temperament

[bandicoot4]

hi everyone, so im just curious about the temperament of bloods. i have one ball python, but want one of these in the future i love the size of them and their patterns but ive heard some mixed things about them when being handled.

[Daybreaker]

Depends on the individual: my T+ albino has been very hand-able even from a young age and she's never shown any defensiveness while my SSTP ("Black Blood") went through a touchy phase when she hit about sub adult age (hissing, striking, lunging: not aggressive behavior but defensive) but with some work she calmed down and is on her way to being a really well mannered adult. I would recommend starting with a baby and working with it and learning with it as it grows: you can always ask the breeder how the baby's temperament is too.

[Tim Mead]

My proof is in the pudding pictures only addresses the species Python breitensteini or Borneo blood.. Bloodlines or lineages all differ and some are quieter than others..
Some hatch quiet and never think of biting and others hatch ready to stand up for themselves..30-90 days later even the more nervous ones have gotten in the groove of our routine and its all good..I believe a lot of it has to do with the keepers ORA..

[Jason Bowden]

I purchased a couple 2012 female bloods earlier this year.
They both scared the hell out of me at first. Had me shaking like a leaf. LOL
I quickly bought some leather gloves to handle them with a little more confidence.
They have both settled down a whole lot and the gloves are starting to come off.
I would never advise these as a first pet snake, but if you have some experience, go for it. Get a nice baby and have fun!

[bandicoot4]

Thanks everyone, ill ontinue to do more research too

[jasonmcgilvrey83]

Dang that a big blood. I want one now. Lol

[SSGTROUT]

My proof is in the pudding pictures only addresses the species Python breitensteini or Borneo blood.. Bloodlines or lineages all differ and some are quieter than others..
Some hatch quiet and never think of biting and others hatch ready to stand up for themselves..30-90 days later even the more nervous ones have gotten in the groove of our routine and its all good..I believe a lot of it has to do with the keepers ORA..

What is a keeper's ORA? Just wondering.

[Tim Mead]

Keepers Ora , may be misspelt, by that I was referring to the keepers state of mind, If a keeper has apprehension and or nervousness it may be picked up by the animal.. Horses and dogs are capable of it so snakes may be as well.. Pictured is a 6 near 7 year old who has handled a slew of these animals and has absolutely no problem.. Likely because there is no learned fear and or apprehension..

Respectfully,
Tim..

[Kara]

If I may loosely interpret what Tim is saying here, a keeper's aura, - the actions and energy projected, in other words body language - can cause a snake to act defensively (perceiving a threat) or calmly (no threat present). Basically "if you act like you're going to be bitten, you're probably going to be bitten." Nervous keepers tend to make choppy, grabby, quick movements that put a snake on edge. Staring a snake directly in the eyes for extended periods of time can also be perceived as a threat by the animal, especially among species with greater visual acuity. Calm keepers tend to be firm and deliberate in their actions, and go about the business of handling a snake without causing the animal undue stress or alarm.

Another tip for nervous handlers - eat a breath mint or chew gum. Both mask the scent of adrenaline on your breath, and also give your mind something else to focus on in the background.

[catzeye21138]

Staring a snake directly in the eyes for extended periods of time can also be perceived as a threat by the animal, especially among species with greater visual acuity.

Have you found that the short tails and blood pythons have better sight than other species of snakes? I know they have shiftier eyes, but I'm not sure how much that accounts for lol.