Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone im Corey, i dont use the blood python forum too much because all i have is ball pythons, 1.4 normals, 1.0 spider, 1.3 het albino, and 1.3 pastels. But im interested in getting a blood python, ive had one before when i was 14 from bob clark at a show in texas, but that was in 2005. Sadly Katrina took him. im very interested in getting another one, i just want a little something different from ball pythons. I just have a few questions.
1. How much do they differ from ball pythons in caging, heating, humidity, and things like that?
2. How much bigger do they get?
3. How much do they differ in temper from balls. Ive heard theyre a little bit more aggresive, but i think with a little handling, almost anything can become somewhat tame.

Sorry for being so long in my post but id just like to get some info before i go headfirst in the shallow end with one of these. thanks guys!

As I am a recent blood python owner, having come from a background of ball pythons and corn snakes, I thought I would pipe in. Eventually the long term experts will grace you with their years of experience.

First thing I recommend is research. There are three (more commonly anyway) types of 'blood' pythons...the Blood python (yeah I know confusing) borneo and Sumatran blood pythons...All are 'short tailed pythons'. Far as I can tell, all three have pretty much the same care requirements which aren't all that different from ball pythons. Only real difference is they seem to like things a bit more humid and more tight. So a small cage, especially with babies is a must to start with.

Like most baby snakes, baby short tails can be nippy but with gentle care and regular handling they do calm down. (Mine hasn't yet but I only had her since mid June of this year, but I am not worried...she's so short, she doesn't come near in tagging me.)

However captive bred animals are much easier to tame down so best bet is to find a breeder, either online or at a reptile show near you (if you live in Florida, try the big show in October I think it is, in Daytona. Look above the blood forum as well and check out the various sponsor's links, most are breeders of short tails, either one or the other, or 2-3 of them. They may have all the fancy expensive morphs but there are plenty of 'normals' around to buy, even if not advertised.

As you are already here in the blood forum, and if you haven't been already, read the back posts. Lots of great information about bloods has already been posted. General care and keeping information can be found at the sponsor/breeder websites as well.

Unfortunately I can't list out the differences between each species in care and personality...far as I can recall, there isn't much differences in care, but of course there is differences in appearances...Blood pythons are your more darker blood red, some a very bright red, depending on the breeding/quality, though most of the babies tend to look nowhere near as brilliant as adults (they do color up as they reach adulthood). The Sumatrans are your 'black bloods', they get a nice dark black/brown as they get older...quite striking. Borneos are kind of like bloods in general pattern, but with many differences...I have only really learned how to easily tell them apart with presence or lack of ocular scales (see the pinned threat above for info on identifying the various species by scale differences).

So far I am enjoying my blood...even though I am not handling her much, I am more interested in getting her well established with eating...so far she's eating regularly...which makes me quite happy.
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PHLdyPayne

well i didnt know that there was 3 different types, i knew only of black and red blood, i thought that the borneo was the same thing. thats what i got from bob clark in 2005. i think i paid something like 250 for him i dont remember exactly. he was cool he never ever tried to bite me. i used to handle him alot. then katrina came and i had to evacuate and he never ate again. i guess from too much stress. but im much more experienced now than i was 5 years ago. im 21 now so i have more money than i did "back in the day" so i was looking at the classifieds, i like the marble red blood. they are neat. ill have to do much more research before i actually make my purchase tho. i just love how they look, as babies and adults. i dont think im going to try to breed them since im trying to raise all my baby ball pythons up to size. but you never know! but thanks your input helps.

Just a little clarification. Marbles are a morph of P. breitensteini or Borneo Pythons (only found on the island of Borneo). These are different and unrelated to the "Blood Pythons" or Python brongersmai which originate in Sumatra/Malaysia. So what you should see is a Marble Short-tailed python (I know its semantics).

You are starting (or resarting) in a great way. Check out the sponsors of this forum or check out the websites of those who post. Read a lot. Ask lots of questions and park the pre-conceived ideas at the door. What was once thought of as fact is often myth. Buy captive bred and established. You won't be disappointed!

Enjoy the eye candy!

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www.richcrowleyreptiles.com
Support your local herp society
www.chicagoherp.org

what kind is the one in the tub? my girlfriend loves that one she said it looks like starburst candies haha. Ive been reading and doing some research on them. i think im going to do it. i want something a lil different from what i have already!

That is a Tryosinase Positive (T ) Albino Blood Python.

Gotta love them!
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www.richcrowleyreptiles.com
Support your local herp society
www.chicagoherp.org

Rich and Ldypayne both gave some good info and tips, as far as common names for he 3 species, P. Brongersmai is the only one I would put Blood python with, it's not always a red blood, they come in several other color phases such as yellow orange red and brownish.

I also want to point out not all animals labeled as Sumatran blood pythons are black bloods there's 2 species in Sumatra, the "red" Blood Python and the Sumatran short tailed python (Black Blood Python)
so to break it down a little more to understand better

P. Brongersmai - correctly labeled as a blood python, their range is in Sumatra and Malaysia, and also are on the Bangka Islands. can range in color from red, orange, yellow, and brown.

P. Breitensteini - Borneo Short Tailed Python, often called Borneo Blood Python, I personally don't like the name because some people will try to throw hybrids as Borneos with this term. This is the only species in Borneo.

P. Curtus - Sumatran Short Tailed Python, also known as a Black Blood Python, this species only accurse in Sumatra.

As LdyPayne mentioned earlier, the pinned thread is great for identifying the 3 species by the Subocular, Labial, and Parietal scales.

Good Luck on researching and picking one out.
Zack
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Zack Greens Reptiles