Ball or Blood?

[Aedryan Methyus]

You are very welcome. I don't have any personal experience with Carpet Pythons, but from what I gather, they can be a little more on the nippy side. Have you considered a Woma? Womas are very animated and make great display animals and have very simple requirements unless you live in an area with high humidity. I am dying to get a pair of them! There definitely needs to be more Woma breeders out there, too!

[dkatz4]

Before i got my newest boa, i was very seriously considering a carpet python. My understanding is that they are very active, also great for display caging, but to be honest, the main reason i stuck with boas over them was just the practical concern of sticking with what i know.

[dboeren]

I don't have any personal experience with Carpet Pythons, but from what I gather, they can be a little more on the nippy side. Have you considered a Woma? Womas are very animated and make great display animals and have very simple requirements unless you live in an area with high humidity. I am dying to get a pair of them! There definitely needs to be more Woma breeders out there, too!

From what I've read it sounds like baby Carpets are nippy but become docile as they grow up. I get the impression that this is common with several python species.

I don't know anything about Womas other than they are another Australian python species but I'll look into it - thanks for the suggestion.

[JodanOrNoDan]

Once again, if there is a child involved and you want to have the best chance of a positive introduction to snakes, the two highest on the list are going to be corns or balls. Bites can happen from any species. A bite from a corn or a ball is not likely to ruin anyone's day.

[zina10]

I've had Balls, Carpets, Borneo, Blood, Boa's (Rubber, Redtail, Brazilian) and a few more.

A Ball Python will make the best choice if you want a "docile" snake. They are also most shy and some of them will try to get away the entire time you are handling. That is still preferable to being bit

That said, IF you have a TAME and calm Blood Python, they actually make better "pet's" imho, then Balls. Because they tend to be calmer, more curious, less head shy (less shy overall) and "hang out" more.
Like everyone mentioned though, that is if you have one of the calm/tame ones.
If you want to get a TON of info on them, lots of pictures, stories and experiences, there is a great blood python group on facebook. I would read there for at least a couple of weeks before making up my mind. Most of the reputable breeders post there as well. Lots of pictures of beautiful snakes, some being handled by the children of the keepers.

Yes, your husbandry has to be on the spot. Perhaps more so then with some other snakes. For me personally, that isn't a issue. I'm picky about ALL my snakes husbandry needs. A Blood needs it cooler then a BP, they need fairly high humidity BUT good airflow through the enclosure as well. You don't want swampy conditions with tepid air. Bloods and shorttails poop far less often then BP's but they pee a LOT. And you need to keep them clean.

I feel like everything has already been said, and you have gotten a ton of good advice here !

Let me add one thing in case it hasn't been brought up, if at all possible, pick your snake up in person, ESP. a Blood or Shorttail!!! If you can to to Reptillis, that would be awesome. Pick one by temperament, not "looks". While all young snakes can be nervous and even defensive, there are definite differences. If you want a smaller (and usually calmer) species, pick a Sumatran short tail (wrongly known as Black Bloods).

Good luck, and have fun finding your new friend

[dboeren]

The Sumatrans get too black for me, but Borneos could be a possibility.

I'll check out the Facebook group as well, I guess that's where a lot of "forums" are headed these days.

[rock]

Thanks for the personality comparison, that's very helpful. Yes, I'd like to start with a CB baby of whatever species so they can be raised up accustomed to handling.

I guess the lower personality is part of what people are talking about when they refer to Balls as "pet rocks"

I'v been reading a bit more about Carpet Pythons and they look like a possibility as well and sound like another more interactive snake like boas.

Going to the show and getting to see/handle examples of each type will probably be what helps the most to decide.

Now you're talking. If you are opening up the possibility of Carpet Pythons then you are exactly where I was a few months ago. I read and read and read and I finally decided on a Bredli Python, which is within the Carpet Python Complex. I love him, he's still new to me though. Sweet as could be. Great climber and display snake and are supposedly even better to handle as they grow. I would definitely throw them into the ring if you are going to start comparing.

[zina10]

The Sumatrans get too black for me, but Borneos could be a possibility.

I'll check out the Facebook group as well, I guess that's where a lot of "forums" are headed these days.

When it comes to Ball Pythons and even other reptiles, I much prefer THIS forum over facebook ones.

There just isn't that much activity for Blood Pythons, here, and the Facebook group has tons of info if you have questions