Blood personalities?

[Tim Mead]

I own four. My first was bought as an adult. She is currently just over 5.5 feet and weighs just over 30 pounds. She is vocal and will hiss often but has never made a defensive posture or tried to strike. She is puppy dog tame and will lay on the couch with you all day. While she has never tried to tag me she can get stubborn at times. For example if she doesn't want to go back in her cage she can pitch I fit. She can throw her weight around and is fast. I'm a big strong guy but when she does this I understand why big snakes should only be handled with two or three people. She is usually so slow at everything but during a fit she can really turn it up and surprise you by how fast she can be. I think she could very easily be a hand full of trouble for a smaller person and she's nice. Like with all snakes They are individuals so it is possible to get a blood that is just always in a bad mood. I feel lucky with her as she really is a joy most of the time and in my collection she is probably the most laid back.

Now my other three I bought very young. They were tagging me left and right (my profile might have bite pics). They hissed, bit, and squirmed all about when trying to deal with them. However after probably two months two started to really calm down as they figured out biting me did no go and I was not there to hurt them. My male took a bit longer to convince. Now having them almost two years I can not tell you the last time one struck. They are very vocal like my big girl but very nice to deal with. Like my big girl they are usually very easy to deal with but from time to time they will refuse to go back home easily. They are still at a size that it is no problem but they are much the same a my big one.

As long as you feel you can control a big blood and house it, mine is in a pvc cage 48*24*15, you should be fine. If you want to have a better idea of a snakes temperament get one that is a sub adult. That way you have a better idea of what your getting yourself into. If you get a young one it is very possible that it will try to tag you. They will draw blood but it really does not hurt and is over before you knew it happened. Nobody will be able to tell you exactly what your blood will do and what hi have told you is only what I have observed from my four. I have read of really nasty ones out there but that has not been my experience.

What about a Borneo or Sumatran short tail? They stay on the smaller side compared to a red blood. Reds are usually the largest with the Borneo next and the Sumatran last. They are worth a look if you have not checked them out yet.

The girth of a blood python with the weight and strength that go with it is a very impressive force. My ball python is in no way comparable to my bloods in power and strength. Even a smaller male is not in the same ballpark as a ball. I cant even compare them to my six foot BRB which is super strong compared to my balls. Bloods are very unique animals.

You sound mentally capable of dealing with a blood and or short-tail python, its always a blessing for the animal to be acquired by a concerned keeper like yourself! Having a mother with RA and knowing its affect on the body leads me to one concern... Having a painful day and having to handle and manage a very HEAVY snake for routine cleanings. I wouldn't be in any hurry to feed the animal to maximum capacity in its first or second year of life. When properly maintained these animals can manage their body stores very well, go months without eating, and still look as thick and gorgeous as ever.

Also.. If you want color... but are a bit different from the salmon that swim up stream (aka. the red blood crowd)... BORNEOS are the way to go! The color spectrum on Borneo pythons is only rivaled by ball python mutations themselves!

As with anything, If you're ever uncertain... take your time. There are plenty of quality animals in the right places if you take your time and look for them. Never settle for the first thing you run up on at a show. If it's a gorgeous docile pet you want, make sure that's exactly what you get!

Happy Hunting, and good luck!

Bloods are often nippy as babies, but usually settle down nicely as adults. They are generally quite talkative. You're right about the hissing, even while being totally relaxed. They just do that, but have very easy to read body language. For red bloods, the Bangka Island locality tends to be smaller, and they are quite clean, light pretty snakes.
If you're looking for examples of morphs, VPI has a nice photo gallery.
http://vpi.com/galleries

That's only the tip of the iceberg!

Wait til you delve into your new resources!

As far as the meds go... GOOD LUCK!

My Moms' has tried it all... if anything... the meds will do you worse than the RA! If you're in a "progressive" state... I'd go the herbal route... If you get my drift!

I don't mean to hijack here, bloods have always interested me but when comparing Bloods, Borneos, and Sumatrans how big is the size difference. I look at the photos that Tim Mead posts and those things look like beasts to me.

KMG & DNA curtus K did an absolutely AWESOME job explaining the animals and I 2nd what they said.. As with dogs not all breed types are the same.. IMO the Borneos and blacks are a quieter more placid animal.. Bloodlines also differ, there are reds that are better natured than some others.. In regards to your RA, I would have to 2nd DNA Krystal.. Man made drugs just mask problems and create more problems.. Herbals are safe and come from Mother earth.. I also had a GOOD LAUGH when I came to last post of jclaiborne.. You do NOT have to grow your animals as big as mine.. But I like a big snake so I make big snakes.. Mine are in fact Beasts when it comes to size but each and everyone of them is a sheer pleasure to deal with..If you'd like, click on my facebook link and there are gobs of picture to look at ALL containing Borneos and nothing else.. You'll notice a LOT of interaction including a 7 year old girl.. May the pain NOT be with you..