Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive thought about getting a Blood python for about 11 years now but there reputation as nasty bity snake has kept me from taking the plunge. From what ive read on this forum though it seems like they can actually make a decent pet snake. My question is what are the odds of getting a good pet quality snake as apposed to a highly defensive monster? In everyones opinion how many in 10 would make a good pet with a little work on my part? Is there a difference between male and female blood python temperments? I would be purchasing it from online so I cant handle it to judge its temperment, what are some good questions to ask the dealer to help decide if I want to place an order? Sorry for so many questions but I want to be sure I get a good snake. Any help will be greatly appreciated. SeanL

Honestly I just got my Blood a little over a month ago, and she is seriously THE most docile snake I've EVER seen. I love her.

I would say it kind of just goes like people, some are pissy some arent. You cant tell just by looking at them, so talk to their friends (or in this case breeders). Most GOOD breeders will be able to tell you about the snakes temper, and how nasty it is.

I would contact a breeder that was going to attend a local reptile show and ask them to bring the snake to the show for you to see. Yes it may take a year, but your going to have this animal for 20 years so be picky! If you get one from a reputable breeder, not an importer, you get the snake young, and put in the time, you will most likely have a great pet. If it’s a baby it doesn’t hurt to get bit as long as you DON’T pull away. Getting bit will scary you but that’s about it. You probably won’t have a problem anyway. Biting is fear not anger so keep that in mind. Good luck!

Both of my bloods are tame as can be!!! Never struck or hissed at me. Bloods got a bad reputation from early wild caught specimens back in the day I would say.

A lot of Blood enthusiasts defend these animals and talk about how tame they are if they're CBB. In my opinion, they are still one of the more unpredictable of the larger snakes. I have kept a variety of Boids, and I have some pretty tame Bloods right now, but I can never relax with them like I did with my Boas and Colubrids. Oddly enough, that's one of the things I like about Bloods... they have very cool and colorful personalities...kind of like the Simon Cowells of the snake world.

All the best-
Jim Lineberger

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"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose." (quote from Jim Elliott, "Shadow of the Almighty"

Sure they can be tamed and there are few if any animals that are as impressive as adults:

The male on top I sold awhile back but I have re-purchased this animal along with some others. The female on the bottom was also sold off, she's a sumatran.

I'll post some more pics of the malaysians when they come in. They are 100% true malaysians. The male on top is 19lbs currently. One of the females I have comming in weighs in at 38lbs!!! 3 of the 4 animals I have comming in are all calm.
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John Light
JL Exotics
Contact Me
Web Site

John,
Just curious what the background is on these Malaysian bloods? Are they from a captive bred linage? Thanks,

Kelly

1.2 of them are zoo stock. The females are sisters. This is the only downside. The males are unrelated to each other and the females. The male I had came from a friend of mine. I'm not 100% sure where he got him but I'm sure it's malaysian. It's next to impossible to find true malaysians so this was a big score especially being full grown adults. The only reason I sold the male was because I couldn't find female. I'm getting them from a guy who knows his bloods. He also confirmed that the male in the picture was malaysian. Malaysians usually have the deep maroon red as he displays. He is also one of the few that you will find with a RED head! Wish I could find a female with one and see if it would carry over to the babies. I'm also picking up 1.1 07' baby malaysians.
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John Light
JL Exotics
Contact Me
Web Site

Thanks for all the input guys. I agree contacting a breeder and meeting them would be the smartest thing to do but unfortunately I live in N.C. and they are trying to pass a law banning the keeping of all "Exotic" animals which includes snakes. So if I ever want to legally own a Blood I need to buy it ASAP so I will be grandfathered under the new law if it passes. Breed specific legislation SUCKS! Also Jim and John those are some awesome looking snakes you guys have there. I hope I can find one that looks as good as those. Does anyone know of any reputable breeders that might have some 06 hold overs for sale? I might not be able to buy any 07s if this stupid law passes. Thanks Sean Lafar

Let's hope this law does not pass!
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"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose." (quote from Jim Elliott, "Shadow of the Almighty"

Have you signed the petition on Ipetition if not please do. The address is http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NCExoticBan/ . I dont know how much good it will do but doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Also dont worry about the donation if you dont want to, your name will still be added. Thanks Sean Lafar

NC PARC (www.ncparc.org) and NC ARK (www.ncark.org) have been working hard on this very topic. First off this is only a study bill thus far and the likelyhood of this bill coming to fruition and passing is slim. The people behind this bill (HSUS, PETA, etc) would like to see a ban on reptile ownership(and many other animals as well). If this was to happen there would be no grandfathering in for the public. Check out these sites to get lots more info on this subject.

WOW!!! No grandfathering for animals already owned. What does PETA propose, the confiscation of all "Exotic" animals in the state of N.C.? What would the state do with all those animals? There would have to be at least several thousand in the state right now. I guess they would kill all of them and dump them in a dumpster. A couple of PETA workers did that to about 20 dogs that they got from local shelters. They told the shelter owners they would adopt them out, so much for PETA's bull about caring for the well being of all animals. People better wake up in this state heck this country were moving more and more towards a socialist state. Today its my snake tommorrow its your dog, cat, bird or even goldfish. Sean Lafar

I own many bloods from different lineages, wc and cbb, and like Jordan said a few posts down, I've never met one that hasn't clamed down with regular handling. I own the female that John is holding in the second picture and she is the sweetest animal you'd ever hope to meet... and wc!!! If you like them, and are willing to work with a potentially testy baby, then by all means get one (or two or ten). I promise you won't be dissapointed.

I have around 25 right now and have had the opporotunity for about the same number to pass through my collection. EVERY single baby I have ever had has camed down with regular handling, though most all of them were calm to start out with. With the exception of a few really nasty adults (mostly WC) I have never had any problems with one. Even those have camed down for the most part and can be managed without much caution. It also has alot to do with how you handle the animals and knowing when they just don't want to be touched. I definately wouldn't call them unpredictable, if there not in a good mood it's very evident. They are however extremely vocal and some see that as defensive nature, when most of the time there just saying hello. I definately wouldn't let bloods previously bad reputation deter you from owning one.

Jordan
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

I agree with Jordan 100%, its how handle your bloods and recongize'n when is not the right time too. I think the acclimate'n periiod id soooo important, this is when your snake needs to feel safe, then eat(couple times), then work on handle'n. It's much easier to leave alone for a while when you got other bloods to focus on.............i can grab whom ever, when ever, but it took so time to get there, but worth all the time in the world................BLOODS ROCK........JMO

One thing I've learned from experience is that Blood Pythons don't track movements the way other Pythons do. They sit and wait untill your not paying attention and take a chunk out. Watch the eyes, not the head and you'll see what I'm saying. I would say they are unpredictable at best. Even a laid back animal can go nuts, especially if it isn't supported right, or is head/tail shy. Wait untill you experience that. Not only do you have to worry about teeth, but also musk/poop/urates and how ever many pounds of flopping Blood Python. They do not like to be restrained in any way and can tear apart a 10x10 vet room in literally 30 seconds. Needless to say, they are interesting animals, and yes, I did walk out of the vets office bloody, briused, and smelling like, well, poop but you know what I'm implying

Well I thought about it and took the leap and ordered a Blood from Jonathan at Infinity Reptiles Inc.. If your interested in seeing a picture of her its at http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=7&de=478267. Unfortunately I have to wait for this cold weather were having to lift so he can ship her to me. I cant wait to see her in person. Wish me luck and thanks for all the advice you all have given. Im sure in the near future I'll have a ton of questions after I receive her. Sean Lafar

Congrats man!