Hello!

I finally get to post over here...LOL!

I am predominantly in BPs, but have always loved the bloods. My reptile vet talked me out of getting one (or two) back this Fall when I was heavily researching them and asking around about breeders. So, I kind of abandoned the idea temporarily (but luckily held onto my articles on keeping STPs).

This week I went out to check out what I thought was a Black Blood Ball Python (I have no interest in breeding hybrids, but thought owning one might be neat...and maybe a stepping stone towards full blown STPs). I'm looking at this snake thinking, "this baby looks like full blooded Sumatran STP...I don't see an ounce of ball in him/her?" Turns out, the previous owner misspoke when we had talked and this snake is a full blown Sumatran STP! Good health, visually speaking...a little dimpling in the eyes - assumed that the previous husbandry wasn't quite hitting the humidity requirements! The previous owner did have everything in her collection under heat lamps in screen top glass tanks and said this baby soaks all the time. After doing some research on the species, that's a good sign of either mites (which I did a thorough check and found none) or trying to escape too much heat. I have this baby in a LARGE rack/tub enclosure now with belly heat, soak tub is still available, but since I got him/her yesterday, it hasn't touched it at all. I did go out and picked up an extra digital thermometer and a new hygrometer, just because some of my gauges are older and I want everything spot on with this SSTP. It goes to the vet this afternoon for a full check and a proper sexing. Three years old, super sweet...weighed in at 8 pounds (the previous owner didn't have a gram scale, and I need to find a bigger bowl or tray for mine, I figure I'll let the vet do the honors for today LOL).

Just so excited and looking forward to learning as much as I can so I can do well with this species and hopefully add on a Blood cousin down the road! I'll add pics soon!