What do you think of this blood?

[Lolo76]

I was just browsing on craigslist (I know, I know ), and came across this nice looking Blood Python for $75 OBO... I'm not well-versed on Bloods yet, so I am curious as to your opinions. Of course MY opinion is most important, but it always helps to have the "experts" chime in.
Here's the ad: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pet/1565175987.html

P.S. I don't plan to breed these (yet), just looking to add something different to my collection.

[Lolo76]

Btw, I was just checking out the Blood Python caresheet (on this site), and I'm a little confused about this...

"Intermediate. Not an animal for the beginner, a blood python can make a rewarding captive for the intermediate keeper who has successfully kept other species for a length of time. This is a species that requires prior experience & some ability to perceive and understand snake behavior. "

What does that mean exactly, in your opinions? I've successfully kept Ball Pythons and Corns for about a year now, and lizards since I was a kid... never had any problems with my snakes, and I'm a pretty fast learner. Would you say I'm ready for a Blood, or should I wait a while longer? My other thought was to get a Carpet Python, so I'm wondering if that's a better choice right now.

[Nevadamoon]

The ad's been flagged, so can't see it. In my area baby bloods usually go from between $50-100 for reds, black bloods start at about $100. Adults and subadults are in the $150-200 range for both and up. So the price doesn't sound horrible to me, but I don't know anything about the ones you're talking about.

As far as experience goes, I can't really talk much. I only have a few years of snake experience and my blood is a wee thing. When I spoke to the breeder I got mine from, he spoke highly of their personalities and said that if they're handled regularly most will grow up to be docile adults. I think the main concern with handling is size, and I have to wonder how much is a bad reputation due to the more unpredictable nature of the wild caughts compared to the captive breds. I know when I told a friend I'd just gotten a blood, she freaked out on me and told me how bad of a decision that was because of how mean and awful they were. She's never owned one, she's just been in the herp hobby for 20+ years. (So I have to wonder if she's just biased from what she heard when they first dropped on the scene.)

[pavlovk1025]

Btw, I was just checking out the Blood Python caresheet (on this site), and I'm a little confused about this...

"Intermediate. Not an animal for the beginner, a blood python can make a rewarding captive for the intermediate keeper who has successfully kept other species for a length of time. This is a species that requires prior experience & some ability to perceive and understand snake behavior. "

What does that mean exactly, in your opinions? I've successfully kept Ball Pythons and Corns for about a year now, and lizards since I was a kid... never had any problems with my snakes, and I'm a pretty fast learner. Would you say I'm ready for a Blood, or should I wait a while longer? My other thought was to get a Carpet Python, so I'm wondering if that's a better choice right now.

From what I understand, Bloods tend to be a bit aggressive, so theyre not a beginner's snake. If you are aware of snake behaviors, and can see and recognize that youre going to get bit if you get any closer, then youre probably ready to get one. Unfortunately for my household, the whole thing with them being aggressive is why we CANT get one. =/
But man oh man would I love to get my hands on an albino blood.

[broadude]

I would do a bit of personal research if you are really thinking about getting one. A friend has a few and I believe they have some requirements regarding their environments (I am intentionally not listing it all).

*They don't get long so much as they get extremely wide around the girth.

[Tim Mead]

Ad expired..

Snakes,reptiles are not aggressive...They are scared or not acclimated as with babies which can be all mouth until socialized/acclimented..
Baby jungle carpets take about a year or so..Baby bloods are not as nervous and scared as them..

Intermediate, due to a couple small environmental requirements, higher humidity and lower temps than many other boas/pythons..
Not due to temperment, the stigma is old and outdated..Theres many a happy keeper out there which will second this..If one can read and follow directions then one can be successful in keeping this awesome species..

The species are on the other end of the spectrum from carpet pythons..
The phone can ring you can be on an hour to come back and find the blood in the same place,,Many occasions,,, where as a carpet you'll have to search the whole house and up to the ceiling no less..Theres also the Borneos,our personal favorites and the sumatran Blacks..

[m00kfu]

Our bloods over here are actually more docile than our ball pythons. The only time I've been struck at by them is during feeding time.

[snakey68]

bloods are not for a beginner in most cases imo, as they are less forgiving than most other python species popular in the pet trade. The things you get away with with balls etc can cause problems with bloods, hence the opinion in some cases that a more experienced eye is required to reduce the chances of problems occurring.

that being said I believe any person that does their homework and is fully committed to providing what they require should be able to look after them and provide them a with healthy environment.

A lot of people however, do not either have the experience,or don't make it a priority to learn what they should. It is good to see people posting to find out info and opinions rather than impulse buy with no prior knowledge.

As far as what to choose if you doubt or don't think your ready for a blood and are pulling towards a carpet I would go with the carpet and get more experience again which is only going to make it easier when you do decide on a blood 100%.

[docturgonzo]

bloods are not for a beginner in most cases imo, as they are less forgiving than most other python species popular in the pet trade. The things you get away with with balls etc can cause problems with bloods, hence the opinion in some cases that a more experienced eye is required to reduce the chances of problems occurring.

Thats it in a nut Shell. Were as Balls may be a little bit more forgiving and a bit more hardier when it comes to humidity and temperature variations the Bloods will not be. That said as long as you do your homework as with any new snake and make sure you are equipped to keeping them at the correct Temp Humidity requirments you will have many happy years of Blood python keeping. you just need to be able to pick up on slight signs of concern alot quicker

As mentioned the 'aggressive' image they have recieved is totally out dated and captive bred youngsters, although maybe a little less tolorable to been messed around (then Balls) will generally be fine to handle and work with.

Lots of people move from Balls to Bloods as it seems a natural step for people who want to get into more exciting and challenging species. And theres no snake in my eyes more rewarding to keep then blood pythons