Blood personalities?

[Dracoluna]

So I've been wanting a blood python for awhile now after falling in love with Jackson, one of Friends of Scales ambassador snakes. He was hissing up a storm but seemed completely relaxed so I got to talking with people there and was intrigued by his personality. A kid could literally grab his head and he wouldn't care at all. As I've been looking at them though, I've held a couple larger ones since then and their vendors have told me to be careful because "it's a blood afterall" despite the snake seeming calm and curious. Is this a common thing with bloods where they are considered a temperamental snake? The only snake bites I've had are from baby corns and I'd like to keep it that way. That being said, I am very careful about reading a snake's body language, etc. so that I don't get bitten. Do bloods have a habit of going from calm to bitey without warning or is it just more of an issue with the individual snake? I've spoken to only 2 vendors who actually breed them (the others were either flippers or got tired of their blood which is why they were being offered for sale) and they've said it depends on the snake and handling. Before, I would have felt very confident that I would have no issue with a blood but a few days ago, I was diagnosed with RA which has made me slower and a little less smooth in my movements. I don't want to bring a blood in if I'm not sure that I can handle it properly. While I feel comfortable throwing (over the last few weeks, it is more like throwing than placing unfortunately) my bp's and corns around my neck for things such as cleaning cages, would that be a true risk with a blood? Thank you for any experience you might be able to share ahead of time whether you're a breeder or an owner.

[KMG]

I own four. My first was bought as an adult. She is currently just over 5.5 feet and weighs just over 30 pounds. She is vocal and will hiss often but has never made a defensive posture or tried to strike. She is puppy dog tame and will lay on the couch with you all day. While she has never tried to tag me she can get stubborn at times. For example if she doesn't want to go back in her cage she can pitch I fit. She can throw her weight around and is fast. I'm a big strong guy but when she does this I understand why big snakes should only be handled with two or three people. She is usually so slow at everything but during a fit she can really turn it up and surprise you by how fast she can be. I think she could very easily be a hand full of trouble for a smaller person and she's nice. Like with all snakes They are individuals so it is possible to get a blood that is just always in a bad mood. I feel lucky with her as she really is a joy most of the time and in my collection she is probably the most laid back.

Now my other three I bought very young. They were tagging me left and right (my profile might have bite pics). They hissed, bit, and squirmed all about when trying to deal with them. However after probably two months two started to really calm down as they figured out biting me did no go and I was not there to hurt them. My male took a bit longer to convince. Now having them almost two years I can not tell you the last time one struck. They are very vocal like my big girl but very nice to deal with. Like my big girl they are usually very easy to deal with but from time to time they will refuse to go back home easily. They are still at a size that it is no problem but they are much the same a my big one.

As long as you feel you can control a big blood and house it, mine is in a pvc cage 48*24*15, you should be fine. If you want to have a better idea of a snakes temperament get one that is a sub adult. That way you have a better idea of what your getting yourself into. If you get a young one it is very possible that it will try to tag you. They will draw blood but it really does not hurt and is over before you knew it happened. Nobody will be able to tell you exactly what your blood will do and what hi have told you is only what I have observed from my four. I have read of really nasty ones out there but that has not been my experience.

[Dracoluna]

Housing it isn't a concern as I'm not looking at breeding. Going to be getting a nice big PVC (AP T13 specifically) cage which will be going in my snake room for once it is an adult. From what I've seen, the boys stay smaller so I would be getting one of those instead of a big girl mainly due to my husband's fear of snakes and partially since I have to take care of my reptiles on my own. The reason for getting one is only as a pet and it would probably go out with me to educational programs if it showed the temperament for it. I like the idea of getting a juvenile though a nippy baby doesn't bother me all that much. For as much as I don't wish to be bitten, after showing cats for over 10 years, the idea of a snake bite pales in comparison to being torn up by a frightened cat. If it happens, it happens. I've also considered just getting an adult male, say a retired/ex breeder and working with them on handling. Their personality is my number one concern at this point and it's nice to know that there are owners out there that don't have the opinion that a blood is unpredictable.

As for stubborn snakes, none of my guys I do shows with like seeing a snake bag... It's the only time my big bp boy moves faster than a slug and he goes up over my shoulder to try to get away.

I have a few years before I'll be getting one because atm, I live in a city that doesn't allow constrictors period and while the animal control agents know me and my bp's, I won't risk an adult blood. I've been doing educational programs for them and the humane society for 4 years now and it wasn't until last year I finally got the last holdout to handle a snake. A blood would probably scare them... In about 6 years, we'll be moving to Texas so we'll find a place where they are legal to keep and go from there. If it's still bp sized or smaller while here, that will also be acceptable. Just no adults in this location. :/

[KMG]

What about a Borneo or Sumatran short tail? They stay on the smaller side compared to a red blood. Reds are usually the largest with the Borneo next and the Sumatran last. They are worth a look if you have not checked them out yet.

The girth of a blood python with the weight and strength that go with it is a very impressive force. My ball python is in no way comparable to my bloods in power and strength. Even a smaller male is not in the same ballpark as a ball. I cant even compare them to my six foot BRB which is super strong compared to my balls. Bloods are very unique animals.

[Dracoluna]

What about a Borneo or Sumatran short tail? They stay on the smaller side compared to a red blood. Reds are usually the largest with the Borneo next and the Sumatran last. They are worth a look if you have not checked them out yet.

The girth of a blood python with the weight and strength that go with it is a very impressive force. My ball python is in no way comparable to my bloods in power and strength. Even a smaller male is not in the same ballpark as a ball. I cant even compare them to my six foot BRB which is super strong compared to my balls. Bloods are very unique animals.

I have considered them and they are a definite option for me. While I love the deep reds that the normal bloods express, I like some variations of the others two as well. It will come down to personality and my capabilities at that point. With them being strictly terrestrial and rather heavy bodied, I'd expect that sort of strength and even experienced it a bit when handling a bit male at a show. He didn't want to go back into the tub and even trying to guide his head was entertaining. Luckily he wasn't upset, just didn't want to be put back. I've heard of some smaller males being around 3.5-4 feet for bloods and maybe by the time I'm ready to get one, there will be either a smaller line available or I can pick up a smaller adult. Just want to make sure that I'll be ready before I jump into this as I don't like being unprepared. Jumping from corns and bps to bloods is a big leap and I understand that. Granted, my stepdaughters wanted me to bring home a big red male (only $100) that we saw at a show but they aren't here full time to help take care of him either. There is a good chance the youngest will also be helping with the snake since she likes her bp but has been drawn to the larger snakes such as burms and retics since I started taking them to shows. Nothing like loaning your camera to a 9 y/o and afterwards realizing that instead of bps, you have about 300 pics of snakes you can't safely handle alone...

[DNACurtusK]

You sound mentally capable of dealing with a blood and or short-tail python, its always a blessing for the animal to be acquired by a concerned keeper like yourself! Having a mother with RA and knowing its affect on the body leads me to one concern... Having a painful day and having to handle and manage a very HEAVY snake for routine cleanings. I wouldn't be in any hurry to feed the animal to maximum capacity in its first or second year of life. When properly maintained these animals can manage their body stores very well, go months without eating, and still look as thick and gorgeous as ever.

Also.. If you want color... but are a bit different from the salmon that swim up stream (aka. the red blood crowd)... BORNEOS are the way to go! The color spectrum on Borneo pythons is only rivaled by ball python mutations themselves!

As with anything, If you're ever uncertain... take your time. There are plenty of quality animals in the right places if you take your time and look for them. Never settle for the first thing you run up on at a show. If it's a gorgeous docile pet you want, make sure that's exactly what you get!

Happy Hunting, and good luck!

So I've been wanting a blood python for awhile now after falling in love with Jackson, one of Friends of Scales ambassador snakes. He was hissing up a storm but seemed completely relaxed so I got to talking with people there and was intrigued by his personality. A kid could literally grab his head and he wouldn't care at all. As I've been looking at them though, I've held a couple larger ones since then and their vendors have told me to be careful because "it's a blood afterall" despite the snake seeming calm and curious. Is this a common thing with bloods where they are considered a temperamental snake? The only snake bites I've had are from baby corns and I'd like to keep it that way. That being said, I am very careful about reading a snake's body language, etc. so that I don't get bitten. Do bloods have a habit of going from calm to bitey without warning or is it just more of an issue with the individual snake? I've spoken to only 2 vendors who actually breed them (the others were either flippers or got tired of their blood which is why they were being offered for sale) and they've said it depends on the snake and handling. Before, I would have felt very confident that I would have no issue with a blood but a few days ago, I was diagnosed with RA which has made me slower and a little less smooth in my movements. I don't want to bring a blood in if I'm not sure that I can handle it properly. While I feel comfortable throwing (over the last few weeks, it is more like throwing than placing unfortunately) my bp's and corns around my neck for things such as cleaning cages, would that be a true risk with a blood? Thank you for any experience you might be able to share ahead of time whether you're a breeder or an owner.

[Dracoluna]

Thank you and yes, that's what I'm concerned with as well. I will not leave them in a dirty enclosure, pain or no. Since I was just diagnosed, I'm not even on the proper meds yet until I see my new rheumatologist which will hopefully help even more. As for the borneos, I haven't seen much in color variation but when you look up sumatran or borneo online, you get quite a few red bloods as well. I'll start looking around and see what the options are. I actually tend to prefer white, yellow, or red snakes with my corns/bps but I enjoy the normal phase red bloods over the albino's for some reason and like the deep blacks on the sumatrans. If there is a site with morph's/variations that you know of, I'd appreciate it.

[aahmn]

Bloods are often nippy as babies, but usually settle down nicely as adults. They are generally quite talkative. You're right about the hissing, even while being totally relaxed. They just do that, but have very easy to read body language. For red bloods, the Bangka Island locality tends to be smaller, and they are quite clean, light pretty snakes.
If you're looking for examples of morphs, VPI has a nice photo gallery.
http://vpi.com/galleries

[Dracoluna]

There are some awesome looking borneos on there and the salmon coloring is gorgeous! Thank you.

[DNACurtusK]

There are some awesome looking borneos on there and the salmon coloring is gorgeous! Thank you.

That's only the tip of the iceberg!

Wait til you delve into your new resources!

As far as the meds go... GOOD LUCK!

My Moms' has tried it all... if anything... the meds will do you worse than the RA! If you're in a "progressive" state... I'd go the herbal route... If you get my drift!