Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got this girl from an individual in FL. about 3 days ago (I live in Dallas). I've been keeping off and on for years coloubrids and Redtails. This is my first blood but not my first snake by any means... I paid $150.00 shipped for her... She weighs in at 10lbs. and is 1.5 years old.

In your opinions is she a nice looking blood? Did I pay too much?

I've got the care requirements down pat but the snakes attitude surprises me... she's quite nasty most of the time, very Rock Pythonish... I put on a pair of leather gloves and a longsleeved winter coat the other day (a little paranoid from all the huffing and puffing) to change her water and while I was in her cage (40g breeder) she, out of nowhere struck me, luckily I had the gloves on or I would have been posting one of those bloody hand pictures that I've seen posted on here.

Would appreciate any opinions on her...

Thanks a bunch,
Kerry in Dallas

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verrykerry@yahoo.com
"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."Calvin and Hobbes

I just bought two off the same individual last week. Their good snakes.
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beardies 2.2.0 (Bracx, Briack, Maleficant, & Daisy)
Sugar Gliders 3.3.0
Cresteds 6.10.0
Ornate Frog 1.0.0
Red-eared slider 2.4.6.
Burmese Python 0.1.0
Ball Python 1.0.0
Hedgehogs 3.3.0
Kinkajou 1.1.0

I think the best way to answer your question is to ask yourself if you are happy with the snake. As long as she's healthy, feeding and in good physical condition (as she clearly appears to be) you should be content with your purchase. 150 is a reasonable price for a snake of her size and age plus she has very nice color. As for her behavior this seems to be the factor that troubles you most. I acquired my blood as a hatchling and he was very defensive at the time (ie. striking, hissing, puffing). However he calmed down with age. Your snake may need to acclimate for quite a while before she becomes content. Bloods are more tempermental than most redtails and colubrids so just be patient. In sum, my advice to then is this: you have a great snake and you seem well prepared to care for her, just be patient and respect her space for a while (may take weeks) and all should be well.
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0.1.0 argentine horn
0.0.2 pixie
1.1.0 fire salamanders
0.0.1 axolotl
1.1.0 golden treefrogs
0.0.1 green treefrog
0.1.0 golden gecko
0.1.0 skunk gecko
0.0.1 cali king
0.1.0 sumatran blood python
0.1.0 ball python
0.0.1 corn snake
0.0.2 giant black millipdes
0.0.2 dumpys
0.1.0 Argentine B&W

Hey,
I have to agree with Nygaboon, there is going to be some acclimating with this new girl and she will with time, adjust and get comfortable with her new surroundings including daily intrusions into her world, while servicing her cage. As with any snake, temperment is decided long before genetically, so there is nothing we can do about that, accept to hope for the best. At any rate, bloods by no means and despite their ornary attitudes, can be considered bad snakes to work with. They are for the most part quite the opposite, but it takes confidence and self assurance and a healthy dose of bravado - when working with the species as these guys are by no means like any other python species; they are in a word, "In a class all their own".

Well just look at it like this, if you don't feel like you can handle her in the end, you can always ship her to me, and I'll be glad to take her off your hands. LOL!
Oh! did I say she is a beauty?
-Angel
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"Until we lose our self, there is no way of finding our self."
-Henry Miller.