Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have received mixed reviews on Blood Pythons. Considered African Rock Pythons too...but would like to know if anyone out there who owns a Blood Python can recommend these as pets? I have a Ball Python and a Dumeril Boa. Would love a Blood Python - would like some feedback from owners.
Thanks.

ive had my sumatran red blood for almost 2 years, since before she took her very first meal. she was 9 inches then, now shes 39 inches long. very mellow, she hisses when shes being handled, most bloods do this. they can be aggressive at times, but they let you know. they get big, but not too big, theyre far better as a pet than an african rock python. and unless you have a very bad back you shouldnt need too much help with a blood python, unless its getting shots or probed. ive had african rocks, they are not for the weak hearted. sure some are nice and some arent, but, do you really have the man power ( anywhere from 2 to 4 or more people could be needed depending upon whats being done to the snake), and safe handling of large constrictors means always having 2 people present when working with the animal in any fashion...i cant remind people enough that anything bad that happens to or because of them effects the ENTIRE reptile keeping community...think before you get any animal. and african rocks eat big prey, which can be expensive. bloods eat big rats and rabbits...prey that is easily obtainable. do alot of research on the snakes youre interested in. good luck

J
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Jaymz
"got a bowlin ball in my stomache, got a desert in my mouth. figures that my courage would choose to sell out now..."

>> theyre far better as a pet than an african rock python.

Christ, a rhino is better as a pet than an african rock.

i couldnt agree more! its nice to see people are educating themselves more now...still find a few who know nothing but act like they do...i seem to run into them working at pet shops telling stories about african rocks being so evil and nasty they have to cut their heads off. ill post the whole story sometime, if i only had pics of the look on my face when the moron working in the pet store was telling me the story!

J
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Jaymz
"got a bowlin ball in my stomache, got a desert in my mouth. figures that my courage would choose to sell out now..."

Don't know about guys in the pet store. I do know that Dave & Tracy Barker got rid of their african rocks. Somebody wrote in to their web site asking whether they still produced them and the answer was along the lines of "we pretty much knew they would have killed us any opportunity they got, so we're relieved to be rid of them and we highly suggest you consider some other species."

I have a Borneo STP female...absolutely gorgeous...literally never missed a meal. Occasionally hisses (if I extricate her from her humid hidebox) never shown the slightest inclination to strike anything, including her food. (She meanders over, opens mouth and begins swallowing.) Even at monstrous size for a STP, she will be handlable. May not ever outgrow a 4 X 2 Neodesha. Even if she does, will never outgrow a 6 X 3. Docile. Calm. Inquisitive when young, straight up lazy when old. (They can and do go a week between feedings without ever moving, except the occasional stretch from a hide box to a water bowl.) Had some fecal-retention problems, easily solved with increased humidity, and/or soaking. Clean perfect sheds. (Sphagnum moss hide.) Easy to maintain humidity when its really important, because they do great in rubbermaids/sterilites/etc. Only time she ever musked was when the vet was doing an exam and actually restraining her. Shows no signs of getting meaner with age, just slower. Not fascinating to watch, but fascinating to look at. Roughly as easy to take care of as a ball, (if you HANDPICK a speciman OR get it from someone you have complete faith in) only they eat better and need more humidity. Easy, fun snake. The one I sit down with when I make a phone call.
Sorry, I tried to keep it short. There is of course a huge variety of experiences involving different snakes, but my experience isn't atypical if you purchase a CB, well-started, carefully treated speciman.

That is why we have a blood python forum. All you will find here are blood lovers. I own 3, two reds (brongersmai) and a black (curtus) and they are by far the most awesome animals I have ever had. Intensely beautiful, eat like pigs and never try to bite. These things sit around and watch TV. Children can handle them (with supervision) and they are amiable to strangers.
Af rocks are known to be aggressive snakes... not to mention they get HUGE! Bloods are sweeties that will probably never reach 10 feet. Bloods are the way to go... mo doubt about it...

About half of the blood pythons I've seen were vicious and the other half were tame as puppies. I very much recommend that you go and pick yours out so you can get a tame one, because I find they are either crazy or completely tame. I'm guessing that the crazy ones were wild caught. And I also recommend you get a young one, it's great watching them grow and change! I've had experience with blood pythons and Borneo short-tails. I have one of each right now and have not had any problems with either of them, they both are extremely tame and eat 99% of the time! Check my gallery at the link below for pics of them!
Adam
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My pic gallery