Blood Pythons: Dangerous?

[Anya]

I was going to post in the actual blood python forum, but I would like this to get noticed a bit more...

So, the topic at hand! And one I can't actually seem to find an answer for. I did a little searching around the forum, but I didn't see anything.

Here's the thing. I live with my parents and my three year old sister (16 years between us). My father is an amazing supporter of my hobby, but the one thing he insists on for his peace of mind is: no snakes that could kill my sister. Now, my snakes are kept in a room she isn't allowed in, and she has never opened a cage, although she has an intense love for my scaly buddies. I was considering getting a hatching to raise up within the next few months, and I would make sure it was male, so it would be smaller. But before this happens, he would like to know your opinion on if this would be a good idea or not.

Thank you in advance!

[bfirecat]

I do not have much experience with blood pythons, but I have heard that a good amount of them are actually quite tame.
However, I would always err on the side of caution.

I don't think a blood python would kill anyone, but they can/do bite

[I-KandyReptiles]

Any snake has the potential to do damage to a young child.

Keep in mind, I say damage. I doubt with proper supervision that anything worse than a possible bite may happen.

[Anya]

Okay, how about this: how much more dangerous than your average big breeder female bp?

[I-KandyReptiles]

I have no experience with blood pythons.

I've been reading and it seems most males get upwards of 7lbs. So over 3000g. Ive read of massive females reaching 40lbs, although the website does state that bloods of that size are usually obese.

Taking into mind how thick bodied they are, I wouldn't compare them to a ball python but more like a miniature BCI female. I have a 7' female, weight unknown, and she has left marks on my arms from when she used my arm just to wrap around and steady herself.

As long as you are closely monitoring the snake when it is out of its enclosure and around your younger sibling, I wouldn't be too worried. Although if it was to become frightened, or you were having it wrapped around your neck, I could see some problems.

Just be sure to keep the enclosure locked, and inaccessible by your sister if and when you are not around.

[KMG]

I have four bloods. Three yearling and one 3.5-4.5 year old, over 5 foot, about 15 pound female.

The young ones are calming down very well but are still not completely trustworthy. My big female is a big puppy that I completely trust but she is big. I say completely but no animal can ever be completely predicted so it should never be completely trusted. I trust her with me but am very cautious when others are around her. I don't mind getting bit but would hate it to happen to somebody else. She has never tried to tag me but I'm sure it would not be very pleasant if she decided to.

I would trust her around a kid, supervised of course, to pet but not handle. She is way to big and strong to be handled by one. She could hurt a small person by accident just from her size and strength.

That said its hard to say that any blood you get will be as nice as mine. I do think most can become just as nice as mine but there is no guarantee.

Buying a male would be a very wise decision and maybe one with alittle age that has already started to show his true personality.

They are in no way a ball python. They are much more vocal(hiss, huff, and puff) and can really have an attitude.

As long as it is in a appropriate cage and your sister knows not to ever attempt to handle it you should be fine. Killing a person I don't think is the problem as much as hurting one, and a blood could definitely do that.

I would try to find an adult male to handle so you and your family could get a good idea of what you would end up with.

[MrLang]

You say 'kill'...

I think the likelihood of being killed by any non-venomous snake people keep (even the 10 foot ones) is statistically insignificant. Even to be injured she would probably have to get into the cage and antagonize the animal.

17 people have died from constrictor snakes since 1978. That's less than .5 deaths a year out of 313,000,000 people. Compare this to 30-40,000 from car accidents, 2700 in home fires, 184 from non-fire carbon monoxide poisoning EACH YEAR.

Do you have stairs in your house? Electrical sockets? Does she drive in cars?

Every ride in a car you refuse to put her on is technically an opportunity to eliminate the risk of death by car accident.

This morning I saw someone go out of their way to cross the lanes to run over a smashed snapping turtle corpse. Ignorance breeds fear. Get the snake and show the next generation there is nothing to worry about.

[Jason Bowden]

I would hold off a while.

Baby bloods can be mean as hell. LOL
I just got a couple this year. Both have bitten me and I'll take some more bites.

My biggest one is calming down. They are both 2012 females.

I think both of mine will settle down into nice tame adults.

I say wait til you move out in a few years. Just my opinion. Out of respect for your parents, etc...

I've got an 18 month old daughter and a new baby girl on the way. My snakes are in lockable cages in the spare bedroom with the door locked. Me and my wife both have keys. I keep BP's, 2 baby bloods, and boas on the opposite side of the room.

I will say that blood pythons make awesome captives/pet snakes. I like them a lot!

[Jason Bowden]

Okay, how about this: how much more dangerous than your average big breeder female bp?

I have ball pythons over 10 years old. Very gentle snakes.

Bloods have more powerful movements. I could imagine a bite from a bigger one being pretty bad.

I think you are the right kind of person to own one, just wouldn't hurt to wait.

W words people don't like: work, wash, WAIT

[mackynz]

Think about it like this:

I noticed in your signature that you have a dog. Seeing as she is many many many times more likely to be killed by the dog than any constrictor I would say your dad is being a bit silly. (I can source that and get the exact number when not at work if you like.)

The anual number of deaths caused by constrictors doesn't hold a candle to those caused by dogs and cats (via toxoplasmosis).

Basically if you're safe and responsible, you're fine. Just like I am assuming your dad is safe and responsible with the dog.

I should note that it has nothing to do with the particular breed you own. Pits are one of the most loving, loyal breeds I've been around.