Wow! Big thanks to Kara & Redpython for all the info. This helps a LOT.

Redpython, kudos on the wealth of info you have put together on your site. Trust me, it's not boring! I consider my brain to be a giant collection bin for herp facts anyways.

I figure from now on I'm going to just use the scientific names, even if I don't pronounce them right. Even thinking about the name "Sumatran blood python", that's confusing isn't it? Because P. curtus and P. brongersmai both reside on that island... Hmmm.

Plussss... when I have the money, either P. curtus or P. brongersmai is next on my list. Any recommendations on which is better for a first blood? I have only kept balls and corns thus far, but I'm going to be volunteering for the herp professor at Umass and taking care of his various animals this fall, so hopefully I'll get some more experience yet.