what to get

Hi,bp.net

I am new to bp.net this is my first post.
I just got my first snake a pinstripe ball python and already want another snake:snake:

I want your opinion on what i should get.

borneo short tailed python
Red blood python
Sumatran short tailed python
Jungle carpet python
Amazon tree boa

Sorry I dont know how to do the polls:oops

I think you should hold off on a second snake for now. :) Get to know your BP, get used to maintaining its needs, reading how it responds to you, and all that good stuff.

When you've got a good hang of that, you can move onto a more challenging snake like the ones you've listed (the carpet is probably only "challenging" because they're usually nippy as babies, though). Those snakes are quite different, and if you can find some local shows where you can handle the species you are interested in it would be a great start on deciding what's best for you.

I ment once i get use to my bp

Well that's still up to you, and I gave suggestions to help you decide :). Research, watch videos and look at pictures, and find a place where you can handle adults to make sure it's something you can manage. The exception for handling is the ATB, which is much more of a display snake than a handling snake. Between the species is all just preference on what you are looking for in a snake.

Thanks tikall

I am planing on taking your advice.
I really like bloods and short tailed pythons do you have any experiencewith them

I have a little experience, but there are members who frequent this forum that know much more than myself. I've only had my Sumatran short-tail since December, but I really enjoy keeping him and he's just about the perfect snake for me.

You certainly need to be familiar with cues like their breathing, how tense they are, and all that when going to mess with them, though. It becomes automatic soon enough, and your bp can teach you the basics. They're very low maintenance because they don't defecate often, and they're actually less demanding temperature-wise so long as you keep things steady. They're unforgiving of beginner errors (they'll easily get sick in sub par conditions, and they are NOT easy to cure), but if you can keep things stable in the appropriate range they're pretty easy. Handling is different from most snakes since they don't actually try to wrap around you for balance; you essentially need to cradle them and support their body yourself. There are some excellent handling videos on youtube to help you out with this. There's plenty of information to be found in this section about them, and there's more on bloodpythons.com.

Arent sumatrans the smallest
How is the temperment are they as mean as people say

They tend to be, but from what I've seen they can ALL get to be about 6 feet given enough time, except for the yellow head blacks which stay much smaller. I've only heard of the reds getting 8+ feet, though.

The blacks and Borneos have a reputation for being the best tempered, but there are well behaved reds, too. Just work with it from the start, and stay away from WC animals. Some breeders even breed for temperament and should be able to select a calmer hatchling for you should you request it, so that's something to look for, too.

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Originally Posted by Tikall

I've only heard of the reds getting 8+ feet, though

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I'd like to see the pic that proves that!

You can't really go wrong with blood pythons or carpet pythons (I know little to nothing about tree boas). Blood pythons are pretty different than carpets though. Much heavier bodied, slower moving, way different colors/morphs, different housing needs, etc. Some more research and I'm sure you'll be able to decide what's best for you.

And the rep bloods have certainly is exaggerated, but that's not to say there aren't any bad eggs...

Dennis

Def get a blood. I got one as my second snake (first was a bull) several years ago and never looked back. I've only ever dealt with one that was "mean" and she calmed down within a few months after I purchased her to be a big friendly lap snake. I can't even remember the last time one of my bloods stuck at me or gave me any kind of an attitude. There are certainly individuals that will be nippy or aggressive, but you will see this with any species. As Tikall noted, bloodpythons.com is a good resource.
And that 8+ feet thing - probably not, I would say 5ft is average and I've seen very few too much over 6ft.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions..I love talking bloods :)

Thanks Everybody

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Originally Posted by emmet10

Sorry I dont know how to do the polls:oops

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Fixed :gj:

I will say it depends on your experience, and on whether or not you can meet each species needs.

They have different requirements they have different temperaments and of course size is also a factor.

Best with some of those species would be to get to spend time with someone that own the said species to see if whether or not this is something you really want.

I also am thinking of a Dumerils

Or a woma

Re: 8+ foot bloods, I've heard them mentioned several times on bloodpythons.com, and as fact rather than "I know a friend of a friend of a friend who has..." It'd be nice if someone who knows more about this would chime in, as I can't seem to find the correct keywords to search for it over there.

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Originally Posted by kristan

she calmed down within a few months after I purchased her to be a big friendly lap snake.

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That reminds me...a blood will handle much differently than a carpet python, ball python, or dumerils will. They will not wrap around your hand/arm to support themselves as other snakes will, and are much more of a "lap snake" as kristan said. Proper handling is required to keep them happy and to prevent injury, especially in porky adults.

Its always a fun party trick to hang my BP from my hand so that people can ohh and ahh as she climbs back up effortlessly. But if I did that with my Borneo he would be a VERY unhappy camper.

Dennis

One last thing, Rich Crowley and Jason Holzworth have nice care sheets and info pages for bloods. Bloodpythons.com is great as well, but you can never have too many sources.

The care sheet is under "tips and tricks" in the upper left.
http://www.richcrowleyreptiles.com/Tips_and_Tricks.html

This site will give you more info about each separate species (or is it sub species?!) as well as a care sheet.
http://www.redpython.net/newsite/meet.htm

Dennis

I found this thread entitled "post your biggest bloods" on bloodpythons.com:
http://www.bloodpythons.com/forums/s...hlight=largest
The largest one mentioned on that thread was 7', with most of the ones mentioned falling between 6' - 6.5'.
Also, according to NERD's blood care sheet "Females average 4'- 6', males average 3' - 5' adult size. Maximum reported size is around 10 feet, although 8'+ specimens are considered EXTREMELY large."
According to VPI: "Most adult females measure 50"-66" in total length, most adult males measure 40"-56" in total length. Older females occasionally attain 72" in total length. The maximum size for the taxon reportedly exceeds 9 feet in total length, but we are unconvinced."

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Originally Posted by Hapa_Haole

. But if I did that with my Borneo he would be a VERY unhappy camper.

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Thats for sure

I would say wait a lil bit and just do your homework. I did what you want to do i got my first BP and in 2weeks i had a RTB. Just do what you feel is the right thing to do just make sure your money is right for the care of your animals and you should be fine good luck and go with the borneo or the red.

I have handled alot of Dumerils boas and all have them have been really friendly snakes, and I have read they do quite well in captivity. I believe they can hit 8 foot though, so keep that in mind... Also like everyone else is saying make sure you spend some time with the one snake you have for a little while atleast, make sure its something you are going to stay interested in and make sure you dont mind the 20+ year commitment of a snake. I know how it is to want to go get another snake immediately after you buy one, for me atleast whenever i get a new reptile, it just makes my want to go out and buy another one as soon as possible, dont let yourself get overwhelmed!

thanks

i have almost all those but i dont keep jungles i keep coastals carpet pythons are awsome but they kinda have adhd buut they can be a very forgiving snake because austraila is very diverse when it comes to temps but that dosent mean you should neglect it needs tho. amazon tree boas can be tamed mine is but they do stress out when handeled alot even when tamed down. i dont keep red bloods or borenos but i do keep a sumtura short tail awsome snake but mine is very shy and can be vocale which is kinda weird lol you should just go to a reptile show and hold all the snakes you see that you like and pick what you like best cause your the one that lives with it for 20 plus years not us but good luck.

I'd choose red blood python or carpet python (don't limit yourself to jungles, they are ALL amazing!).. but I'm a little biased since I keep both. The other options don't interest me much.