Short-tail python male / female and species size differences?

[artgecko]

I admit it... I've been lurking around in the blood python section of the forum for a while now, ogling everyone's awesome snake pics and toying with the idea of adding a blood or short-tailed python to my collection. I was reading the blood python temperament thread and didn't want to hijack it, so I thought I'd ask my questions in a separate thread.

I love the color and pattern variation in all three species and have always found chunkier snakes more appealing (not necessarily giant ones, but those that look more like BPs in body type than corn snakes). My main hangup with getting a short tail would be whether or not i could safely and correctly handle it myself.. Given that I am short (5'1") and small (roughtly 115lbs) I am not sure that I could correctly handle the python so that it is comfortable for both me and the snake. Because of this, I'd lean towards getting a smaller specimen but I am not sure if my idea of "small" is correct and have no idea on adult weights / girths with these guys.

I'll list my questions below but feel free to add any info you feel is pertinent.

1. Is there a general size difference between the three species or are there any lines of any of the species that stay smaller?

2. Is there an appreciable difference in size or girth / weigh between males and females (what weight / girth could I expect to be normal)?

3. Would an adult be difficult to handle correctly (supporting it's weight and body length) for me based on the specs I listed?

4. I know this is slightly OT, but could an adult be fed on rats (I want to raise my own food and can't have anything like rabbits that eats hay due to allergies)?

Thank you for your time and help!

[Tim Mead]

In my collection of only Borneo's the males are half the size of the females and run between 10-15 lbs and less that 5 foot.. My 7 year old grand daughter can handle the males.. With supervision of course.. I can also put a 20+ pounder on her shoulder for picture purposes.. Feeding is what makes a snake big though and I have heard of much larger males.. But I do not think it is typical.. Most of the pictures you will see will be the snake alone But my FB link has a slew of my lil partner and I holding animals which may help you decide if one is within your ability.. Or you could do a post started by myself and get more condensed results..

[artgecko]

Thanks for your advice Tim! The largest snake I have now is a BCA male that should get to 15lbs as well, so I think that is a manageable size for me to handle.

Are you able to feed even your adults on rats? I have read of some people feeding their short tails small rabbits and wasn't sure if that was necessary.

[Tim Mead]

For the last 2 years I have maintained all of my animals on rats.. There was a time when I bought and fed rabbits but they have become too expensive.. They handle VERY differently than Boa's or carpets.. They do NOT hang on to the handler and can be dropped..

[artgecko]

Thanks again for the info... I have kenyan sand boas, so I'm assuming they are somewhat like them.. They will crawl away or try to burrow, but don't coil around you and seem to have no concept of "falling".

[DNACurtusK]

I think you'd be just fine. You can also feed these guys slow and steady and they won't have to get on the larger scale of size. Up to the keeper. As Tim mentioned, they do need support when handling them as they kind of just hang there, and it could hurt hurt them. My 13 year old skinny-minny daughter can hold most of mine. With this species you can manipulate how fast/large they grow though, with them still being healthy. So that would work to your benefit. I have a very bad back, bilateral carpal tunnel with weak wrists, and I can still handle my largest snake in my collection (30 pound female) fine for short durations.

[artgecko]

Thanks! That's good to know. I knew you could manipulate feeding schedules with boas and that it is healthier for them to be fed less often, but didn't know that you could also manipulate schedules with short tails.

With that in mind, I think Ill just be on the lookout for the nicest male of whichever species that strikes my fancy. I'll let you guys know when I purchase and ask for more specific feeding information at that time.

Thank you again for your help!

[DNACurtusK]

Definately let us know when you get your first! You're gonna love 'em!

[Lady mkrj58]

And that's the truth I love my Borneo

Sent from my SGH-T999

[aahmn]

You'll like them for sure. The Sumatran Short Tails (black bloods) generally stay smaller, though I have an ~20 lb almost 6 foot female. I definitely keep mine on the leaner side - not underweight, just leaner. My biggest blood is about 6'4" and 25 lbs. If I fed her as much as she wanted, she'd easily be over 30 lbs.

Rats are fine. I do vary meal sizes. Sometimes they get one, sometimes two, sometimes larges, sometimes jumbos - sometimes there's a couple weeks and occasionally even longer between meals, especially in the winter. As for handling, I have a bad back and it can be a little tough for me sometimes pulling them out of the cages initially. Besides that, I'm fine. You'll be okay.