 2 weeks and has maintained what I'd call very calm.

As far as care requirements, I've heard both are prone to resp infections if humidity and temp requirments are not kept almost perfect for any amount of time but cannot verify with bloods. My BRB on the other hand did try to get a RI once but lowering the temp to 85 throughout the cage instead of having a 92 degree basking and 80 degree cool end and bumping the humidity up to 75% knocked it out in 2 days (I only heard a clicking sound twice so it was a very mild RI if at all).

Me personally, I wouldn't classify either species as a beginner even with the propper homework being done ahead of time, just because of their husbandry requirements and non-tolerance of errors that all beginners make without knowing how to correct them before they become serious.

A good trial run before you buy the snake would be to set-up your cage 4 months before you purchase the animal. If you are able to maintain the proper conditions for the entire time or fix any problems within 48 hrs you should be ready to join the world of snake keepers. In the set-up be sure to include some way to monitor the temp, the humidity, and some way to control the temp via thermostat or rheostat. I wish you best of luck and look forward to welcoming you into the club of big snake owners. (yes I'd consider both species as big snakes)
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Josh Hutto
J&K Reptiles

2.3 het pied (RDR, alan bosch x 2, BHB x 2)
1.0 Spider Ball python (Ballroom pythons south)
1.0 Vanilla Ball Python (Gulf Coast)
0.1 High Contrast Albino (Gulf Coast)
1.1 het albino (ben siegel, Gulf Coast)
1.2 het citrus ghost(Gulf Coast line)
1.0 citrus ghost (Gulf Coast line)
1.1 graz pastel female
Alot of normal BP females (some not so normal)
2 various corns
0.1 brazilian rainbow boa (alan bosch)
1.0 american pit bull terrier
1.1 taco dogs (ankle biters)
1.0 grey cat
0.1 columbian red-tail boa

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrier as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!