Hey Adam,
>>I've heard conflicting remarks about their ability to be handled and that they are nippy snakes by nature. Am I right to believe such things?
My personal experience is more limited than some other keepers, but here is the deal: I've had WC, CBB and CH imports of all three species on and off from around 1995 to present. I kept about 20 total at one point (roughly equal numbers of all three species).
Yes, they can be nippy. Some can be downright INSANE... I'm speaking of Ball Pythons here. Also, yes, the 'Blood' species can also do the same. I have Ball Pythons that are far worse than some of the nasty 'Bloods' I've kept. NO kidding. Heck, nearly ALL of my Ball Python babies every season are always nasty and feed like champs. That's the difference between CBB and CH imported (demoralized) animals in my opinion. I honestly believe it's normal for a baby Python to be flat out angry (nasty)!
>> I've read that they are hissers, and from what I've learned from keeping snakes over the years, hissing isn't a sign of a friendly snake.
The hissing part is generally true. I've never kept a Blood or Short-Tail that did not hiss. I have Borneo's that are seriously as tame as tame can be, yet they still hiss (kind of fun actually since people think they are crazy snakes and floored when I just take them out like a tame corn snake). I think it's more of a 'natural' design ('ID' response if you will for this species where other snakes have to be 'pushed' to their tolerance limit to invoke a hiss).
>> And I'd hate to get bitten by a large Blood, I can image the teeth on those things.
Agreed. It does hurt, period. Part of the risk with ANY snake.
>> If they are nippy snakes, are they tameble? Do they just calm with time and persistant handling?
All of my baby Borneo's from this season are tame in my opinion. Some still need more work, but the 'worst' (biting phase)is over with. They all can be cage cleaned with bare hands and the 'worst' ones are not biting, just trying to body roll and flee.
>> I've really love some info on this. I'm seriously considering adding one to the collection, and if they turn out to be what I'm hoping, I'll know to start cleaning that extra tank.
I hope all the replies help with your decision. Personally, I've always LOVED keeping them. The worst one's I had were northern Sumtran Red CBB animals. They were seriously NUTS! I did not get them as babies and they were already close to a year old. They just did not respond well to my working with them. I really think it's all what you are willing to put into it. I can't tell you how happy I am keeping Borneo's again after a number of years off. I was going to add a few of the other subspecies (full species now?!? I'm still unsure if the scientific community completely accepts the full species recognition), but with my recent 2005 litter (8 holdbacks) I'm only going to keep the Borneo's for now (for 10 total). Maybe in the future I'll finally get back into the others too.
Best of luck should you go for it! If so, in my opinion, ONLY buy CBB from someone 'reputable' if you will (preferably the actual breeder). You will likely save yourself any heartache since CH imports (never get WC unless you have a bit of experience with them) can have problems and that's not what you need with a first time 'Blood' or Short-Tail.
Matt
