Sumatran Blood Python

Diablo · #1 (**permalink**) 07-14-2004, 06:39 AM

Any of you guys/gals keep these. I saw one at a local shop and is very nice looking. This one seems to be really tame. Just wondering if any of you had experience or any good pics of them?

ssscales · #2 (**permalink**) 07-14-2004, 02:40 PM

I've got 1.2 Bloods and they are cool snakes.
All 3 of mine are about 1-1/2 yrs old and about 3FT, all 3 will bite and are quite nervous snakes. All 3 eat a F/T med rat every 7 days without a problem. They need somehwat high humidity, I keep a rubbermaid with moist sphagnum moss, whic they spend most of the day burried in. They grow about 5-7FT, very thick snakes!

Some are tame as dogs, most will not tolerate much handling.

CC · #3 (**permalink**) 07-14-2004, 06:52 PM

Bloods tend to be a bit moody. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I have never heard of a Blood that was tame. Don't get me wrong though. They are great looking snakes.

ssscales · #4 (**permalink**) 07-14-2004, 08:18 PM

They are awesome, especially full grown adults. I agree, very moody! My 3 are not viscous that they attack you for walking by the cage, but they will strike if you get to close for comfort. They don't tolerate handling and from the looks of it never will. My Boas are all puppies! My JCP's took some time in handling, but have turned out nicely. These Bloods, hopeless!

I still think they're great looking snakes and a must to have! I hope to breed mine 05 or 06.

Diablo · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2004, 12:56 AM

Thanks for the info guys. The one I handled the other day could have cared less if I held it or moved its head around. It was a great snake.

ssscales · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2004, 01:19 PM

How old was it? How much?
Some are very relaxed, the norm is nervous and snappy!

Sunn · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2004, 02:33 PM

I have 1.1 Short Tailed Borneos and as babies would allow handling. It stressed them a bit and they would huff and and occasionally the female would hiss ......those were the good ole days. Now that they have some real size on them the male is still calmer than the female but both totally object to being handled at all! They are nervous snakes compared to most species hobbyist are collecting.

Since buying these I've talked to many who have had their own and although most love them the main opinion is if you see a tame one it is most likely sick. There is always the exception to the rule but that is a rarity. I've only seen one here on the forum that is tame and it must think it is a boa is all I can think of and is definitely not typical. I would definitely say these are not for the beginner or even moderate hobbyist..... once grown the females can reach 5-7 feet and weigh 30+ lbs. Their powerful snakes and I mean powerful! You also need a male for each female instead of one male being able to service more than one female.

As beautiful as mine are and they ARE trophy specimens, if I had it to do all over I'd have bought a boa.......and mine are CBB. What I hear about the wild caught is even worse and doesn't get much better even with time.

If your wanting a snake that will be comfortable being handled I'd suggest a boa or BP.
Just my experience.

Good luck however you go. It's difficult to bypass that fat lil baby.

Sunn · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2004, 02:36 PM

Oh sorry....you asked for pics too.... I just posted updates of mine in Post Your Pics this week. If you want to see Bloods I would suggest going to http://www.vpi.com and going into their gallery. You could spend hours looking at what the Barkers have bred and maintain.

ssscales · #9 (**permalink**) 07-15-2004, 04:59 PM

I couldn't agree more! Mine are CBB as well, I've seen some imports that would strike at the glass everytime you got close. I have accepted the fact that they may never accept handling and that's that.

Diablo · #10 (**permalink**) 07-16-2004, 06:05 AM

Thanks for the info. I am familiar with biting snakes. My male normal Retic is crazy. I was just looking for something a little different. And when I saw this short fat guy I thought, WOW.

KLG · #11 (**permalink**) 07-17-2004, 05:24 PM

I now have over 100 bloods (easily my favorite snakes) & 99.9% of them are trustworthy-tame. They're pissy as babies & WC animals are often ticking time bombs, but this species has a greatly overrated reputation for viciousness. In my experience bloods can be tamed fairly easily with time, patience & gentle interaction. They're certainly not ball pythons or cornsnakes & can't be regarded as such, but they do make a rewarding captive for the thinking herpetoculturist.

K

ssscales · #12 (**permalink**) 07-17-2004, 05:31 PM

N.E.R.D has some awsome Bloods, I hope to buy one of their Albinos hopefully next year. Very nice snakes!

I just find it hard to think of a blood without a hook, gloves or just getting bit...

GizmO · #13 (**permalink**) 07-17-2004, 06:39 PM

Bloods are phatties

KLG · #14 (**permalink**) 07-17-2004, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunn

You also need a male for each female instead of one male being able to service more than one female.

Actually, I don't find this to be true at all. I have males that successfully sire multiple clutches from different females every year - usually a single male to a couple of girls per season, depending on the project.

K

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