new blood in a sea of balls

[metalhedthree]

just picked up a blood python. first one ever. i currently own 26 ball pythons so this is kinda different water im swimming in here. i originally went to the pet store to pick up a ball python, but this caught my eye. i did however get a super pastel on wednesday.. but went back today for this guy. can anybody tell me if its a tiger? or something else. the markings arent as bold as some of the pictures ive seen of tiger bloods, and the tail is really throwing me off.

[DNACurtusK]

Nice animal. I wouldn't consider him a tiger though. He is what I guess would be considered a 'yellow' phase as I hear folks call it from what I can tell from the photograph. I bet you'll get hooked after getting to know this guy! They are addicting

[KMG]

Welcome to the club. They are awesome animals. Mine quickly became my favorite to handle. The tail looks normal to me. All of mine are dark and I can't remember seeing one that wasn't.

[metalhedthree]

i was looking at pics and videos last night and is it possible its a matrix? also, can i sex it by popping it much like i would a ball python? a female would be nice, but i dont have room for a 30 lb snake. lol

[DNACurtusK]

Going by what I can see in the photo I do not believe it is a Matrix

[metalhedthree]

yea, i think you nailed it with yellow phase DNA. what exactly is "yellow phase" then? im not so familiar with bloods as i am with balls

[Tikall]

yea, i think you nailed it with yellow phase DNA. what exactly is "yellow phase" then? im not so familiar with bloods as i am with balls

Yellow phase just means the color of the snake. The normal blood pythons come in shades of brown, yellow, and red, so they are called phases. They are a very variable species. It is just used to describe its normal coloration.

[DNACurtusK]

^ What she said

[metalhedthree]

thanks for the input man. one more question.. right now i have him in my 8 tub rack with my adult female ball pythons. stays 89 on the hot side and around 76 on the cool side. i threw mulch in instead of newspaper because everywhere i go i hear controversial sides that "bloods need a MUCH higher humidity than balls" and then the opposite of "bloods are prone to RI and should be kept on newspaper to prevent that". so ill just ask you guys. should i leave him alone on the mulch, or switch to newspaper?

[DNACurtusK]

Blood Pythons DO need nigher humidity than BP's. You can keep him on the mulch. You should have his 'cool' side closer to 80, and his 'hotter' side no more than 87. Be sure he has a large water source, preferably one he can fit his entire body in, as these guys like to soak.