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OK so I thought that Sumatrans were more reddish, Blacks..well black..and the other I'm not sure. But now I see pictures of Sumatrans taht are black..adn red ones just called red bloods...which is which? I'm quite confused.

Hey,
Ok! here's the low down. Black bloods are not true bloods in the scientific sense of the word. To quote Tracy Barker, "there is nothing red about a black blood". However, as bloods and short-tails, did share a common nomenclature (scientific denomination), "Curtus", the name stuck in the herpetocultural idiom, to describe all bloods and short-tails as a result. But as we now know, this is no longer accepted by the true dyed in the wool sticklers, of the nomenclatural idiom. At any rate, the name black blood has stuck for what its worth, and has been perpetuated by most keepers of the species, my self included, to identify what is more properly classified as the Sumatran short-tail.

Black bloods = Sumatran short-tail. Red bloods do not have the word short-tail included in their common name, so for that reason we simply call them Sumatran bloods, or Sumatran red bloods. They are found further north in Sumatra and east of the Barisan mountains. Black bloods or Sumatran short-tails, are also found on Sumatra, but to the south and west of the Barisan mountains and even to the southern coast.
-Angel
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In life you can fall many times, but you're only a failure, if you don't try to get back up!
Evil Canevil

The variations are almost endless. I keep Sumatran reds, oranges, yellows and have kept blacks in the past. I also keep yellow and dark brown Borneos. My yellow Borneos and Yellow Sumatrans are very very hard to tell apart, though they are distinct species. I have had wild-caught individuals (not recommended to anyone) from Sumatra, Borneo, Bangka and Malaysia. Amongst the 3 recognized species there are many variations in pattern but some things are kept in common. The only real way to tell the difference on some is to count scales and /or genotype them. If you are really worried about it make sure you buy your animals from a reputable and knowledgeable breeder of which there are many on this board. If you are simply looking for a pet - forget about it and buy the one you like(highly recommended to everybody) but still buy from a reputable and knowledgeable breeder.

Good Luck

Steve
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Steve and Audrey Frist

www.GenesisHerpetoculture.com

5rings@Netscape.com