Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've kept a corn, kingsnake, 3 ball pythons, leopard gecko, and a crested gecko. Do you think that is enough experience for a Blood Python? What is the heaviest one you've ever seen?

i bought my first blood python after owning one bp and one carpet python. I now own 3 bloods and am getting 2 more. other people may have gone through lots more or even started out on bloods. nobody can tell you if you have enough "experience". it isnt really about experience. its about responsibility. a lot of people who get bloods say that bloods are for the more experienced because they are a bit nippy. all snakes are nippy. you just have to have the patience to get them calmed down. if you get a blood then dont give up on it the first time it bites you. more than likely at one time in your or the snake's life you will get bit. if your attitude is "if this thing ever bites me im gonna kill it", then dont buy a blood. if you think "weel, i'll just stick it in the tank and never interract with it so that way it cant bite me", then dont get a blood. yes bloods are cool because they have the coloration and they are a welcome relief from those boring ball pythons, but youre in this to take care of a living creature. for a very long time in fact.

so here are some things you might want to ask yourself

1. have I done all the research I can on bloods at this point?

2. Do I have a tank/cage ready in accordance with recommended specifications?

3. are the temp/humidity levels at an acceptable level in accordance with specifications?

4. Do I have an acceptable substrate that is mite free? have I treated the bedding I do have for mites?

5. Do I have a food source for the animal? Do I have a place I can get food for this animal and Do I know of a secondary location for food in case the main runs out?

6. Do I have the willingness to continue to interract with this animal even if and after it bites me?

7. Do I have the cajones to reach into a tank or cage housed by an animal nearly 6 feet long weighing 30-40 lbs with a reputation for being mean and nasty?

8. Is there a vet nearby who is licensed in herpetology? Where is the nearest one? Do I have the funds available and the means to get the snake to the vet at any given day/time in case of an emergency?

9. Do I have the willingness to ask what I dont know and the humility to learn from my mistakes?

10. Do I want this animal because I'm wanting to take care of this unique creature or because im wanting to scare my friends and family with it?

if youve answered yes to the first 9 and the first choice of number 10 then you may well be ready for one. if not then you may want to do whatever it is that needs to be done to get yourself ready or just forget about a blood entirely.
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
1.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)
0.1 Roommate (sigh...okay, she has a corn snake)

Thanks for all the good info, but I had a question on one of those questions.lol.

It said something about having to reach into an enclosure with a 30-40 lb snake that has a reputation of being nasty. I was looking at a lot of caresheets that say sumatran short tails are not as big as the others, topping at 5 feet and 15 pounds. Alot of them say that the Sumatrans are the most docile, too?

Is that correct?

well the stp's arent as big but they are still heavy bodied. not sure of the averages for them. the one i had was very docile however it passed away before it reached maturity. in the previous post i was referring to the reds.
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
1.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)
0.1 Roommate (sigh...okay, she has a corn snake)

The sizes mentioned in caresheets are general averages... it's always possible for a Sumatran to get pretty huge, but on average they will be a bit smaller than the Bloods. Also males will be a bit smaller than females will.

Like pythonis mentioned, the experience people recommend for Blood and Short-tail care is really just about knowing how to take care of a snake and being responsible. Bloods are not as forgiving of poor husbandry, so you need to be able to keep good control over temperatures and humidity or you could end up with a very sick snake. Snake experience also will get you familiar with snake behavior, so you will be able to tell when the snake is angry, upset, etc.... and that may keep you from making a mistake and getting bitten.

I'd say if you are confident you can provide good steady heat and humidity, and can deal with a snake that will be pretty heavy when it grows up, then you shouldn't have any problems with a Blood or Short-tail. I have nine, and have never been bitten by any of them, a testament to buying captive born and bred snakes from good breeders.
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-chris-