Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I currently have 11 and 2 more comming ball pythons. I've always been fascinated by Bloods thoe. One of my favorite are the black or the dark red ones. What stoped me from owning one is their temperment and not knowing anything about their care. Can I just get some insight on this species as far as temperpent, feeding, and care in general. I just love the way these gorgeous snakes look. But I've heard some negative things about them. Thanks, Dave.

If you can keep balls succesfully, I'm sure bloods shouldn't be a problem.They require just about the same amount of humidity, hot spot at 88-92 degrees and cool spot in the low 80s.Check out vpi.com and pro exotics caresheets on them, also search this forum.As for attitudes, most baby bloods can be vicious but calm down in time to be a docile beautiful full bodied snake.I've had meaner ball pythons than my bloods, just make sure to get a captive bred snake, oh and also the word on the street is the black bloods supposently are the most docile of them all but I have borneos, sumatran, short-tail sumatrans and all have been good to me.Except this little baby striped borneo, he's out of control but he'll get used to me in time, just taking alittle longer than usuall.Good luck, I would definately get a blood and get one from a reputable breeder. Later, Ethan

Hey,
I think that as with any species of snake you plan on working with, there is going to be some level of a learning curve, regarding what works and what doesn't. Of course, you don't want to start out making mistakes only to wind up with an ill snake the first few weeks of owning one. However, in my opinion, for what ever it is worth, bloods and short-tails, can to some degree be described as a "Non begginers Snake". Although, what can also be said in your favor is that you have some experience working with quite a large group of BP's. That counts for a lot IMO!

Do the necessary reading and ask all of the necessary questions. Talk to as many people here on the forum and get as much insight about the particular species, you're interested in, and I'm sure things will work out. Provided you have a good understanding of the basic needs and cage requirements for your charge, you shouldn't have any problem. I currently keep about 20 short-tails and bloods. Kara of Nerd, exceeds that 4 fold, I'm sure. At any rate, there is lots about bloods and short-tails that sets them apart from other python species i.e. Retics, Burms, and the experience is rewarding once you understand the needs of your blood and or short-tail.

Have fun! and don't be put off. They are amazing animals.

-Angel
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"Until we lose our self, there is no way of finding our self."
-Henry Miller.

My experience with bloods is limited to 1 borneo that I have had less than one year but let me put it this way.. I'm going to be selling off all my others and rearrainging the house to get more bloods.

I got mine as a yearling and she was already handlable but would let out a little hiss when you would pick her up. That went away in a week or two of regular handling and now she is the most docile and calm snake I have ever had in 25 years.

I have heard that the reds are a little more tempermental initially than the borneo and take a little more work but will usually become very good. And I have heard that the blacks are even better than the borneos.

I think the reason the bloods have such a bad rep is that historically the only ones out there were wild caught and nasty. Then with hatchlings being snappy people thought they were just carrying on the blood tradition. Now that a few generations of captive breds have been in the trade, people are starting to notice that they are actually quite docile as captive breds with regular handling. They will probably nevr reach the popularity of ball pythons but I think they will definately be a growth snake over the years, especially now that the morphs are coming out (which IMHO are no where near as attractive as the normals but that's a whole other thread)

Read up on the care sheets previously mentioned ( I can't remember if Pro-Exotics was mentioned) and read the posts here and if you can meet their husbandry requirements (they are not forgiving of husbandry mistakes) then don't let their reputation of bad temperment stop you. My biggest warning is if you end up liking them you will be spending your time looking for buyers for the BPs to make room for the more "full figured" bloods