A couple questions about Bloods

[icygirl]

Hey, I am a bit confused about the classification of bloods, so I was wondering if anybody could answer some questions for me?

1. I have heard of Python curtus, and Python brongersmai, and I even saw Python curtus brongersmai on a website. Will someone clear up the naming confusion? Which name means which?

2. What is the difference between a short tail python and a blood python, or are they the same thing?

3. Can you list the different localities of bloods (e.g. Sumatran, Borneo, etc.) and the major defining characteristics of each?

Thanks so much in advance. -G

[Kara]

In a very small nutshell...

Blood pythons (Python brongersmai), Sumatran short-tailed pythons (Python curtus) and Borneo short-tailed pythons (Python breitensteini) were elevated to individual species status in 2001, and haven't been considered subspecies of P. curtus for a few years now. They were at one time all subspecies of Python curtus, hence some of the confusion.

In a nutshell, Borneo short-tails (P. breiteinsteini) only come from Borneo & Sarawak. They are varying shades of brown w/yellow, cream & white markings.


Blood pythons (P. brongersmai) are found in Malaysia, Sumatra (Northeast), and even Southeast Asia, as well as some insular localities. Blood pythons are the most variable of the three species. The most well-known color is red, although they also come in brown, yellow, and extreme variations of each. Markings are usually yellow, black & white.


Sumatran short-tailed pythons (P. curtus) are found in southern & western Sumatra. The larger variety is usually very dark with either a black head or light brown/gray head. The smaller variety may be a bit lighter (although still dark) with a yellow or orange head. The yellow/orange headed animals are the smallest variety of any of the three species.

[littleindiangirl]

Oh, looky what Kara posted!

[redpython]

read this, first part, map w/ boring info

http://redpython.net/newsite/caresheet.htm

[icygirl]

Wow! Big thanks to Kara & Redpython for all the info. This helps a LOT.

Redpython, kudos on the wealth of info you have put together on your site. Trust me, it's not boring! I consider my brain to be a giant collection bin for herp facts anyways.

I figure from now on I'm going to just use the scientific names, even if I don't pronounce them right. Even thinking about the name "Sumatran blood python", that's confusing isn't it? Because P. curtus and P. brongersmai both reside on that island... Hmmm.

Plussss... when I have the money, either P. curtus or P. brongersmai is next on my list. Any recommendations on which is better for a first blood? I have only kept balls and corns thus far, but I'm going to be volunteering for the herp professor at Umass and taking care of his various animals this fall, so hopefully I'll get some more experience yet.

[littleindiangirl]

Curtus!

[tigerlily]

Kara's website ( http://www.bloodpythons.com/ ) is another good site to check out.

[Schlyne]

Usually when people say Sumantran Blood python they're referring to P. brongersmai. Sumantran Short tail or Black blood would be P. curtus.

Hm, I'd say go for the curtus (I have not yet owned P. brog though. I started out with a Sarawak P. bret baby and then picked up a curtus adult).

[icygirl]

Curtus!

The sexiness of that picture is overwhelming! And yes, I was leaning towards Curtus!

Kara's website ( http://www.bloodpythons.com/ ) is another good site to check out.

I just discovered the forums over there, and will be reading up some more! Thanks.

[littleindiangirl]

The sexiness of that picture is overwhelming! And yes, I was leaning towards Curtus!

Oh no, don't enable me. I may never stop.