Might be trading Monty......

So as you all know I have Monty (male platinum motely reticulated python) estimated around a year old. Grumpy and bitty till you get him out and even then unpredictable. A friend of mine has a female baby blood python. I don't have a blood in my collection yet. I am considering trading him for her. He claims that the blood is calm for a baby and eating well. I know they can be feisty but with time and work can calm down.

Thoughts? Advice?

Photos of the blood. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...642f0a5084.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...11c6a2ba6c.jpg

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I would make the trade in a heartbeat...:D but it's up to you. I've not kept either kind, but that's a pretty blood & I'd sooner have
a blood than a retic...MUCH sooner, lol.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I would make the trade in a heartbeat...:D but it's up to you.

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Leaning heavy that direction.

Please share any experience you have with the Blood pythons.

While either one can be feisty & unpredictable, for me it's just a matter of size. And I've always liked the look of bloods too, but like I said, haven't kept either.

My baby boy blood has a great temperament! Definitely does not sit still when handling him but has never shown any signs of wanting to strike. Really glad I picked him up, such a cool snake. Took f/t too without hesitation first time I fed him also.

I have a Borneo STP and a chrome-headed Sumatran STP and they are both not feisty in the least bit. Except for feeding time, then they hit REALLY hard and REALLY fast. It is supposedly really easy to overfeed these guys, from what I've read, so I am erring with smaller meals. (But I tend to do that across the entire collection)

Mine are mostly sedentary with the only movement being pupils, except after eating, then he'll go drink some water, and then go burrow on the warm side. I provide thick layers of substrate because they enjoy burrowing. And a large water dish to soak in if desired.

I keep my humidity up around 70% and ambient temps around 83* - You just have to watch that enclosures do not get too cold or too wet. When soaking them (if ever necessary) be sure to replace the water when it gets cool, or do shorter periods of soaking in warmer water. I do not like to let their body temperature swing too much compared to some other more tolerant species.

I enjoy mine IMMENSELY, but I don't think it could serve as a replacement for a snake that's built like a Retic - it's just different.

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Originally Posted by rockonjp76

My baby boy blood has a great temperament! Definitely does not sit still when handling him but has never shown any signs of wanting to strike. Really glad I picked him up, such a cool snake. Took f/t too without hesitation first time I fed him also.

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Thanks for your advice.

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Originally Posted by PiperPython

I have a Borneo STP and a chrome-headed Sumatran STP and they are both not feisty in the least bit. Except for feeding time, then they hit REALLY hard and REALLY fast. It is supposedly really easy to overfeed these guys, from what I've read, so I am erring with smaller meals. (But I tend to do that across the entire collection)

Mine are mostly sedentary with the only movement being pupils, except after eating, then he'll go drink some water, and then go burrow on the warm side. I provide thick layers of substrate because they enjoy burrowing. And a large water dish to soak in if desired.

I keep my humidity up around 70% and ambient temps around 83* - You just have to watch that enclosures do not get too cold or too wet. When soaking them (if ever necessary) be sure to replace the water when it gets cool, or do shorter periods of soaking in warmer water. I do not like to let their body temperature swing too much compared to some other more tolerant species.

I enjoy mine IMMENSELY, but I don't think it could serve as a replacement for a snake that's built like a Retic - it's just different.

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With my new girl I will have 3 retics unless I trade Monty off. He is a good animal just not a good pet. LOL. The person who will be taking him knows them and he will be well cared for as her passes his genetics on to his new herald of women retics he will be visiting next year. The blood gives me a new species to work with/ educate others on. I think my mind is made up.

This issue reminded me of a Youtube channel I follow for Burms.....Retics aren't my thing, but drthik1 (a Youtube user who breeds and owns numerous Retics-I actually think CALMpythons knows him personally) claims that if you're going to get one for pet purposes a female is the better one to have due to a more calm temperament, especially when they reach mating size. He basically says to just deal with the size difference in exchange for the temperament.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m6B-nBfslY

Regardless though, I'm a large constrictor kind of guy so I'd hold on to the Retic and just work with him every day....but that's just me. Nothing against bloods.

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Originally Posted by KevinK

This issue reminded me of a Youtube channel I follow for Burms.....Retics aren't my thing, but drthik1 (a Youtube user who breeds and owns numerous Retics-I actually think CALMpythons knows him personally) claims that if you're going to get one for pet purposes a female is the better one to have due to a more calm temperament, especially when they reach mating size. He basically says to just deal with the size difference in exchange for the temperament.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m6B-nBfslY

Regardless though, I'm a large constrictor kind of guy so I'd hold on to the Retic and just work with him every day....but that's just me. Nothing against bloods.

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I am a huge fan of retics in general. I have Rainbow (mainland female suntiger age 3) and she is great animal to work with. Aurora (Platinum Titanium female) will be paid off December 31 and ship January 7th if weather is good. Hope will be another great animal. I agree that from my limited experience that size is not as difficult as attitude to deal with. I have no intentions of breeding and so keeping a grumpy male serves no purpose for me. I love to share my animals and hand them to people. I could never trust Monty on any level to do this.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I am a huge fan of retics in general. I have Rainbow (mainland female suntiger age 3) and she is great animal to work with. Aurora (Platinum Titanium female) will be paid off December 31 and ship January 7th if weather is good. Hope will be another great animal. I agree that from my limited experience that size is not as difficult as attitude to deal with. I have no intentions of breeding and so keeping a grumpy male serves no purpose for me. I love to share my animals and hand them to people. I could never trust Monty on any level to do this.

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And he might only get "grumpier" as an adult when the females are perpetually out of reach?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

And he might only get "grumpier" as an adult when the females are perpetually out of reach?

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I have no experience with adults as of yet so I can not say. Even Rainbow at age 3 is not fully mature or breeding size as of yet and she is 12 feet and 33 lbs.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I have no experience with adults as of yet so I can not say. Even Rainbow at age 3 is not fully mature or breeding size as of yet and she is 12 feet and 33 lbs.

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And I wasn't speaking specifically for this species, but in general, as snakes mature & sense a mate is nearby, even passive types can be restless as captives.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

And I wasn't speaking specifically for this species, but in general, as snakes mature & sense a mate is nearby, even passive types can be restless as captives.

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My yearling balls have been restless but not going to let them breed. I think they both can smell each other but no point in me breeding.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

My yearling balls have been restless but not going to let them breed. I think they both can smell each other but no point in me breeding.

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I'd much rather have a few restless BPs than a restless retic, lol.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I have no experience with adults as of yet so I can not say. Even Rainbow at age 3 is not fully mature or breeding size as of yet and she is 12 feet and 33 lbs.

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Well when you put it that way you're already going to have two giants on your hands so you might as well get a male Burm ;) ....which are usually puppy dog tame, just vocal, even at breeding size in males.

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Originally Posted by KevinK

Well when you put it that way you're already going to have two giants on your hands so you might as well get a male Burm ;) ....which are usually puppy dog tame, just vocal, even at breeding size in males.

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The one I am looking at is a Blood python.

I did a lot of reading about burms…. the issue with them that keeps me from them is their being prone to RI when they get older. I think I read that granite and albinos were the ones with the issues. No clue if it is true but I have to say that most of my snakes will be female from now on.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'd much rather have a few restless BPs than a restless retic, lol.

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Agreed. They can be beasts!

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

The one I am looking at is a Blood python.

I did a lot of reading about burms…. the issue with them that keeps me from them is their being prone to RI when they get older. I think I read that granite and albinos were the ones with the issues. No clue if it is true but I have to say that most of my snakes will be female from now on.

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I know, and do what you want, if you want the blood, get it. They're sweet little sausages haha.

Every species has it's issues, Retics with face pushing, Burms with RI....which in all honesty isn't even a concern in a proper cage like an AP enclosure. It's mainly from poor humidity levels. It's across the board though, not specific to Albinism or Granite only. If I have the stones to own and keep a 12 ft constrictor to begin with I would just accept the fact that she may take a swipe at you at some point, and it may occur when she weighs more than you lol. Nothing you can do about it. Off the top of my head though, when I think of problematic males I really only think of Iguanas and Retics. I'm sure there are other species but none that I've owned where it makes that much of a difference.

My blood is around the same size as the one in the photo. I have had no issues regarding an attitude in any way. He is not very fond of being handled but happily hangs out with us on the bed, couch, floor or wherever, so I work with what he gives me and do not force it. I always make sure to move carefully but precisely when removing him from the tank, attempting not to startle or spook him as he is still quite nervous.

I have had him for a couple of months and have not seen any of the stereotypical blood python nastiness. I am most likely overly cautious, but that is ok with me as I feel it will create a better environment for the animal, and he will feel safe with me.

I am not an expert and there are certainly people her that will chime in with TONS more experience. But the point is that I thing the reputation of the bloods has changed. Good luck if you do go with he blood, I sure do love mine!!

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Originally Posted by Cforlizzo

My blood is around the same size as the one in the photo. I have had no issues regarding an attitude in any way. He is not very fond of being handled but happily hangs out with us on the bed, couch, floor or wherever, so I work with what he gives me and do not force it. I always make sure to move carefully but precisely when removing him from the tank, attempting not to startle or spook him as he is still quite nervous.

I have had him for a couple of months and have not seen any of the stereotypical blood python nastiness. I am most likely overly cautious, but that is ok with me as I feel it will create a better environment for the animal, and he will feel safe with me.

I am not an expert and there are certainly people her that will chime in with TONS more experience. But the point is that I thing the reputation of the bloods has changed. Good luck if you do go with he blood, I sure do love mine!!

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Thanks for sharing.

I have both an adult female blood and a breeding pair of super dwarfs pythons. The personality could not be anymore different, my blood could barely coil itself around me and hardly tries to move where as my retics are very active and seem very much aware. I have a pair of Angolans, a blood, a boa, a pair of womas, a pair of super dwarf retics and balls. The retics are much more interactive, they were very nippy at first but over time with tapping their heads with my snake hook before taking them out they have calmed down. Have you considered monetary value of each snake or does that not matter to you? A normal female blood is very inexpensive compared to a morph retic.

Im a huge fan of bloods/STPs.

My Borneo is such a chill snake, a perfect example of a "lap snake". He's content to just chill, look around a bit and relax while I watch tv or whatever.

They're definitely different to handle from any other snake I've ever handled too. Pretty much no wrapping at all, so you have to support their thick bodies more than most snakes.

My boy is a bit of a pain in the butt eater (uncommon for bloods/STPs) but other than that he's awesome.

To me, it's a no brainer....but that's me

I have a Borneo Short-tail. He is really calm hasn't tried to strike at all. Great feeder hasn't missed a single feeding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KevinK

This issue reminded me of a Youtube channel I follow for Burms.....Retics aren't my thing, but drthik1 (a Youtube user who breeds and owns numerous Retics-I actually think CALMpythons knows him personally) claims that if you're going to get one for pet purposes a female is the better one to have due to a more calm temperament, especially when they reach mating size. He basically says to just deal with the size difference in exchange for the temperament.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m6B-nBfslY

Regardless though, I'm a large constrictor kind of guy so I'd hold on to the Retic and just work with him every day....but that's just me. Nothing against bloods.

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Caesar is a breeding age male retic and he is a giant lush. Guy has never took a shot at me. Worst he does is shove my hand away if he wants to be left alone and if that doesnt work, he just wanders to the other side of the cage lol. When he wanted a girlfriend, his thing though was to push furiously all over the door. I personally thing a lot has to do with how you 'raise' the snake as well as it's demenor as a baby. Caesar was always a mellow baby except food time. Even my GTPs are mellow and i can put them down in my open hand on their perch and they will crawl off onto my hand to explore.

And to Skyriver, my vote goes to keeping the retic. A Blood Python reminds me of a BP aka pet rock......but what do i know, i got boas that are pet rocks for the most part as well as pet rocks on a stick aka GTPs lol.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Caesar is a breeding age male retic and he is a giant lush. Guy has never took a shot at me. Worst he does is shove my hand away if he wants to be left alone and if that doesnt work, he just wanders to the other side of the cage lol. When he wanted a girlfriend, his thing though was to push furiously all over the door. I personally thing a lot has to do with how you 'raise' the snake as well as it's demenor as a baby. Caesar was always a mellow baby except food time. Even my GTPs are mellow and i can put them down in my open hand on their perch and they will crawl off onto my hand to explore.

And to Skyriver, my vote goes to keeping the retic. A Blood Python reminds me of a BP aka pet rock......but what do i know, i got boas that are pet rocks for the most part as well as pet rocks on a stick aka GTPs lol.

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Sauzo, thanks for the advice. Here is what happened.

I took Monty out to put him in the tub to take him to trade him. He attacked the hook 4 times before I got him to run away. Super hungry as usual. Once he decided was not food time he ran. I got him out and he ran as hard as he could for 5 minuets before I could put him in the tub for transporting him. Was going to meet the guy at Rainforest Pets, a local pet store that is awesome how they educate and treat their animals. I was waiting on the guy to show up and was holding Monty in my hands working with him a bit. He was calm and active. No aggression. WOW he is great looking, glittering with the platinum gene. The way he was acting started to give me hope for him. I waited and waited and the guy never showed up. Was a good thing because I now feel Monty is just young and needs more work and love. The guy tried to rescheduled for today but I am going to cancel for now. The little guy won my heart again. They are truly amazing animals. Besides, everyone needs one of those to keep them on their toes and be reminded to stay alert while handling them.

Glad to hear it might work out after all. Good luck!

Caesar has always not been a huge fan of being handled. He likes petting and likes to explore and sit on my arms at his discretion but doesn't care to be dragged out. Maybe Monty is the same. Also Caesar mellowed out with age.

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Good job Monty! Glad you're staying home :D