Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been looking into bloods for a long time, and I'm almost to the point of buying my first! I love that oxblood color, and I want a female. Now - given that these lovelies can be tempermental, is it best to buy from a show or order online from a reputable breeder? Will that gorgeous deep burgundy cost me more? What is the best way to tame these beauties and gain their trust?

Thanks for putting up with me.
~C.

It shouldn't matter too much whether you buy from a breeder online or from a show. Many of the vendors you'll see at big shows are reputable breeders you can order from online as well. Buying from a show gives you the chance to see the animals in person and maybe get a better feel for their temperment. Ordering from a reptuable breeder online though will usually give you more of a variety to choose from. Unfortunately at the shows they have around me, bloods don't usually get just representation. The cost generally does depend on color somewhat. If you buy from a show each animal will have individual prices which usually vary depending on the color, pattern, etc.

Next question - which has better color, Bangkas or Sumatrans? Is there a difference in general temperment?

Hey,
The Bangka's represented thus far, in the U.S., have been markedly brighter and redder than some of the Sumatran Red Bloods, imported or bred here in the U.S.
However, that is not to say that you can't or won't be able to get your hands on a great Sumatran Blood, with great color that will morph into one outstanding Red animal. That really all depends on the lineage (sire/dam), if that is known, but even that won't gaurantee you the reddest animal, as there is so much variation.

I guess that the only way to ensure that you get your self an animal with the potential for great color, is to get your self an animal that is at least a year old, whose colors are starting to show truer to what his/her, adult colors might look like.
Hope that makes sense!

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

Thanks all - I appreciate the help. One last question (it's the last one, I promise) - what is a decent price for a juvie or a subadult? I know it will vary from snake to snake, and some breeders fetch more, but I want to make sure I don't get ripped off.

Hey,
Well, that would all depend on the breeder or seller. There are some outstanding bloods being sold by Kara, of NERD, and then there are also so very nice animals being sold by, Robyn, of Pro-Exotic. Look into one of these two sellers and you will probably get one heck of a blood for your buck. Talk to Kara, and or look at the NERD site and see if there is something you like on their Blood section, and then give her a call, or shoot her an email. She is very helpful and always willing to help you with any of your Q/A's.
Good Luck!
-Angel
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"Until we lose our self, there is no way of finding our self."
-Henry Miller.

I know, it almost seems like they're just giving them away at NERD and Pro Exotics for the prices they're asking as compared to the quality of those animals. I'm just a little gun-shy about ordering an animal online.

Hey,
If you talk to Kara, she will almost certainly gaurantee you an animal -- she is no joke and is one smart cookie. Kara pardon my french! LOL! She really knows her stuff, and bloods are a huge part of her life and she would not stiff you; trust me on that. Here are some of the babes that I got from her. They were selected much like anyone else that has ever bought from NERD, online. I just looked at the Blood section, told her what I wanted by email and the rest is her story. LOL!

The top photo is the female, "Nikita and the lower one the male, "Tag".
Tag, got his name from the first time he nailed or tagged me, just after I got him home. He's a good kid though and I love them all.

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