Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am considering purchasing a Blood Python so I have been reading as much as I can find on them. A few of the caresheets and articles that I have read state that young or defensive Bloods will "spray". I have had various types of snakes for many years and I have never experienced this. Does anyone have experience with their Blood spraying, and maybe a better explaination of what it is and why it happens? Any input is appreciated. Thanks

Wow! I can't believe you've kept a lot of snakes and haven't ever been sprayed! When snakes, not just bloods, get agitated or frightened, they expel a foul smelling musk out their vent. It's kinda clear with yellowish globs in it, and realistically, it doesn't smell all that bad, but it's not a pleasant experience. It's been my experience that with the exception of a few highly aggressive and high strung individuals, snakes stop this behavior rather quickly.
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"You have insulted my footwear; my sandals do not like to be laughed at." --Samauri Jack

The way to avoid firehose mode is to avoid restraining them forcefully. Other than holding one down for a medical procedure or to determine its sex, you shouldn’t have to stress it this way. Hence it will not be as likely to spray urates in self-defense. If you’re leery of being bitten (when they’re small, anyway), use gloves or a hook; don’t grab and squeeze. If they are large and not tame, then spraying won’t be your first concern, anyway.

-Joan

Most folks call it "musking". I have never had my bloods do it, however. I used to have a Calabar that did though, it's an anti-predator thing!

Hey,
Yes, any time that you over restrain an animal, colubrid, Blood in this case, it will automatically resort to spraying or emptying its glands and even bowels on its handler when threatened or "Throttled" (PE).
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One man's fear is another man's fantasy!!

Thanks for the input everyone!

....no one mentioned to you that the bloods have pin-point accuracy in spraying your FACE!And the smell takes Go-Joe to get off.Restraining them,especially around the neck area,will cause this.Leave their heads alone!They bite when ticked off,or annoyed,or bored,or sick,or...Everyone on this forum doesn't like to be bit,but I'll bet all the long-time blood owners don't even flinch anymore when it happens.Bloods are terrific.I would like to have at least one all my life,but the fact is they are not ball pythons or cornsnakes.They have quite a personality...Good luck and buy only captive-borns..Jason

>>...Everyone on this forum doesn't like to be bit,but I'll bet all the long-time blood owners don't even flinch anymore when it happens

Hi Jason - Not only have I never (yet) been bitten by an adult blood python, but I can guarantee that I would flinch (and yell) if it happened.

I'm a big sissy,
Joan