Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok so I currently own a red tail boa and a cornsnake. Ive had each of them since i was 10 (im almost 17 now). Im looking for another snake to get and ive come across bloods. I know that their for the most part a more agresive/ harder to keep snake than certainly the red tail or a corn, but i really like the way they look. Plus, i also like that there a pretty big species, but not huge like a burmese/ retic/ anaconda.

If i were to get a juvinile blood, about how much would I be looking to spend, and what cage/ setup would be the best? Also, are they good eaters? any major problems wiht keeping them or anything like that, and anybody have pictures of theirs that are full grown?

I am looking for just a regular blood python (sumatran?) i do not need or want an albino or striped, but i am just looking to se ballpark range how much im looking to spend on a regular baby- juvanile blood.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hey,
I would sum it up like this, if you have dealt with other species of boid's, like B.c., then I would say that you are pretty much ready for a blood. Granted they are two very different species of snakes. However, they are not that different in the way that they can and should be kept. Depending on the size of the individual snake that you purchase, you can pretty much keep a juvenile: 12-14 inches, in a plastic shoe box, and gradually increase the size of its enclosure as it grows, to a more appropriate sized container, plastic sweater box or other. Humidity is a factor as this species does require a bit more humidity than do B.C., and more obviously, Corn snakes. I keep all juvie's and adults on news paper print, and they all do well on this substrate. When shed time is approaching, I spray a bit more vigorously to increase humidity from a normal 60% to about 70-80%, give or take. Other parameters will factor in, but I don't sweat it. If there is a shed problem, which does arrise from time to time, I merely place a damp towel with the blood over night, or for several hours till the snake sheds. Experience will dictate your thoughts and actions on what to do, but there is no real secret to maintaining these guys. I will say this though, they are hardy, but be wary of wild caught bloods and even, cbb. They are usually infested or are festering with a myriad or parasites that go unnoticed to even the trained eye. However, the experienced keeper always knows that when ever they are purchasing an import, a fecal is always warranted. JM2C! Hope I didn' rant!
-Angel
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In life you can fall many times, but you're only a failure, if you don't try to get back up!
Evil Canevil

To add to Angels excellent post:

Cost: Typically for a captive bred animal FROM THE BREEDER you are looking to spend anywhere from $130 to $300 (depending on color, heritage, and breeder). Be very wary of some of the Kingsnake classifieds selling "CB" bloods for under $100. Many times those are animals that have been passed around a lot, relabeled each time...so they started out as WC/CH and ended up being labeled as CBB. Buy from the breeder. There are plenty out there to choose from (check out www.bloodpythons.com/forums if you haven't yet).

Typically they are GREAT eaters...so good in fact that most are obese. They have a slow metabolism. An adult blood need only 1 medium rat every 1 to 2 weeks.

Mine aren't full grown yet, but here's a pic of one of my boys (he's ~1.5 years old in this pic).

With a 2L bottle of orange soda for size/color comparison.

Same animal without flash.

He's such a nice boy.

I love the liter comparison! LOL! Great color.
-Angel
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In life you can fall many times, but you're only a failure, if you don't try to get back up!
Evil Canevil

I think all the questions have pretty much been answered, but I'd like to add something....
In my experience, they can be unpredictable. I know this firsthand. My CB breeder male was tame, until one day he decided to grab my hand. They do have a nasty bite. If you are looking to have another "lap snake" a blood python isn't the first choice that comes to mind, especially due to the fact they like to be left alone anyway. Hope this helps.

nope not at all, looking for an interesting not too common yet not too expensive snake. As far as being bit, ive come to expect to be after reading up about them. I got bit by my redtail once and it hurt like a mother, so ill just have to eb careful around a blood i guess. thanks for all the information tho, any links to a good breeder?

Blood python breeders:

Typically Kara at NERD (www.newenglandreptile.com or www.bloodpythons.com) has quite a few, but last I heard she didn't produce any this year...either that or she's building up an army under the cloak of secrecy.

Tracy at VPI.com no doubt has some nice bloods.

I think Ash Lopez just hatched some reds...http://www.freewebs.com/ashlopezsblackforestconstrictors/

Big Country (Jason Holzworth) may have some (but I think he may just have het albinos and albinos)...www.redpython.net

Kevin Marter (can't remember his email addy...doesn't have a website to my knowledge)...he has some of the reddest bloods (Python brongersmai) around

Keith McPeak...http://www.thebloodline.net/

Jeff Hartwig...http://www.jeffhartwig.com/
I believe Jeff deals only with black bloods (Python curtus) and borneo bloods (Python breitensteini)...he's got some of the BEST black bloods around.

Hey,
If I can take a 5 foot female black blood biting down mistaking me for food, and wrapping her self around my wrist in the process, then you could take a small bite from a juvie. It took running her to the sink and running the hot water over her head...Not scorching! to cause her to release. LOL! She hadn't been fed for a while and also, she was not even facing in my direction. These things are super fast. Do Not be Fooled! They are quick. After all they are ambush predators for a reason. Keep them fed!
-Angel
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In life you can fall many times, but you're only a failure, if you don't try to get back up!
Evil Canevil

They are unbelievably fast, but I also noticed VERY GOOD distance on their strikes. My male is fed in a 20 gallon "long" and he can easily snag a meal (or a hand) from outside of the tank above it. (Which also means they strike upwards, as well as in front of them.)

In other words - never approach a blood from the front, or from above, if you anticipate it potentially biting you. Even if you are 2 feet away, chances are he might get a bite in. (Adult animal, not a baby, obviously)

Here is why I like Borneo's the best. This male is just as easy going as they get. NEVER once tried to bite or vent on me. He can be picked up almost anytime, scratch his back, just about anything... Borneo's have always been the most tame of the three species I've worked with (My Black P. curtus were actually pretty evil, but 4 were WC so that was to be expected).

All three can be super nice to keep and enjoy. I say jump in and go for it! What's not to like?!?!

Matt
p.s. - Yes that IS my real hair! (not a bad comb over... Hahahaha) Not sure what was up with that!? I'm such a geek sometimes...

And it looks more like a toupe HA jk bro.. the snake is looking good though Hmmmm the belly... hmmm grumble grumble.... hmm...
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

>>And it looks more like a toupe HA

Hahahaha... Yeah, I have NO idea what was going on there.

>>Hmmmm the belly... hmmm grumble grumble.... hmm...

I like fried taters... Hmmm... mustard on my fried taters... Hmmm...

Matt

MurP biscuits wit mustard be jut fine I recun hrmmm
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

Some people call it a Keiser blade... Hmmff...

Okay, I'll come back to reality now!

I see a STRIKING resemblence...

lol sorry.. man I need to get a job where I have to do stuff.. lol
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!! Dude, now THAT is great. Me and Carl... I gots me a mower blade wit yer name on it I needs to shrappen, Jordam. Hmmmfff... I call it a Slingblade!

np
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"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
COLD BLOOD.........WARM HEART

Horrid! Put it in the freezer! Nice python, though.