Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been interested in bloods for a long time. I love the mass yes workable size of the blood as well as pattern variance and color. I may be getting a blood this year and wanted to do some research before I dive into anything too quickly. Any help is appreciated.

1) In your experience what is the most docile, Bloods, Borneos, or Sumatran? (I read on VPI that Sumatrans are pretty calm)Feedback, or experience with all species is helpful.

2) With the answer to question one in mind, what is the caging requirements that work best? I have read that these are secretive and sometimes shy animals, so I am assuming that a non arboreal cage would be best. I am also assuming due to the large girth of the snake a wider more floor spacious cage should be used in conjuntion with good humidity in order to avoid respritory infection.

3)Again keeping answer one in mind what size prey item would one need for an adult specimen.

Thanks guys for all your help!
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"Victory is reserved for those willing to pay its price"

1) I have one Borneo and one blood and my blood is much calmer and docile then my Borneo. But I think they all can be very calm as long as they are captive bred. And just incase you didn't know, alot of people call Sumatran short-tails "black bloods" so you should probably specify that your talking about the short-tails and not Sumatran bloods, since some people might be confused.

2)For caging, rubbermaid containers with holes drilled in the side are definetely the best in my opinion, young bloods like cramped cages while older ones like more room. I use newspaper as substrate and a box with a damp cloth in it for a hiding spot. They like a big water bowl to soak in that is preferably above the undertank heater. I find you don't need a humidified hiding spot in a rubbermaid because it is just so easy to keep it all humidified. Also it is good to give them a weekly swim in the tub, at least thats what I do.

3)A jumbo rat would probably be enough but especially big snakes might need a rabbit, which are more expensive.

Check out my gallery at the link below for pics of my blood and Borneo, in the Borneo section there is a pic of her cage.

Adam

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My pic gallery

I have the reds and the blacks, they are both similarly sweet...however I'd say the black is a bit more shy. Not one of my bloods has ever struck at me. Someone mentioned a while ago that the females were much sweeter than the males... I have all females so I have no experience to compare them. The reds are the easiest to find, and peobably the cheapest, next the borneos and finally the blacks. Anyway you go you shouldn't have to pay more than $150 or so.
As far as caging, yes, a sterelite sweater box is the best way to go. Arboreal? No way, not these guys. They are terrestrial and prefer ground space. In the wild, they lie around in the mud all day. When big, these things get so heavy I'd think it woud be hard for them to climb. They aren't even built for it.