Can a Blood Be A ....

Can a Blood Python (Python Brongersmai) be a snake for a beginner (did I spell that right)?

If not for what reasons. If it is just for nippiness, I can handle that.

So far I have heard that they have good feeding response.

Also I have a tank that should be able to house a blood python for quite awhile maybe even to adult.(feel free to correct me , the tank is 36x13x13).

The main thing that I have heard as a problem is humidity.

So can a blood be a beginner python.

PS. Blood Python are Python Brongersmai right. I am kinda confused with short-tails,malaysians etc.

Bloods, are nippy but most calm down with gentle handling. If you have never owned a snake a Blood is not the way to go for a first snake. Some have awsome feeding responces and others are very picky eaters. They also require very small enclosures as hatchlings so they feel secure (shoe box sized enclosures). Humidity and temps are another big issue with these guys. To much is just as bad if not worse than not enough. a 36x13x13 will not be large enough to house an adult Blood male or female these are super long snakes 4-7' avg but the do get big and fat 45lbs+, with that bloods are not your typical jsut hang out over your shoulders large snake they are a more active and fast moving for their size. I would get some snake exp with either a BP or a BCI red tail before I considered a blood.

I would not recommend a blood as a first snake. They are hardy, and good eaters, but like Python77 said, they are not sling over your shoulder type snakes. They are somewhat delicate because they are so hefty, if you don't support them well while handling, you can do some damage.

They do enjoy a nice humid hide spot, but you don't want to overdo the humidity. Soggy snakes are not happy snakes.

Bloods can grow quite large. You might consider a borneo short tail instead.. or even a sumatran short tail (black blood) both stay smaller than the sumatran red.

An adult blood needs MINIMUM a 4' cage.

Hmm I kinda expected this. I just wanted to see since I like bloods so much. Would a Blood fair well as a second snake?

Sure I think so. Start will a ball, or something similar. Get comfortable with keeping temps and humidity stable. Get general snake experience.

so basically get some Husbandry experience, and get good temp and humidity that is constant.

Also will the tank size I mentioned above keep a Female BP happy as an adult. If not how long will it keep it happy for? Thanks, for the contructive replies, I am trying to get things sorted out for myself.


Edit: No one answered this question:P , Is a Blood Python Python Brongersmai?

A 3' cage is fine for any ball python.

Yes P. brongersmai.

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Originally Posted by HelicopterPilot

Hmm I kinda expected this. I just wanted to see since I like bloods so much. Would a Blood fair well as a second snake?

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i think it is too, but deffinitely get a another snake before getting a blood. i think shelby has it all covered;) :D

Here is the blood python care sheet if you have not read it over already:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=11

And I agree with everyone. Definately get some snake experience before getting a blood. Also, expect to buy a few different homes for the blood as it grows. They really do not do too well with alot of extra space, so buying an enclosure and letting the snake 'grow into it' is not a good idea with bloods.

amg20102006, may I ask what your exp with blood pythons is and why you voted they would make a good first snake. This is a forum to help people not "go against the grain".

Yup I read it. I won't move it immediatly into the big cage. Even if I did I would provide it at least 3 or more hides to make up for the empty space. It seems that if I keep a young blood in a just right sized enclosure with no basking spot and an ambiant temp of 80-82.
The caresheet says 50-60% humidity ,but I heard they like it around the 70's. Is that true.

Keep it at 50-60%. Just put a humid hide in there.

helicopter pilot, do you own any herps?

Bloods do not make good beginner snakes in my opinion. They are less forgiving of husbandry mistakes than other species - meaning if you screw something up, there's more chance of the snake suffering for it. Just because a caresheet outlines the snake's care as relatively simple doesn't mean that everything always goes according to the care sheet. Learning to read & interpret snake behavior with other species that are more beginner-suited (i.e. ball pythons, spotted pythons, sand boas, any number of big colubrids, etc) will be a HUGE benefit prior to getting a more sensitive snake like a blood.

Just my $.02

K~

For the humid hide ,can you use paper towel instead of that sphagum moss? I might (and probably will) make one for my future Bp for when She Sheds.


mr~python-the answer is No ,but I am trying to change that.

Use sphagnum. Paper towels will not hold moisture.

i started with a ball and got a blood as my second snake :D (well actually like my 4th snake if you count my other two corns i had previously) mine was very nippy (still is especially when it's a day late on feeding time) but she's very lovable when not having a os attack lol. i don't reccomend it as a beginner snake but as a second snake i think it would be fine :)

Brian

definitely not a good first snake

As a first snake no. They are very picky with humidity and enclosures. Babies can be nippy and if this is not corrected, I'm guessing they'd make one scary nippy 30 pound python. I agree with starting out with a BP and getting the basics down before a Blood Python. Jumping the gun will result in a very stressed Blood Python and owner.

I agree with all those voting against a Blood being suitable as a beginner snake. I have two Malaysian Red Bloods and various Royal ( Ball ) Pythons of those the latter is by far more suited to a beginner but even then I would suggest people start with a corn or king type level of snake.

As has been said Bloods are far less forgiving during any husbandry issues and are also when fully grown a handful for an adult let alone a younger person starting out.

Oh and hello everyone just joined today , looks like a decent place to hang out.

Glad to see you dropped by Snakey! We not bad for an international bunch of crazed herp addicted folk LOL

I've never owned a blood, although it's something I've considered for the farther future. I did rescue and rehome one though, and in the short time I had him, I was amazed at the difference between balls and bloods. He was relatively young, only about 2 to 2.5 feet long. But I have NEVER seen a snake hit prey that hard, I literally felt the strength/power through the tongs when he nailed his rat. I definitely wouldn't want to take a bite from one, not even one as small as he was. :O

I'm really surprised the poor guy was alive. He was being kept in a tub that was only as long as half his length, with newspaper substrate and a bowl of water...that's it. No heat, no humidity, no hide. He had one infected eye and one badly scratched eye. The couple that took him managed to get rid of the infection and some scratches, but he only has about 15-20% of his vision. He seemed pretty docile, so I hope he stays that way for them.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Glad to see you dropped by Snakey! We not bad for an international bunch of crazed herp addicted folk LOL

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thanks Franky , crazed I can deal with , I should fit right in then ...lol

I don't think balls or bloods are good beginner snakes.:mad: Corn and Kings are better for beginners. :D

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Originally Posted by novato

I don't think balls or bloods are good beginner snakes.:mad: Corn and Kings are better for beginners. :D

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i have had more problems with kings and corns then bps. I have also been bitten far more by kings and corns then bps.

Ball pythons are hardy, easy to keep and maintain. Gentel, easy going and each one looks and acts different. the only bad thing about Bps i would say is they can be some what picky with their food, have a one track mind, and for no reasion stop eating for weeks or months, costing you money in vet bills and giving you a bad case of the worries. :P Then when the vet check comes back fine, you end up banging you head on a brick wall trying to get the booger to eat.
All and all Bps are very much a fun and "keep you on your toes" kind of snake. Once you have a ball you stuck on them for life.
:carrot: :sunny: :2cent:

I think it really depends on what you want out of a snake...

I won't vote because I've no experience with blood pythons. I do, however, think that they do not make good beginner's snakes. Ever since I got my first snake over a year ago, I've wanted a Blood. Even after caring for FOUR snakes, I do not feel I'm ready to take on a Blood. Maybe another year or two one will be added to my growing collection, but not just yet.

And, jessie_k_pythons ~ I feel ya on the subject of getting bitten far more by the kings & corns! My cornsnake has never, ever shown agression. However, my baby Mexican black king snake seems to think he can swallow a 5'5" human at only 13" (or so) long! The first time he got me, I thought I made a stupid feeding error. The second time, I was fresh out of the shower, no scents on me other than somethin' fruity (maybe he likes that smell, or something). Now, when I take him out for handling, I WORRY when he DOESN'T nab me! Hopefully he'll knock it off by the time he's older. Silly snake. :rolleyes:

lol I started out rescueing Cali kings god they pack a punch. and when I was told that my very first snake should be a king I said "no thanks *looks down at the scars and cuts on my hands* " I made an even bigger mistake wih a 9 foot sick retic. (me and my big heart) I thought I could handel this guy no prob, ha ha ha ha! nope! he was great untill I finaly got his retained (sp?) eye caps off. I dont remember how many on each eye but he was blind untill I removed them.

that was when he turned into the devil. bit me, bit my husband. would he strike at a rat? oh heck no! he liked the hand the fed him more that the food it's self. I finaly traded him in for a ball python (Baby) and I got word last month that his new owner ended up getting 6 stiches from his last bite.
I'm sticking with BPs. I have been nabed by mine too and I will say there bite is not as bad as the retic's or the king's, but then again I'm numb from the brain down. :D

Sounds like you should've left those eyecaps on there! Haha, I'm just kidding. I'd never be that mean. But, you'd think he'd be even slightly appreciative that he could see the person that had been taking such good care of him.

I laughed when I read the "...that was when he turned into the devil..." bit. That had to be a horrible experience, but the way you explained it was amusing.

I'm going to safely assume that my king snake will always bite on occassion. I spoke to my trusted herper friend today for close to 2 hours, and he said that some kings just have that characteristic embedded into their personalities. It's not something that bothers me too much. I don't mind getting bit. I've got dogs that bite pretty darned hard when they accidentally miss the toy and latch onto my hand/arm. I'm used to being abused by my animal companions.

I hit "enter" too quick on my last reply, and I have no idea how to edit posts, or if it's possible!

What I wanted to add was this, to keep it on-topic:
I spoke to my trusted herper friend (he used to work at the San Diego Zoo before he moved here to Arizona) about Blood pythons, and I asked him about their position in the "beginner's snake" list. He said, "Absolutely not!" He told me that they are well-known for being nippy, and he also states they have very strict needs and requirements that are not often simple for inexperienced keepers to keep constant. He said if you're looking for a python, go for a ball first.

raven,

you have an edit button available to you for about 5 minutes after posting in order to edit your post (any typos or add something you forget etc.)

the edit button is to the left of the quote button on the bottom right hand corner of your post.

Can it be a good beginner snake? Yes to the person who does extremely extensive research and spends plenty time tinkering with enclosures and seeing what works to keep humidity and temps good.


Are most people this prepared? No.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

Can it be a good beginner snake? Yes to the person who does extremely extensive research and spends plenty time tinkering with enclosures and seeing what works to keep humidity and temps good.

Are most people this prepared? No.

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Someone doing a bunch of research isn't automatically going to make this species good for beginners. Novice keepers have to get their feet wet and make mistakes while actually keeping an animal, and bloods/short-tails are much less forgiving of the mistakes that are bound to happen. The vast majority of novice keepers typically lack the sensitivity & attention to detail that are required in order to keep little problems from becoming big ones with these snakes, and need to "cut their teeth" on a species that is going to give a little more leeway when something goes wrong.

I think it's a bit irresponsible to go saying "they'd make a good beginner species 'if'..." regardless of what the "if" actually is. Typically when there's an "if" involved, you can't put an animal under the general umbrella of "good beginner species."

I realize I'm responding to a bit of an older post here, but felt this needed to be said lest anyone gain the wrong impression of blood pythons based on "doing enough research." They aren't rocket science, but they aren't the best choice for a "beginner."

Just my $.02...

K~

With the experience that Kara is speaking from, I feel weird saying "I totally agree," as if her thoughts need any kind of validation to begin with...but I do totally agree, especially because I can remember having that 'new keeper' mentality not so long ago.

I'll say the same thing, just another way:

Bloods are one of those intermediate species where no amount of research is going to give you "the eye" for identifying and interpreting certain behaviors that experience gives you.

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Originally Posted by KLG

Someone doing a bunch of research isn't automatically going to make this species good for beginners. Novice keepers have to get their feet wet and make mistakes while actually keeping an animal, and bloods/short-tails are much less forgiving of the mistakes that are bound to happen. The vast majority of novice keepers typically lack the sensitivity & attention to detail that are required in order to keep little problems from becoming big ones with these snakes, and need to "cut their teeth" on a species that is going to give a little more leeway when something goes wrong.

I think it's a bit irresponsible to go saying "they'd make a good beginner species 'if'..." regardless of what the "if" actually is. Typically when there's an "if" involved, you can't put an animal under the general umbrella of "good beginner species."

I realize I'm responding to a bit of an older post here, but felt this needed to be said lest anyone gain the wrong impression of blood pythons based on "doing enough research." They aren't rocket science, but they aren't the best choice for a "beginner."

Just my $.02...

K~

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excellent post and I could'nt agree more, Bloods are not a species to cut your teeth on at all no matter how much reading up you do.

Fabulous snakes but I would say to any potential keeper do get experience with a more forgiving species 1st.

Some snakes require experience and there for fall into a catagory not befitting of beginner status, reading books gives you none, not to say reading books is not a good thing as it is as a supplimental aid to further ones knowledge but be realistic and think whats best for the animal in question 1st .........What Can I offer it ? Am I capable of reading potential problems before they become detrimental to its health. Can I provide and maintain its requirments ?

Regarding temps and humidity you dont want to be tinkering with things to see what works when dealing with bloods, they should go into a habitat that is already proficiently maintained and capable of supplying their needs, when your messing around trying things your rolling the dice on your animals health.

Are most people this prepared ? what do you think ?

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Originally Posted by snakey68

excellent post and I could'nt agree more, Bloods are not a species to cut your teeth on at all no matter how much reading up you do.

Fabulous snakes but I would say to any potential keeper do get experience with a more forgiving species 1st.

Some snakes require experience and there for fall into a catagory not befitting of beginner status, reading books gives you none, not to say reading books is not a good thing as it is as a supplimental aid to further ones knowledge but be realistic and think whats best for the animal in question 1st .........What Can I offer it ? Am I capable of reading potential problems before they become detrimental to its health. Can I provide and maintain its requirments ?

Regarding temps and humidity you dont want to be tinkering with things to see what works when dealing with bloods, they should go into a habitat that is already proficiently maintained and capable of supplying their needs, when your messing around trying things your rolling the dice on your animals health.

Are most people this prepared ? what do you think ?

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I said to tinker with the enclosure to get humidity and temps right before getting the snake. As far as reading potential problems etc...this is with every specie of animals whether it be dogs, birds, snakes, or rodents. You cannot notice the potential problems if you have never experienced them anyway.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

I said to tinker with the enclosure to get humidity and temps right before getting the snake. As far as reading potential problems etc...this is with every specie of animals whether it be dogs, birds, snakes, or rodents. You cannot notice the potential problems if you have never experienced them anyway.

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yes and you are better experiencing problems with a less problematic and less forgiving species regardless.

I don't think a Blood is a good first snake. Learning basic husbandry is important a Ball is IMO a good starter snake. I think at a point though you need to be the one who decides when you are ready for a more difficult species. When I first got into reptile I saw a picture of a White lip. Oh man I wanted one until I interacted with one.,This little one was NASTY. I got a Ball then a jungle then I jumped off into scrubs. So take your time do your homework and get some time in with husbandry you will be much happier you did.



Chuck

i got a blood technically "dumped" on me... a friend needed me to take care of her while he was out of town alot cause of work...
i have had her a year...

i learned alot obout these things, they can be nice, and they can be pissy, and they need some serious humidity controle to help them shed =]

first snake i got was a corn,
then a ball... then like i had 5 balls,
then the blood.
then the JCP's
then the Brazilian Rainbow...
so yeah... personally i think jungles are good even tho they are nippy when young...
my adult female is an absolute doll

hmmm...I myself would probably avoid it.

I am no expert on Bloods, but compared to Balls, they require a bit more husbandry in terms they are not as forgiving as balls when it comes to housing....and there is just not much info out there about them. There are some great people on this board who could help you...but again, there is much more on Balls then there are Bloods...I myself was looking for some info on Sumatran Black Blood Reproduction and had trouble finding some, so I turned to Kara from NERD for some help, and she is working on an article on that topic (sorry Kara if I wasnt suppose to say anything! :weirdface )...but ya...probably not one of the top beginner snakes.



...Just realized this thread is like 37 years old :)

Not a good first snake go with a ball or boa first get use to handling them temps etc first
and do homework and not from books but by talking to people that actually have them .. like others said you can not handle them the same way you pick up a ball they wrap around your arm etc bloods don't you have to craddle them even as babies
they are a heavy snake even at 2 feet and dead weight
and when they are cranky well they have teeth and the weight to put behind it! when they are scared they will not shy away they will strike at the threat.
but they really are worth the wait and homework