First Blood

So I just got back from the White Plains expo, and I bought my first blood python. From the vendor Eight Legs Plus, got him for $100, cheapest I've seen a blood for. It's a male and the guy said it was a vpi I think, Don't know what that means. I currently have him in a 10 gallon tank that I had for my baby bp, I know he's going to need a 20 gallon but I don't have the money just yet. With a UTH and 2 hides and a water bowl. (The tank is PACKED) Temps are 89 hot and than room temp which is 72. Humidity is 40. Can someone send me the link for the care sheet of a blood python. Also I'm using paper towels as substrate is that good for a blood? And I know they reach 6-7 feet. Is that just females or will males reach that length too? And i know they can be temper mental so should I feed outside the enclosure?

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...n-brongersmai)

A blood python will need a cage much larger than a 20 gallon...

Cage aggression is a myth. There are no negative effects of feeding in the snakes cage.

Hes maybe 22 inches

I was talking about an adult cage. I guess I misread your post. Eventually he will need to be in a 48 x 24 inch cage

Here's a link to VPI's care sheet:
http://vpi.com/publications/blood_py...ation_and_care

What does VPI mean?

VPI is a breeder

http://www.vpi.com/

Please pay attention to the caresheets. Your hotspot is too hot, your low temps are too low, and the humidity is too low. Get the snake into a tub for now, as tanks are horrible for humidity with these guys. It is probably easier just to keep the entire tub around 78-83 degrees, no hotspot. Paper towel substrate is fine if the humidity is high enough on its own. Get the snake into a tub and find out.

^^What she said. Also, it's a good idea to provide the animal with a water bowl that is big enough for them to fit their entire body in to soak. Helps with humidity also. You're going to have a harder time getting the humidity/temps right with a tank. An appropriate sized rubbermaid or sterilite container works wonders.

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Originally Posted by Tikall

Please pay attention to the caresheets. Your hotspot is too hot, your low temps are too low, and the humidity is too low. Get the snake into a tub for now, as tanks are horrible for humidity with these guys. It is probably easier just to keep the entire tub around 78-83 degrees, no hotspot. Paper towel substrate is fine if the humidity is high enough on its own. Get the snake into a tub and find out.

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I know I basically bought him on impulse, I have all the stuff left over from my bp when he was in the 10 gallon, I dropped the temp on the UTH, I was going to add a light for the cooler side but I don't have a second rheostat so I don't want to cook him. I didn't have enough for the rheostat so I'm gonna get one when I get paid next week. Most likely going to switch to a tub, but I just hate not being able too check on him without popping the lid off. Well actually I could modify the tub and zip tie some plexiglass to the side as a window.

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Originally Posted by DNACurtusK

^^What she said. Also, it's a good idea to provide the animal with a water bowl that is big enough for them to fit their entire body in to soak. Helps with humidity also. You're going to have a harder time getting the humidity/temps right with a tank. An appropriate sized rubbermaid or sterilite container works wonders.

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The bowl is big enough for him, he was actually in it a little while ago. And what size container would you suggest? Something not to big but something that he can grow into.

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Originally Posted by deathfromabove

I know I basically bought him on impulse

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Which is why you should always do research before getting a new animal...

For my black blood girl I have her in a 28qt tub for her QT period and though I haven't measured her she's about ~550 grams right now. I think a tub around that size would be fine to start out with, or even a 34 qt. I also don't have a hotspot for her as her ambient temps stay at a constant ~82, and I believe they prefer a tad cooler temps than balls. She's pooped, fed, and shed like a champ so far with me.

Adult bloods can be kept successfully in large tubs but I'd look into saving up funds for at least a 4' cage now. That 20 gallon isn't going to last you. Cages are the way to go IMO.

Feeding in the enclosure is fine too.

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

Which is why you should always do research before getting a new animal...

For my black blood girl I have her in a 28qt tub for her QT period and though I haven't measured her she's about ~550 grams right now. I think a tub around that size would be fine to start out with, or even a 34 qt. I also don't have a hotspot for her as her ambient temps stay at a constant ~82, and I believe they prefer a tad cooler temps than balls. She's pooped, fed, and shed like a champ so far with me.

Adult bloods can be kept successfully in large tubs but I'd look into saving up funds for at least a 4' cage now. That 20 gallon isn't going to last you. Cages are the way to go IMO.

Feeding in the enclosure is fine too.

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How is the temper of your blood? I held one ate the LPS maybe 8 months ago, and the guy said you have to hold them a lot or they will get viscous. (lol he made it seem like if you open the tank you've got a mouth full of teeth coming at you) but I can't imagine that happening he seems no harm full than my bp.

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Originally Posted by deathfromabove

How is the temper of your blood? I held one ate the LPS maybe 8 months ago, and the guy said you have to hold them a lot or they will get viscous. (lol he made it seem like if you open the tank you've got a mouth full of teeth coming at you) but I can't imagine that happening he seems no harm full than my bp.

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Mine was handled very frequently as a baby by the breeder I got her from, and so far she's been wonderful with only the occasional pissy fit. She has struck at me twice and my bf once, but I believe that was because we moved too suddenly for her and she got defensive. Even those few strikes were very lack luster and she settled right down after, so as long as you handle them regularly they should grow into nice, calm adults. I believe the whole "they're an aggressive species" came from the early imported snakes being snappy and wild (of course lol) and people not working enough with them while they're young.

Here's a pic of my female short tail:

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3...l2120125-1.jpg

Wow she's really nice!! I noticed the spine kinda sticks up on yours too is that normal? Also when I first got onto this forum, I don't remember if it was a thread or some research I was doing but I remember seeing somewhere that the rule of thumb was for every 4 feet of snake you want someone else there just in case something happens. Since he's going to reach 6 ft possibly more, will he be strong enough to constrict me? (worst case scenario)

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Originally Posted by deathfromabove

Wow she's really nice!! I noticed the spine kinda sticks up on yours too is that normal? Also when I first got onto this forum, I don't remember if it was a thread or some research I was doing but I remember seeing somewhere that the rule of thumb was for every 4 feet of snake you want someone else there just in case something happens. Since he's going to reach 6 ft possibly more, will he be strong enough to constrict me? (worst case scenario)

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Thank you :)

The spine sticking up is normal, if your blood is rounded so much that you can't see that little bit of a spike or any muscle tone then it is overweight IMO.

I doubt he's going to reach 6' (though it's possible, I just don't see too many "big" males) but if you get to the point where you become nervous when handling him it's good to play it safe and have another person there. I don't read too much about people needing another person or multiple people when handling their bloods though? I hear it more with large boas and the giants such as the arocks, burms, retics, and annies (plus the occasional scrub since I know they can become large too).

As for it constricting you, my girl has yet to constrict me as all, even my hand while holding her: remember, they're not a boa :) She just kinda sits there and chills out.

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Originally Posted by deathfromabove

I know I basically bought him on impulse, I have all the stuff left over from my bp when he was in the 10 gallon, I dropped the temp on the UTH, I was going to add a light for the cooler side but I don't have a second rheostat so I don't want to cook him. I didn't have enough for the rheostat so I'm gonna get one when I get paid next week. Most likely going to switch to a tub, but I just hate not being able too check on him without popping the lid off. Well actually I could modify the tub and zip tie some plexiglass to the side as a window.

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Hmm I can see into my small tubs well, but I'm not sure on the brand. They have blue clips though. I love them for growing these guys out. As far as heating, a bulb or CHE placed a distance from the tub works for me. It is far enough that humidity stays around 70-80% (a big water dish really helps), and hot enough that the temperature is ideal. No thermostat necessary since you can just adjust how far away from the tub you put it. Extremely simple!