Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I'm new to these boards ( I'll probably be here...alot though. ). I'm honestly thinking about purchasing a Blood. I own a single Colombian Red-tail ( yes yes it's a kitten..). I work for the New Jersey Reptile Rescue as well. So I work constantly with all types of snakes and have access to basically anything I could need. I've been bit more than once by snakes large and small ( 9 foot burmese is the largest a foot or so long red-tail the smallest ) so them being a bit fiesty isn't a problem.

I've heard nothing but horror stories about bloods. They strike
the tank top when you LOOK at them..all kinds of horrible things. The main thing that makes me NOT want one is what I've heard about them when they are calm and handleable. I've been told they are incredibly nervous and rarely coil the hand ( which makes them more nervous ). My good friend owned one that JUMPED when it's head touched it's tail. These individual cases or the norm? I'm more than willing to take the bites and such to calm 'em down but having a snake that will always be scared of being held isn't for me.

Those stories that you have heard are just individual cases that come from the early bloods being wild caught. If you buy a captive born and bred blood, they can be the most rewarding and calm snake you have ever owned. I have about 10 bloods and short tails and not a one of them have ever even struck at me. I just make sure that they know when it is feeding time and when it's time for handling. I touch their heads with a piece of newspaper or paper towel before handling them and I only feed them at night. I am sure that everyone else that owns a blood will say the same thing, bloods are great snakes to work with!
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1.1 Borneo short tail
1.1 Sumatran short tail
1.1 Marble borneo
1.1 Sarawaks
0.1 Sumatran Blood
0.1 Het albino blood
0.3 ball pythons
0.0.1 red tail boa
0.0.1 jungle X coastal carpet python
1.0 leopard gecko

I even have manageable WC's! Granted there not.. very manageable, but manageable none the less! All my CB's are incredibly docile, and I've never had a problem with one, period. The WC's that first came in were pretty nasty and thats how they've gotten their reputation. Wouldn't be worried about a mean blood, even if they are nippy as a baby they will calm down with handling.
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

Thanks for the responses guys! I will most definetly be picking one up then. I'm absolutely in love with the look of them and now that I hear they aren't evil little monsters I simply have to have one.

Thanks Alot!

Dylan