Debating with myself

[alan12013]

I've loved reptiles my whole life but recently decided I was going all out. I have ball pythons and am getting used to them. I have been thinking about a second snake species to keep as a pet and I really want a nice boa that I can bring out on the sofa with me or let loose while I do paperwork. However I have a chance right now to get this little fellow. They are practically giving him away for free and if I ever wanted to breed him (I do plan on a reptile breeding company) he is het for super stripe. I'm having a slightly hard time finding information on these guys but mostly searched youtube. I do have a lot of time to spend with the snake to work on attitude, I recently highered some one to replace me at work so now I'm practically always at home with the animals. What I'm afraid of is that after I prepare a home for him that takes up a lot of space that I'll be afraid to handle him because of him being aggressive then I will have a huge animal that is mean and I wont want to work with. I know I should get a boa and trust me once I upgrade and move from my condo to a house I will. For now I think I want this guy. Can anyone sell me on a borneo that has one they really like? His coloration is awesome! He's a 4 foot 15 pound 2011 male and I was told he has an attitude and is vocal. I'd love to hear from borneo owners. Thank you!!

[ElliotNess]

Dont let the fact he is cheap change your focus. Why are they "almost giving him away". You have no intentions of breeding him anytime soon right? Ask yourself if thats how you want t to go. I have 2 red tails and LOVE them. They have so much character. In would say skip the shiny object and stay the course. In the amount of space he requires you could house a half dozen balls or a few redtails for now.

This is one of my babies

[alan12013]

Very true! HAHA yes I saw a shiny object. Advice has been heeded and nice red tail, I've never heard anything bad from owners. If you don't take into account their length they look like the pet cat of the snake world.

[vangarret2000]

You asked for someone to convince ou on getting the blood python but go back and read your own thread. It doesn't sound at all like you are at the stage to deal with a snake that is too aggressive. I am not saying tht you never will be but if you try to soon the experience can go really bad and potentially turn you away from the hobby all together. Keep looking ou for what you want. Don't just take something that doesn't suit you because it's a good deal.

I'm not saying there isn't a chance you could get the blood and have everything work out the way you want it. But there is a good chance it could go exactly the you said you were worried about in your first post. No need to take a risk like that at your stage. Get into the ion by more first so you may feel more comfortable with a snake like that.

My advice is don't take the blood python.

[MojaveLesser]

I think that Borneo Short Tails are amazing pythons and that in the correct hands can be a wonderful animal. I have some myself and am getting ready for my first breeding season with them. That being said I would suggest that you think very hard about this. Borneo are by far not the biggest of the Short Tail Pythons but can get large, and coming from someone who has owned Retics, Burms, and Boa Constrictors, you will not find a species of snake that strikes harder than the Bloods (Short Tails Included). During feed day my big female hit the front of her Boaphile cage so hard that she actually popped the door open while it was latched.

I have raised all my Borneo Pythons from babies and it can be challenging to say the least to give them the time they need to grow up tame. They have a very strong feeding response and if even the smell of food is in the air they are hunting. They can also be very quick to defend themselves and they put all their body and energy into a strike. So if you are not very experienced and have never handled an aggressive snake I would turn this down. I would hate to see you or the animal get hurt.

Don't get me wrong, Borneos are great and I love mine to death. But I can honestly say that I have spent thousand and thousands of hours with mine and I still don't take them to educational presentations that I do because the slightest things can sometimes set them off.

The decision is ultimately yours, but do think very hard and don't rush into a situation that you may not be prepared for.

[jackal_727]

Agreement with both. Very cool, very rewarding animals, but can be intimidating to even seasoned keeper's. And I can't stress how much I agree with the above post about the littlest things setting them off. Mine hasn't struck at me in months, but only because I'm in a calm environment and go slow. One little thing, hard vibration, movement, and they can snap. And they are one hard hitting Reptile.

[catzeye21138]

I love my Borneo. Pretty much all I have to say is try to get your hands on at least one or two adult short tails or blood pythons for handling purposes. They are all different temperament wise, and very different to handle compared to other python and boa species.

[Tim Mead]

I think that Borneo Short Tails are amazing pythons and that in the correct hands can be a wonderful animal. I have some myself and am getting ready for my first breeding season with them. That being said I would suggest that you think very hard about this. Borneo are by far not the biggest of the Short Tail Pythons but can get large, and coming from someone who has owned Retics, Burms, and Boa Constrictors, you will not find a species of snake that strikes harder than the Bloods (Short Tails Included). During feed day my big female hit the front of her Boaphile cage so hard that she actually popped the door open while it was latched.

I have raised all my Borneo Pythons from babies and it can be challenging to say the least to give them the time they need to grow up tame. They have a very strong feeding response and if even the smell of food is in the air they are hunting. They can also be very quick to defend themselves and they put all their body and energy into a strike. So if you are not very experienced and have never handled an aggressive snake I would turn this down. I would hate to see you or the animal get hurt.

Don't get me wrong, Borneos are great and I love mine to death. But I can honestly say that I have spent thousand and thousands of hours with mine and I still don't take them to educational presentations that I do because the slightest things can sometimes set them off.

The decision is ultimately yours, but do think very hard and don't rush into a situation that you may not be prepared for.

Agreement with both. Very cool, very rewarding animals, but can be intimidating to even seasoned keeper's. And I can't stress how much I agree with the above post about the littlest things setting them off. Mine hasn't struck at me in months, but only because I'm in a calm environment and go slow. One little thing, hard vibration, movement, and they can snap. And they are one hard hitting Reptile.

I would Dis agree with much of the above statements.. I have passed a 9 year old 30 pound female around a class of herpers as well as some smaller ones.. If they intimidate a seasoned keeper than the keeper is not so seasoned.. I have a 7 year old grand daughter who has handled 100's of pounds of Borneo's and has been tagged by 2 fresh hatchlings.. You want more Borneo info or pictures look at my posts here or click on my facebook link you will find a slew of interactive pictures..

[alan12013]

Tim, thank you for the response and I will be looking over your posts tonight.