Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is probably and idiot's question, but are there visual differences for telling a Borneo short tail from a normal blood? A certain pattern, head shape difference, etc.? The names get tossed around so much. Thanks.

All bloods are considered short-tails, but not all short-tails are bloods. There are three species: Python curtus (aka black bloods), Python brongersmai (aka red,yellow,brown bloods), Python breitensteini (aka borneos).

Only P. breitensteini is found on the island of Borneo. P. curtus and P. brongersmai are found in Sumatra-Malaysia.

The eye on the P. brongersmai comes in direct contact with the labial scales. Those are the scales that make up their "lip".

P. curtus and P. breitensteini have a extra row of scales between the eye and the labial scales. Borneos are typically brown, orange-brown, cream colored and dark walnut brown. But typically not black. This causes confusion since some southern forms of Borneos look like a black blood (p. curtus).

Below is a photo of three variations of borneos representing what I believe to be North, Central and Southern forms (unless someone can clarify otherwise).

-----
================================
Support your local herp society
www.chicagoherp.org

Thanks for the clarification!

I have a question on hybrids. Are they very common? I haven’t seen any advertised so I’m not sure. I know from my dealings with carpets that it’s very common to see all sorts of combinations. I also have seen the offerings from Dr. Frankenstein’s Ball/ Blood combo but not any on black/ short tail/red blood mixes? This is just a question out of curiosity. I know (at least with Carpets) many are very apposed to hybrids but I’m just curious and don’t want to spark a debate on pros and cons of hybrids.
Thanks!