Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So my husband and I have been itching for something new-- something we don't see constantly. He wants a green 'conda so thats on the list -- but we need something else too.
We've both recently been interested in bloods- i've read through the multiple pages here and bought a book... or 3... and read all over about them....

I hear that they're nasty-mean but i was also told that about retics and from my personal experience this evening- that makes me smile- (i snatched a 100% blue eyed- about to shed retic out of her cage without even looking- she was fine with that)
anyway- i hear all kinds of nasty things about bloods and i've read here that they aren't that bad...

i've also heard that they're 'hard to care for' -- now, does that mean not for beginners, or what? i've got a few of those 'hard to care for' snakes-- and we do just fine- they really aren't that hard...

anyway-- if someone wants to talk me into, or rather- out of a blood- please do...

from reading some of the comments here, i can tell that this is a blood-loving group so please enlighten a possible blood owner.

Thanks
Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

We're planning to attend the arlington NARBC show on the 23-24th(yay- 6 hour drive to see a lot of stuff i can't afford).

I've got orders from friends near me that can't attend the show- so we'll be coming home with a car full- lol.

Also- if there is a reputable breeder that has reasonably priced bloods that will be at that show- please let me know that as well.

Thanks... again

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

The bad rep is not very well deserved, unless you buy a wild caught adult. I'm sure some people here with more experience can tell you of WC adults that have calmed down with time.

My experience was that my reds were nippy as babies, but they are great now. Once they're out of their cages, they're very easy to handle. They do hiss and huff and puff a lot! I do educational events with them though and they are great. If anything, you just have to watch yourself during feeding, but that's pretty common for some snakes anyway. The black blood I got as a baby has never been nippy, but again is very eager to eat and you have to be careful during feeding time. As babies maybe they're a bit touchier with humidity and everything, but the adults seem to be rather easy to keep. I'm very happy I chose them as my next species after keeping balls for some years...

I know I posted these before, but here are a couple of my mean, nasty bloods!

that so totally brings a smile to my face!
I have so many pics of my 2 year old sitting on the floor with a 14 foot burm circled around him about 5 times.

When i first started collecting- i loved the idea of retics- but was always scared of them because of thier rap- freaked me out. I had experience with large snakes- that wasn't the issue- now that i have a retic of my own, i strongly regret not getting one earlier.

I spent several hours reading through every post here- several pages back.
I'm ok with nippy babies-

I think your pictures sealed the deal for me.

Those are great! you have some beautiful snakes (and kids!).

Thank you-- and i will post some pictures when i get back from the show at the end of febuary.

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

I kinda hope you are joking about the 2 yr old and a 14 ft python wrapped around them several times as you took pics...

sorry for the scare- lol
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

I agree after keeping balls,burms and carpets im sold on bloods! Their like chips, you cant just have one lol. except for my pair of retics it's bloods from here on out

Get one (or two or ten). You'll be glad you did... I promise!

I've only got one blood, but she's tame as can be. Eats F/T rats every time I put one in. A very cool animal to own--plus they won't get that huge for being one of "big" breeds. I wish all three of my snakes were bloods.

they are awesome but nippy as babys i dont believe i have ever seen anything strike as fast as a blood no s no warning and POW scares the hell outta me..lol thats just one of the two though other one is pretty calm.....
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1.1 jungle carpets
1.1 sumatran bloods
1.1 het albino rtb

I Have Borneos- they are really cool animals.
They are not hard to keep but do require a little more dilligence than balls... especially, as April stated, in the humidity.
I can only speak to captive bred. Babies can be nippy I hear, but of the 33 I hatched only one, and only once did they even strike at me.
Handling them is a little different because they are more heavy bodied... if you don't support their body they get annoyed and do a fish floppy thing. ( that is a technical term LOL) Although there are some that are dog tame, you really have to take the time to know your animal and evaluate it individualy. When they are done being handled, they are DONE.
It is interesting that being ambush animals, they stay very still and track with their eyes(not a lot of head movement) So it is best to pay attention when feeding them.
One of the amazing things about them is how their color intensifies with age... it is always breathtaking each time they shed.
Good Luck!
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"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
COLD BLOOD.........WARM HEART

i am interested in what books you've read on blood pythons.
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The New Redpython.net

I always thought this was reason enough:

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Bloodpythons.com - Whats YOUR Blood Type?

that even got my husband laughing.

Thats GREAT!!

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue